Si3N4 nanopores functionalized with 4–4’ bipyridyl, 3.2–6.5 nm in diameter and 30–50 nm in length, are shown to interact with single, negatively charged, coated gold nanoparticles from 2.4 to 8.9 nm diameter. It is possible to detect the interactions through alterations in the ionic current, whether or not the electric-field driven nanoparticle threads through the pore.