Oheka Castle hosted its Summer Jazz Bar Night on Wednesday, June 30for guests aged 30 years of age and up.
With tickets a mere $10 a head, as opposed to their usual approximately $300 entrance fee for a public party at the castle, the community came out in droves, which the castle crew wasn't prepared to handle and led to mass disorganization.
The problem arose as apparently only 65 guests RSVP'd while over 400 showed up to the event, plus there was another party going on at the castle at the same time. We got there an hour late and sat in line in the drive for over a half hour before we got in, however the people behind us were not as fortunate, as a few car lengths back passengers and their vehicles were turned away and the gates to the castle were closed for the night.
We left our car in the courtyard with the keys still sitting in line for the bustling valets to care for and we sauntered our way up to the castle and through its massive doors.
Once inside the castle was enchanting as always. Your first glimpse of the cascading staircase is a breathtaking moment you will never forget, patrons inside chatted and laughed joyously while sipping on wine at the cash bar or mingling among the crowd while the jazz band played on in the ballroom.
The highlight of the night for me was the accessibility we had to stroll through the gardens and reflecting pool and fountain walk ways and bask in the beauty that is Oheka. If you have never been there before it is truly a wonder to behold. The architecture and décor mirrors its 1920's French chateau style with elegant murals painted on the walls and cathedral ceilings, classic chandeliers, cobblestone courtyards, and magnificent gardens resting on 23 acres of land at the highest point of Long Island.
Oheka's name came from the initials of its owner and builder, Otto Hermann Kahn. It is still the second largest privately owned residence in America and holds the current value of $110 million dollars. If given the opportunity to attend a formal affair at the castle whether for a wedding or social gathering, or to stay overnight at the luxurious hotel is an experience like no other.
