The location was fab. Very close to the station and right on the Yarra with a great view. We had a reasonally private area which suited our group. Annaliese who I booked through was super helpful.
Top Venues by the Water in Melbourne
If you’re looking for a scenic venue overlooking the water of the Yarra River or Port Phillip Bay, then look no further! Our team at Tagvenue has put together a collection of waterfront venues in Melbourne to help you find the right one. From waterfront venues in Melbourne Docklands on the Yarra River to the suburbs on the edge of Port Phillip Bay, we’ve got you covered. Browse through our comprehensive list of venues to find the one that is perfect for your next party. Don’t hesitate and book today!
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from $82
per person / per eveningCheck availabilityEntire Venue
600 guestsCargo HallSouth Wharf, MelbourneSStacey B.
“The venue is fantastic and was a great place to showcase Melbourne.” -
from $3000
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityBerth Upstairs
150 guestsBerthDocklands, MelbourneKKim
“The venue was perfect for our event....a great open space with lovely views.” -
from $5000
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityGarden Terrace
60 guestsHophausSouthbank, MelbourneSSarah W.
“We had a reasonally private area which suited our group. Annaliese who I booked through was super helpful.” -
from $20000
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityZinc
1100 guestsZinc at Fed SquareMelbourne CBDWWorld S.
“The venue and location was lovely” -
from $165
per person / per dayCheck availabilityRooftop
200 guestsHarbour RoomSt Kilda, MelbourneHarbour Room is on the St Kilda waterfront within the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron. We host weddings, corporate functions, and private events with views of Port Phillip Bay, indoor and rooftop spaces, and a private bridal
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from $82
per person / per eveningCheck availabilityEntire Venue
600 guestsShowtime Events CentreSouth Wharf, MelbourneRRuth B.
“Venue, atmosphere, event planner” -
from $935
hire fee / per hourCheck availabilityEntire Boat
90 guestsYarra PrincessMelbourne CBDNNikki
“Great service awesome venue thankyou” -
from $1950
hire fee / per sessionCheck availabilityThe Lounge + Abell Boardroom
120 guestsThe ClusterMelbourne CBD#Supervenue
MMadison
“The staff were lovely and extremely helpful throughout the booking process and during the event.” -
from $2500
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilitySide Terrace
40 guestsLudlow BarSouthbank, MelbourneNNicole M.
“We had a much larger group that was accommodated in the public bar space with dedicated bar.” -
from $4500
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityThe Beer Garden
101 guestsBrighton Beach HotelBrighton, MelbourneEElektra
“All of our guests loved the vibe of the venue and said the food was delicious and they left feeling full!” -
from $1650
hire fee / per sessionCheck availabilityThe Lounge
80 guestsThe ClusterMelbourne CBD#Supervenue
JJasmine
“Great venue, beautiful space! Helpful staff members as well (esp. Chelsea)” -
from $1000
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityRooftop Indoors
80 guestsTwo Hands Rooftop BarAbbotsford, MelbourneLLuciana V.
“Food and venue were fantastic! Location was great too.”
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FAQs about Top Venues by the Water in Melbourne
The cost of waterfront venues averages around $5500 minimum spend per event. The final price will depend on location, size, amenities, and demand. Some venues also offer additional packages that include catering, AV equipment, or additional services. Take a look at the usual price ranges in Melbourne, based on Tagvenue data:
| From $3000 | to $10000 | minimum spend per event |
| From $82 | to $102 | per person |
| From $130 | to $935 | hire fee per hour |
Based on the popularity and user ratings on Tagvenue (updated October 2026), the best options include:
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Berth Upstairs at Berth in Docklands - rated 4.8/5
Our user said: ‘The team were so helpful before the event and during and jumped in on the night to assist with setup etc.’ -
Garden Terrace at Hophaus in Southbank - rated 4.8/5
Our user said: ‘Annaliese who I booked through was super helpful.’ -
Entire Venue at Cargo Hall in South Wharf - rated 4.7/5
Our user said: ‘Great venue with incredible atmosphere. Staff did a great job with our event. We will be back in the future.’
You'll find waterfront venues 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 Melbourne, together with the standard prices in each size range, based on Tagvenue data (October 2026):
| Small | up to 45 guests | prices average $150 hire fee per hour |
| Medium | between 60 and 110 guests | prices average $4500 minimum spend per event |
| Large | over 145 guests | prices average $10000 minimum spend per event |
These are the venues within 900 m from central Melbourne, available to book on Tagvenue:
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The King Edward Ballroom at Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne
on 328 Flinders Street - 800 m from centre.
Our user said: ‘The venue is absolutely beautiful, the room was stunning and exactly what we need in the main room...’ -
The Lounge + Abell Boardroom at The Cluster
on Queen Street 20/31 - 800 m from centre.
Our user said: ‘Thankyou to the team and we will definitely consider this space in the future!’ -
Entire Venue at The Back Alley
on 14 Banana Alley - 900 m from centre.
