Friday nights hit differently when the drinks are flowing and the guest list is all yours. Private bars in South East Melbourne range from sleek cocktail spots in South Yarra to relaxed function spaces near St Kilda's famous foreshore. The area serves up everything from intimate birthday settings to larger rooms for corporate socials and engagement parties. Convenient transport links and a wide choice of food and beverage packages make planning easy. Take a browse and find your ideal backdrop below.
Booking costs of private bars average $2000 minimum spend per event. Costs vary depending on guest capacity, popularity, location, and amenities like sound systems or bar services. Extra charges may apply for custom catering, decor, or event planning services. Packages with add-ons, such as DJs, photo booths, or other entertainment services, can also increase the overall cost. Check out the typical price ranges in South East Melbourne, based on Tagvenue data:
| From $1000 | to $3000 | minimum spend per event |
| From $40 | to $69 | per person |
| From $250 | to $450 | hire fee per event |
Based on the popularity and user ratings on Tagvenue (updated September 2026), the best options include:
The Island Bar at Death or Glory
in Prahran - rated 4.9/5
Our user said: ‘The saloon bar was a great space, private and spacious.’
Stunning Rooftop Bar & Lounge at Balaclava Hotel
in South East Melbourne - rated 4.7/5
Our user said: ‘Lots of food and delicious. Excellent bar staff and facilities...’
Deck at Secret Garden Bar
in St Kilda - rated 4.7/5
Our user said: ‘A beautiful venue with super friendly staff ! We all had a beautiful night and really enjoyed the experience.’
You'll find private bars in various sizes, from smaller spots to larger venues; keep in mind that the type of space and your chosen layout will affect the capacity! Below you can see the typical venue sizes in South East Melbourne, together with the standard prices in each size range, based on Tagvenue data (September 2026):
| Small | up to 50 guests | prices average $1500 minimum spend per event |
| Medium | between 60 and 100 guests | prices average $2000 minimum spend per event |
| Large | over 120 guests | prices average $2500 minimum spend per event |
Smaller private bars usually fit up to 50 guests standing. Here are some great options in South East Melbourne, based on Tagvenue data as of September 2026:
Upstairs Function Room at Blackwoods Wine and Cocktail Bar - function room for 40 guests
Venue said: Small and intimate function space, with dedicated bar staff, private bathroom and separate AV system. Suitable for up to 40 guests.
Saint Evie Bar at Crest On Barkly, rated 4.5/5 - bar for 50 guests
Venue said: Saint Evie is perfect for cocktail parties and equally suitable for sit-down events for all occasions. A hidden lounge with private bar upstairs is perfect for smaller more intimate events, whilst enjoying a view of the main...
Inside Bar at Three Monkeys Bar - bar for 40 guests
Venue said: You'll find our cocktails and vibe to be the best in town. Three Monkeys Bar is a unique bar in Chapel Street that can cater for any size event. We have a huge variety of cocktails and offer some great drink packages.
Cheap private bars in South East Melbourne start from $110 hire fee per event or $40 per person. Check out these budget-friendly spaces you can book through Tagvenue, as of September 2026:
Entire Venue at Her., from $110 hire fee per event
(up to 100 guests standing)
Our user said: ‘Great place for an engagement party! Everyone was complimenting it.’
Lounge Bar at Arcadia Hotel, from $40 per person
(up to 60 guests standing)
Venue said: The Lounge Bar is an elegant space ideal for that intimate social engagement you’ve been planning.
Entire Venue at Pre Drinks Bar, from $250 hire fee per day
(up to 169 guests standing)
Our user said: ‘Venue was perfect we had around 40 people there and had dj decks set up.’
In South East Melbourne, private bars are most commonly booked for 35 to 80 guests. Here are some popular kinds of events people have hosted at these spaces on Tagvenue, as of September 2026:
| Birthday Party | Usually between $1,700 and $3,300. |
User who booked Stunning Rooftop Bar & Lounge at Balaclava Hotel for 60 guests
said: ‘There were absolutely 0 issues and Lee had everything organised in advanced. Loved the food. Loved the venue.’ |
| Party | Usually between $1,500 and $3,000. |
User who booked Rooftop at Onesixone for 90 guests
said: ‘Riley & onesixone were so fantastic to book my birthday party with.’ |
| Engagement Party | Usually between $2,700 and $3,000. |
User who booked Deck at Secret Garden Bar for 75 guests
said: ‘A beautiful venue with super friendly staff !’ |
Page last updated in September 2026
To provide you with relevant information, our pages are refreshed using an algorithm that aggregates real-time data, including bookings, reviews, and venue updates.