When you’re planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in central New Jersey, the ballroom you choose sets the stage for everything that follows. We’ve hosted these celebrations at Grand Marquis for over 30 years, and we understand the unique balance families need. You want a space that honors the religious and cultural weight of the day while giving kids and adults a setting they’ll actually enjoy.
Our two ballrooms in Old Bridge give you options that fit different guest counts and celebration styles. Both spaces come with the same level of service, but they feel distinct when you walk through them.
Two Ballroom Options for Your Mitzvah Celebration
We offer two distinct ballrooms at our Old Bridge location, and the one you choose depends on your guest count and the atmosphere you’re after. Both feature the same European-influenced design with marble columns and crystal chandeliers, but they handle crowds differently and create different energy in the room.
The Dome Room for Intimate Gatherings
The Dome Room accommodates 250 guests and works well for families who want a contained, elegant space. The jaw-dropping dome ceiling creates a focal point that pulls your eye up, and the circular marble dance floor sits right at the center. Floor-to-ceiling windows line one wall, and there’s an adjoining outdoor patio where guests can step out for air between the candle lighting and dessert.
The Roman Corinthian marble columns around the perimeter add formality without feeling stiff. We’ve found that this room works especially well when you have strong opinions about your tablescape and want the architecture to frame your vision rather than compete with it.
The Marquis Ballroom for Larger Celebrations
The Marquis Ballroom holds up to 800 guests, though most mitzvahs we host here fall between 200 and 400 people. The marble oval dance floor is spacious enough for both the hora and freestyle dancing later in the night. Plentiful seating during cocktail hour means your older guests won’t be standing around looking for a chair, and younger cousins can claim a table for their group early.
Like the Dome Room, you’ll see towering Roman Corinthian marble columns and crystal chandeliers throughout the space. Both ballrooms have columns that change colors, and many families tie the lighting to their theme or the teen’s favorite colors. We’ve done everything from school colors to sports team palettes to elegant jewel tones.
What Our Staff Brings to Mitzvah Planning
Our team is knowledgeable in the religious and cultural significance of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. That matters when you’re coordinating everything from the timing of the candle lighting to dietary needs for guests who keep kosher. We work with you to map out the flow of the day so the ceremonial moments get the attention they deserve and the party portions feel natural, not rushed.
Our experienced planners help create a celebration that works for guests of all ages. That usually means thinking through sight lines for grandparents during the candle lighting, creating lounge areas where adults can talk without shouting over the DJ, and making sure the dance floor setup lets the kids actually see each other when the lights go down and the LEDs come up.
Food and Bar Service During Your Event
Our award-winning chefs provide gourmet custom catering for your mitzvah. You’ll have a full cocktail hour with butler-passed hors d’oeuvres, plus cold and hot food stations. We serve a first course and a four-choice entrée tableside during dinner, followed by multiple dessert options and a celebration cake.
We also offer kosher-style catering options. If your family observes kashrut or you have guests who do, talk to us early in the planning process so we can walk you through what that looks like in practice.
Your celebration includes a premium open bar for the entire event. That’s not a limited selection or a cash bar after a certain hour. Your bar stays open and fully stocked from cocktail hour through the last dance.
Creating Themed Experiences in Our Ballrooms
Families often ask how much freedom they have to make the space feel personal. Our ballrooms give you a formal foundation, and then you build on it. We create themed events to fit your child’s style and personality, whether that’s a sports-focused celebration, a specific color palette, or a more sophisticated look that feels closer to an adult event.
The dazzling LEDs on our dance floors shift the energy in the room completely. You’re not just changing the lighting, you’re changing what the space feels like. We’ve seen kids who were hesitant to dance completely let loose once the floor lights up and their favorite songs start playing.
Guest Count Requirements and Booking Timeline
We typically require a minimum of 150 guests for Saturday evening events and 100 guests for Friday or Sunday evenings. Other days can be more flexible depending on the month and your specific circumstances. If your celebration falls on a less popular date or you’re planning further out, we have more room to work with you on minimums.
We suggest booking 12 to 18 months ahead if you’re targeting a Saturday in the spring or fall. Those dates fill quickly, especially for families who want to coordinate with the Jewish calendar and school schedules. If you have more flexibility on timing, you’ll have more options.
What’s Included With Your Ballroom Rental
When you book either ballroom, you’re getting more than just the physical space. We provide professional staff and event coordination, all stemware, silverware, linens, tables, and chairs. Valet parking is included for your guests, which matters when you have older relatives attending or anyone traveling from out of town who isn’t familiar with the area.
You’re not piecing together vendors or wondering if the rental company will show up on time. Everything we’ve listed is part of your booking, handled by our team.
Planning Your Visit to Grand Marquis
We’re located at 1550 Route 9 South in Old Bridge, about 10 minutes from the Garden State Parkway. Our hours are 10 am to 7 pm daily, and we encourage families to schedule a tour rather than just stopping by. That gives us time to walk you through both ballrooms, answer specific questions about your celebration, and show you how the spaces look set up for an actual event if we have one that day.
The best way to understand what we can do for your Bar or Bat Mitzvah is to see the ballrooms in person and talk through what you’re envisioning. Contact us at 732.679.5700 or through our website to book your tour.
FAQs
How far in advance should we book for a Saturday evening mitzvah?
We recommend 12 to 18 months for Saturday evenings in spring and fall. Those are our busiest seasons. If you’re considering a Friday, Sunday, or off-season date, you’ll have more flexibility and can often book closer to your preferred date.
Can we bring in our own rabbi or use our synagogue’s caterer?
Your rabbi is absolutely welcome to participate in the celebration. For catering, our award-winning chefs handle all food and beverage service in-house. This lets us maintain quality control and ensures everything runs smoothly on the day of your event. If you have specific dietary requirements or cultural food traditions, talk to us early so we can accommodate them through our kitchen.
What if our guest count changes after we book?
Guest counts often shift as families finalize their lists. We’ll work with you on adjustments. The main thing is staying above the minimums we discussed when you booked. If you need to reduce below that, we’ll look at what’s possible based on the date and how far out we are from the event.
Is there flexibility to customize the ballroom setup and theme?
Yes. Our experienced planners create themed events to fit your child’s personality and your family’s vision. The ballrooms have a formal European foundation with the marble columns and chandeliers, and you build your theme from there. We’ve accommodated everything from subtle color palettes to elaborate themed productions.