Private Dining in Honolulu: Choosing the Right Event Space at Pier 38
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Planning a private dinner or group celebration in Honolulu? The right space depends on your guest count, the type of event you're hosting, and whether you need a separate room or the entire venue.
At Upstairs at Pier 38, we offer several private event options overlooking Honolulu's working harbor. From smaller gatherings to larger company celebrations, our spaces accommodate different group sizes and event formats.
Here's how to choose the option that best fits your plans.
Compare Our Private Dining Options
At Upstairs at Pier 38, we offer private dining options for different occasions and group sizes. Whether you're planning an intimate celebration or a larger company gathering, our team can help you choose a space that fits your event.
Event option | Guest capacity | Space and format |
Private Dining Room | Up to 40 | Enclosed room with presentation equipment |
Semi-Private Dining Room | Up to 20 | Partially separated space with an open floor plan |
Private Luncheons | 60–150 | Buffet-style event using the main dining room |
Full Venue Buyouts | Up to 150 | Exclusive use of the dining room for a dinner event |
Our event arrangements have different room fees and food-and-beverage requirements. The information below reflects our event options as of October 2026. Please confirm current pricing and availability with our team before booking.
Private Dining Room: For Gatherings of Up to 40 Guests
If you're planning a business meeting or special celebration and want a fully enclosed space, our Private Dining Room accommodates up to 40 guests.
The room includes two televisions that can be used for presentations or videos. Microphones are also available.
This option is worth considering for events where privacy or presentations are important.
Our booking requirements are:
Room fee: $200
Food and beverage minimum: $1,500
Maximum capacity: 40 guests
Whether you're organizing a team dinner or a family celebration, the enclosed space provides separation from the main dining room.
If your event includes a presentation, let us know when submitting your inquiry so we can discuss the available equipment.
Semi-Private Dining Room: For Groups of Up to 20
Not every gathering requires a fully enclosed room.
Our Semi-Private Dining Room accommodates up to 20 guests and is separated from the main dining room by a space that's closed off on one side.
It has an open floor plan, making it an option for smaller gatherings that don't require complete enclosure.
Our booking requirements are:
Room fee: $100
Food and beverage minimum: $900
Maximum capacity: 20 guests
Unlike our enclosed Private Dining Room, this space does not include televisions or microphones.
If you're planning a small group dinner and don't require presentation equipment, the semi-private option may better suit your gathering.
You can compare the room arrangements on our Event Options page.
Private Luncheons: For Groups of 60 to 150
For daytime corporate events or larger celebrations, we offer private luncheons using the entire dining room.
Our luncheon events follow a buffet-style format and accommodate groups of 60 to 150 guests.
The event window is 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM, with the following booking requirements:
Room fee: $300
Food and beverage minimum: $2,800
Minimum booking size: 60 guests
Maximum capacity: 150 guests
This arrangement is designed for private events rather than regular public lunch service.
If you're organizing a company luncheon or milestone gathering, include your expected attendance and preferred date when contacting our team.
The luncheon format also differs from our evening private dinners, so discuss your event requirements before choosing a space.
Full Venue Buyouts: For Larger Dinner Celebrations
For guests who want exclusive use of the restaurant, we offer full venue buyouts.
A full venue buyout gives your group exclusive use of our dining room for a private event. Depending on your plans and seating arrangement, our team can help determine the best setup for your gathering.
This option can accommodate larger company gatherings or milestone celebrations that require the full space.
Our team can discuss menu options and event arrangements based on your plans.
Unlike our smaller private rooms, buyout pricing is provided through an inquiry rather than a fixed fee.
To start planning, visit our private event inquiry page and share your expected guest count and event date.
What to Consider Before Booking a Private Dining Room
Choosing an event space involves more than finding a room that fits your guest count.
Before submitting your inquiry, consider these questions.
How Many People Are Attending?
An accurate guest count helps determine which space is appropriate.
A gathering of 15 people may fit our Semi-Private Dining Room, while an event with 35 guests would require a different arrangement.
For larger groups, our luncheon or full-buyout options may be more appropriate, depending on the event time and format.
Does Your Event Require Privacy or Presentation Equipment?
If you need to show a presentation or video, our enclosed Private Dining Room has televisions available.
The Semi-Private Dining Room does not include televisions or microphones.
Knowing your equipment needs helps narrow the options before discussing availability.
Are You Planning a Daytime or Evening Event?
Our private luncheons have a daytime event window, while our full venue buyouts are designed around dinner service.
Our regular dinner service is listed from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM daily, although operating hours may vary.
Contact our team to discuss the timing of your specific event rather than assuming a particular date or time is available.
What Food and Beverage Arrangements Do You Need?
Our private event offerings include menus tailored to different occasions and budgets.
When submitting your inquiry, share the type of event and the meal format you have in mind.
Our regular dinner menu can give you an introduction to our French-inspired steak and seafood cuisine, but private event menus and arrangements should be confirmed separately.
What Guests Say About Dining Upstairs
Our waterfront setting has been part of many guests' dining experiences. If you're considering us for a private gathering, you can explore reviews from people who have visited our restaurant.
Great selection of dishes and drinks, views of the harbor, and really nice service. The spanish octopus was a little tough and more ahi would've been nice, but everything had great flavor and was presented nicely. - Brandon Google Review
I recently celebrated my birthday dinner here with my boyfriend. We made reservations in advance and the whole dining experience & service was lovely & all the food was delicious - compliments to the chef & kitchen team. The beverage director Matthew took the liberty to light the candles on my birthday cake & had it sliced & plated for me - phenomenal job. Overall, I was honestly very impressed. - Sung-Yeh Google Review
How to Inquire About a Private Event
Once you have an idea of the space you need, the next step is to contact our team.
Our event inquiry form requests details such as your preferred date, event type, and expected number of guests.
You can also provide additional information about the occasion and any requirements you'd like to discuss.
Our General Manager reviews event inquiries and can provide further details about available arrangements.
You can reach us at (808) 550-3740 if you'd prefer to ask questions before submitting the form.
Plan Your Private Event at Upstairs at Pier 38
From a private dinner for 20 guests to a full venue buyout, Upstairs at Pier 38 offers several ways to bring people together beside Honolulu Harbor.
We're located at 1129 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96817, on the second floor at Pier 38.
If you're planning an upcoming gathering, explore our private event options and tell us about your plans.
We look forward to helping you find the right space for your occasion.
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