Birthday Party Venues in Essendon

Choosing the Right Birthday Party Venue

Whether it's a 30th with a DJ, a 60th over a sit-down dinner or a footy-mad birthday, Essendon has a room to match. Mr McCracken is a bar and restaurant on Larkin Boulevard in Essendon Fields, the Cross Keys Hotel is a pub on Pascoe Vale Road, and Windy Hill is the football club's social venue where Napier Street meets Brewster Street.

The style of party usually picks the venue: canapés and cocktails, dancing upstairs, or a club function room with views of the oval.

Three birthday options compared:

Mr McCracken: the Main Bar takes cocktail parties of 50 to 120 and the restaurant seats 40 to 75; canapés there start from $52 per person.
Cross Keys Hotel: two private upstairs rooms, each with a bar, a DJ booth and a dance floor; from $2,000 minimum spend on a Friday in the Cross Room.
Windy Hill: three rooms over the oval for 50 to 250 guests, from $2,250 minimum spend.
For a small group: Mr McCracken's Bar Lounge holds 20 to 40, and Windy Hill's Barry Capuano Room up to 50.
One cake: Windy Hill allows a single celebration cake, and the Cross Keys lets you bring one in.

Note that the Cross Keys doesn't host 18th birthdays in its function rooms.

A built-in stage and projector sit alongside the DJ booth in the Cross Keys' Keys Room.
Mr McCracken's shared menus of entrée, main and sides suit a seated birthday dinner.
Windy Hill's Premiers Room is the big one: 160 seated or 250 standing, looking out over the city.
Club memorabilia lines the Barry Capuano Room, named after the Essendon premiership player.

Practical points for the host

Mr McCracken validates parking in the neighbouring car parks.
The Cross Keys has parking behind the hotel off Woodland Street, and its night bookings finish at 1am after a 7pm start.
Windy Hill asks non-members for photo ID at sign-in, with lift access to every floor.
Balloons, linen, flowers, a DJ or a jukebox can all be arranged through Windy Hill.

Common Questions About Venues for Birthday Parties

Which Essendon venue has a dance floor for a birthday?

The Cross Keys Hotel – its Cross Room and Keys Room upstairs each have a dance floor and a built-in DJ booth.

Is there a restaurant option for a birthday dinner in Essendon?

Yes – Mr McCracken on Larkin Boulevard has a dining room for 40 to 75 seated with shared set menus, and canapés from $52 per person.

Can we have an 18th at the Cross Keys?

No, the Cross Keys doesn't host 18th birthdays in its function rooms. Mr McCracken and Windy Hill are the other choices.

Can non-members hold a party at Windy Hill?

Yes – membership isn't required, though non-members bring photo ID to sign in and pay a room hire fee.