Top Cocktail Party Venues Sydney for Hire

Sydneysiders love a fancy tipple by the seaside, so cocktail parties are a big must on the yearly social calendar. Try sky-high cocktails at a rooftop bar, champagne at sunset, delicate morsels in a spectacular warehouse space or drinks with a view of the harbour.

Throwing a cocktail party in Sydney NSW? At VenueNow, we have a curated selection of cocktail party venues for you to choose from. So whether you’re entertaining friends or business associates, planning a product launch or a class reunion, we’ve got the perfect Sydney cocktail party venue for you. Here’s our handy guide to help you get started.

Best places to throw a cocktail party

Your cocktail party venue will depend on the size of your guest list and the style of the event. Once you have those two things locked down, it’s time to start looking for unique cocktail party venues in Sydney. Here are some venue types to consider:

Restaurants - Great for both social and corporate events, restaurants are the easiest venue to use for a cocktail-style event. Catering will be taken care of, there will be minimal need for decorations and the in-house staff will know the drill, so you’ll have less to think about.

Lounges - Suitable for birthdays, retirement parties and bridal showers, this cosy event space provides the perfect atmosphere for mingling and chatting.

Warehouses and art galleries - Blank canvas spaces have a modern aesthetic that makes them suitable for both casual and formal events. Adaptable warehouses and art galleries are the most flexible venue type, though you may need to bring in an outside catering company and rentals for your event.

Gardens - Lush gardens and gorgeous landscaping make an enchanting and picturesque backdrop for hens nights, baby showers, engagement parties and other social gatherings. Whilst it’ll be a roving reception, don’t forget to provide seating for older guests and high-top tables for folks to rest their drinks on.

What are popular events for cocktail parties?

Throwing a cocktail party is a fantastic way to celebrate. They’re not as expensive as a dinner party, the planning is less complicated and they’re perfect for guests who can only spare an hour or two for your event. A cocktail reception is ideal for these types of gatherings:

Weddings - Instead of a formal multi-course dinner, consider hosting a cocktail reception with free-flowing drinks and scrumptious hors d’oeuvres. It’s an elegant, unique and wallet-friendly alternative to the traditional seated wedding reception.

Office Christmas parties - Cocktail parties are popular for office events because they’re less costly than sit-down dinners, are easier to plan and last for a shorter period of time. Having a cocktail-style get-together instead of a seated gathering also allows companies to expand the guest list, giving attendees more opportunities to mingle and network.

Bridal showers - Both bridal showers and cocktail parties are all about the drinks and the nonstop chatter. And both can be held in practically any event space. Gardens, hotel function rooms, boats and wineries — the list goes on!

Product launches - This type of function is usually limited to a couple of hours, with the presentation or live demo being the focal point. Guests will expect alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as well as appetisers, but you can also set up a cocktail buffet depending on the time of the event and the budget. 

What are some of the best bars in Sydney NSW for cocktails?

It’s not a cocktail party without, well, cocktails. From hip rooftop establishments to mysterious underground speakeasies, here are our favourite Sydney cocktail party venues with the best bars.

The Lobo - Descend into this subterranean rum bar and find a Caribbean paradise in the Sydney C. With its Cuban charm, jangly tunes and selection of 250 rums, this is one of our top spots for both casual after-work drinks and cocktail receptions.

The Rook - Nestled above the hustle and bustle of the Sydney CBD, this cooler-than-cool gin bar serves up gourmet fare and bespoke liquors. Famous for its lobster rolls and scenic city views, this Sydney watering hole is a great spot for both social and corporate cocktail parties.

Tapavino - In the mood for Spanish wine and tapas? Head over to this Spanish bar and restaurant on Pitt Street for brilliant tapas, exceptional cocktails and a warm and welcoming vibe. The ground floor is for walk-ins whilst upstairs is one of the best Sydney cocktail party venues you can find.

Top neighbourhoods for cocktail party venues in Sydney

Whether you’re looking for a glamorous waterfront location for an awards night or a rooftop bar for your best mate’s birthday, we’ve got an abundance of cocktail party venues in Sydney to choose from. Check out these Sydney NSW neighbourhoods for your next cocktail event:

Sydney Harbour

Not only is this area dotted with gorgeous waterfront cocktail party locations with panoramic views, but it’s also the place to go for unforgettable water boat venues! Whether you’re looking for large or small event spaces, you’re sure to find a bar, restaurant, function room or hotel ballroom on Sydney Harbour that will suit your needs.

Newtown

Known for its bohemian vibe and diversity of venue types, Newtown is teeming with one-of-a-kind cocktail reception spots for an event that will really stand out.

North Sydney

If you’re planning a corporate event and want to get out of the CBD, bustling North Sydney is a great alternative. This area is filled with chic restaurants and interesting pubs you won’t find anywhere else.

Ideas for cocktail party planning

A cocktail party can be as simple or elaborate, large or small, as you want it to be. Here are a couple of things to consider when choosing venues for your next cocktail-style gathering in Sydney.

Mood - Are you going for a casual vibe or something more formal? Your desired ambience will dictate the type of event space you book, the decorations, the entertainment, the dress code and the program (or lack thereof).

Food - Are you serving a selection of finger foods or are you setting up a self-serve buffet? Cocktail-style events don’t require a full meal but do make sure that there’s enough food for guests to graze on for the duration of the party. Hosting your event at a restaurant or hotel will save you the trouble of looking for external catering services.

Drinks - This is undoubtedly the most important element of any cocktail party. You can pre-arrange a bar tab to make ordering drinks easier for your guests or go for a beverage package to control when drink service ends. Make sure that there are non-alcoholic drinks available for your non-drinking guests.

Venue setup - Will there be some sort of presentation at your Sydney event? If yes, book a cocktail party venue with a stage or platform so that everyone can see what’s going on. And whilst cocktail parties last only a couple of hours, do provide seating and spaces for guests to perch their drinks and appetisers on.