Top Birthday Venues Melbourne for Hire

Your birthday party is one of the biggest events on the social calendar. You want it to be a spectacular success that your mates will be talking about for months to come. The key to an extra special occasion is a birthday party venue that hits all the right chords. Luckily, there are hundreds of beautifully unique birthday party venues Melbourne has to offer.

Are you looking for a booth in a club, a private dining room or a whole warehouse space that can be dressed up to your liking? VenueNow makes it easy to find brilliant birthday party places based on your specific criteria.

Planning a birthday bash but not sure where to start? We’ve put together this handy guide to help you out:

What should I consider before hiring a Melbourne birthday party venue?

Before you go looking for a birthday party venue or event space in Melbourne, there are a few important decisions you have to make. Your budget, for instance, will determine the size and type of venue you can book and how many people you can invite. Once that’s locked down, ask yourself these questions:

How many guests are coming?

The more people you invite, the more you have to spend on food, invitations and rentals. If you’re planning your own party, all you have to do is go through your contacts and make a list of who you want to invite. But if you’re planning a party for someone else, you’ll have to work closely with the celebrant to make sure no one important gets left out of the guest list.

How long will the party last?

Birthday parties for adults tend to last longer and may even become all-nighters. If you want to keep the event to an hour or two at most, host a cocktail party instead of a sit-down event.

When will the party take place?

People are more likely to show up if you host your party on a weekend. If you expect your event to run late into the night, it’s best to do it on a Saturday as your guests won’t have work the next morning. Make sure you send your invites out weeks in advance so your guests can save the date.

Best types of birthday party venues in Melbourne

When it comes to birthday parties, there are various roads you can take. Some choose to celebrate at their local pub whilst others go all out and do a bar crawl. Some opt for a birthday dinner at their favourite restaurant; others choose a big bash in a hotel function room. No matter how you choose to celebrate, Melbourne’s best birthday party spaces are ready to host your special day. Here are some of the top venue types for a birthday celebration in Melbourne: 

Rooftop — Some of Melbourne’s best restaurants, watering holes and function venues are nestled above the bustling city streets. These spectacular spaces offer picturesque views of the Melbourne skyline that make for a fantastic backdrop for your birthday party photos.

Speakeasy — Melbourne has tons of old-school speakeasies hidden underground or behind unassuming doorways. These vintage-style drinking dens make perfect birthday party spaces for those who just want to sit back and enjoy impeccable drinks and food with their closest mates.

Art gallery — Most galleries, studios and converted warehouses have a clean look and industrial vibe. They’re a blank canvas waiting to be transformed into your vision of a show-stopping birthday party. An added benefit? Birthday venues with a BYO policy and allow external catering can help you save heaps of dollars!

Best ideas for Melbourne birthday parties

Whatever theme you choose, make sure it’s consistent throughout the party. The decorations, activities, food, drinks and invitations all have to reflect the birthday party theme in some way. Check out these party themes for a birthday bash in Melbourne:

Decade or year of your birth — Ask your guests to come as a character from a TV show or movie that came out during the decade or year of your birth. Or encourage them to wear whatever was in fashion during that period.

Season-themed — Birthday in the summer? Book a poolside venue, serve piña coladas and decorate with flamingo floats and paper lanterns. Whether it’s a winter wonderland or a summer beach party, your birthday bash will be a surefire hit.

Old-school casino — This is a sophisticated theme that suits many birthday venues in Melbourne. Ask your guests to come in flapper and gangster costumes, set up card tables and serve some classic drinks. You can even hire someone to run the show for a realistic casino experience.

How to plan a Melbourne birthday party

Planning a birthday party for yourself or for a friend is exciting, but it can also be quite stressful. So many parts of the planning process have to be taken care of months in advance. Follow these tips to help you stay on track:

Set a budget

Without a budget, you could easily get excited over the many options for catering, venue and decorations, and end up spending more than you intended to. Before anything else, determine how much you can realistically spend on the party. Don’t forget that with some clever DIYs, you can have a kick-ass celebration without overspending.

