Find your Function Venue in Southbank, Melbourne

Southbank Venues Hire Guide

Southbank is Melbourne’s hub for artistic and cultural venues, containing many theatres, recital halls, and concert venues along with dozens of small function rooms. The sprawling casino complex also brings many shops and services into town that make the area a blast to explore. There are also several restaurants that include fine dining options and craft breweries all around Southbank.

Many of these spaces offer function rooms for hire. They can be used for a variety of different events, including parties and weddings. A function room is often found in hotels or restaurants, but is also available in other venues such as pubs and community halls. They come in all shapes and sizes, as well, from small ones perfect for an intimate celebration to big ones ready to host large crowds.

So, what kind of events can be hosted in a function room?

• Birthday parties - Depending on the character of the celebrations, whether it’s an elegant dinner with family or a crazy night out with friends, with a function room you can enjoy a private celebration with access to all of the venue’s facilities. Need some help organising your party? Our ultimate guide may come in handy!

Our venue recommendation:
Two Hands Rooftop Bar - a Japanese-Western fusion-style bar offering great food and drinks. Its unique decor and atmosphere will elevate your party celebrations. Guest rating: 4.9/5

• Hen or bucks night - Special celebrations like these need special locations! Renting a function room in a restaurant or a pub will offer your group privacy but will remove the burden of providing food and drinks and, of course, cleaning up. We have some ideas to help you plan a perfect night for the bride or the groom to be!

Our venue recommendation:
Left Bank Melbourne - This exciting city bar offering world-class cocktails is a great spot for a late-night celebration with your friends. Its elegant decor will make for a fantastic backdrop for a memorable night. Guest rating: 4.1/5 (based on Google reviews)

• Holiday parties - Depending on the holiday you want to celebrate, when looking for a venue try to choose one that will match the vibe of your celebrations or one that can be decorated to easily match your event. You can also look for venues that offer holiday packages, so they can take care of matching the food and decorations to the occasion.

Our venue recommendation:
Ludlow Bar Dining Room - A great spot for an elegant celebration, whether you’re hosting an office holiday party or looking for a place to celebrate with your close ones. The venue offers multiple spaces available for hire that can cater to both large and small groups. Guest rating: 4.7/5

• Weddings - If you're planning an indoor wedding reception, then getting married in a function room might be the option for you! A function room is the perfect space for intimate events, as well as large-scale celebrations. Usually, it’s a versatile space that can be configured in many different ways to suit your specific needs.

Our venue recommendation:

Jardin Tan - This breathtaking venue in the Royal Botanic Gardens will guarantee an amazing backdrop for a small wedding. Its leafy space and delectable menu, fusing French and Vietnamese cuisine, can make any reception stand out.  Guest rating: 4.9/5

• Business sessions - If your company is looking to host an event, such as a company party or conference, a function room can provide the space you need. These rooms usually come equipped with projectors, screens and audio equipment, so you don't have to worry about bringing anything with you when you hire the space. If you’re looking to up your meeting game, our out-of-the-box ideas can help you with that!

Our venue recommendation:
The Cluster - A fully equipped co-working space that can facilitate any business event. This bright and airy space will help your team achieve the best results. The Cluster offers the perfect balance between socialising and working in peace. Guest rating: 4.8/5

• Product launches - If your company has just launched a new product or service, you may want to hold an event where people can come along and see it in action. Having a special event like this makes your company seem more professional and helps build brand loyalty among customers who attend. If you’re struggling with ideas for your product launch, these ideas might help you.

Our venue recommendation:
The Precinct Hotel - With various rooms available for hire, The Precinct Hotel has something perfect for any type of function you have in mind. With great facilities like screens and stage and elegant decor, this venue will help your business stand out. Guest rating: 5.0/5

As you can see, function rooms are versatile spaces that can be used for anything from meetings to weddings and everything in between. So, if you're looking for a space that can match any event, function rooms are the way to go!

FAQs about Function Rooms in Southbank

How much does it cost to hire a function room in Southbank?

Below you will find pricing options for location rooms in Southbank:

• One pricing option that is often used for corporate function venues in Southbank is the hire fee model. This will get you just a space for your party, and will sometimes come with tables and chairs. The cost for a function venue hire fee in Southbank ranges anywhere from $300-$4,500.
• You will find many restaurants and event centres in Southbank that charge a per person price. This cost almost always includes food, beverages and usually some kind of attraction or point of interest. The price for a per person event in Southbank ranges anywhere from $30-$90 per guest.
• Another way you might be charged is the minimum spend pricing structure. This is typically used by venues that will serve food and drinks at your event. Minimum spend means that as long as you pay a minimum price for food and drinks, you won’t have to pay for the venue. This is a popular way for pubs and bars with function rooms to charge. The minimum spend cost in Southbank ranges from $500-$10,000.

Which area of Southbank is the best to hire a function room?

Our favourite areas for functions in Southbank include (but are not limited to):

• Riverside in Southbank – The most sought after function venue area within Southbank is by the Riverside! There are several beautiful venues to choose from, the dining is exquisite, and the view by the water is breathtaking.
• Sturt Street – Although Sturt Street does not have too many venues on it, some of the most popular casual function rooms and venues reside there. This is the place to go for a low-key and easy-going event!

What should I look for when hiring a function room in Southbank?

When hiring a function room, pay attention to:

• Size - Will the room fit all your guests? Will they have enough room to move around freely?
• Food options - Is catering available and if, yes, is it adjustable to meet your guests’ needs?
• Parking - Does the venue offer enough parking spaces or is there a parking lot somewhere nearby that can be used?
• Facilities - Does the room have everything you may need for your event, like speakers or AV equipment?
• Pricing - Do the hire prices fit your budget? Are there any hidden costs that you will have to cover?

How can I hire a function room on a budget?

There are many ways in which you can hire a room with little cost. Firstly, hire the room during off-peak dates. Weekends tend to have higher pricing rates, so if you book the function room on a workday, you can expect smaller prices. Another option is to hire a venue that works on a minimum-spend basis. That way, you will only pay for the food and drinks you order, without having to worry about the cost of hiring the venue. One other option is to find a venue with a BYO policy, where you pay for the room but can bring your own food or drinks.