TWSG Black Book: Event venue recommendations
Over the years, I have built a reputation for being a great party planner. My event management experience draws on a 20-year career working in sports and media in Sydney, Melbourne and London. I have organised many successful client functions for up to 500 guests, cocktail parties, conferences, private dining events and boardroom lunches.
I’ve found there is a bit of a formula to follow if you want to pull off a well-orchestrated, memorable event and a little ‘wow’ factor can be the difference in lifting your guests’ experience to the next level and leaving a lasting impression.
For me, it’s all about the venue. Great food and wine too. But, location, location, location!
Everyone likes trying new places and especially being the first to try them - I am always on the lookout for new and unique spaces, whether that be a new restaurant which is available for exclusive hire, or a function room with a special feature or a knockout view!
While it still might be some time before we return to our ‘new normal’ and many businesses will be rethinking how to entertain clients without EOFY functions this year, I wanted to share my recommendations for the top corporate event venues in Sydney to get a jump start on planning for when restrictions ease.
The Yallamundi Room at the Sydney Opera House, opened its doors last year and boasts 180 degree views of Sydney Harbour. If you want wow factor, this has it in spades. It’s new, it’s innovative and it’s stunning. The room can hold up to 400 people cocktail style. Trippas White Group is Yallamundi’s hospitality partner and offers premium service and a menu which showcases some of Australia’s best and sustainable produce. - tel. 9250 7393.
The Calyx – provides the perfect setting for a spectacular and out of the ordinary event. Located inside the Botanical Gardens, it features one of the largest vertical floral walls in the Southern Hemisphere. Guests love the greenery as a backdrop to their experience, and enjoy wines and food curated to reflect the surrounds and the Plants with Bite exhibition. The Calyx can hold up to 400 people cocktail style and is also serviced by Trippas White Group. - tel. 1300 558 980.
Ivy Penthouse - For something more overtly flashy, you can’t look past the Ivy Penthouse. Overlooking the Pool Club, the Penthouse has its own custom-built bar and balcony surrounded by lush tropical plants, providing the perfect private oasis for hosting something truly unique, and a little bit ‘extra’. - tel. 9114 7360. (I could also list the other popular Merivale establishments here - and while they’re not new to the scene - they are mainstays in the Sydney events scene for a reason. Their longevity in a competitive market is an endorsement for quality service, food and atmosphere.)
Hyde Park House - This East Sydney Hotel oozes (renovated) old world charm and makes it cool again. Overlooking Hyde Park with uninterrupted views of the city, choose Slim’s Rooftoop for a more informal setting or for a more intimate event during the cooler months, opt for an indoor space to host up to 250 guests. Modern Japanese plates and more traditional Australian canapés are a great menu mix for a cocktail event. - tel. 8377 3650.
MCA – The Museum of Contemporary Art provides a perennially stylish backdrop to any corporate event. With spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and a number of function spaces to choose from, my pick is the Harbourside Room for an indoor/outdoor cocktail party for up to 300 guests. You can also surprise your guests with a private viewing of seasonal exhibitions featuring Australian and international artists. - tel. 9245 2480.
Bopp & Tone – Old world glamour meets airy, greenery-filled outdoor spaces creating the perfect setting for a range of corporate events. Bopp & Tone can be hired out for exclusive use and their Mediterranean influenced cocktail style menus for up to 300 guests are a breeze. Only your imagination limits the possibilities for your next event. - tel. 9299 9997.
The caliber of these venues means you need to book ahead but you really don’t need much in the way of additional styling. Taking a ‘less is more’ approach, consider florals and adding small arrangements to cocktail tables or a statement display on entry to the venue. Candles or coloured lights against a wall provide a cost effective solution for creating mood and a two-piece acoustic band is a great choice for entertainment, providing more than just background music, but not overpowering guests’ conversations – a good duo will read the crowd as the night rolls by. Your venue will assist here and often have a list of preferred suppliers.
Finally, if you’re wondering if you did a good job at hosting your event. Do a quick head count at last drinks and if numbers are strong and you’re being asked where to head next for an after-party venue, give yourself 10/10.
Best,
Lauren