Thirty years of work deserves more than a conference room and a sheet cake. When families and companies call us about retirement parties, they usually want something between a formal dinner and a backyard gathering. Warm, relaxed, easy on the guest of honor, and good enough that people linger over coffee. That's the sweet spot for a Hudson Valley retirement party venue like The Preston Barn at Old Drovers Inn in Dover Plains, NY.
The biggest thing we take off your plate is the food. All catering is done in house, so you're not coordinating a caterer around a rental company around a venue contract.
The Preston Barn at Old Drovers Inn in Dover Plains is a Hudson Valley retirement party venue offering in house catering, customizable menus, and flexible seating arrangements. Guests can choose buffet, family style, or plated dining. The climate controlled barn also includes farm tables, audiovisual equipment for speeches and slideshows, and on site event coordination.
In House Catering and a Room That Fits the Occasion
A retirement party has a rhythm to it. People arrive, they eat, someone says a few words, and then the room turns into a long conversation about the old days. We plan for all three parts.
Our Chef Cooks on Site
All food and beverage for barn events is prepared in house by The Preston Barn in a fully equipped commercial kitchen with a grill area, cold prep area, walk in cooler, and freezer. Our Board of Health approved commercial kitchen allows our catering team to prepare meals on the property and coordinate food service with your retirement celebration.
Your package starts with a choice of three stationary hors d'oeuvres or a salad, then two entrée or station selections. Options include Chicken Francese, Chicken Marsala, Sliced Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce, Sliced Roasted Pork Loin with Hunter Gravy, Slow Cooked Salmon, and Eggplant Rollatini. Every entrée comes with penne alla vodka, fingerling potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and freshly baked cookies.
Buffet Service Keeps People Mingling
We offer buffet, family style, and plated dining options for retirement celebrations. Buffet service is the choice most of our hosts prefer because it gives guests the opportunity to mingle, and we can still set aside space and time for speeches and special presentations during a buffet celebration.
We can also customize a menu to meet your dietary needs and wants. Retirement crowds usually span three generations, so there's often a low sodium request, a vegetarian or two, and a grandchild who only eats pasta.
Farm Tables and a Layout You Choose
The space includes 10 rustic farm tables for your celebration. For larger guest counts we can add round tables to increase seating while keeping the farm tables in the layout, so the room still reads like a long family dinner. Tables, chairs, and linens are provided, along with flatware, china, and glassware, with several linen and napkin colors to choose from once your floor plan is set.
Our on site coordinator works with you to arrange seating and create a flexible floor plan based on your guest count and celebration preferences. If you want space for a memory table, a display of old photos, or a screen for a slideshow, we build it into the plan.
A Microphone for the Speeches
Every retirement party has a few people who want to say something. The barn has a full audio system for music and microphones, plus TV screens with a live feed device and Wi Fi. A slideshow of someone's career or a video message from a colleague who couldn't travel both work without renting gear.
Comfortable Any Month of the Year
The barn has hand hewn beams, vaulted ceilings, and barn wood floors, with heat and air conditioning year round. Guest restrooms are inside the barn, and the furnished stone patio gives people a spot to step out and catch up. The grass areas are open for lawn games if you want something easy for younger guests.
An on site coordinator works with you from your first visit through the end of the event. We'll share a list of preferred vendors, and you're welcome to bring your own as long as they provide the required insurance.
Conclusion
If you're planning a send off for someone who has earned one, come see the barn and talk through what our chef can put together. Bring your headcount, your speech list, and any photos you'd like displayed. We'll build a layout and a menu around the guest of honor instead of a standard template.
Families and companies choose this Hudson Valley retirement party venue from Westchester, Hopewell Junction, Danbury, CT, Jefferson Valley, NY, and Long Island. Call 845-442-3053, email helene.rosenkranz@olddroversinn.com, or contact us for a tour. You can also see our private event options or download our pricing guide.
FAQs
Do we need to hire a caterer?
No. All food and beverage for barn events is prepared in house by The Preston Barn in our commercial kitchen, and our chef builds the menu with you.
How is the food served for a retirement party?
We offer buffet, family style, and plated dining options for retirement celebrations. Our team can help you select a service style and customize the menu to suit your guests, dietary preferences, and event schedule.
Can you handle dietary restrictions?
Yes. We can customize a menu to meet your dietary needs and wants, which helps with a guest list spanning several generations.
Is there a microphone for speeches?
Yes. The barn has a full audio system for music and microphones, along with TV screens and a live feed device for slideshows or video messages. Please discuss your presentation requirements with our team before the event.