Top Birthday Party Venues Sydney for Hire

Sydneysiders love a party, no matter the occasion, but a birthday party is a particularly special event that deserves a superior celebration. And with cocktail bars, restaurants, pubs, dance clubs and function venues lining the busy streets, you’re spoilt for choice of birthday party venues for hire in Sydney. 

Looking for a stylish and versatile location for your upcoming birthday bash? Look no further. The VenueNow platform lets you easily browse and book your perfect party venue in Sydney. We constantly update our listings with new and spectacular birthday venues from all over Australia, so whatever type of space it is you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find it in minutes.  

What should I consider before hiring a birthday party venue in Sydney? 

Birthday party planning starts with setting a budget, guest size and theme. Once these things have been finalised, you’ll use them as criteria for the right birthday party spot. Before you book a party space in Sydney, ask these questions as well: 

What are the venue’s rules?

Does the place allow external catering? Does it allow you to bring your own liquor? If it’s a dry hire venue, are you responsible for cleaning up? Ask about penalties and extra charges and check the venue’s terms and conditions before finalising your booking.

What tone are you going for?

Is the party for a small group of close friends or for a big crowd? Do you want a picnic on Bondi Beach, a formal dinner at a hotel restaurant or cocktails under the night sky? Some function venues are suited for casual gatherings whilst some have the perfect infrastructure for a more upscale birthday bash.

How big or small should the venue be?

Size and location are amongst the biggest factors that determine the cost of your events venue. For a small guest list, go for cosy party venues for hire like private dining rooms, cocktail bars, lounges and pubs. For a large guest list, studios, warehouses and hotel function rooms are popular choices.

Party planning in Sydney amidst COVID-19

Whilst Australia and the rest of the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, there are certain health and safety precautions you should consider.

Open-air venues — Outdoor venues are better for reducing the spread of COVID-19 than indoor ones. Open-air gatherings make it easier to follow social distancing guidelines, so look for venues with outdoor spaces. A downtown rooftop cocktail bar or a restaurant with a deck on Bondi Beach would be ideal.

Hybrid events — Nowadays, most events have both on-site and virtual participants. To keep both types of guests entertained, you have to make sure your event’s technological infrastructure is up to par. Another way to keep guests who can’t make it to the venue engaged is to send them a gift box with food, drinks and party decor. This allows them to participate in the festivities from afar.

Masking — Where mask mandates are in place, make mask-wearing an integral and fun component of the party by incorporating it into the event’s overall design. Order custom-designed masks that reflect the birthday party theme and make sure each guest has one.

Best venue types for a Sydney birthday celebration 

There’s a great variety of birthday party venues for private hire in Sydney. Some of the most popular ones for birthdays are:

Private dining rooms — If the guest list is small, you don’t want to hire a large space that will end up looking awkwardly empty. Private dining rooms are perfect for intimate gatherings as they give your event a sense of privacy. As food and service are in-house, you also have fewer things to worry about.

Bars — Depending on your party size, you can either book the entire venue or a private party space away from the crowd. Rooftop bars are a dreamy setting for cocktails and provide an intimate atmosphere, especially at night.

Converted warehouses — Warehouses, galleries and other blank canvas spaces are amongst the most popular birthday party venues in Sydney. These spaces are great for large cocktail events and are relatively inexpensive.

Private halls — If you like the blank canvas look but don’t think your guest list can fill a warehouse or gallery, hire a hall for your birthday party. There are dozens of community halls that are available for private hire. These Sydney party venues have the same industrial vibe as a converted warehouse but are smaller and cheaper.

Best ideas for Sydney birthday parties

A theme makes any event, especially a birthday party, unforgettable. It also makes for some seriously spectacular photos! These are our top picks for themed birthday party ideas in Sydney:

Glitter and sparkle — Easy to put together but whimsical enough to make your birthday party extra memorable. Just imagine it — glittery decor, sparkling lights, fizzy drinks, and shimmery outfits. Shining, shimmering splendid indeed!

Black and white — Another easy peasy but elegant birthday theme! Wear red or another striking colour to stand out from your guests.

Old Hollywood glam — Let your guests role-play as glamorous stars from the golden age of Hollywood. Classic hairstyles, draped gowns, a red carpet entrance, vintage decorations and classic cocktails make for a romantic and sophisticated birthday reception.

