Best Networking Event Venues Sydney for Hire

Networking events are the perfect opportunity for professionals to meet and engage with one another, share ideas, and explore possible collaborations. Finding the perfect venue is crucial to making it a successful one. Luckily, Sydney offers a wide range of venues that can cater to different networking event needs. Here's a guide to finding the perfect venue for your next networking event in this iconic city.

Networking Event Venue Types in Sydney

Check out these Sydney networking venues for your next corporate event:

Rooftop Bars and Terraces

Sydney is known for its breathtaking skyline and picturesque harbour, so hosting your event at a rooftop venue is a way to take full advantage of these. Although, remember that these venues may be more expensive than your normal restaurant option, so if you opt for this venue type, then make sure to budget wisely.

Restaurants and Private Dining Rooms

Many restaurants in Sydney may be perfect choices for hosting a networking event. Sydney boasts a vibrant food scene with many restaurants offering different cuisines and ambience to match the tone of your event. Many of Sydney's top restaurants even offer private rooms that combine culinary excellence with privacy, allowing guests to focus on building connections over a delicious meal.

Bars and Pubs

Many prefer the relaxed and informal vibe of bars and pubs, so it's no surprise that this is a great choice for networking. If you want to book one for your event, look no further! There are many bars and pubs in the area, each with its unique charm and delicious food & drinks.

Hotel Function Spaces

Another great option is hotels in Sydney. Offering a wide range of event spaces, hotels can cater to both intimate gatherings and large functions. These venues are convenient if you have attendees from out of town, as they provide accommodation options on top of the event spaces offered.

Other Unique Venues

If you want to spice things up and create an even more special experience for your attendees, consider hosting your networking event in more unique venues. These include boats, art galleries, blank canvas spaces and historical landmarks.

Top Suburbs for Networking Event Venues in Sydney

Location is key! Here are three areas to consider for your upcoming event:

Sydney CBD

The Sydney Central Business District (CBD) is located in the heart of the city. This area is easily accessible via public transport, with buses, trains, and ferries connecting at various central points. Your guests will appreciate how easy it is to get to their destination, reducing stress and encouraging better attendance.

Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is a vibrant area that is perfect for hosting memorable networking events. Known for its picturesque waterfront views and lively atmosphere, this location offers many venue options. From cocktail bars to must-visit restaurants, Darling Harbour stands out as a versatile venue option.

Chippendale

Bordering the city centre, Chippendale offers a mix of venues that cater to diverse event needs, from chic galleries to modern multipurpose event spaces. If you're looking for a venue with a creative and dynamic vibe, Chippendale is the place to be.

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Average Costs of Venue Hire and Catering in Sydney

Venue hire costs vary based on the event type, location, and size. On average, you can expect to pay around $55 to $85 per person for venue hire. More upscale venues, like waterfront venues or luxury hotels, may charge even higher rates. Therefore, it's crucial to consider what's included in these costs to ensure value for money.

Catering is an essential component of any networking event, as it can enhance and often facilitate conversations and leave a lasting impression on attendees. In Sydney, catering costs can range from $30 to $150 per person, depending on the menu and service style you select. For a more budget-friendly option, consider finger foods or platters, which typically cost less than a full-service sit-down meal or buffet.

Pro Tips on Staying Within Your Event Budget

Catering For Your Event

There are many catering styles available in Sydney. Here are some of them to consider:

Cocktail-Style Catering: This catering style typically features a selection of bite-sized canapés, hors d'oeuvres, and other finger foods that are easy to eat while standing and moving around.

• Pros: Offers a wide variety of options that can suit diverse palates and dietary preferences; Perfect for mingling and informal networking.
• Cons: Managing dietary requirements can be challenging with limited selections of certain types of finger foods; Guests may not feel as full.

Buffet-Style Catering: Buffet-style catering is a popular choice for networking events because it allows attendees to sample a variety of food options at their own pace.

• Pros: Allows attendees to choose dishes according to their dietary needs and preferences; Typically provides good value for money since there's a range of food options available.
• Cons: Challenging to estimate the right amount of food per guest, potentially leading to shortages or excess; Larger crowds can lead to long lines at serving stations.

Plated-Style Catering: This catering option involves serving a multi-course meal to seated guests, providing a more formal dining experience.

• Pros: Offers an upscale dining experience; Meals can be customised to meet dietary restrictions and preferences; Provides structure to the event with timed courses.
• Cons: Guests may feel less satiated if the portions are too small or if insufficient quantities are provided; Requires efficient coordination to make sure that the food is served timely and that all guests are attended to simultaneously; Generally more costly compared to other catering styles due to the need for more staff and detailed meal preparations.

Food Stations Catering: As a modern and interactive catering option, food stations allow guests to visit various booths or tables offering a variety of food and cuisines prepared fresh on-site.

• Pros: Guests can mingle and network freely without the constraints of a seated meal; Allows for a diverse selection of food items; Fresh food is prepared on-site.
• Cons: Might not be ideal for more formal discussions or presentations; Can be challenging to manage crowd flow, particularly if space is small or with poor layout; Potentially higher costs due to the variety of ingredients and need for staff at individual stations.

All in all, the choice of catering style should be well planned by the event planner. Consider factors such as the duration of the event, the type of networking interactions you wish to encourage, and the dietary preferences of your attendees.

Elevate Your Event with the Right Catering Options

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Book your event spaces in Sydney today!

Need assistance finding the ideal Sydney networking event venue? Let our event experts assist you! VenueNow has an extensive collection of event venues to select from, so get in touch with us today and let us help you elevate your memorable event.

How much do Sydney networking event venues cost?

Based on VenueNow's historic data, on average, Sydney networking event venues cost between 50 per person and 75 per person. For example, a 100 person networking event would cost approximately 5000-7500. Costs may differ based on your food and beverage requirements, AV requirements, event date and time and the type of venue you decide to book.

What are the top Sydney networking event venues?

Here are some of our favourite Sydney networking event venues:

1. Rydges Sydney Central
2. Parliament House Sydney
3. L'Aqua
4. Verandah Bar
5. Cabana Bar
6. Sydney Masonic Centre
7. ivy Sydney
8. The Tea Room Queen Victoria Building
9. QT Sydney
10. Cafe Del Mar
11. Fraser Suites Sydney
12. Doltone House Hyde Park

How do I find and book Sydney networking event venues?

Finding and booking a Sydney networking event venue is easy with VenueNow, simply follow these steps:1. Enter Sydney as your location and networking event as your event type into VenueNow's search engine.2. Narrow down your search results by entering more filters such as number of people, event date, room layout and budget.3. Send enquiries to venues to request pricing and availability (we recommend sending 3-5 enquiries to different venues to ensure you get the best price).4. Review your quotes and connect directly with your favourite venues to book a site visit and finalise your booking.5. Host your event!

How far in advance should I book a Sydney networking event venue?

On average, VenueNow customers book a Sydney venue 90 days in advance of the event. For larger events and event dates in December we recommend allowing additional time as there may be limited availability.

Can VenueNow help me find a Sydney networking event venue?

We sure can! VenueNow's team of Venue Booking Experts can help you find the perfect venue, collect quotes from multiple venues on your behalf, negotiate the best price with venues and book venues, all for free. Simply send us your event brief and our team will be in contact with venue recommendations within 24-48 hours.