Why The Foundry in LIC Is One of My Favorite Wedding Venues (And What You Need to Know About Music There)

By DJ Dan Fudim | New York & Connecticut Wedding DJ

If you've ever Googled "best wedding venues in New York City" and landed on The Foundry in Long Island City, you already know — this place is something else. And if you're now searching for a DJ who has actually worked there, not just someone who'll show up and wing it, you're in the right place.

I got married at The Foundry. I've also DJed there multiple times. I know that venue the way a musician knows their instrument.

What Makes The Foundry Different (From a DJ's Perspective)

The Foundry sits at 42-38 Ninth Street in Long Island City, Queens — just one stop over the bridge from Manhattan, but worlds apart in atmosphere. It's a 19th-century industrial building that was originally used to manufacture fine steel varnishes, later became the Albra Metal Foundry supplying New York City's riverfront, and eventually fell dormant before the Du Val family restored it into one of the most sought-after wedding venues in the New York area.

What you get is 3,000+ square feet of raw indoor space, exposed brick walls, soaring ceilings with sky-roof lighting, indoor balconies on both sides, a mezzanine level, an ivy-covered courtyard with views of the Queensboro Bridge, a rooftop terrace with jaw-dropping Manhattan skyline views, and an indoor greenhouse. It holds up to 180 guests.

From a DJ standpoint, the space demands someone who actually understands it. Here's what I mean:

The room is big, but it's intimate. Those brick walls and high ceilings create a sound environment where the wrong setup either sounds hollow and echoey or gets swallowed entirely. You need to know how to place speakers, how to adjust EQ for the room, and how to calibrate volume so guests on the mezzanine feel it just as much as those on the dance floor.

The layout creates natural transitions. Ceremony in the courtyard. Cocktail hour on the rooftop terrace with Manhattan in the background. Reception in the main hall. Each space has its own vibe, and the music needs to shift with it — seamlessly. I've done this exact flow at The Foundry. I know when the crowd starts moving from the terrace downstairs, and I know exactly how to pull them onto the dance floor when they get there.

The dance floor is central. When that main space fills up and the lights are right and the music hits — it's electric. I've seen it go from a room full of seated guests to an absolute party in the span of one song. That's the goal every single time.

I'm Not Just a Vendor Here — I Was a Guest First

I got married at The Foundry. That's not something I say as a marketing line. I mean I stood in that courtyard, looked up at that ivy-covered brick, and said my vows there. I know what it feels like to be a couple at that venue — the nerves before the ceremony, the way the rooftop during cocktail hour feels like you're floating above the city, the moment the reception gets going and you realize your wedding is actually happening.

That experience shapes how I DJ weddings there. I'm not just reading the room as a professional — I genuinely care about it the way a person who loves that venue cares. Every couple I've DJed for at The Foundry gets that same energy.

What Couples Actually Search For (And What I Can Answer)

"Who is a good DJ for The Foundry LIC?" Someone who has worked the space multiple times and got married there himself. That's a short list.

"Does The Foundry have a preferred vendor list?" The Foundry works with a range of vendors and has relationships with trusted ones. As a DJ who has worked there repeatedly, I'm familiar with the venue's setup, the staff, load-in logistics, and how to coordinate with your other vendors so nothing gets dropped. I am also one of their preferred vendors.

"Can you do both ceremony and reception at The Foundry?" Yes, and I handle it as one cohesive musical experience — not two separate gigs bolted together. Processional, ceremony music, cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, last song. One person, one vision, start to finish.

"What kind of music works at The Foundry?" The venue is versatile enough to hold almost any vibe — a Jewish wedding with Hava Nagila and hora, a Trinidadian celebration with soca and dancehall, a classic New York crowd that wants 90s throwbacks at midnight. I've done all of it at The Foundry. The space supports big energy. Use it.

"Is there parking near The Foundry in LIC?" There's street parking in the area and some lot options nearby. It's also accessible by subway (the 7 train to Queensboro Plaza is close). Worth communicating to guests in advance — Long Island City is easy to get to but takes a little navigation for people who don't come to Queens often.

Why Experience at a Specific Venue Actually Matters

Here's something couples don't always think about when booking a DJ: venue familiarity is a real competitive advantage.

When I walk into The Foundry, I know where the power drops are. I know the layout of the courtyard and how sound behaves out there versus inside. I've coordinated with the venue's team before. I know which moments in the night tend to create natural energy peaks and which transitions need to be handled carefully.

A DJ who has never worked The Foundry might be talented — but they're learning on your wedding day. I already did that learning. On your wedding, I'm just executing.

About DJ Dan Fudim

I'm a New York and Connecticut wedding DJ with years of experience doing exactly this — high-end weddings at unique venues where the music actually matters. My couples range from laid-back celebrations in the Connecticut countryside to full-blown New York City productions.

I work events across NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and Connecticut. Whether you're looking for a NY wedding DJ, a CT wedding DJ, or someone who specializes in venues like The Foundry LIC, I'd love to talk about your wedding.

My style is simple: I read the room, I play what works, and I never make your wedding feel like a generic event. Every playlist is built around you.

Let's Talk About Your Foundry Wedding

If you're getting married at The Foundry in Long Island City and you want a DJ who knows the space inside and out — someone who got married there himself and has DJed there multiple times — reach out. I'd love to hear about your vision and talk about how we can make that dance floor unforgettable.

DJ Dan Fudim | NY & CT Wedding DJ 📍 Serving New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut, and beyond 🎧 Specializing in weddings at The Foundry LIC and venues like it