Meers Hall at Art Gallery of NSW
Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
The most flexible space in our Naala Badu building, the hall on lower level 2 features timber flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows with views out to the sculpture garden and to the adjacent sculpture gallery and atrium. The space is suitable for a wide variety of event set-ups and comes with a range of state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. It can be hired during the day and in the evening. Included in the venue hire are banquet tables and seating for up to 280 guests. The hall can be exclusively hired for evening wedding receptions outside of Art Gallery opening hours.
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Reviews for Art Gallery of NSW
Ethan Hutchinson
I recently visited the Art Gallery of New South Wales and had a fantastic experience. The gallery has an impressive collection of artworks ranging from classic Australian pieces to contemporary exhibitions, and the displays are beautifully presented. The building itself is stunning, with great views over the harbour and plenty of space to explore at your own pace. The staff were welcoming and knowledgeable, and best of all, general admission is free. It’s a wonderful place to spend a few hours whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for something interesting to do in Sydney.
Jo S
Given that Sydney has such a robust capital market, I went in expecting a grander institution with a more extensive permanent collection. That said, the historic wing is spectacular. I was deeply moved by the rooms dedicated to Christianity and the Old Masters, particularly the powerful Baroque painting of Christ's descent from the cross with its dramatic lighting, and the remarkably lifelike polychrome sculpture of St. Francis in quiet devotion holding the crucifix. Seeing these alongside classic works like The Five Senses and the generous Australian art donations from the Law family was an absolute highlight. Displaying these treasures against the deep crimson-red walls is a brilliant choice that perfectly elevates the rich, salon-style atmosphere. In stark contrast, the contemporary sections are quite disappointing. It feels like a textbook case of investing heavily in architecture while neglecting ongoing operations; despite the grand physical expansion, the reality of recent government funding cuts to the gallery's operating budget is clearly felt in the lack of momentum and depth in the modern wings.
Bulat Faezov
Beautiful free art museum in NSW. The Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of the best places to visit in Sydney, whether you love art or just want a peaceful, inspiring afternoon. The building is beautiful, the atmosphere is calm, and the collection is surprisingly rich for a museum with free entry. I loved the mix of classic, modern, Australian, Aboriginal, and international art. The new Sydney Modern section is especially impressive, with open spaces, interesting architecture, and thoughtful exhibitions. It feels welcoming rather than intimidating, which makes it easy to wander, slow down, and enjoy the work at your own pace. The location near the Botanic Garden also makes it perfect for combining with a walk by the harbour. A beautiful cultural space, generous to the public, and absolutely worth visiting. One of Sydney’s quiet treasures.
Bushra Khan
I preferred the old art gallery to the new one. It was obviously bigger I terms of collection but also super diverse. Young Archie exhibition is lovely! The new building had some interesting exhibitions and the aboriginal art section was great. Otherwise left a bit underwhelmed.
S K C
Australian art at its finest. From indigenous artwork to modern local artists through the renaissance period, this art museum had it all. Something for everyone truly. Enjoyed the outdoor sculpture garden portion as well. Free entry! Lovely gift shop, elevator, escalator, and 3 floors of artwork! There is sometimes paid special exhibits which will require tickets and timed entry.
Other spaces at this venue
The Kaldor Hall
Located on the ground level of the Naala Nura building, Kaldor Hall is one of Sydney’s most distinctive event spaces, set within a gallery featuring a rotating display of Australian and international art. With a modernist ceiling and travertine marble flooring, the space offers a striking setting for a wide range of events. It can accommodate up to 350 guests seated at banquet tables with room for a stage, or up to 900 guests for cocktail-style functions. Kaldor Hall is also available for wedding ceremonies of up to 116 guests, with receptions held in the nearby Art Gallery Restaurant.