Top neighbourhoods to find Sydney birthday party venues

Sydney has a plethora of hidden gem birthday venues. But where in Sydney will you find these fantastic party venues? These are our top picks:

Sydney CBD

If you’re looking for an upmarket birthday party venue, you can’t go wrong with the Central Business District. The Sydney CBD is packed with trendy restaurants, award-winning cocktail bars and one-of-a-kind function rooms that are sure to impress. You could even book a boat and make touring around Darling Harbour or Sydney Harbour part of your event.

Potts Point

Famous for its nightlife and multicultural eateries, Potts Point is one of the city’s top entertainment and dining destinations. With a large number of pubs, restaurants, lounges, nightclubs, and cafes in this area, you’re sure to find a unique party venue for all functions and budgets.

Bondi Beach

Birthday venues with a waterfront view add something extra to your event. Bondi Beach is one of the best places in Sydney to find the perfect location with a stunning waterfront view. Planning a summer party? Bondi is filled with private birthday party venues for a laidback dinner, summer BBQ or beachside brunch. 

Surry Hills

Offering Sydney's best functions venues and bars, Surry Hills is one of the city’s most popular spaces for birthday parties and other special celebrations. With an incredible range of events venues to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect venue for cocktail parties in this neighbourhood.

The Rocks

One of Sydney’s oldest neighbourhoods, The Rocks has many hidden gems that make amazing Sydney party venues. Sydney’s oldest pubs, colourful terrace cafes and incredible views all combine to make this area perfect for a special event.

Cockle Bay Wharf

This is one of Sydney Harbour's most iconic waterfront venues. Not only does it host some incredible events but if you want to celebrate with style, this place has it all - from breathtaking harbour views and outdoor spaces to posh indoor facilities. If you're after an intimate yet amazing Sydney party space experience, then Cockle Bay Wharf should be top on your list!

Circular Quay

Circular Quay is Sydney’s waterfront hub, with Sydney Harbour as its backdrop. It offers all types of Sydney event venues for your parties and has some stunning vantage points from which to enjoy the city skyline or fireworks on New Year's Eve.

How to plan a Sydney birthday party

There are a few things to keep in mind when planning a party for yourself or someone else. 

Book months in advance

The most in-demand birthday reception venues in Sydney book out weeks or even months in advance. The sooner you start looking for your birthday spot, the better the chances of booking one that ticks all the boxes. You’ll also want to consider being flexible about your event date and enquiring with a handful of venues at once. 

Create a checklist

The first step in party planning is creating a list of all the tasks and other important details that will guide the process. Being organised will save you a lot of time, money and energy. Before you book a party venue, note down all your must-haves and nice-to-haves. This will be the basis for the decision-making process as you look for your perfect birthday venue.

Delegate

As the host, you’re responsible for making sure everyone is having a good time and the party goes off without a hitch. But you can also get too busy with hosting responsibilities that you forget to enjoy your birthday party. Avoid this by giving your friends tasks to do. One friend could be responsible for going around and chatting people up whilst another friend deals with the DJ or the food.

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

These are just a sampling of the most popular private birthday party venues Sydney has to offer:

Rooftop pool — With views of the gorgeous harbour, the breathtaking Sydney CBD, and the heritage site surrounds, this rooftop pool venue will make for some killer birthday party photos!

Craft brewery — Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a formal dinner, this charming and versatile event space in the CBD fits the bill. With an excellent alcohol selection, a modern Australian menu and quirky brewery paraphernalia all around, it’s the perfect spot for a birthday reception. If you and your guests are big booze fans, you’ll love the selection of locally brewed craft beers, small-batch Australian spirits and boutique wines in this fantastic venue.

Cruise — Whether it’s a birthday party or a dinner for clients, boats make for unique settings for special events. If you live in Sydney, you need to experience celebrating a birthday on one of the many cruise services available in the city.

How much do birthday party venues in Sydney cost?

Now for the most important question. How much does a birthday party venue in Sydney actually cost? The total cost of a birthday venue varies depending on the size and location, but here’s a guide to what you can expect to pay:

Per person — A sit-down meal (including drinks) will set you back about AUD 40 per head.

Hire fee — Smaller venues can cost as little as AUD 400 per session. Depending on the venue, this could be for a couple of hours or for an entire day. Larger upscale venues can cost upwards of AUD 10,000.

Minimum spend — Minimum spend means you’re only paying for the food and/or drinks. Because you’re not paying a cent for the place itself, venues with a minimum spend rate can save you tons of money. Smaller minimum spend party venues in Sydney charge between AUD 1000 and AUD 1500 for weekday events.