Partystar's Guide to Booking Function Rooms in Melbourne
Best Areas to Hire Function Rooms in Melbourne
The location of your party will affect accessibility, pricing, and guest experience. Here are some of the best areas:
Melbourne CBD is a favourite due to hotels and trasnport within walking distance. The city is great for corporate functions as employees can attend directly from work.
Fitzroy and Collingwood have a many warehouse-converted spaces. These feature exposed brick and industrial lighting. They're best for: product launches and celebrations requiring funky backdrops.
St Kilda venues show seasonal patterns: summer dates book 6 months ahead, while winter availability extends to 3 weeks before events, creating 15-30% off-peak discounts.
Richmond has great transport links and parking. Best for: family gatherings and events with guests who prefer driving.
South Yarra and Prahran house hundreds of private dining rooms within restaurants. Upmarket, and pricier than Richmond/Fitrzoy/Collingwood. Good for engagement parties and birthdays.
Southbank spaces will have price premiums due to Yarra River views. These venues require minimal decoration because windows provide natural backdrops.
How to Choose the Right Function Room
Match capacity to your guest list
Spaces sized incorrectly create poor experiences. Fifty guests in a 150-capacity room results in scattered seating and awkward empty space.
Our tip: Book private rooms sized 10-20% above confirmed guest count. For example, 80 guests require a 100 capacity venues Venues will photograph better, and guests mingle naturally.
Understand pricing models
There are three pricing models for Melbourne venues:
1. Flat hire fees range from $300 (small rooms, 20-30 capacity) to $3,000+ (premium locations, 150+ capacity). Best for events with external catering, or when you don't want to put a huge bar tab on.
2. Mnimum spend arrangements require committed food and beverage expenditure ($500-$10,000+). Room hire becomes free when targets are met. Best for events where guests consume food and drinks anyway.
3. Per-head packages ($50-$150 per person) will bundle together room hire, food, and beverages. These are best for corporate events requiring predictable costs.
According to our 2025 analysis of 200+ Melbourne venues: Minimum spend options deliver 20-35% better value than flat hire when food and beverage consumption meets venue minimums.
What's included versus what costs extra
Normally included: Tables, chairs, glassware, crockery, and basic linens. Most venues include these at no charge.
Typical additional costs: AV equipment, ighting, extended setup access ($100-$200 per hour).
Critical consideration: Melbourne experiences 15-20°C temperature variations within single days. Make sure the aircon is included and works!
Getting Value from Your Booking
Booking timeline
For weekend venues in peak season (October-April): Book 3-4 months ahead. Premium venues commonly increase prices 20% or more.
For weddings: Book 6-12 months ahead. Melbourne's top wedding venues will wrap up Saturday bookings 6 months in advance.
For weekday events: Book 4-8 weeks ahead. Weekday rates often run 20-40% cheaper than weekends.
Be careful When venues advertise "starting from $50 per person": Realistic costs for standard service run $75-$95 per person. Grab a detailed breakdown.
Maximise your $100 bar tab
Partystar includes a $100 bar tab with 85% of Melbourne venues. Deploy it four ways:
Arrival drinks: Welcome 30-40 guests with house wine or beer during the first 30 minutes.
Signature cocktails: Cover specialised drinks for the first hour ($15-$20 per cocktail).
Premium upgrades: For events under 50 guests, upgrade from house wine ($8-$10 per glass) to premium ($14-$18 per glass).
Extended service: Apply credit towards the final hour when the party is still in full swing.
Match spaces to event types
Corporate events require: Reliable Wi-Fi (minimum 50 Mbps for 50 people), natural light, and breakout spaces.
Private rooms for celebrations should match guest demographics and level of formality. Unlike large spaces, intimate spaces (under 50 capacity) require proportional sizing where guests don't feel scattered.
For baby showers and christenings: Prioritise venues with natural light and separate spaces for managing young children. Not many spaces meet this criteria in Melbourne - we would estimate about 30%.
Ready to Book?
Browse hundreds of Melbourne venues on Partystar with transparent pricing and $100 bar tab included. Filter by location, capacity (20-300+ guests), and budget to find your perfect space.
Last updated: October 2025 | Based on analysis of: 200+ Melbourne venues