Hunter River Hotel
ProHighlights
- Upstairs Hunter Room with its own bar and balcony for 50 to 150 guests
- Two-course alternate drop dinner at $60 a head, or $75 for three courses
- Five-hour room booking with a lift up to the function level
About Hunter River Hotel
The Hunter River Hotel sits on Melbourne Street in East Maitland and has been trading as a pub since the 1830s, when it opened as the Maitland Wine Vaults. The building has since been refitted in a modern take on federation style, and alongside the brasserie, sports bar and beer garden it keeps a dedicated upstairs room for private functions. That room is the Hunter Room. It sits on the second storey with lift access, its own private bar, separate male and female amenities and an outdoor balcony for fresh air and the upstairs view. The venue sets it up for groups of 50 to 150, either as a cocktail party with small bar tables or seated at large rounds of eight. Bookings run for five hours, and the hotel will also look after extras such as a cake table, gift table, tablecloths or a projector if you ask when booking. For a more casual group, the outdoor Terrace downstairs takes bookings of 20 or more next to the brasserie bar, with live music on weekends. Food comes from the hotel kitchen. You can order finger food by the platter – grazing boards, sliders, arancini, salt and pepper squid, pizzas, sandwiches and sweets – or sit everyone down to an alternate drop dinner at $60 for two courses or $75 for three. A bar tab can be set with a limit of your choosing. A $2,000 minimum spend applies to the Hunter Room, secured with a $300 deposit, and the hotel welcomes engagements, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and corporate functions, though it doesn't host 18ths.
Inclusions & amenities
Venue type
Budget
Food & drinks
Features
Pricing
Food
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Availability
Frequently asked questions
How many guests does the Hunter Room hold?
The hotel takes bookings for 50 to 150 guests in the Hunter Room. Seated layouts use large round tables for up to eight people each, plus small bar tables for four if you want a mix of seating and standing.
Is there a minimum spend, and how does the deposit work?
Yes – the Hunter Room carries a $2,000 minimum spend. A non-refundable $300 deposit holds the date and comes off your food bill on the night if you reach the minimum; if you don't, the deposit is kept as the room hire fee.
What food can we order?
Choose from finger food platters such as grazing boards, sliders, arancini, squid, spring rolls, pizzas, sandwiches and desserts, or a plated alternate drop menu at $60 for two courses or $75 for three. Dietary requirements and final numbers are due a week before the event.
Can we bring our own cake or drinks?
Outside food and drinks aren't allowed because the hotel is licensed, but a celebration cake is welcome at no extra charge. Staff will store it and provide a knife, plates, spoons and napkins.
Do you host 18th birthday parties?
No. Licensing restrictions mean the hotel doesn't accept 18th birthday celebrations, but other birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, weddings, wakes and work functions are all welcome.
Where we are
Suitable occasions
Booboo Bingbang
6 months ago
What a great find, the food is really will presented and fresh. Well organised and professional team in the kitchen. You can see them in action. The servers were prompt and very busy but always smiling. Great menu and gr…
Natalie Samaras
8 months ago
I cannot recommend the Hunter River Hotel enough! We stopped in for dinner and were absolutely blown away by the quality of the food and the warmth of the service. From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel l…
Mirela Cicic
11 months ago
First time visiting came for dinner have to say without a doubt the food was amazing. Exceptional customer service food was amazing the renovations look great. A great place to come. We would definitely visit again.
Christopher O'Connor
12 months ago
The first word that comes to mind for the Hunter River Hotel is .........WOW! My daughter booked the venue for her daughter christening lunch and what a great choice. When I walked in there was a lively young lady who…
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