The first sighting of fairy lights in the home & decor aisle of Kmart means Christmas is about to come at us full throttle from every angle and it’s only a matter of time until every venue in and around Melbourne is booked to capacity from now until next February. Fortunately, we’ve spotted the festival season early which means you’ve still got a couple of weeks until you’ll have to start enquiring about party rooms at Maccas.
Office managers, pay attention. Here are the best Xmas party venues for 2017.
Higher Ground
CBD
Dubbed one of the classiest venues in inner-Melbourne, Higher Ground is the perfect venue for any workplace wanting to go that extra mile. The event space’s sky-high ceilings and dramatic arched windows make for a ripper backdrop to any December work fiesta.
Hobba
Prahran
This chic warehouse layout is the perfect destination for your xmas rendezvous. It has ample space for toe-tapping, a sprawling bar for whistle-wetting and four different function menus that’ll have you dribbling all the way to the bar.
The Carlton Club
CBD
If you like your Christmas parties with a thick layer of fun, good times and frivolity, there’s no going past The Carlton Club in the city. They have an excellent fit out for functions, including the hip Hasti Bala bar, all the way through to the Palmz - their rooftop bar. The team at The Carlton Club can sort you out for almost anything, from food and drinks, to DJs, karaoke and photo booths.
Collins Quarter
CBD
This CBD dwelling ain’t just any old pub, it’s the stuff of workplace dreams. With no less than six function rooms available, including indoor and outdoor bars, plus a menu dripping in luxe canapes and sit down mains, there’s no faulting Collins Quarter for a festive throwdown.
Botherambo
Richmond
Just a short mosey from Richmond Station is the ever-classy, ever-delicious Botherambo. This east-side culinary institution can cater for a dinner of 8, all the way through to a cocktail party of one-fiddy. Plus their Asian fusion menu is worth getting blind in front of your boss for.
The Botanical
South Yarra
Only a short tram ride from the CBD is the very elegant Botanical. This super sophisticated bar and restaurant features no less than five function spaces, including a lush alfresco area (a bit of a gamble with Melbourne’s weather roulette though).
Friends Of Mine
Richmond
Just around the corner from Burnley Station is Friends of Mine, an intimate and eclectic venue space that can seat up to 65 people for a three-course dinner or 120 for cocktail party shenanigans. A night at Friends of Mine means charming canapes, pre-dinner drinks, scrumptious mains and artery-clogging desserts
Supernormal
CBD
If you want your venue as dressed to impress as you are, then the top Xmas party venue on your list should be Supernormal. Their private and intimate dining room can seat a dinner party of up to 40 and a cocktail party of up to 60. The best news? They’ll throw in their comprehensive karaoke system (including 65-inch plasma) for nuttin’.
Hotel Windsor
CBD
In a cheeky nod to royalty, Melbourne institution Hotel Windsor has opened Wallis & Ed (named after Edward, the Prince of Wales), and it's looking like one damn fine space for an office Christmas do. Executive Chef Jerome Tremoulet is putting together some festive menus—everything up to a full-on Christmas ham—and there's a bunch of lunch, dinner or cocktail party packages available.
Dutchess
CBD
Great location? Tick. Elegant decor? Tick. Ripper food and beverage menus? Tick, tick. The Dutchess is one venue you’ll want on your list of prospective party locations. They offer a set menu package, as well as canape and beverage packages if you’re looking for all the frills.
Bar 1806
CBD
If you’re after something a little different, then 1806 has hit the nail on the head. They have two function spaces available; the bar space, as well as the ‘Understudy’ which sits below the bar. A word of caution though: 1806’s decadent cocktails can transform your ‘quiet work dinner’ into a two-day bender before you know it.
Arbory Bar & Eatery
CBD
This CBD-based bar and restaurant is a versatile space that can accommodate almost any Xmas party extravaganza. They offer not one but a ‘series’ of unique function and event packages created by their Executive Chef, Nicholas Bennet. This includes the ‘Yoder Smoker’ package that’s basically American BBQ themed.
The Emerson
South Yarra
Located in ol’ SoYa is The Emerson—a thriving Southeast-side watering hole. Their venue offers packages for day and night, any day of the week, and for numbers ranging from 10 to 1000. You can book a booth, or you can basically rope off the entire venue.
Looking for something a bit different than these places? This list of 50 other venues is well worth a look.
Image credit: Botherambo | Michelle Jarni