The countdown to Christmas is officially on, which means the office party is just around the corner. Luckily, Brisbane/Meanjin is brimming with venues that make celebrating easy, whether your work crew’s into decadent long lunches, rooftop cocktails at golden hour, or something a little more unexpected (axe throwing, anyone?).
At Urban List, good times are kind of our specialty, so you can trust we know where to send you. We’ve rounded up the best Christmas party venues guaranteed to get the office buzzing, from riverside restaurants to luxe boats and karaoke bars—now your only challenge is picking just one.
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Naldham House
33 Felix Street, Brisbane CBD
We love Brisbane Christmas party venue options and Naldham House has them in spades. This heritage building has been transformed into a whole universe of function space venues (and, you know, a restaurant and bar when it’s not party season), every one of them as stylish as the last. First, there’s the outdoor terrace, with its own private bar, while inside the brassiere can host 24 in the elegant private dining room. Upstairs, you’ll find Club Felix, the sultry younger sister of the trio, which you can book out for cocktail parties of up to 70 guests.
Babylon Gardens
145 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Private and exclusive function venues are great, but sometimes you want to be out amongst the festive buzz, and Babylon Gardens offers the best of both worlds, not to mention one of the best views in Brisbane. Depending on how many guests you’re booking for, you can book out one of their riverside deck areas, and feast on Middle Eastern-inspired bites as you gaze out over the river. They offer sit down options too, while the restaurant features private dining areas for smaller groups.
Howard Smith Wharves
5 Boundary Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Howard Smith Wharves | Instagram
Howard Smith Wharves is a staple for your Friday night, but its incredible selection of function spaces is enviable too. There’s all the food and drink venues of course, including Yoko, Greca, Mr Percival's, Fiume and Stanley, but you can also book out one of the boutique set-ups where you’ll have the whole place to yourself, whether it’s the riverside Bougainvillea House, the industrial-looking Rivershed or the cottage-like Green House. Depending on your choice, they can cater for anywhere from 30 to 310 people, and you can check them all out here.
Massimo
123 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Riverside Italian spot Massimo gets Urban List’s highest level of approval possible—it was one of our own Christmas party venues. We couldn’t go past their bottomless lunch deal, featuring a nine-course banquet and two hours of wine and beer for $99, and frankly, we don’t see how you could either. The vibrant restaurant has room for up to 135 if you want to book out the whole place and dig into some canapes, or you can also take over individual (and private) sections for groups of 15-40. Check out their functions package and menus here.
The Prince Consort
230 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley
With a choose your own adventure type energy, The Prince Consort has nine spaces for you to pick from, so you can create your ideal festive celebration depending on your preferred tone for the party. Whether it’s the outdoor Garden Gar perfect for cocktails, La La Land ideal for a boogie, or the underground Greaser built for those relaxed pub vibes, The Prince Consort has you sorted. While the menus vary across venue spaces you can be sure that each offers all your favourite feeds to see you through the silly season with everything from burgers and fries to oysters and burrata.
Victoria Park
309 Herston Road, Herston
If you like options, Victoria Park has quite the list for you. With no less than seven different dedicated function spaces, not to mention their garden bistro for smaller groups, you'll have a hard time choosing between them all. And we haven't even mentioned their golf simulator, driving range and iconic annual Christmas-themed putt putt course. See what we mean by options?
Oasis
Botanic Gardens River Hub, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Oasis | Facebook
Why party on the land when you could party on the water? Tell everyone to bring their sealegs, because Oasis has an experience for every party size, whether you want to nab tickets to one of their weekend events, book out their upper VIP deck for larger private parties or go the whole hog with a private charter—their massive floating venue can host parties from 10 to 450. Honestly, the options are endless, and obviously include plenty of booze.
Rothwell's
235 Edward Street, Brisbane CBD
If your colleagues enjoy the finer things in life, Rothwell’s will take excellent care of you. Celebrate another successful year in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, where this charming heritage building offers two underground event spaces, seating up to 12 the moody private dining room and 40 seated or 65 standing in the cellar. If you’ve got a small crew, the private dining room is where it’s at—here you can dine on an exclusive menu that you won’t find in the restaurant upstairs. The menu options for the cellar are equally as impressive though, whether you want canapes, shared style or a three-course fine dining feast.
