VenueNow logo
Show More Photos
Show More Photos

Friends Room at State Library of New South Wales


The Friends room is on the ground floor of the historic Mitchell Library building. This beautiful space is the original Mitchell Reading Room, opened to the public in 1910. It features enameled steel and leadlight bookcases which hold editions of Cervantes’ Don Quixote from the magnificent collection of the late Dr Ben Haneman. This space is often use for cocktail parties for up to 130 people.

Contact State Library of New South Wales

4.5 (1035)
Google icon

Usually responds within 7 hours


Room Layouts & Capacity

Boardroom54
Theatre120
Standing150
Banquet70


Google iconReviews for State Library of New South Wales

Louie Temp profile photo

Louie Temp

February 23, 2024

A good place for students to study. Axqiluite place to be. At the second floor there was a exhibit of mostly oil paintings well preserved. A must visit when visiting Sydney. The State Library serves for research and learning of the literature and culture that spans for centuries.

Paul Hallgarth profile photo

Paul Hallgarth

November 23, 2023

Whenever I am in Sydney I visit this most interesting place. They always put on fascinating exhibitions and the gallery of paintings contains some very interesting paintings. The cafe there has a good range of items on the menu and there is a very good shop there too. You could easily spend a couple of hours exploring this place

The Red review profile photo

The Red review

September 3, 2023

Fabulous old building. The library has a glass ceiling and has wonderful light. It was so nice to see so many people actually there studying and using the facilities. There is a gallery upstairs well worth a look and exhibitions run on a regular basis. We ran out of time to do everything but will definitely be back.

Xiao Zhuo Wen profile photo

Xiao Zhuo Wen

October 11, 2023

Very quiet, a good place for students to study. What surprised me was that there was an exhibition hall upstairs that preserved many historical oil paintings. The employees were very friendly and polite. Photography is allowed here, but lighting equipment is not allowed. You can also enter with backpacks and trolley cases.

Terry Firkin profile photo

Terry Firkin

October 24, 2023

One of the gems of Sydney. Neo classical building in first class condition housing some superb collections. The main reading room was recently totally restored and there is also the Shakespeare room, various galleries, exhibitions and one of the oldest art galleries from early Australia. It is only across the street from the Botanical gardens and also on Macquarie St, very historic part of Sydney.


Other spaces at this venue

Metcalfe Auditorium

Metcalfe Auditorium

The 132 seat Metcalfe Auditorium provides an effective venue for a wide range of presentations, seminars, meetings and lectures. Its modern decor, spot lighting and seating, facilitate comfort and concentration. Catering can be provided in ...

132
Price on Request
View More Details
Mitchell Vestibule

Mitchell Vestibule

The Vestibule of the Mitchell wing features some of the finest stained glass in Sydney by artist Arthur Benfield and a magnificent white Italian Botticino marble staircase with turned balustrades. All of these features add to the neo classi...

70
150
Price on Request
View More Details
Dixson Room

Dixson Room

The Dixson Room is located on the ground floor of the Mitchell wing and offers an elegant historic setting with views across the Domain and to Woolloomooloo. This is a warm and spacious room with high ceilings and original oil paintings ado...

150
200
Price on Request
View More Details
Gallery Room

Gallery Room

The Gallery Room is located on the ground floor of the Mitchell building and adjoins the Friends Room. It is a warm and spacious room with high ceilings and a decorative stained glass window; it is ideal for conferences, luncheons, dinners ...

150
200
Price on Request
View More Details
Shakespeare Room

Shakespeare Room

The Shakespeare Room located on the ground floor of the Mitchell wing commemorates the Three Hundredth Anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. Arthur G Benfield’s stained-glass window, the Seven Ages of Man, depicts a scene from A...

10
15
Price on Request
View More Details
Macquarie Room

Macquarie Room

The Macquarie Room is a modern triangular shaped room, featuring a glass wall overlooking the courtyard between the old and new wings of the State Library and often used as the catering area for the Metcalfe Auditorium. The Macquarie Room i...

60
100
Price on Request
View More Details
Library Auditorium

Library Auditorium

A state-of-the-art 344 seat auditorium located below the Mitchell Library Reading Room. The auditorium is equipped to host high-end productions and performances, and vastly expands the diversity of events offered by the State Library. ...

344
Price on Request
View More Details
The Glasshouse

The Glasshouse

Featuring geometric glass ceiling, the Glasshouse is ideal for cocktail parties, conference breaks and formal dining under the stars.

210
350
Price on Request
View More Details
The Paintings Galleries

The Paintings Galleries

More than 300 original artworks from the Library’s unique collection of landscape and portrait paintings are on permanent public display. Located on Level 1 of the Mitchell building are the Painting’s Galleries which are available for hir...

120
350
Price on Request
View More Details
The Library Bar

The Library Bar

The Library Bar is located on the rooftop of the historic Mitchell Building and features unique views across to the Harbour and city skyline. The Library Bar is available for private hire outside of opening hours. Venue hire includes ...

120
120
Price on Request
View More Details

Venue Hours

Sunday-Saturday06:00am-12:00am
Monday-Friday06:00pm-12:00am
Pricing Price on request

Event Types

30th Birthday Party40th Birthday Party50th Birthday PartyAwards DinnerBar MitzvahBirthday PartyChristeningCocktail PartyDinnerEnd of Financial Year PartyEngagement PartyFunctionLunchNetworking EventProduct LaunchWedding