The most wonderful time of the year is fast approaching—a chance to let your hair down and get a bit rowdy with your fellow nine-to-fivers.
However, if you’ve been tasked with the responsibility of organising the office Christmas party, then chances are you probably aren’t in the most festive of spirits—finding the perfect venue for your Christmas soiree isn’t the easiest job, so check out the below to lock in your end-of-year celebrations.
Here are the best Christmas party venues in Melbourne for 2024:
Suzie Q
247 Chapel Street, Prahran
Image: Suzie Q | Supplied
To say Suzie Q is built for parties is an understatement. When you walk in, the vibe is the first thing that strikes you just like szechuan pepper. It’s like an old school Chinese diner turned into a disco. The tunes are bumping, lairy-coloured cocktails are stacked up on the bar ready to slake thirsty punters. Upstairs there is a giant selfie mirror, private karaoke and private dining room (well, not so private, it can overlook the whole restaurant if you want) and incredible dietary options making it hands down the best Christmas party venue in Melbourne for 2024.
Garden State Hotel
101 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
Garden State Hotel, not just your average run of the mill pub, but a drinking destination that caters for all occasions. Boasting four event spaces each with a different vibe, so you can choose the perfect match for your Christmas Party. Our pick is for sure their top level Observatory, where you get views of the city lights from a private balcony, I mean if that won’t get you in the Chrissy spirit, I don’t know what will.
Supernormal
180 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Supernormal’s private dining space can be found at the bottom of the spiral staircase and is inspired by the Shoin zen-like rooms of Tokyo. But don’t let the interior fool you, this room is designed to host serious parties with its built-in karaoke system. You can host up to 40 guests for a seated Christmas party or 60 guests for a standing cocktail event.
Mr Miyagi
99 Chapel Street, Windsor
Image: Mr Miyagi | Supplied
If you haven’t tried their salmon nori taco, you’ve gotta make a run to Mr Miyagi. Luckily, it’s offered on their event menu, along with other modern Japanese goodies and a 3-hour beverage package. In terms of the space, you can choose between Yukie’s Snack Bar with views of Windsor’s famous Artists Lane, fitting between 50 to 90 people, or you can keep it cosy with their Level One option, including a private bar and accommodatingbetween 23 to 70 people.
Grossi Florentino
CBD
Image: Grossi Florentino | Supplied
Grossi Florentino has been bringing fine dining to Melbourne since 1928, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. If you’re looking for an up-scale Christmas function, they have several options available, with rooms that fit an intimate 8-person party to a more jolly 70-person soiree. They pride themselves on their contemporary menu, which balances fresh produce with Italian ingenuity, so your guests are sure to be satisfied.
Tokyo Private (Tina)
66A Chapel Street, Windsor
Image: Tokyo Tina | Supplied
Home to exquisite Japanese-style dishes, Melbourne’s favourite Tokyo Tina is showing off their elevated private dining room; Tokyo Private. The space has a luxe 1970s feel and has been fashioned in the style of an elevated Japanese train carriage. It seats up to 24 guests and highlights Tokyo Tina’s seasonal and delicious menu. The best bit is the event package includes karaoke so after a few rounds of sake you can really get stuck in.
North & Common
1 Pentridge Boulevard, Coburg
When you envision your work Christmas party, I’m sure hosted in a prison was not what came to mind, but North & Common really are giving Christmas celebrations that unique feel this year. Pentridge Prison—an iconic location that guarantees high arched roofs with original timber beams and rustic stone brick walls. Whether you’re a group of many or just an intimate team, there’s various options available for your celebration. Hit the request button on a bespoke menu crafted for your soiree, or end the choice fatigue, with a group dining menu, starting from $59 per person.
Johnny’s Green Room
Level 2/293-297 Lygon Street, Carlton
Image: Johnny's Green Room | Supplied
Johnny’s Green Room’s rooftop has an incredibly fun ambience and also includes seriously impressive 360-degree views over Carlton and the city. Mirroring the vibe similar to an Italian rooftop terrazzo—you can host your next event at their dedicated function space, catering up to 200 people. Think good times, great tunes and an exquisite combination of Negronis, Bellinis and antipasti, and a range of top-tier pizzas. Buona.
Arbory Afloat
2 Flinders Walk, Melbourne CBD
Image: Arbory Afloat | Supplied
With a backdrop of the Yarra River, Arbory Afloat has grown to become a Melbourne summer favourite. Not only is the spot slinging cocktails and pizzas to the public, but you can also hire the space for private and semi-private events. With sunset scenes, this venue can cater for fiestas of 40 to 900 people. This year’s theme celebrates the vibrant culture of Mexico, so if you wanna enjoy an inner-city oasis, this is your spot.
Chin Chin
125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Image: Chin Chin | Supplied
There's always plenty of vibe upon entering Chin Chin—it's basically the festive season all year round there with celebrations a-plenty. If you're looking to dial up the end-of-year festivities it's hard to pass up the Flinders Lane modern Thai institution. Here you can opt for their upstairs private space where they have two dining options— bountiful canapés for cocktail-style functions or their classic 'Feed Me' banquet which brings out an array of their heavy hitters.
Builders Arms Hotel
211 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Image: Builders Arms Hotel | Supplied
Builders Arms Hotel is renowned for its simple, seasonal and contemporary menu which you can enjoy in one of their private dining spaces. Whether you opt for a cocktail or sit-down event, they’re flexible to different party sizes and occasions. Both rooms showcase elements from the original hotel and have been restored to emphasise their character while you enjoy their food and drink. Think pub-style vibes with a boujee twist.
