Banquet halls aren't just for marriage receptions; they're great for any large event. Milestone events -- like certain birthdays, bar and bat mitzvahs, and big wedding anniversaries -- can all be more thoroughly celebrated in a banquet hall.
If you're looking to book a banquet hall, you'd better do it as early as possible. Your lead time should be at least three months before your event, and 6-9 months is preferable if you're planning to use it for a wedding reception or similar event.
The type of banquet hall you book will depend on your event. If it's an awards banquet or something similar, you'll probably need just enough room to seat everyone; if it's a wedding, bar mitzvah, or Christmas celebration, you'll probably need room to dance.
