Small Party Venues for Hire in Melbourne

Small Party Venues Hire Guide

Planning a small get-together with friends or family? You don't need a large banquet hall or a huge party space (and the cost and unneeded extravagance that comes with it) in order to celebrate. There is a huge selection of small and casual venues in Melbourne that bring together the best of food, drinks, and services while remaining affordable. With so many social occasions and get-togethers to plan, you simply have to check out Melbourne's small party venues for your upcoming event.  Before you decide what to hire and how, we want to provide you with a guide to help you get started. Let’s get into it!

Small party venue rental guide

First things first, which areas of Melbourne are the best for booking small event spaces? Which neighbourhoods provide the ideal vibe for your event? Let’s get to know them a little bit more:

• Southbank. While you can have an awesome experience anywhere in Melbourne, the south bank of the Yarra River is the best place to start your event planning journey. There are hundreds of restaurants (and bars) within easy walking distance and dozens of great places to book for your corporate, social or charity event. The area is also home to a number of free and paid small event venues. Southbank has something for everyone!
• South Yarra. East of the CBD, South Yarra is where you’ll find the city’s most exclusive suburbs. It’s often viewed as one of the safest and most upscale suburbs of Melbourne. With its close proximity to the city, abundance of cafés, restaurants and entertainment venues as well as beautiful parks, South Yarra definitely deserves its reputation.
• North Melbourne. Known for its hidden laneways and industrial vibe in the morning and into the afternoon, before transforming into a surprisingly happening night scene, North is a pocket of the city that has it all. With its hipster rendition, North Melbourne has seen a gentrification of sorts, turning this former industrial area into a favoured place to book small party venues in Melbourne.
• East Melbourne. East Melbourne is a hip, trendy, and cosmopolitan part in the heart of the city, and it’s close to everything that you could want from Melbourne. This fab neighbourhood is home to some of the best restaurants and cafés, as well as shopping destinations. 

Of course Melbourne offers many areas where you can sip on cocktails, dance or simply have a chill get-together. These are just some of the most popular destinations, and you can expect to find many event spaces in the areas listed above! And what about the venue rental process itself? How should you hire an event space in the most cost-efficient way? We have a couple of ideas that you might want to consider before you book!

Book a venue during the off-peak season. That’s usually the colder months of the year, but you can also simply check out if the venue you want to book offers discounts on weekdays. Of course, before you hire anything during less popular times, make sure that your guests can make it!

Pick a venue that doesn't need a lot of decorating. The best option is to choose a theme and stick to some DIY decor. If you’re stuck for ideas, then make sure to check out our blog, where we have articles like cheap birthday party ideas, which are bound to give some inspiration for your upcoming event.

Go for cost-efficient food. If you decide to choose a location, but get the food from somewhere else, then you can try to cut down on these costs as much as possible.. Oh, and you can always opt for a BYOB option when it comes to beverages - it makes the whole process much more cost-effective!

Choose a venue with a quality sound system, furniture and lighting. You’ll probably want some nice furniture and a great place to dance. We pride ourselves in having the best venue selection in every city. So hopefully at this point you won’t have to worry  too much since the venue quality is always the best it can be with Tagvenue! Nonetheless, make sure you and the venue host are on the same page.

Invite a small number of guests. Small party venues require smaller numbers of guests. Make sure you don’t send too many invitations and find yourself needing a much bigger venue! 

Be clear to the venue manager about your budget. Make sure to read everything before you sign any contract, and always chat about any extra fees or hidden costs. And if you’re very tight with the budget then have a chat about whether there’s a possibility of negotiating the price. 

The takeaway: There are many things to consider when booking a venue, but if you know how to save money while hosting, you can even go beyond your budget! Make sure to keep in mind everything that we’ve said here and check out the FAQ section below for any additional info you may need!

FAQs about Small Party Venues in Melbourne

How much does it cost to hire a small party venue in Melbourne?

Per person packages are available in Melbourne from $20 to $60 per person. Minimum spend venues will range in price from $1000 to $7000. Other venues can be secured according to the hire fee model, and costs will range from $500 to $1000 per session. (All data from Tagvenue platform.)

What are the best small party venues in Melbourne?

The best small party venue in Melbourne is:

The Precinct Hotel, booth hire in a modern hotel on Swan Street, guest rating: 5/5
The Brunswick Mess Hall, whimsical restaurant with event spaces, guest rating: 5/5
Ludlow Bar & Dining Room, Southbank restaurant with small function rooms, guest rating: 5/5
The Dome at St LuJa, a semi-private area at an art-deco cocktail bar in St Kilda, guest rating: 5/5

Which Melbourne districts are best for organising a small party?

Easily accessible and filled with venues, the Central Business District is definitely a popular district for small parties. St Kilda is another great choice, especially if you are looking for a small party venue near the beach. If you are looking for a late-night venue, Fitzroy and Brunswick are great options. If you are hoping for an afternoon get together or something more relaxed, check out the cafe options in Collingwood.

What kind of party venues are good for a small group?

If you are planning a party on a smaller scale, you will want to hire a small venue. What sort of venue types will fit your need? You should check out such smaller spaces such as studios, community centres, cafes, private dining rooms, or function rooms. You may also wish to look into bars or clubs which can hire out booths for your event. 

How do I hire a small party venue?

Head over to a venue finding platform such as Tagvenue and set the search filter for the actual number of people you expect to attend your event. You will be able to see venues with the appropriate capacity in the location that you want. Have fun!