Christmas Party Restaurants in Melbourne

Christmas Party Restaurants Hire Guide

The holiday season is a time to spend with family and friends and make memories that last a lifetime. One of the best parts of the holidays might be the parties we go to or host ourselves, whether it's a big gathering for several families or just a small get-together for your closest friends. And while for some it might be the most joyous season, it can also be one of the most stressful times of the year. Between work and family obligations, not to mention holiday travel, it can be hard to keep up with all the things to do in order to make the festivities run smoothly. So to make the preparation a bit less stressful, but the partying a lot more fun, we’ve prepared some Christmas party ideas for family gatherings, friendly hangouts, or office festivities:

Christmas Brunch - Beloved by Aussies, brunches are laid-back occasions to meet up with friends for a bite and a drink. Why not meet up for a Christmas one? Switch the usual toast for a Christmas pudding, order Pavlova, and don’t forget to include prawns in your menu for an ultimate Christmas experience.

Craft Night - Get creative with your friends and family, and get together for some arts and crafts activities. You can work together on making Christmas wreaths, cards, or ornaments that can go up your Christmas trees. Craft night may also include making gingerbread cookies together. The finished project can make for some nice DIY gifts.

Holiday Happy Hour - A cocktail party is always a good choice, so make it into a festive occasion. You can encourage your guests to dress up in Ugly Christmas T-shirts (a sweater may not be the best idea in the middle of the summer) and organise a drinks menu to fit Christmas tastes by adding candy cones or gingerbread syrup.

Christmas Karaoke - Carols by Candlelight is one of the most beloved of Australia’s Christmas traditions. It is also a good way to celebrate the season with your friends or colleagues. Add some popular Christmas songs to your list and make it into a festive karaoke night. It’s a great activity for family gatherings as well, as people of all ages may participate.

Gift Exchange - There are two ways you can go about this one. One is to have a Secret Santa, where each person attending the party is appointed another attendee and prepares the gift especially for them. During the party, everyone receives their gift. You may even have a little competition to guess who your Secret Santa was. The other way is to prepare gifts that are neutral and could be gifted to anyone. During the party, you can play different games where you exchange the gifts, fight over them and steal them from each other. It’s a fun way to celebrate Christmas for those who love some rivalry. Just remember to agree on the amount to spend on the gifts!

Christmas BBQ - One of the most common ways to celebrate Christmas Down Under is by hosting a BBQ party! Grilling your Christmas dinner is a great way for a more relaxed get-together that fits right into the summer vibe. If you ask your guests to bring their favourites, you can reduce the stress of preparations, while making sure everyone will have what they like.

Movie Marathon - This one is a great option for all movie aficionados. Prepare snacks, drinks, and comfy chairs or sofas, and binge on your favourite classics with your friends. To make the night even more interesting you can prepare a Christmas movie bingo to play while watching the films.

To make preparations even easier, here are our top picks for Christmas party venues in Sydney:

• Natural History Public Bar - Located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD it’s a great spot for a corporate function. With versatile spaces available for hire, catering to both sit-down and cocktail events, and live music every Friday and Saturday, this venue can make your Christmas party one to remember!

• The National Hotel - A versatile space located in Victoria Street, where your ideas can come to life thanks to the high degree of customisation available. The Garden Parlour can function as the perfect spot for your family or corporate Christmas dinner, packages are also available!  

• The Golden Fleece Hotel - This Greece-inspired venue will definitely stun your guests. With a rooftop space available it’s a great spot for soaking up not only the Christmas spirit but the sun as well. South Melbourne's location makes it an easy spot to reach.

• Bighouse Arts - An industrial warehouse located away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre will make for a unique Christmas party experience. Filled with natural light, this blank canvas space can be transformed to match your festivities.

• Ruelle Wine Bar - This South Yarra-based bar is a top choice for a good drink in a relaxed atmosphere. With a vast selection of wines, beers and other spirits from all over the world, as well as great food, this place will be fantastic for hosting your Christmas get-together.
  
  

FAQs about Christmas Party Restaurants in Melbourne

What kinds of Christmas meals are organised in Melbourne?

Several kinds of diverse and delicious Christmas lunches and dinners are organised in Melbourne, with many venues offering their own bespoke Christmas menus. Popular with corporations seeking to celebrate Christmas in style, the CBD is a good place to start as it offers a huge range of different Christmas menus including canapes, 2 and 3 course set menus and traditional Aussie BBQ’s. All this and more can be found in Melbourne’s incredibly wide range of venues, including lavish private rooms, European inspired brasseries and laid-back terraces and beer gardens.

Which parts of Melbourne are popular when it comes to restaurants for Christmas functions?

The aforementioned CBD is hugely popular amongst corporate crowds, but is certainly versatile enough to welcome all kinds of demographics looking to celebrate Christmas in one of Melbourne’s most thriving districts. For a more relaxed affair, the Southbank houses some fantastic spots along the waterfront with great food and drinks. Outside of the centre, the 4km long Chapel Street is a bustling hive of activity, filled with great places to eat, as well as cool bars and nightclubs for those that don’t want the night to end. With so much to choose from, using our smart search is a sure-fire way to ensure you pick the perfect venue for you and your guests!

How much does it cost to hire a Christmas party restaurant in Melbourne?

Hiring rates for Christmas party venues in Melbourne may vary greatly depending on the type of hire you’re looking for. If you want to book a venue for a set time, hourly rates start at as little as $25. The minimum spend can range between $450 to $10,000. Some venues may offer per person packages with prices starting at £15. Remember that the prices may vary depending on the size of the venue and the number of guests, as well as the day of the week and the time of day. (Based on Tagvenue data.)

Can I hire a Christmas party restaurant in Melbourne for free?

Yes, it’s possible not to pay for hiring a restaurant for your Christmas party in Melbourne. When looking for a venue select the “minimum spend” requirement. Minimum spend means you and your guest will spend a set amount on food and drinks. Remember, that if you fail to meet this requirement you will need to pay off the remainder.