A Touch of Hollywood Glamour: VenueNow X Como Melbourne

Roaming through the Como Melbourne's function spaces and lavish suites with pitstops for music, a cocktail class, dinner beside a baby grand piano, synchronised swimming and a whiskey bar – it's just another VenueNow client venue experience!

We've treated corporate clients to cocktails under the sea and a foodie's dream tour through the many venues that make up Doltone House. The question around VenueNow HQ was an obvious one – what gastronomic delights and spellbinding entertainment were we going to conjure up to top  our previous two client events?

The answer: a collaboration with the beautiful Como Melbourne MGallery by Sofitel, in the vein of old Hollywood glamour.

VenueNow customers and event planners attend and are invited to countless events each year. We know that better than most. And that's why it's vital that each VenueNow client event or venue experience is unique, memorable, and a collaboration with a top team. And ideally features a luxurious night's accommodation at a five-star hotel for the best Instagram of the night!

In the words of VenueNow Head of Corporate Business Development, "at VenueNow we are dedicated to connecting our community of savvy event planners with the best venues in Australia and beyond. Our Mob Values include “Work hard, Be happy” and “Wow Customers” and our partnership with unique venues like The Como Melbourne – a beautiful, boutique hotel dedicated to lovers of life, literature, and culture – is a great example of how we live these values in our day to day."

This event – A Touch of Hollywood Glamour – kicked off atop the Como Melbourne's grand staircase, with sparkling in hand and delightful canapés ready to be sampled. Highlights included smoked salmon tartines, Thai-style beef and noodle rice salad, mini beef burgers, and Peri Peri marinated chicken sliders.

The next stop in our roaming journey was SOBar, acoustic tunes, cocktails – and a crash-course in what's arguably Melbourne's favourite cocktail: the espresso martini. We say a crash-course, but you'd be forgiven for not being able to recall the fun facts, history and method of making the espresso martini, what with the sheer number of delicious espresso martinis ready to be consumed.

Through the lobby and winding our way upwards, we eventually reached the lavish Gem Suite. All mirrors, modern decor and splashes of colour,  our guests were led up a spiral staircase leading up through bubbles to a grandiose bathroom, complete with an oversized spa bath taking pride of place, surrounded in the Como's signature rubber duckies.

After that much roaming around with wine in hand, it was about time for dinner – within the Gold Suite, the most glamorous of the Como's accommodation. The split-level penthouse boasts a baby grand piano, open living and dining room, balcony, and a spiral staircase leading to the open plan bedroom and an oversized bathroom. For those playing at home, yes – The Gold Suite is most certainly available for unique events.

Who needs a meeting room when there's a piano to enjoy, right?

To the strains of a jazz singer and that baby grand piano, we dined on shiraz-braised Wagyu beef cheeks, parsnip mousseline, lemon-scented spinach and blistered cherry tomatoes, along with gourmet salad sides.

And what would a Hollywood themed soirée be without a bit of Busby Berkeley-esque spot of synchronised swimming? With a couple of lifeguards (!) overlooking, we were treated to a gorgeous piece of water-bound entertainment, on the Como's beautiful pool deck. And with that, it was off to the adjoining Williams Suite for Burch and Purchese desserts and a well-stocked whiskey bar. Don't know about you, we think that's a pretty ideal way of wrapping up an event.

A massive thank you to all of our wonderful clients – thanks for spending such a wonderful night with us! We don't want to toot our own horn, but we have some pretty amazing customers and clients here at VenueNow. Toot toot! We cannot wait to get our mitts on the most amazing venues for your events.

Or to put it more eloquently, Victoria had this to say: "our VenueNow Client Events are about introducing decision makers to new and interesting venues, and giving our partner venues the opportunity to put on a true show for their target audience. We couldn't be happier with the result!"

Thank you to the team at Como Melbourne MGallery by Sofitel for hosting us all within your glamorous and luxurious surrounds, and for providing such flawless service on the night. Shout out to our friends at Solution Entertainment for providing much of the night's entertainment – from swimmers to musicians.

We cannot wait until our next VenueNow client event. See you there!

The Como Melbourne MGallery by Sofitel is available for events large and small, via VenueNow. Book your next meeting, conference, unique dinner party or social event now! >>