Planning a Sweet 16 means coordinating teenagers, extended family, and a celebration big enough to mark this milestone. You need a venue that handles the energy, serves food your guests will actually enjoy, and creates a night your daughter will remember for years. For more than 30 years, The Gran Centurions in Clark has hosted hundreds of Sweet 16 celebrations. We’ve earned a 4.4-star rating from over 2,600 Google reviews by learning exactly what Union County families need to make these parties work.
Three Ballrooms That Actually Fit Your Guest List
We host parties from 50 to 350 guests across four versatile spaces: the Crystal Ballroom, Diamond Ballroom, Tiffany Room, and Platinum Room. When you’re inviting the whole extended family, your daughter’s entire class, and her club soccer team, that capacity range matters. You’re not stuck cutting names or squeezing people in.
Each ballroom has its own character. The Crystal Ballroom handles our largest parties, accommodating 125 to 380 guests.. The Diamond Ballroom seats 65 to 150 and opens onto an outdoor deck, so teens can step outside between dances without leaving the property. The Platinum Room accommodates up to 80 guests and features scenic balcony views. The Tiffany Room, which also includes an outdoor deck, works well for intimate gatherings of 60 to 100 people.
Our gazebo and patio give you outdoor photo spots without driving anywhere. Parents appreciate that everyone stays in one place.
A Menu Built for Mixed Ages, Not Just Adults
Sweet 16 guests range from young cousins to grandparents, which means your menu needs genuine variety. At The Gran Centurions, we let you choose four entrées from options that range from chicken fingers and fries to beef bourguignon. You can pick penne vodka and mini cheeseburgers. You can add a pizza station with cheese and pepperoni or a wing station with your choice of two sauces, including BBQ, buffalo, garlic parmesan, and teriyaki.
We include a soda station, a Shirley Temple station, a coffee and tea station, and an ice cream sundae bar in every Sweet 16 package. You can add a fresh waffle and ice cream station. We also set out corn chips and a salsa bar, a fruit display, and fresh-baked rolls.
Our scratch cooking means we make pasta by hand daily, roll gnocchi every morning, and simmer our Sunday gravy on the stove. Teenagers notice when food tastes homemade. So do grandparents.
Service That Keeps the Night Moving
Our staff manages the timeline so you don’t have to stand near the DJ booth with a checklist. We coordinate the entrance, the candle lighting ceremony, if you’re doing one, and the cake cutting. We keep buffet stations stocked, clear tables between courses, and make sure the dance floor stays open. Parents consistently tell us they spent the evening enjoying the celebration rather than managing logistics. That’s what we’re here for.
Flexible Bar Options for the Adults in the Room
Not every Sweet 16 includes alcohol, but when families want wine, beer, and sangria for the adults, we offer several beverage packages. You can add mimosas, sangria, peach Bellini, or a beverage station with sangria, chardonnay, and cabernet. We also offer unlimited soda and juice, a champagne toast with prosecco or a non alcohol toast, domestic beer like Bud and Coors Light, and imported options including Heineken and Corona. Our standard and premium open bar packages run four or five hours, and we also offer open light bar, tab bar, and cash bar setups. Bartender service carries a flat fee. You control what’s poured and how long the bar stays open.
What’s Included in Your Sweet 16 Booking
When you book a Sweet 16 at The Gran Centurions, you get a four-hour event on a Friday or Saturday. We provide table linens and your choice of napkin colors. The soda station, Shirley Temple station, coffee and tea station, and ice cream sundae bar are all included. You choose your four entrées, your salad, and your sides. Roasted potatoes and a vegetable medley are standard. We also include corn chips and a salsa bar, a fruit display, fresh-baked rolls, and chicken fingers and fries.
Additional fees include the maître d’, service charge, and sales tax. Gratuity is appreciated but optional. Kids under 12 are available at a special rate. Your final guest count is due seven days before the event. If your count drops and you don’t update us, we charge for the original number. All parties must be paid in full seven days prior. We require a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 upon contract signing.
Easy Access Off the Garden State Parkway
We’re located at 440 Madison Hill Road in Clark, just off Garden State Parkway Exit 135. Families coming from Middlesex County, Somerset County, and across Union County reach us in under 20 minutes. We offer plentiful free parking, so guests arrive without parking hassles or added costs. Rahway River Park is nearby for pre-party photos, and local hotels are available if out-of-town relatives need a place to stay overnight.
Conclusion:
You’re not booking a corporate conference or a formal gala. You’re planning a night where your daughter feels celebrated, your family feels welcome, and no one has to worry about logistics. We’ve done this hundreds of times, and we know how to make it run smoothly. Tour the Crystal Ballroom, taste our handmade pasta, and see why Union County families keep coming back.
Call us at (732) 382-1664 or visit our pricing page to request your Sweet 16 guide. We’re at 440 Madison Hill Road in Clark, and we’re ready to help you plan a celebration your daughter will remember.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we bring our own DJ and photographer?
Yes, you can book your own DJ, photographer, and décor team. Just coordinate the load in timing with our events team to ensure a smooth setup.
What if our guest count changes after we give our final number?
Your final count is due seven days before the event. If it drops without notice, we charge the original number. Increases require advance notice.
Do you offer gluten-free or vegetarian options?
Yes, gluten-free meals are available. Our menu includes vegetarian entrées like eggplant rollatini. Notify us of dietary restrictions with your final count.
Is there a separate area for adults if they want a quieter space?
The Diamond and Tiffany rooms have outdoor decks. The Platinum Room offers balcony views. Adults can relax away from the dance floor speakers.