POSTED ON Jan 23, 2024
Looking for a bit of a blank canvas where you can bring in your own catering and/or beverages and perhaps some styling? Here’s a pick of Sydney venues that offer some flexibilities around these options. Check out the descriptions and the links to find a good fit for your event:
- Manly Yacht Club
- The Royal Exchange of Sydney
- The Freedom Hub
- Thrive 360
- San Telmo Studio
- Ding Dang Doo Escape
1. MANLY YACHT CLUB
Waterfront Venue
BYO Alcohol: Yes
Self Catering: Yes
Soak up the stunning water views and vista of Sydney Harbour in this character filled heritage listed building on the eastern shore of Manly Cove. This is a gem of a venue for weddings and special occasions for up to 170 guests. If you have a smaller event to celebrate, they also hire out the balcony on it’s own (up to 60 guests).
The waterfront blank canvas venue allows you the flexibility to use any caterer, cater yourself or use one of the caterers recommended by the club. Buy your own drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic) and have them delivered to stock the bar which includes a fridge (870 litres) , double sink and electric urn. No corkage fees are charged.
Find out more about Manly Yacht Club hire
2. THE ROYAL EXCHANGE OF SYDNEY
Historic Venue in Sydney CBD
BYO Alcohol: Yes
Self Catering: Yes
This charming event space has been around for over 100 years. Located at 1 Gresham Street, it’s a great spot for both day and evening events for business or pleasure. The whole venue has a flexible layout including a bar and courtyard and a classic dining room. Its available for exclusive hire, catering from 10 to 200 guests.
They have a talented catering team onsite with a great range of packages and menus. However, they also offer the option to hire only and bring in your own catering and drinks.
Request a hire only package from The Royal Exchange of Sydney
3. THE FREEDOM HUB
Ethical Events Venue
BYO Alcohol: Yes
Self Catering: Yes
This flexible events venue in Waterloo hosts blank canvas events from dinner parties and weddings to corporate events and cocktail parties. It’s a cafe by day and all events are held outside cafe hours. The venue comes with cafe tables and chairs for your furniture. Located in Waterloo, The Freedom Hub is a registered charity with all profits from your event directly supporting people that have experienced modern day Australia within Australia.
BYO beverages and bringing in your own caterer is welcomed for a surcharge. The Freedom Hub bar staff are required to serve the drinks due to RSA laws with a ratio of 1 bar staff per 40 guests. For BYO drinks, you will need to provide your own ice, drink tubs, garnishes, spirit pourers etc.
They have a few package options; “Blank Canvas” comes with cafe furniture only, “Assisted Event” includes staff, tableware, glassware, and “Fully Managed” includes an experienced event planner to to assist with everything from menu and wine to staffing.
Get in touch with The Freedom Hub
4. THRIVE 360
Blank Canvas Corporate Events Space
BYO Alcohol: Yes
Self Catering: Yes
This 515sqm industrial space in Alexandria is a unique location for pop-up activations, corporate events, seminars, launches, meetings, photography shoots, filming and more. It features a large scale demonstration kitchen and separate preparation kitchen.
Thrive360 is available for hire seven days a week for corporate bookings. The space can accommodate up to 120 people standing. The venue is popular with brands, TV studios and agencies. A high-tech boardroom is also available for hire – seats up to 25 people or can be split into two smaller meeting rooms.
Corporate enquiries here (no private events/parties)
5. SAN TELMO STUDIO
Studio Venue in Chippendale
BYO Alcohol: Yes
Self Catering: Yes
This creative space in Chippendale has a historic New York Loft style with plenty of natural light and rough timber floors.
Can be used for events, baby showers, rehearsals, workshops, healing courses, brainstorming sessions, photography and filming. The current capacity is 30 people (4sqm rule)
Send an enquiry to San Telmo Studio
6. DING DANG DOO ESCAPE
Rustic DIY Weddings and Elopements
BYO Alcohol: Yes
Self Catering: Yes
Just 70 minutes from Sydney in Hawkesbury, this boutique country accommodation venue is located on 30 acres of tranquility. Hire the property which includes accommodation for up to ten people and the rest is organised by you.
Offering stunning gardens for your ceremony and photos, you can pick one of many locations for your reception, whether that’s drinks and canapés on the lawn, an a la carte feast in the barn or a rustic picnic by the lake.
Ding Dang Doo offer several packages depending on what spaces you wish to use and number of guests. They have some great options for elopement couples that just want to get away and celebrate their union with a. few of their nearest and dearest. Request a package from Ding Dang Doo
Would you like to check out some more great Sydney venues? Try our easy to use venue finder to search for the perfect location for your next event.