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Lina Rooftop
74/80 Tribune Street, South Brisbane
If last year is anything to go by, December is going to be hot—so cool things down with a little poolside action at the sky high Lina Rooftop. You might need to get a few rounds in before anyone is willing to mess up their hair and make-up by hopping into the pool, but it’s bound to happen. Dining options include sit down banquets, alternate drop, canapes and—our favourite—live stations for everything from oysters and poke bowls to paella and charcuterie.
Donna Chang
3/171 George Street, CBD
Image credit: Donna Chang | Instagram
Team Christmas dinner in a bank vault? Sure thing. Donna Chang’s heritage-listed digs make a glamorous setting for your end-of-year do, with a menu to match. Their festive banquets feature roast goose with five-treasure rice, wok-tossed seafood, and even a dedicated Champagne package. If you’ve got a bigger crew, book the mezzanine and make it a luxe, bubbly blowout.
Ovolo The Valley
1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
This eclectic hotel features a variety of unique event spaces, with options from eight guests right up to 250. From sit down dinners in the private function rooms to cocktail parties in the luxurious Library and Harem or even a whole venue situation, they’ve got the room for you. Plus, they’re dishing up some of the best party eats in town, and will happily cater for the carnivores as well as the vegetarians.
Bar Pacino
175 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Few venues do riverfront glam like Bar Pacino, where the Story Bridge lights up your backdrop and Aperol spritzes flow from the bar. Event packages range from antipasti platters and woodfired pizzas to grazing tables stacked with Italian bites. Grab a cocktail jug, park yourself on the terrace, and let the city skyline do the heavy lifting for your group photo ops.
Goros
6 Warner Lane, Fortitude Valley
Goros is a Tokyo party playground dropped right in Fortitude Valley. Think neon lanterns, izakaya bites, foosball tables and karaoke. The share menus are loaded with chicken karaage, gyoza and bao, while sake bombs and Japanese whiskies keep things festive. With private karaoke rooms for smaller teams and a capacity of up to 500 for big crews, Goros is built for Christmas parties that get messy (in the best of ways).
Supernormal
443 Queen Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Supernormal | Supplied
For teams that want festive without the fake tinsel, Supernormal brings a sophisticated option to the CBD. Whether you book a long table or an exclusive event in the Bridge Room, you can expect a banquet of raw bar delights, wagyu beef, handmade dumplings and a wine list that leans hard on Aussie drops. Floor-to-ceiling windows look straight out at the Story Bridge, so you’ll score sparkling views with every Champagne top-up.
The Lex
81 North Quay, Brisbane CBD
Inside W Brisbane, The Lex has put together a festive lunch that’s all indulgence, no stress. Kick things off with snacks on arrival before diving into a three-course menu starring petit fours, prime rib and decadent desserts. Live music sets the vibe while a three-hour drinks package keeps glasses full. Plus, the riverside location means every table has a picture-perfect view.
Madame Wu
Upper Plaza Level, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Reopened after a multi-million-dollar refurb, Madame Wu is glitzier than ever with bamboo entrances, sculptural interiors and those unbeatable Story Bridge views. The banquet menus roll out modern Asian hits like Peking duck pancakes, sashimi platters and crispy pork belly, matched with cocktails that lean fruity and fun. Book a private dining room or spread out on the deck, and you’ll be celebrating the season in serious style.
Maniax
Newstead and Brisbane CBD
If your office is even a little bit competitive, Maniax’s Axe-Mas parties are a no-brainer. You’ll spend two hours hurling axes at bullseyes, with Viking cocktails, craft beers, pizzas and grazing boards to keep things lively. It’s fast, fun, and the easiest way to score bragging rights with your team. Until next year’s championship, of course.
Still in party planning mode? Check out:
- Brisbane’s Best Private Dining Rooms
- Brisbane’s Best CBD Restaurants
- Brisbane’s Best Restaurants With A View
Main image credit: Naldham House | Facebook
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