Planning a wedding or a massive gala in New York usually feels like a high-stakes poker game where the house always wins. You're looking at Long Island venues, and the names start blurring together after the tenth "Gold Coast" estate. But then there’s Five Star Manor Events Ballroom. It’s tucked away in Hicksville, and honestly, the exterior is a bit of a chameleon—you might drive right past it if you aren't looking closely. Once you’re inside, though? Different story.
People often mistake it for just another catering hall. It isn't.
Located at 850 West John Street, this spot has carved out a very specific niche in the Nassau County event circuit. It’s the place you go when you want that "over-the-top" aesthetic without the "over-the-top" price tag of a Manhattan penthouse. But there's a lot of nuance to how they operate that most people miss during a five-minute tour.
The Reality of the Space at Five Star Manor Events Ballroom
Let’s get the physical layout out of the way. The ballroom itself is massive. We’re talking about a space that can comfortably house hundreds of people without everyone feeling like they're packed into a subway car during rush hour.
The ceilings are high. That matters. If you've ever been to a wedding in a basement-style hall with 8-foot ceilings, you know how claustrophobic it gets once the fog machine starts going. At Five Star Manor Events Ballroom, the verticality allows for those massive, sprawling floral arrangements and hanging installations that look so good on Instagram.
Lighting is the secret sauce here. They use a lot of LED uplighting and crystal chandeliers that are, frankly, quite loud in their design. It’s bold. If you’re into the minimalist, "Scandi-boho" look with nothing but dried pampas grass and beige linens, this might feel like a lot. But for a Quinceañera, a Sweet 16, or a traditional South Asian wedding? It’s perfect. It’s built for drama.
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Why the Location Actually Works
Hicksville isn't exactly the Hamptons. Let’s be real. However, from a logistical standpoint, it’s a goldmine. You’re right near the Long Island Expressway and the Northern State Parkway. For guests coming in from Queens or deeper out on the Island, it’s accessible.
Parking is usually the death of a good party. You spend forty minutes looking for a spot, walk half a mile in heels, and by the time you reach the bar, you’re already annoyed. Five Star Manor has its own dedicated parking area. It sounds like a small detail, but when you're managing 300 guests, it’s the difference between a smooth start and a logistical nightmare.
Beyond the Gold Trim: Service and Flexibility
One thing I've noticed about the Five Star Manor Events Ballroom team is their willingness to bend. A lot of high-end venues have a "take it or leave it" attitude. They have their set vendors, their set menus, and if you want to bring in your own external caterer for cultural reasons, they hit you with a massive "outside catering fee" that makes your eyes water.
Five Star is known for being more accommodating. They understand the diverse demographic of New York. Whether it’s Kosher requirements, specific Halal needs, or a very particular type of regional Indian cuisine, they usually find a way to make the kitchen logistics work.
The staff is seasoned. You aren't dealing with teenagers working their first summer job. These are people who have seen every possible wedding disaster—the cake tipping over, the drunk uncle, the power outage—and they know how to pivot. That "seen-it-all" energy is what you’re actually paying for.
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The Decor Factor
Let's talk about the lobby. It’s meant to be a statement. You walk in and you're greeted by marble-look floors and plenty of reflective surfaces. It’s designed for the "Grand Entrance."
- The bridal suite is actually functional. It’s not just a closet with a mirror; there’s room to breathe.
- The dance floor is centralized, which sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many venues have "L-shaped" rooms where half the guests can't see the couple.
- The acoustics are surprisingly decent for a room with that much stone and glass. Usually, these places are echo chambers, but they’ve clearly done some work on the sound dampening.
What to Watch Out For (The Honest Truth)
No venue is perfect. If a coordinator tells you otherwise, they're lying.
Because Five Star Manor Events Ballroom is so popular for large-scale events, the calendar stays packed. If you’re looking for a Saturday night in June, you better be booking eighteen months out. If you try to squeeze in a "last minute" booking, you might find yourself settling for a Thursday or a Sunday morning.
Also, the aesthetic is very "New York Glam." If you want a rustic barn vibe, don't try to force it here. You’ll be fighting the architecture. Lean into the glitz. Use the gold accents. Work with the chandeliers, don't try to hide them.
The Cost Equation
Is it cheap? No. Is it "Manhattan Wedding" expensive? Also no.
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It sits in that middle-to-upper-tier sweet spot. You get the white-glove service and the grand ballroom feel without having to take out a second mortgage. They are transparent about their pricing, which is refreshing in an industry known for "hidden" service charges and "mandatory" coat check tips that aren't mentioned until the final bill.
Technical Specs for the Planners
If you're the one actually signing the checks or organizing the floor plan, here’s what you need to know about the Five Star Manor Events Ballroom infrastructure:
- Capacity: It varies based on dance floor size, but they can comfortably handle 200 to 400+ guests depending on the configuration.
- AV Equipment: They have integrated sound systems. You don't necessarily need your DJ to bring a stadium-sized rig; the house system is often enough for speeches and background music.
- Loading Dock: For vendors (florists, decorators), the load-in process is relatively painless compared to city venues where you have to fight for a loading zone.
Making the Most of the Experience
If you decide to book, my best advice is to utilize their in-house lighting experts. Since they know the angles of the room and where the shadows fall, they can make the space look twice as large just with smart bulb placement.
Also, consider the cocktail hour space. Many people rush through this, but the transition area at Five Star is actually one of its most charming features. It allows for a distinct "vibe shift" before the doors to the main ballroom swing open for the grand reveal.
Actionable Steps for Booking Five Star Manor
If you're seriously considering this venue, don't just call and ask for a price. Do this instead:
- Visit during an actual setup: Ask if you can swing by on a Friday afternoon while they are setting up for a real wedding. Seeing the room "naked" is useless. You need to see it with the linens, the flowers, and the lights on.
- Audit the kitchen policy: If you have specific cultural catering needs, get the "outside catering" requirements in writing early. Ask about their warming kitchen capabilities.
- Check the lighting presets: Ask to see the room in "party mode." The house lights and the event lights are two different beasts.
- Verify the parking count: If you’re hitting their max capacity of 400+, confirm exactly how many cars the lot holds and if they provide valet for those peak-number events.
Choosing a venue is 10% emotion and 90% logistics. Five Star Manor Events Ballroom offers enough of the "wow" factor to satisfy the emotional side, but its real strength lies in the fact that it’s a well-oiled machine designed to move hundreds of people through a high-end experience without the wheels falling off. Stop looking at the photos and go stand in the middle of the dance floor. You’ll know within thirty seconds if it’s the right fit for your crowd.