Smack Mellon
92 Plymouth St., at Washington St., Dumbo; 718-834-8761
Party throwers sometimes spend thousands on elaborate centerpieces and ridiculous balloon arches to make up for a drab, claustrophobic space. But no decorating pyrotechnics are needed at Dumbo’s Smack Mellon gallery, which is as arresting as a party space comes. The immaculately restored boiler building has soaring 35-foot ceilings, 25 enormous windows with views of the Manhattan Bridge, and access to the grassy Brooklyn Bridge Park across the street. It’s edgy enough for an indie-film release, but expansive enough to host the hippest bar mitzvah ever. The space holds 150 people seated, and while costs range depending on the day of the week, the base price of $3,000 is $1,200 cheaper than a similar restored brick space, the Foundry in Long Island City. What’s more, the money you spend supports Smack Mellon in its mission to exhibit works from emerging, underrecognized, and female artists.