Top 21st Birthday Venues Sydney for Hire

Twenty-first birthdays deserve a big celebration, and a great venue is the first step to reaching party perfection. Whether you'd prefer to waltz by the waterside, dance your little heart out in a popular club, feast on favourites at a trendy restaurant or book a big boat for the occasion, your choice of venue will form the foundation for a memorable birthday bash. Luckily, there are heaps of swanky 21st birthday venues in Sydney just waiting to be discovered by your pack.

How to plan a Sydney 21st birthday party

Twenty-one is a really fun age! This is a time in your life when you want to dress up and have a grand celebration with your friends instead of holding up at home and trying to forget that you’re turning another year older. Whether you’re throwing an over-the-top themed soiree or hosting a low-key dinner, careful planning will ensure that everything goes off without a hitch. Here are some tips for hosting a 21st birthday bash:

Decide on a tone

The first and most important step to throwing the 21st birthday soiree of your dreams is settling on an overall tone. Do you want a laidback gathering with just your nearest and dearest? Or do you want an all-nighter in an upscale location with free-flowing drinks and guests in costume? The tone of the celebration will determine everything — from the size of the guest list to catering options. It will also serve as a guide as you look for 21st birthday venues in Sydney.

Finalize the guestlist

Now that you know what kind of party you want to throw, it’s time to start working on the guestlist. Keep in mind that the size of your guest list will play a big role in deciding on a venue, so make sure to finalize this early on in the planning process.

Start scouting for venues

The next step is to start looking for potential venues. If you’re having trouble finding the perfect place, try thinking outside the box — there are plenty of unique and interesting event spaces in Sydney that would be ideal for a 21st birthday party. Decide also if you want to hire the entire venue of just a private dining room of the location. Furthermore, decide where you want your party to be held, whether it be in Sydney CBD, North Sydney or Darling Harbour among others. Choosing the right venue is essential for a memorable milestone birthday!

Check the venue’s rules

Ask the function venues the following questions: Are you allowed to bring in external catering and/or your own liquor to the event venues? How many guests can the venue accommodate? Is there a dress code? Make sure you ask these questions as you shop around for 21st birthday party venues in Sydney.

Prepare for contingencies

It pays to be ready for whatever the night throws at you. After-party food to fill guests’ stomachs after a night of drinking, tissues for the friend who can’t get through a speech without tearing up, backup entertainment in case your main event bails — these are just some of the many things you should think about as you plan your 21st.

What is a good theme for a 21st birthday party in Sydney?

If you and your guests are into themed parties, there’s no better time to host one than on your 21st birthday. These are our top picks for 21st birthday party themes:

Early 2000s Throwback — If you’re turning 21, then you probably grew up back when Avril Lavigne and Ashanti were dominating the music charts, celebrities were wearing UGG boots and Juicy Couture tracksuits on the red carpet and your older siblings were using Razr flip phones. Capture the nostalgia of this oft-maligned period by putting on a 2000s-inspired playlist, decorating with posters of your favourite movies from the 2000s and asking your guests to come as a TV character from a 2000s series.

Black and White Ball — One of the easiest ways to turn your 21st birthday bash into an Instagram-worthy affair is to ask your guests to come in their best black or white outfits. It’s an easy dress code to follow and, as the celebrant, you get to be the only one in colour.

House Party — Sometimes, all you really want is some good conversation over a good meal with good friends. Enjoy the atmosphere of a laidback dinner without the stress of cooking and cleaning by throwing a “house party” at your favourite restaurant. There are tons of 21st birthday party venues in Sydney where you can book a private nook, the main dining room, order platters to share and set up a bar tab for free-flowing cocktails.

Retro Party — If you’re a child of the 80s or 90s, chances are you’ve been to a themed party or two in your day. But if you want to take it up a notch, why not go for a full-blown retro party complete with costumes, décor and music from your favourite era?

Glitter and sparkle — What’s a birthday party without some glitz and glamour? Go all out with shimmering decorations, sequined tablecloths and plenty of champagne.

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As you can see, there are a lot of different things to consider when planning your 21st birthday party. But as long as you keep your guests in mind and choose a venue that will suit your needs, you’re sure to have a night to remember.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your party today!

How to make a 21st birthday party a success

As the host, you need to make sure that everyone goes home with good memories of the event. Whilst you search for 21st birthday party venues in Sydney, keep these tips in mind for a flawless birthday bash:

Don’t forget to decorate

When hosts book a birthday party venue like a pub or lounge, they sometimes forego adding their own style to the space. But decorations take your event to a whole new level! For 21st birthday parties, set up a foliage wall, create a photo slideshow or cover the venue in lanterns.

Get your friends involved

Infuse the party with personal touches by asking for help from those who know you best. Have a friend with an artistic touch? Get her to decorate the space according to your sense of style. Ask your best mates to put together a playlist of songs that remind them of you or get them to look for old photos to print and use as table decor.

Consider unusual birthday party venues in Sydney

When looking for the best venues for a 21st birthday in Sydney, go off the beaten track and consider spaces that can cater to your needs but aren’t typical birthday party locations. In Sydney, there are lots of historical houses, art galleries, cinemas, aquariums, function rooms and other epic venues that will gladly help you set up your event.  

Unique event types for 21st birthday party venues

You only turn 21 once; you should have a blast celebrating! Treat yourself and your guests to an unforgettable night at one of these one-of-a-kind Sydney venues for hire:

Birthday cruise — Host a private dinner on one of Vagabond Cruises’ lovely vessels. As one of the most established cruise companies in Sydney Harbour, Vagabond knows just what you need to fully realise a successful event. The cruise company offers all-inclusive packages so you don’t have to worry about booking entertainment and catering. Just get ready to party with your mates!

Waterfront celebration — There’s nothing like being surrounded by water to make you feel on top of the world. Inspired by the grand plantation architecture of Cuba, and mixed with the lux yet playful modern vintage hotels of the 1950s Miami, Hyde Hacienda Sydney is a botanical oasis overlooking Sydney's iconic Harbour in Circular Quay. If you're looking for something different, waterfront venues are the way to go!

Rooftop soiree — There’s something about rooftop venues that make them such great settings for intimate birthday gatherings. Perhaps it’s the access to the night air or the scenic views from up high. And with the gorgeous city skyline, spots like the Rooftop Terrace at the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel are some of the best venues for a 21st party on the top floor in Sydney.

Action-packed celebration — Who says escape rooms are only for corporate-bonding activities? Book one of these exciting venues for your 21st birthday celebration and your guests will have a blast (and a workout)! After all the fun and excitement, celebrate your special day (and your escape) with a round of drinks at Escape Hunt’s fully licensed lounge and private bar.

One-with nature special occasion — Bring your friends and family together in one of nature’s most beautiful playgrounds — Sydney’s Royal National Park. Or hire one of the diverse range of venues in Sydney such as the Botany Café Gusto. It is a beautiful light-filled venue with natural light, floor to ceiling windows and glass doors throughout, overlooking the beautiful grounds of greenery and fish-filled pond.

Looking for 21st birthday venues in Sydney?

If you’re searching for the perfect function room or cocktail bar to host your birthday party, look no further than VenueNow. We’re Australia’s largest venue-booking platform, with a wide range of unique and stylish spaces to choose from.

Whether you’re planning birthday parties, cocktail parties, corporate parties, or intimate gathering celebrations, we’ll help you find the perfect venue to suit your needs and budget.