Best 18th Birthday Venues Canberra for Hire

Turning 18 in Canberra? You're in luck! This magnificent city has some great birthday party venues, perfect for a fabulous 18th birthday celebration. To get you started, we've put together this quick guide to finding an unforgettable 18th birthday party venue.

Where can I find fabulous 18th birthday party venues in Canberra?

Whether your plans are a quiet family dinner or a huge 18th bash that you want all your guests to remember, there are endless options for great 18th birthday party venues in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory! 

Start your search for fantastic 18th birthday function rooms in these neighbourhoods in the Canberra region:

Canberra CBD

Canberra's main business district is where you'll find delicious homegrown and international cuisine at award-winning restaurants, diners, bistros and other establishments. For after-dinner fun, head over to one of Civic's amazing clubs and bars! You'll find everything from live music to venues where you can dance all night long. Alternatively, you can enjoy some late-night shopping along Lonsdale Street before heading back home with your friends.

The Canberra CBD is also where you'll find many of the region's largest hotels and function venues. It's a great location if you want something close to the centre of town but still reasonably priced.

Acton

Located not far from the National Museum of Australia and Lake Burley Griffin, New Acton is quickly emerging as Canberra's hip hub. The neighbourhood is home to some great restaurants and cafes, with diverse menus ranging from Chinese food to vegan options.

It's also the perfect place for live music — check out one of the local pubs for a chance to see your favourite bands on stage! And if that isn't enough entertainment, several discos are located here too. Head over after dinner for a night filled with dancing! If you're looking for a great 18th birthday party venue in Canberra's south, you can't go past New Acton.

Ainslie and Dickson

On the other hand, if you're searching for something more casual and relaxed, a dinner party in Ainslie or Dickson might be just what you need. These locales are popular among Canberra residents for their hip "burb" atmosphere — perfect for birthday celebrations! And whilst they may not rival Canberra city centre when it comes to places to eat and drink, these suburbs do have several eateries worth checking out.

The 18th birthday party venues in Ainslie and Dickson are also very reasonably priced, so you won't need to spend a fortune on your big day. They're great places for family-style meals or a casual dinner with friends!

Barton

This is a popular area for students, with plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs to keep you entertained. If you need something unique for your big day, this could be an ideal place to start your party planning.

Holt

A student-heavy suburb located near the Australian National University (ANU), Holt has some awesome birthday party venues with nightly entertainment options. These include pubs, nightclubs and other places where you can dance the night away!

Southside

This area offers some of the best fine-dining opportunities in Canberra with amazing views to boot! Awesome food and great service are just a few reasons why Southside is one of the most highly sought-after areas for 18th birthday party venues.

What types of 18th birthday party venues will I find in Canberra?

There's a wealth of venue options in Canberra. So whether you just want to keep things relaxed by choosing one of the many pubs in Canberra (so that you can drink legally for the first time) or want to treat your friends to a formal dinner at an upmarket restaurant, you'll certainly find what you're looking for.

These are some of the most popular venue types for 18th birthdays in Canberra:

Bars and pubs

Bars and pubs are common choices for an 18th birthday party as they allow you and your guests to have access to both food and drinks. The atmosphere is often warm and friendly, making it a good choice for entertaining friends. 

Restaurants and cafes

These venues are good because you get to have a lavishly spread table with your family and friends. One of the best things about booking a restaurant or cafe for your birthday celebration is that you don't have to worry about catering in advance. The restaurant will take care of the food and drinks for your guests.

Spectator sports venues

If you'd like to do something active in addition to an 18th birthday party, then head over to one of Canberra's many sporting venues. Catch a game at the Australian Institute of Sport or go for your favourite sport and even have a tournament with some friends!

If you're considering holding your event in a much larger venue like these, keep in mind that it will be more expensive but there are likely to be far more activities and attractions available compared to smaller venues.

Clubs

If you're after a venue with a bit more glamour, then consider checking out one of Canberra's clubs. You can dance the night away or relax on luxurious couches whilst sipping on cocktails. Some venues even have drink packages so you don't have to worry about running out of drinks!

Private function rooms

If you have large groups of friends, then you may want to consider renting out a private function room. This will give you plenty of space to move around and socialise without having to worry about disturbing other patrons.

Check out these 5 Crazy-Cool Birthday Party Venues in Canberra.

What are some good 18th birthday party themes or ideas?

Themed birthdays aren't just for children! A good theme can make any party more interesting and memorable and definitely makes guests more involved and eager to get the party started. The ideas for these can be as simple or involved as you like, but here are some popular examples:

Wild West

Cowboy hats and bandanas, food on skewers, everyone entering through swinging saloon doors... the works! Ask your friends to wear old Australian bush shirts to add to the authentic look.

Pirates

All sea, all the time! This idea can work especially well if you have or are planning on having a waterfront party venue. Get everyone to wear sailor's hats and make sure you've got a pirate ship cake. Don't forget the (paper) parrots!

Summer at the beach

How about a beach party? You could do this any time of year; decorate your party rooms with seashells and sandcastles, serve fish and chips, have sand art competitions or even have a surf competition if you're near the coast.

Movie night

This is always a winner because everyone just loves movies! Get together with your friends and make sure you've got a projector (and screen) sorted out so people can watch their favourite flicks on them. You could also have food-themed around each film and see if anyone will dress up as their favourite character.

Music festival

This can be a lot of fun if you've got a crowd that loves music and boho style. Music festival birthday parties are all about the brightly coloured clothing, flower crowns, glow sticks and the beat! Make sure you have a bangin' playlist, lots of finger foods and maybe set up a body painting station.

Silver screen glam

Channel your inner silver screen siren! Have everyone wear their couture best, set up a red carpet and have the "doorman" announce all guests as they arrive. You could even make food into fun old-timey movie snacks — for example, serve cocktail sausages or popcorn chicken in little boxes, or make chocolate-covered strawberries like you would with sweets at the movies.

Hollywood awards night

This is perfect for those film buff friends of yours who'd just love to be at an awards night. Simply set the mood with gilt-edged place settings, red carpet and everything over-the-top. Put on a fun awards show, maybe award guests with fake statuettes based on things like "Best Dressed" or "Most Likely To Succeed In Show Business." If you like, you could even award yourself as well; after all, hosting a successful Oscars bash takes a lot of effort!

Still undecided? You can even check out this guide that contains helpful hints for planning the ultimate birthday party.

Discover the best Canberra birthday party venues for your 18th birthday bash

Scouring the internet for 18th birthday party venues that suit all your requirements? Time is valuable and good venues book out quickly. But don't worry! VenueNow helps you find the perfect venue for your birthday party (and other special events such as hens and bucks night, cocktail parties, and company events) so you can get right to planning a spectacular celebration. Search party venues in Canberra ACT by filling up the search criteria on the website such as capacity, venue type, price and more, and let VenueNow do its thing! Try it today and find Canberra venues for your events in a jiffy!