Patchogue Restaurants Look For A Piece Of 2021 Wedding Business

PATCHOGUE, NY—Weddings are back after the coronavirus pandemic shut down major gatherings and celebrations. Two Patchogue restaurants have spruced up new spaces to host small weddings and events in anticipation of what wedding industry experts say will be a busy season.

The owners of Gallo Restaurant at 3 E. Main St. completely renovated the Colombian restaurant's upstairs space before the pandemic. David Bustamente tells Patch that they totally gutted the space.

"We have done many small weddings upstairs from 30 to 80 people. It’s a perfectly newly renovated venue for events of that size."

Gallo had to cancel 20 deposits during Covid. But the event business is coming back strong.

"Since we have opened it’s been great. Clients love the new look. We are pretty much booked every weekend till the beginning of September."

Drift 82 at 82 Brightwood St. is another Patchogue restaurant that is hoping to take advantage of the wedding boom by adding a permanent tent that can host events of up to 15o people.

Drift 82 is located on the Patchogue River close to the Great South Bay and is taking advantage of the waterfront views with new outdoor catering in the tent, according to the restaurant's Facebook page. Bookings are open now.

A pent-up demand for post-COVID weddings means the entire wedding industry is expecting the boom to last through 2021 and even through the winter.