Venue said: Ideal for: Groups seeking a lively, DJ-led night will suit this compact bar that mixes seated socialising in booths with standing space for dancing. What sets it apart: A large central disco ball creates a focal lighting...
Based on Tagvenue data (as of October 2026), users looking for waterfront venues most commonly go for these venue types:
| Restaurant | prices average $4500 minimum spend per event | typically between 50 and 60 guests |
| Boat | prices average $1051 hire fee per hour | typically between 40 and 145 guests |
| Terrace | prices average $4500 minimum spend per event | typically between 50 and 60 guests |
| Bar | prices average $2500 minimum spend per event | typically between 60 and 80 guests |
Smaller waterfront venues usually fit up to 45 guests standing. Here are some great options in Melbourne, based on Tagvenue data as of October 2026:
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Warehouse 21 at The Cluster, rated 4.7/5 - event space for 40 guests
Our user said: ‘private space, kitchen and the small break out rooms, ideal for our requirements...’ -
Meeting room small at HWT Tower, rated 4.8/5 - meeting room for 4 guests
Our user said: ‘Location and easy to book...’ -
Lakeside Penthouse at Fizz and Views Penthouse, rated 5/5 - penthouse for 30 guests
Our user said: ‘She made sure everything was clear and that we had everything we needed for the event.’
Cheap waterfront venues in Melbourne start from $2500 minimum spend per event or $35 per person. Check out these budget-friendly spaces you can book through Tagvenue, as of October 2026:
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Side Terrace at Ludlow Bar, from $2500 minimum spend per event (up to 40 guests standing)
Our user said: ‘The team was fantastic from planning to service and execution on the day.’ -
Courtyard at Zsa's Bar & Bistroteca, from $35 per person (up to 60 guests standing)
Venue said: With white tablecloths and lush garden surrounds, the space brings an elegant yet relaxed feel, ideal for long lunches or intimate evening celebrations. -
Boardroom at HWT Tower, from $55 hire fee per hour (up to 8 guests seated)
Venue said: Our coworking centre in Southbank offer an amazing boardroom that'll be perfect for your next corporate meeting!
In Melbourne, waterfront venues are most commonly booked for 30 to 60 guests. Here are some popular kinds of events people have hosted at these spaces on Tagvenue, as of October 2026:
| Conference | Usually between $10,000 and $15,000. |
User who booked Warehouse 21 at The Cluster for 6 guests
said: ‘The room was comfortable and suitable for our needs.’ |
| Birthday Party | Usually between $1,500 and $2,000. |
User who booked Rooftop Indoors at Two Hands Rooftop Bar for 30 guests
said: ‘Great vibes and awesome bar staff, this venue was perfect for our 21st birthday party.’ |
| Party | Usually between $800 and $1,100. |
User who booked Lakeside Penthouse at Fizz and Views Penthouse for 5 guests
said: ‘Amazing views and customer service The host was great to communicate with...’ |
Two fantastic waterfront locations in Port Phillip Bay are Brighton and St Kilda - these charming suburbs are both South East of Melbourne Central. You’ll have front row seats to beautiful Port Phillip Bay!
Some waterfront venues will allow you to arrive by boat which is definitely something different and offers guests a fantastic photo opportunity. Discuss this with your venue manager who may be able to arrange a boat at reduced rates.
We highly recommend Melbourne Docklands on the Yarra River for corporate lunches. This central location is easy to get to making it convenient for guests from all parts of the city. The panoramic views are sure to impress and might really help you close that big deal.
Your Guide to Hiring Waterfront Venues in Melbourne
A waterfront venue or function room is the perfect fit for any function, from a romantic wedding reception or anniversary dinner for a product launch or conference meeting; Melbourne waterfront venues are great for formal and informal occasions. Use our helpful search filter to find a venue that’s right for you. Once you’ve found a waterfront venue that you’re interested in, you can contact the venue managers directly via our website. Venues will then reply to your request via email. We’ve made life easy, right? Before you get started; we have some extra tips and advice for you:
- Formulate your guestlist – Make a guest list before contacting venues is very important. Knowing how many people you have on your guest list allows you to eliminate venues which may be too large or too small. Save yourself time by getting this small but important task done first.
- Does the venue have a view of the water? – If you’re going for a waterfront venue in Melbourne, make sure you’re overlooking the water! It’s no good paying a premium for a waterfront venue and not having a decent view.
- The menu – Think about the type of food you would like to serve at your function. Will it be cocktails and canapes or a multi-course sit-down dinner? If you’re choosing a waterfront venue, you might want to consider a seafood menu to go with the view.
- Have a contingency plan – Many of Melbourne’s waterfront venues have beautiful outdoor spaces to hire. If you are going for this option, make sure you and the event manager have discussed a plan B for Melbourne’s unpredictable weather.
- Entertainment options – If you’re thinking of hiring some entertainment like a jukebox, a band or a photo-booth then you need to make sure you’ll have enough space. Some venues have policies on noise or space limitations, so be sure to get confirmation from the venue manager first.
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Page last updated in October 2026
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