Best 50th Birthday Venues Adelaide for Hire

So, you’ve made it to 50. No longer chasing trends or stressing over everyone else’s opinion. You know what you like, who you want to celebrate with, and how you want the night to go. It’s about gathering your people and doing something that actually suits your rhythm now. 

Adelaide makes it easy to host a 50th that’s low-stress but still special. With beachside spots in Glenelg North, character-rich venues in Mile End and Brompton, and polished spaces in the CBD, there’s no shortage of options if you plan it well and know where to look.

Start with What You Actually Want

Before you dive into quotes and seating charts, pause and work out the kind of night you’re planning. Do you want a dinner party with candles and slow jazz, or a rooftop bar with your favourite playlist in the background? Are you picturing something during the day, or leaning into a night-time celebration?

The guest list plays a big part in how things shape up. If you’re inviting extended family, kids and lifelong mates, you’ll want a venue that allows for a mix of seating and standing. If it’s a tighter crew, maybe a private dining room or even a long table makes more sense.

Time of year is worth factoring in too. Autumn and spring are ideal in Adelaide, as it is warm enough to be outdoors, cool enough for comfort. If you’re planning something near the beach, early evening is perfect. Golden hour at Glenelg North? That’s hard to beat.

Venue Styles That Work at 50

Forget what the 21st birthdays looked like. You don’t need a smoke machine or LED balloons (unless you’re into that, then why not). You want somewhere that makes the experience feel curated but relaxed.

Adelaide CBD has versatile venues. Some with rooftop views, hotels, bars, cafes, restaurants with private dining spaces… These spots work well for sit-down dinners or cocktail-style events where you can control the flow of the night.

Mile End and Brompton has small halls and flexible spaces. These are great if you want to bring in your own florist, stylist, or caterer. A lot of locals book these out for milestone events for that exact reason: you get the space, and the freedom to make it your own without starting from scratch.

Glenelg North has that coastal charm that makes everything feel more relaxed. Some venues offer water views, others are just a stroll from the sand, which makes it ideal for late afternoon celebrations that shift naturally into sunset drinks. And yes, you can find places that offer seafood-heavy menus.

Food, Drinks, and the Numbers to Know

At this stage, you know what good food looks like, and so do your guests. So don’t overthink it, just go for quality and ease.

Most venues offer two types of setups: cocktail-style or sit-down. Cocktail style means roaming food like bites like arancini, prawns, baos, and platters that encourage mingling. Great if you want less structure and more energy. If you’re going for speeches, toasts, or a slightly more formal feel, a shared banquet or plated meal works well.

As for drinks, packages are the norm: house beer, wine, sparkling, and sometimes a signature cocktail. But many venues in Adelaide offer the choice of a bar tab instead, so you can set a limit and cover only what makes sense especially helpful if your crowd leans toward low-alc or non-alc options (no shame in ordering a fancy soda after two wines).

Have dietary requirements? Almost every venue now caters for vegetarian, gluten-free and halal-friendly options but it’s always good to check ahead, but most of Adelaide’s event spaces are across it.

Let’s Talk About Budget

Now, the numbers. Expect to spend $75 per head on average, with $60 on the lower end and up to $90 for more premium menus, extended drinks, or waterfront views. Most venues don’t charge a hire fee; they work on minimum spend instead, which means if you hit the food and drink target, the space is yours.

Want to keep costs steady? Going for a weeknight as it has a low number of bookings usually gets you more flexibility. Or trim the guest list and spend more per head for a better overall experience.

Getting There, Getting Home

One of Adelaide’s biggest perks is how easy it is to get around.

Adelaide CBD is well-connected. Parking, bus stops, and tram lines are all within walking distance of major venues. It’s also where most rideshares cluster at night, so guests won’t be stranded waiting for a lift home.

Mile End and Brompton are only a few minutes out of the city and have decent street parking which is ideal if your guests are local or driving in. These areas have a more neighbourhood feel but still pack a lot of venue variety.

Glenelg North, while further out, has a charm of its own and makes a good option if you’re leaning into a beachside or daytime celebration. There are nearby hotels if anyone wants to stay overnight.

Little Extras That Make It Feel Special

It’s always nice to add something that gives the night a personal edge.

Create a playlist of tracks that span your favourite years (throw in a few from the ‘90s, early 2000s - maybe a bit of Kylie or Spice Girls - and something that reflects who you are now). Add a photo table with old Polaroids or family pics from key milestones. Some people even set up a digital guestbook. It’s also totally fair to skip party games and instead screen a short video or slideshow—nothing cringe, just a subtle way to bring everyone into the story of how far you’ve come.

At this stage in life, it’s less about impressing and more about marking the moment. If there’s one thing that matters, it’s making time to laugh with people who’ve been around for the journey.

Last Things to Double Check Before You Book

Visit the venue in person. Photos can only tell you so much - how it looks, how the event could flow, where the food will be, how long it takes to walk from the entrance to the bar, those things you only notice on-site.

Ask what’s actually included. Are staff, speakers, or cleanup covered? Can you play your own music or bring decorations?

Check how long you’ve got the space. Some venues stick to three-hour blocks, others are happy to stretch out if the night’s going well. And if you’ve got guests under 18, like younger nieces and nephews or kids, ask about their policy.

Most importantly, don’t do everything yourself. Delegate. Get someone to bring a camera. Ask a friend to wrangle the playlist. Let the staff handle cleanup. You’re turning 50, let it be easy, let it be honest, and let it be fun.

How much do Adelaide 50th birthday venues cost?

Based on VenueNow's historic data, on average, Adelaide 50th birthday venues cost between 50 per person and 75 per person. For example, a 100 person 50th birthday 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 Adelaide 50th birthday venues?

Here are some of our favourite Adelaide 50th birthday venues:

1. Seafire on the Marina
2. The Playford Adelaide MGallery
3. Rydges Adelaide
4. Coopers Alehouse
5. Kaitpo Hall
6. The Mile End Hotel
7. Sferas
8. Peter Rabbit Cafe
9. InterContinental Adelaide
10. Festival Function Centre
11. The Unley
12. The Precinct Alberton

How do I find and book Adelaide 50th birthday venues?

Finding and booking a Adelaide 50th birthday venue is easy with VenueNow, simply follow these steps:1. Enter Adelaide as your location and 50th birthday 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 Adelaide 50th birthday venue?

On average, VenueNow customers book a Adelaide 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 Adelaide 50th birthday 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.