Arrange for catering

Food is central to any social gathering. If you’re expecting a large crowd, consider serving food buffet-style. If funds are limited, choose a party venue or event space that allows external catering or throw a cocktail-style event and serve hors d’oeuvres instead of a multi-course meal.

Plan for activities or live entertainment

As with any social event, birthday parties should be fun and lively. Make sure your guests are having a good time by preparing games or other activities beforehand. If it suits your event, you can hire a live band or hire someone to host a mixology or art class that will keep guests entertained.

Send out invitations

Invitations are one of the most important aspects for a successful party. Make sure to send them out at least three weeks before the event, and include any special instructions or details on what attendees should bring if they want to participate in your chosen activities.

What are the most popular locations for private Melbourne birthday parties?

From boozy cruises on the harbour to garden picnics, there are endless options for birthday party spaces and activities in Melbourne. These are just a few of the most popular private birthday party venues in Melbourne:

The luxe lounge

Located near the Central Business District on the Yarra River waterfront, it’s no wonder The Harem Lounge at Byblos Bar and Restaurant is a popular spot for cocktail receptions, milestone birthdays and corporate events. Enjoy world-class cocktails, luxurious surroundings and impeccable Lebanese cuisine in one of the best birthday party venues Melbourne offers.

The rooftop favourite

With its quirky interiors, welcoming vibe and scrumptious drinks, The Carlton has long been a preferred watering hole of Melbournians. The Carlton offers several function spaces, all of which are spectacular, but if you want to lose yourself under the night sky, book the Palmz Rooftop. The leafy surroundings and the breathtaking view of the Melbourne CBD make it the perfect place to unwind.

Converted warehouse venue

The Palms Cremorne is Melbourne's latest exclusive event venue. This converted warehouse venue oozes class and character with its blend of contemporary and industrial design. Its flexible floor plan enables it to be used for a wide range of events, from personal celebrations to corporate parties.

What are the top neighbourhoods for Melbourne birthday party venues?

There are a few great neighbourhoods for birthday party venues in Melbourne. Some of the best include:

Melbourne CBD

If you're looking for a party venue in Melbourne that offers a range of different options, then the Melbourne CBD is perfect for you. The city centre offers everything from hotel function rooms to trendy bars and restaurants, making it ideal if you want to host your birthday party in an exciting environment with plenty of nightlife nearby.

Fitzroy

Popular with creatives, Fitzroy is full of quirky shops, bars and cafes to get your guests going before you head off somewhere else to finish the night.

Prahran

The eclectic mix of Victorian and Edwardian homes, boutique shops, cafes and bars makes this one of Melbourne’s most popular suburbs for hosting a birthday. The nearby beach means you can throw in an afternoon dip to cool down before your party starts at sundown!

St. Kilda

Famous for its beautiful beaches as well as its buzzing nightlife, St. Kilda is the perfect spot for a laidback and fun-filled birthday party. St Kilda has various function rooms such as rooftop bar venues, cocktail bar places and many more which would make your birthday an event to remember!

Port Melbourne

This beachside suburb is perfect if you're looking for a relaxed and chilled out birthday party venue. With its incredible views of the city skyline, Port Melbourne is a great place to watch the sunset with your friends before heading off to enjoy the nightlife.

South Melbourne

Just a short tram ride from Melbourne's CBD, South Melbourne is home to some of Australia’s best cafes and laneways. It would be perfect for a laidback birthday party with plenty of activities on offer!

South Yarra

Just a short drive from the CBD and with plenty of dining options, South Yarra is an ideal spot for hosting a birthday party. If you're looking for interesting party venues for hire in Melbourne and are on a tight budget, South Yarra is the right place!

Looking for a birthday party venue in Melbourne?

If you’re searching for the ideal venue to host your next event, 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, with function rooms suitable for all sizes. Whether you’re planning birthday parties, corporate functions, cocktail parties, corporate meetings, product launches, or a wedding reception, we’ll help you find the perfect venue to suit your needs and budget.