Extend the Celebration with a Wedding After-Party

Your wedding ceremony was perfect, the reception fun with friends and family. But all too soon, it’s over. And yet, you want to continue celebrating and spending time with friends and family, especially those who have traveled for the event. A wedding after-party is the perfect answer to keep the celebration going. Wedding after-parties can be as simple as moving to a late-night venue or bar with guests or staying at your reception venue — preplanned, of course.

A cookie table at Over Eden

Over Eden at the TRYP by Wyndham Pittsburgh/Lawrenceville Hotel is a unique space ideal for not only weddings and receptions, but after-parties as well. According to Stephanie Montavon, senior catering sales manager at TRYP, there are three event spaces available for wedding events for anywhere from 20 to 150 guests. “Our rooftop restaurant and bar, called Over Eden, is the prime space that gets booked often for weddings with its stunning backdrop of the city skyline, delicious cocktails and award-winning venue. Ceremonies tend to be on the outdoor patio, while dinner and dancing is done inside the temperature-controlled area,” Montavon said. After-parties can be held in the same area. Montavon said the Brickshop restaurant and bar is also often booked for after-parties. “This bar will serve until midnight and offer exclusive use of the space in the 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. time frame. This bar remains open to the public if an event is booked on the rooftop, so wedding guests can also fill the space for cocktails anytime until midnight.”

Alyssa Simmons and her husband

Alyssa Simmons and her husband went for a more informal approach for their wedding after-party when they were married in September at Shady Elms Farm. Instead of staying at the venue or booking elsewhere, everyone gathered at the Meadows Casino. “We have always enjoyed parking at the Rivers Casino for sporting events, stopping in for a quick sports bet before or a round of blackjack after the game,” she explained. “My husband also enjoys playing poker with his friends, and since the Hyatt hotel is connected to the Meadows Casino and near our venue, we blocked rooms there and had a casino night.”

Simmons said that the event was very informal, with she and her husband donning velour tracksuits for fun. “It was really nice to have a space where everyone could mingle or do their own thing. They could choose to keep the party going as much as they wanted to, participate in games or just sit around and hang with others. We shuttled people back to the hotel to ensure that no one had to worry about transportation, and the convenience of the hotel being connected to the casino made it very easy for everyone to come and go as they pleased, and even get changed between the reception and after-party.”

The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh approaches wedding after-parties a bit differently. “We don’t typically book separate ‘after-party’ events following weddings. Instead, we focus on extending the celebration through customized late-night enhancements to the couple’s existing reception or wedding weekend experience. This allows guests to continue the festivities seamlessly, without needing to relocate or coordinate an additional venue,” said Madison Kelkis, marketing and communications manager.

She explained, “After-parties at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh often feel like the reception is easing into its next chapter. It’s the moment when the formal parts of the evening are over, shoes start to come off, and the celebration becomes more playful and relaxed. Some couples love to turn the energy up with a DJ, late-night dancing and moody lighting. Others prefer something laid-back with craft cocktails, soft seating and time for guests to mingle and unwind. The format is flexible and fully planned with our wedding specialists leading up to the special day, so every detail feels intentional and perfectly tailored to the couple.”

“The after-party usually unfolds right in the same space the couple originally fell in love with, reimagined for a late-night vibe. Food becomes a highlight as the evening shifts, with comfort-forward favorites like mozzarella sticks, mac and cheese bites, pizza and chicken tenders, alongside a classic Pittsburgh cookie table, espresso or coffee stations, or unique additions like using our partners at Millie’s Ice Cream for a localized sweet treat to personalize the experience and keep energy up to close out the night,” Kelkis said. Hotel event planners work closely with couples to ensure their experiences are tailored and uniquely theirs.

At Roost, a wedding after-party can take shape however a couple envisions, according to Abbey Perez, event sales manager. “Roost is an incredibly flexible event space that can comfortably accommodate up to 200 guests. It is easily adapted for any style of after-party, from a sophisticated cocktail lounge setup to a late-night dance party. The food is handled by the culinary team behind Revel, offering custom menu creations tailored to any budget or dietary restriction. We are also happy to work with various entertainment vendors to bring in anything from a DJ to a live band,” she said.

Since Roost is attached to a hotel, they can provide “seamless access for guests to sleeping rooms, meaning the party doesn’t have to end early for travel,” Perez said. “Since Roost is situated above Revel, guests get a dynamic urban event experience right in the heart of downtown. It's truly an elevated experience — both literally and figuratively — that sets the perfect energetic and welcoming atmosphere for celebrating.”

City Winery can accommodate groups of 20 to 350 for wedding after-parties. “Our motto at City Winery is ‘Indulge Your Senses,’ and that’s exactly what we do at our Pittsburgh location. We’ve created a warm, welcoming space that feels elevated without feeling pretentious. We’re all about great food, great drinks, great music and great vibes, which is the perfect mix for a memorable event,” event sales manager Brianna Haberkorn said. “We have a unique venue, a great location at The Terminal in the Strip District, customizable setups, and an amazing in-house catering team that can tailor the menu to fit your vision. We also offer interactive wine experiences like tasting stations, blind tastings and custom wine pairings to help take things to the next level.”

Howl at the Moon is perfect for a bride and groom looking for a more lively after party.

Howl at the Moon, a high-energy live music bar, is ideal for continuing the celebration late into the night. The bar has two main options for wedding after-parties, including “Keep the Party Going” passes, which are the most popular, according to sales and events manager Natalie Jendrejeski. “This is the perfect, no-fuss planning solution for late arrivals, with guaranteed late-night entry and priority entrance,” she said. The group booking bonus (minimum 10 guests) includes a stage call-down for the newlyweds. The other option is for semi-private events and table reservations for earlier arrivals.

“We offer energetic, request-based piano and band performances that cater to all ages and are a fun, interactive way to end the wedding night. It's a memorable way to end the wedding night with a bang,” Jendrejeski said.