Art Gallery Function Room
Located at the end of Kaldor Hall, on the ground level of the Naala Nura building, the function room is a bright, flexible space featuring timber floors and floor-to-ceiling windows with views over East Sydney. It can be used as a semi-private venue during Gallery opening hours, including Wednesday evenings during Art After Hours. Private tours of exhibitions, including major ticketed shows, can be arranged with our experienced guides. The function room is also available for exclusive hire outside of public hours, including for weddings. Positioned next to the Art Gallery Restaurant, the two spaces can be combined to accommodate up to 300 guests for cocktail-style evening events.
Art Gallery Restaurant
Located on the ground level of the Naala Nura building, the Art Gallery Restaurant offers a warm and welcoming setting with floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping views over East Sydney. Recently refurbished, the space requires minimal styling and is ideal for private dinners and wedding receptions of up to 116 guests. Events are delivered by our exclusive catering partner, The Fresh Collective, offering a premium dining experience in a unique cultural setting. The adjoining function room can be used for wedding ceremonies, a dancefloor, or as a pre-dinner drinks space.
Centenary Auditorium
Located on Lower Level 1 of the Naala Nura building, the Centenary Auditorium is one of two theatre spaces at the Gallery, alongside the Domain Theatre. With tiered seating for up to 90 guests and advanced AV capabilities, it’s well-suited for corporate events such as conferences, presentations and panel discussions. During the day, the auditorium can be paired with the adjacent function room for breakout sessions and catering. In the evening, it can be combined with networking events in nearby spaces, including the 20th-century galleries or current exhibitions.
Domain Theatre and Foyer
Located on Lower Level 3 of the Naala Nura building, the Domain Theatre and adjoining foyer are available for conferencing hire following a major refurbishment by leading Australian architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer. The theatre features tiered seating, a large cinema-quality screen, and full AV capabilities, including a DCP player, making it ideal for film screenings, premieres, presentations and panel discussions. The adjacent foyer is suitable for event registration, catering, or pre-event networking. The Domain Theatre is also used for the Gallery’s public programs throughout the week. For availability and booking enquiries, please contact the events team.
MOD Dining
Located on Lower Level 1 of the Naala Badu building, MOD Dining is a bright, contemporary space featuring a distinctive curved roof and views across Woolloomooloo Bay, Sydney Harbour and East Sydney. The venue can host up to 80 guests seated on long tables using existing furniture, or up to 150 guests for cocktail-style events. MOD Dining connects directly to the Harbour Terrace, offering flexible options for larger functions. Both spaces are available for hire outside of regular Gallery opening hours
20th-Century Galleries
Following a major refurbishment, the 20th-century galleries in the Naala Nura building have reopened, featuring architect Andrew Andersons’ double-height atrium - accessible for the first time in over a decade - and a refreshed display of artworks from the Gallery’s collection. Spanning two levels, the galleries showcase iconic works by leading Australian and international artists, including Margaret Preston, Brett Whiteley, Francis Bacon and Wassily Kandinsky. The ground-floor spaces are suitable for small to mid-sized cocktail functions and pre-dinner drinks. As an added option, our knowledgeable guides can engage guests with insights into the artworks during your event.
The Atrium
Located on Lower Level 2 of the Naala Badu building, the Sculpture Gallery and adjoining atrium offer a striking architectural setting at the centre of the Art Gallery. The space features a rotating display of sculptural works and provides a unique vantage point to appreciate the building’s design and scale.
Harbour Terrace
Nestled on Lower Level 1 of the Art Gallery’s Naala Badu building, Harbour Terrace offers a striking open-air setting with panoramic views across Woolloomooloo Bay. This versatile outdoor venue blends Sydney’s vibrant cultural energy with a relaxed, elegant atmosphere - ideal for hosting stylish cocktail receptions, art-inspired gatherings, or pre-event drinks. With capacity for up to 300 guests cocktail-style, Harbour Terrace pairs seamlessly with adjacent event spaces including MOD Dining (80 seated) and Meers Hall (280 seated, or 200 with a dancefloor) located just one level below.