Let’s Plan Something Special

Private events in downtown Amherst

Rehearsal dinners, showers, staff parties & department mixers — we host them all. That’s our Protocol.

Thoughtfully designed spaces, seamless service and menus that strike the right balance between refined and relaxed — in the largest space in downtown Amherst. Gathering your team, your family or your favorite people? We’ll make it feel effortless and unmistakably yours.

15–25 guests

Large Reservation

Our semi-private dining space in the back corner of the restaurant.

  • Foodbuffet, set prix fixe or order off the menu
  • Best forbirthdays, showers, team dinners
Up to 50 guests

Partial Buyout

Looking for something bigger? We’ll customize select sections of Protocol’s layout for your group.

  • Foodbuffet-style
  • Best forrehearsal dinners, company gatherings
Up to 130 seated

Full Buyout

The whole dining room is yours — plus our 30-seat bar. Book the full evening or just a few hours.

  • Foodbuffet-style
  • Best forgalas, holiday parties, big celebrations
Minimum spendevery event, tax & gratuity not includedWhere1 East Pleasant St, downtown AmherstParking800+ spaces within a short walk

Private events & catering

The Event Menu

Mix and match from any section. Boards, salads and desserts are priced per guest, hot trays by the half or full pan, sandwiches each.

A half pan feeds about 10 guests

Boards & Spreads

priced per person
Charcuterie board
$12

a selection of cheese and meats, house made jams and compotes, olives, pickled vegetables, mustards, fruits and crackers

Mediterranean platter (vg)
$8

seasonal hummus, crackers, crudités, pita, olives, grape leaves

Whipped feta
$8

toasted pine nuts, mint, tomato oil, evoo, house focaccia

Liver mousse
$8

cherry compote, mustard, pickled shallots, toast

House focaccia
$4

olive oil

Salads

priced per person
Simple greens (gf + vg)
$9

mixed greens, red onion, sherry vinaigrette

Caesar salad (gf*)
$10

toasted garlic crumb, parmesan, anchovy

Roasted pear salad (gf + vg*)
$12

frisée, maple roasted pears, goat cheese, lardons, balsamic vinaigrette

Hot Trays

HalfFull
Ribs
$200$400

tamarind bbq, garlic crumb, scallion

Mushroom bourguignon (gf + vg)
$220$440

red wine-braised local mushrooms, polenta, chives

Disco fries (veg)
$150$300

mushroom gravy, brie wiz

Chicken nugs
$90$180

blue cheese + ranch

Fries (veg)
$50$100

house aioli

A half pan feeds about 10 guests.

Desserts

priced per person
Caramel apple layered cake
$12

mascarpone frosting, apple butter, candied pecans

Dark chocolate tart (gf)
$12

grand marnier, coconut caramel, whipped cream

Corn pots de crème (gf)
$12

blueberry compote, oat crumble, corn cob caramel

Sandwiches

priced each
Smash burger (gf*)
$16

american cheese, lettuce, onion, pro sauce

Fried chicken sandwich
$16

lettuce, house pickles, aioli

Duck confit (gf*)
$17

cherry compote, lettuce, pickled shallots, brie wiz

Shane's hot fried tofu (veg)
$17

buttermilk-marinated tofu, nashville style hot sauce, lettuce, house pickles, aioli

Slow roasted pork belly (gf*)
$17

local apple relish, frisée, sharp cheddar, aioli

House buns contain sesame. Gluten-free buns +$3 each.

(veg) vegetarian(vg) vegan(gf) gluten free(*) can be made that way
Large reservation, 15–25 guestsOrder off our regular menu like any table, or ask us for a prix fixe. See a sample on the Prix fixe tab.
Sample prix fixe · large reservation, 15–25 guestsThree courses, priced per person. We'll tailor it to your group.

First course

Starter

Served to the table
Classic Caesar salad (gf*)

toasted garlic crumb, parmesan, anchovy

Second course

Main

Choose one
Pork ribs

tamarind bbq, garlic crumb, scallion

Mushroom bourguignon (gf + vg)

red wine-braised local mushrooms, polenta, chives

Duck confit sandwich (gf*)

cherry compote, lettuce, pickled shallots, brie-whiz

Third course

Dessert

Choose one
Caramel apple layered cake

mascarpone frosting, apple butter, candied pecans

Dark chocolate tart (gf)

grand marnier, coconut caramel, whipped cream

Make it yoursSwap in any dish from our regular or event menu, add a board for the table, or pair it with a drink package.
Four ways to host the bar.Hosted bars are billed by consumption.
1

Hosted bar

Consumption bar

An open bar for your guests, billed by what's actually poured. Every drink is rung in as it's ordered and added to your final bill, so you never pay for drinks no one had.

Beer, wine & cocktailsas ordered
Option to limit to beer & wineas ordered

Best for: receptions, buyouts, and hosts who want guests to order freely.

2

Drink tickets

Hosted, with a cap

Each guest receives a set number of tickets, each good for one drink up to a set value. You're only charged for tickets used. Once tickets run out, guests can continue at the bar on their own.

$12 ticket · most beer & wine$12 each
$15 ticket · includes many cocktails$15 each
Example: 30 guests × 2 tickets at $12up to $720

Best for: office parties, university groups, and hosts working to a set budget.

3

Beer & wine only

Hosted, simplified

A hosted bar limited to our beer and wine list. A simple way to keep spending predictable while still taking care of your guests. Can be paired with drink tickets.

Beer & wine by the glassas ordered
Wine by the bottle for the tableas ordered

Best for: dinners, rehearsal dinners, and budget-conscious celebrations.

4

Cash bar

Guests pay their own

Guests order and pay for their own drinks at the bar. All cash-bar sales still count toward your event's minimum spend.

Full bar menumenu price

Best for: casual gatherings, or as the follow-up once drink tickets are used.

Minimum spend

All food and drink, including the bar tab you cover, counts toward your event minimum.

Tax & gratuity

Tax and a 20% gratuity are added to food and drink. No room or rental fees.

Deposit

A 25% deposit holds your date and comes off the final bill the night of the event.

Mix & match

Combine options, like two tickets per guest then a cash bar. Zero-proof drinks are always available.

Menus and pricing are seasonal and subject to change.Download the full event menu (PDF)

Start your inquiry ↓

Event Inquiry

Tell us about your event and we’ll get back to you shortly with pricing, availability and menu options.

Please add your name.

Please add a valid email.

Please add a phone number.

Please add a date or range.

Please pick a start time.

Please choose a length.

Please add a guest count.

Please tell us the occasion.

What are your privacy needs? *

Please choose at least one.

Food & Drinks

All of our events operate on a minimum spend, based on the business we’d do on a normal day with the space provided. The minimum doesn’t include tax or gratuity.

How would you like food served? *Buffets are ordered from the event menu. Prix fixe and off-the-menu ordering are for large reservations up to 25.

Please choose at least one.

How would you like to handle drinks? *See the four drink packages above. Pick more than one to mix & match.

Please choose at least one.

Please fill this in (or write “none”).

Questions first? Email hello@protocol-amherst.com

Thank you!

We got it

We’ll reach out shortly with pricing, availability and menu options.
Questions in the meantime? hello@protocol-amherst.com