Top 9 Blank Canvas Venues in Sydney

Choosing a blank canvas venue gives you maximum creative freedom and allows you to include all of the details that make your event meaningful and special. These venues are the ideal setting for those who want complete control over the event’s look and feel (a big reason why event planners love them).

Blank canvas venues are suitable for just about any type of gathering you want to personalise — from themed birthday parties and weddings to trade shows and product launches. Looking for the best blank canvas venues in Sydney? Here are 9 of our top picks of blank canvas venues Sydney has to offer.

Pier One Sydney Harbour

It’s possible this is the most versatile blank canvas venue in all of Sydney with 18 unique function spaces to choose from. Our top pick? The Bridge Marquee is an exquisite, open-air option that can be customised to suit your every need. It’s a hero of the wedding scene and a popular choice for corporate events and cocktail receptions. The space boasts an abundance of natural light. Plus, who can forget the unparalleled views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, Walsh Bay and the city skyline?

Establishment

E stablishment offers three function spaces that can seat up to 350 guests. Function spaces offer gorgeous views of The Establishment Garden whilst adjoining smaller rooms serve as breakout areas during conferences. For this venue, it’s all about the location. In the centre of the city, your guests will find it easy to get to your event and be moments away from more great venues for an after-party. Think late-night drinks from Hemmesphere or Palmer & Co., the on-site bars, and Cantonese-style dishes from Mr. Wong.

The Apartment Hotel Centennial

Converted from a former private residence, this modern minimalist venue makes you feel like you’re entertaining from your own home. The property exudes elegance but has an inviting air that makes it so suitable for intimate gatherings. If you’re looking for a venue for an engagement party, anniversary dinner, or client lunch, you’ll love the huge boardroom, in-house AV equipment, and light-filled warmth in this space. It's a great spot for both day and evening events for business or pleasure.

Doltone House Darling Island

Doltone House Darling Island is located within minutes of Darling Harbour, the International Convention Centre (ICC) and the Sydney CBD. This creative space in Sydney City features three levels of private event spaces that can cater for up to 1000 guests. The contemporary design provides flexible entertaining areas and the professional staff offers friendly, experienced service. With its sheer grandeur, Doltone House is perfect for celebrating special occasions such as weddings and milestone birthdays.

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The Venue Alexandria

This venue is one of Sydney’s newest premium warehouse spaces. This unique heritage venue situated between Sydney’s International Airport and Sydney CBD played host to a huge range of events from cocktail parties to trade shows, fashion shows, conferences, exhibitions and banquet dinners. The sky's the limit for your event design with generous 7.6m high ceilings and 1,900 sqm of floor space at your disposal. To top it off, there are cloakrooms, onsite parking and great air conditioning to keep your guests comfortable all year round.

Art Gallery of NSW

For a blank canvas venue with cultural credibility, the Art Gallery of NSW is hard to beat. Its contemporary event spaces offer clean lines, neutral tones and expansive layouts that can be styled to suit everything from elegant galas to modern product launches. With harbour views and world-class art just steps away, it’s a sophisticated setting that lets your event concept take centre stage.

Watersedge

Perched on the edge of Sydney Harbour, Watersedge combines a clean, contemporary interior with postcard-perfect views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The neutral styling makes it an ideal blank canvas for weddings, corporate dinners or bespoke celebrations, allowing florals, lighting and theming to completely transform the space. Add the waterfront setting and you have a venue that feels effortlessly elevated while still giving you full creative control.

Q Station Manly

Set against the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour, Q Station Manly offers a unique blank canvas with serious wow-factor. From heritage-style rooms to expansive waterfront spaces, you’re free to transform the venue to suit your vision, whether that’s a coastal wedding, corporate retreat or large-scale celebration. The natural beauty does half the styling for you, while the versatile interiors allow you to build the rest from the ground up.

Handpicked Wine Cellar Door

Handpicked Wines, located in a converted industrial warehouse, has delivered a one-of-a-kind cellar door experience to Sydney's CBD. In addition to daily wine tastings and wines by the glass in the lounge, Handpicked's cellar door offers two unique rooms for your gatherings. The Experience Room at Handpicked is ideal for business events such as board meetings and team-building activities, as well as private parties and educational wine experiences.

Whatever event you’re planning, VenueNow can help you find blank canvas venues in Sydney on which to build your vision. Whether you are organising a wedding, exhibition, live performance or a corporate team-building exercise, we invite you to explore our warehouse & Blank Canvas venue options in Australia for your next event. Submit an event brief to get started.

What should I keep in mind when looking for a blank canvas venue in Sydney?

Whether you're planning your dream wedding, cocktail party, or other social gatherings, there are a few things you should consider when booking a blank canvas venue:

Venue Size

Your guest list and the type of event you’re planning will be key when selecting a blank canvas venue. Preferably, look for venues that are not too large or too small, as this will ensure all attendees have enough space to move around comfortably while also leaving room to set up furniture, decorations and other elements according to your style.

Catering & Bar Service

Accessibility and convenience are two of the main factors when looking for a blank canvas venue. A great way to ensure that both these requirements are met is to select a venue that offers its own catering and bar services so that you don’t have to worry about finding your own external providers. This will also avoid additional costs in hiring third-party providers. Some of the blank canvas venues are even BYO venues that allow you to bring your own food.

Accessibility

Choosing a blank canvas venue with adequate parking and easy access for your guests is essential. If you’re hosting an event that requires numerous vendor services, make sure the location has enough loading zones to accommodate them all. Additionally, consider what type of transportation options are available nearby, as well as how far away your guests will be coming from.

Facilities

The venue should have all the necessary amenities and services for your event, including a kitchen, tables & chairs, sound systems, AV equipment, WiFi access, and more. Make sure to ask about these before signing any contracts.

Budget

Hiring a blank canvas venue in Sydney doesn’t have to break the bank. Consider your budget when selecting a venue as some may charge extra fees for certain services and amenities. Negotiate these costs with the management ahead of time so that you don’t get any unexpected surprises at the end of your event.

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