Patsy’s
213 Franklin Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Patsy's | Supplied
Patsy’s vegetarian Italian cuisine and a wine-focused menu will help bring all your guests together for a Christmas function. Every dish on the menu is inspired by the Northern Mediterranean regions from where Pasty’s wine selection originates, so you are guaranteed a match made in sommelier heaven. You can book out its upstairs space for a private function for anywhere between 16 to 32 guests.
Stokehouse
30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda
Image: Stokehouse | Supplied
Stokehouse is St Kilda’s infamous seaside venue best known for its award-winning food and unparalleled views. You can reserve a semi-private function space for an intimate gathering or book out the entire venue if you’re looking to host a Christmas blowout like no other. Where beach charm meets luxury, Stokehouse is the perfect venue to kick off the summer season of celebrations.
Cutler & Co
55/57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Image: Cutler & Co | Supplied
Cutler & Co have earned themselves a name in Melbourne’s restaurant scene thanks to their ethos around serving wild food and wild wine. They are willing to close the restaurant so you and up to 110 of your nearest and dearest can roam the entire venue or you can book out the private dining space and host up to 40 guests for an unforgettable sit-down meal.
Society
80 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Society | Supplied
This place practically oozes special occasions—Society is one of Melbourne's most opulent dining experiences and one you'll likely never forget. There are a few options here, you could go large with 'The Green Room', which offers a personalised 20-guest experience, with a curated menu from executive chef, Luke Headon. Or opt for the private dining rooms of 'East' and West' which collectively accommodate 60 guests and provide sweeping vistas of the inner CBD.
Longsong
Upstairs, 44 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Longsong is ready to cater your 2023 Christmas party with its upstairs space designed with events in mind. Whether you're looking to seat 80 guests to a private dinner or 100 guests to a cocktail party, they are eager to help you celebrate with punchy Southeast Asian flavours and innovative cocktails.
Chancery Lane
430 Little Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Chancery Lane | Supplied
Chancery Lane has several luxurious private dining rooms perfect to host your Christmas party. The Archway and Cellar Door are prime locations to host the best Christmas party in Melbourne. Chancery Lane is ready to seat up to 40 of your favourite family, friends and colleagues for an elegant and festive fine dining experience.
Estelle
243-245 High Street, Northcote
The Estelle provides the perfect backdrop and service to your Christmas party in Melbourne. The Northcote gem has two dining rooms for you to choose from that both serve a rustic chic bistro vibe. Or, if you’re hoping to take advantage of the December sun you can book out the enclosed courtyard that is filled with both greenery and natural light.
Matilda 159
159 Domain Road, South Yarra
Matilda159 is Domain Roads' darling restaurant and will certainly bring the heat to your Christmas party with its live flame, warm coals and smoke cooking techniques. You can reserve the Harrison and Oscar room, or book out both for a larger combined space to treat 60 guests to the kitchen's renowned modern Australian menu.
Smith St Bistrot
300 Smith Street, Collingwood
Image: Smith St Bistrot | Supplied
Smith St Bistrot is the reimagined French dining experience, transporting guests to twentieth-century Paris brasseries, making for a classy way to wrap up the year at your Christmas party. For a multi-level party experience, you can rent out the entire venue for up to 150 guests, or opt for an intimate soiree in one of the private dining rooms.
Ms Collins
425 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
With their Cocktail Room paying tribute to 1920’s Hollywood, you can bet that Ms Collins knows how to throw a party. The heritage-listed 1932 building has eight different spaces to choose from, each with its own private bar, covered in neon lights, street artwork and disco balls. For workplaces bringing together various teams for one mega Christmas celebration, you can rent the entire multi-level venue, housing up to 850 people, for the ultimate Gatsby-like party.
Higher Ground
650 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Supplied | Higher Ground
Arguably Melbourne’s most elevated café, Higher Ground brings contemporary interiors into a 15-metre rustic heritage-listed building. For an awe-striking Christmas party, choose one of their function spaces spanning across six interconnected levels, catering up to 250 people. The menu can be tailored to suit your party-throwing needs, but you can expect nothing short of sophistication.
Cookie
252 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD
Beer hall, Thai eatery and disco town—Cookie is Swanston Street’s one-stop shop for a party. For a semi-private space, opt for their hidden cocktail bar with front-row views of bartenders mixing and shaking, while picking away at the ‘Feed Me’ sharing-style banquet. Or for a cocktail event for up to 100 guests, boogie amongst the DJ in the Beer Hall, as Thai-inspired canapes are served up under ambient light.
True South
298 Beach Road, Black Rock
This modern Argentinean gem has made a name for itself in Melbourne’s South East, with various function spaces on offer for your festive antics. True South’s Bay View Room offers a private bar and balcony deck looking over Port Phillip Bay—some serious scenes. There’s also the Private Dining Room in the downstairs modern gastro pub, for a more intimate sit-down or cocktail-style function.
Easey’s
3/48 Easey Street, Collingwood
For a not-so-average Christmas party, Easey’s offers a dining experience inside an old-school Hitachi train, sitting five stories high, on a graffiti-covered rooftop. This eccentric multi-level venue can cater for different party sizes, up to 100 people. Round off a successful year over some seriously juicy burgers, chicken-wing platters and the best Beer Melbourne has to offer, with a backdrop of Melbourne’s skyline.
Bar Jayda
19 Bond Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Bar Jayda | Supplied
Bar Jayda is Melbourne’s elusive cocktail bar, tucked away from Flinders Street, and can be yours for a Christmas soiree. For a cocktail party for up to 100 guests, book out the whole venue, or for 30 of your nearest and dearest, take over The Lounge for a luxurious private dining experience. Where Old Hollywood meets European finesse, the interiors and extensive cocktail list make for an unforgettable evening.
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