POSTED ON Jan 30, 2023
A BYO or self-catering venue might be the answer to your event planning dreams. Why? It can give you the creative freedom to steer the menu the way you want it. You can choose your own drinks, hire a mobile bar, food truck or custom catering. Perhaps you want to execute a theme or style to the max. Whatever idea you have up your sleeve, you will need a Melbourne venue that can host your vision.
Melbourne has a variety of self-catering, blank canvas and warehouse style venues that affords you the freedom you are looking for. Here’s our pick:
- The Palms Cremorne
- Little Ginger
- The George Lounge
- Grow Event Space
- 75 Reid Street
- Chin Chin’s at Koto Moon
- MicDrop Richmond
1. THE PALMS CREMORNE
Melbourne’s Newest Exclusive Venue
BYO Alcohol: No
Self Catering: Yes
The Palms is the latest converted warehouse venue to hit the scene. Finished stunningly, it will impress the most discerning of guests. With a designer bar, feature pendant lights, polished concrete floor and an impressive wine wall, it suits corporate events, stylish celebrations and weddings.
This is not the type of establishment where you can just bring in some food and drinks. It’s fully licensed and BYO drinks is definitely not permitted. However they do have a commercial kitchen, so if you have your heart set on an outside caterer, this can be arrange when booking the venue.
The maximum capacity is 160 guests and it also boasts a fireplace and an outdoor deck. As well as oozing with charm, it’s also a very versatile space and can suit smaller gatherings and a variety of event styles.
Check out: The Palms Cremorne
2. LITTLE GINGER WAREHOUSE VENUE IN WILLIAMSTOWN
Versatile DIY venue for private and business events
BYO Alcohol: No
Self Catering: Yes
Little Ginger is a popular choice. Are you hosting a corporate function, workshop, birthday party, wedding, baby shower, kids birthday, photoshoot, anniversary, long lunch? No worries, they’ve done it all. The owners offer a full event planning service or will let you do your stuff in true blank canvas style and help in any way they can along the way.
The bright and fresh warehouse comes with indoor and outdoor areas that can be easily tailored to suit your needs. Indoors is split between two spaces; a synthetic grassed area with exposed beams & high ceilings and a polished concrete floor area. Outside is large enough for food vans or a great additional space to use or let your guests just enjoy. Whatever you’re seeking, the space can be tailored to create a unique experience for you and your guests.
Discover more info on Little Ginger’s blank canvas venue
3. THE GEORGE LOUNGE IN ST KILDA
Basement bar venue hire with a late liquor license
Self Catering Only
On the corner of Fitroy and Grey Streets on St.Kilda is the beautiful, heritage listed George Hotel. Wonder downstairs to the basement and you’ll find The George Lounge, a 1970s Miami and New York inspired luxe lounge with laid back vibes and a big sprinkle of “cool”. If St Kilda was your “hood” in the early 2000’s you probably know this venue as the Snakepit and have a story or two to tell.
Essentially, this basement venue has had a complete facelift and is now a warm and inviting spot for your next event. With a capacity of 120 peeps and an open plan design, the George Lounge can accommodate functions of various sizes and can be tailored to your needs. With a license until 3am, you can relax in the lounge until the early hours or head into the side room and dance the night away.
There are 3 options for venue hire; full venue (120 people), Main Bar (100 people) and the VIP Side room (30-50people). A range of drink packages are available, and you can arrange your own caterer.
Click here to see more of the George Lounge self-catering bar venue
4. GROW EVENT SPACE IN BAYSIDE
Unique BYO Venue
BYO Alcohol: Yes
Self Catering: No
This bright, modern and fresh venue space located in the tranquil grounds of Gills nursery in Bayside is abundant in natural light and lush greenery. Inside it has a clean open plan design with polished concrete, natural oak and floor to ceiling windows that bring the outside in. Step out onto the pool terrace and be impressed by the designer pots and mature plants, this space is perfect for pre-dinner drinks, breakout spaces or even a wedding ceremony.
With a capacity of up to 100 guests for a sit down dinner and 200 guests for a cocktail style event, the space can also be tailored for smaller events. Grow’s catering partners Blakes Feast can create custom menus for each event and have some mouth watering packages and options. If you would like them to serve your own beverages, the corkage price is $15pp – includes glassware and ice. Their custom made bar has an impressive vertical garden as the backdrop.
More about Grow Event Space
5. 75 REID STREET IN FITZROY NORTH
Arched Ceiling and Natural Light
BYO Alcohol: Yes
Self Catering: Yes
This fully restored auditorium in the heart of Fitzroy North features a beautiful domed timber ceiling and large original windows. Featuring plenty of natural light, a commercial kitchen, sound system, projector and baby grand piano, the space can be adapted to suit a variety of functions from weddings to conferences, performances and community events.
The Reid Room and The Brunswick Room are also charming and available to hire for smaller events.
See more about 75 Reid Street
6. CHIN CHIN’S AT KOTO MOON
South East Asian Private Dining With BYO Wine
BYO Alcohol: Yes
Self Catering: No
Gather your nearest and dearest friends and family for an intimate celebration at Chin Chin’s at Koto Moon. With tasty Asian dishes and a cosy ambience, you will love the space, the attentive service and the warm feeling in your belly.
Specialising in cuisine from Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and China with a twist; they offer two private dining rooms to suit between 10 and 20 guests. BYO alcohol is allowed so you can bring your own favourite drinkies.
More about Chin Chin’s at Koto Moon
Would you like to check out some more great venues? Try our easy to use venue finder to search for the perfect location for your next event.