Christmas Party Venues in Melbourne's Inner West

What to Know Before Booking Christmas Party Venues

Two pubs with very different footprints carry the inner west's end-of-year functions: The Laurel Hotel on Mt Alexander Road in Ascot Vale, and Anglers Tavern on the river bank in Maribyrnong. Both run canapé-led packages and let the organiser cap the bar spend, which keeps a December budget in check.

Choosing between them for the work party:

Team of 60 to 100: The Laurel's Level 1 comes with an adjoining bar, TV screens and a sound system.
Whole company of up to 300: Anglers Tavern books its entire first floor as Level One Exclusive, with two bars and a private entrance.
Mid-sized department: the Chifley Room at Anglers seats 80, with its own bar and entry.
No hire fee: The Laurel charges none for either of its spaces, though a minimum spend can apply.
Canapé pricing: Anglers from $37 per person and The Laurel from $38 per person.

For a toast or a word from the managing director, the Anglers rooms carry a lectern, cordless microphones and a projector screen, while The Laurel's upstairs room has screens and sound.

The Laurel Feast offers shared entrées and a choice of main for a seated work dinner.
Anglers runs shared two- and three-course set menus, and its River Room seats up to 140.
For staff who mingle, Anglers sends canapés around in packages of six, eight or ten pieces.
The Laurel's canapé packages rise to eight pieces with a mini meal.

Keeping the bar spend in line

Both pubs offer a bar tab with a limit you choose ahead of the night.
The Laurel adds three- and four-hour drinks packages, plus a cocktail on arrival.
Anglers has classic, premium and deluxe packages running two to four hours.
Pay-as-you-go at The Laurel, or a cash bar at Anglers, suits offices covering food but not every round.

Venues for Christmas Parties: Your Questions Answered

Which inner-west pub suits a Christmas party of 250?

Anglers Tavern, booked as Level One Exclusive, takes up to 300 cocktail-style or 150 seated. The Laurel's brick-walled downstairs dining room can be taken exclusively for 200 standing.

Can dietary needs be handled for a mixed team?

The Laurel Hotel caters for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free guests. Anglers can round out the spread with a grazing table or a dessert table.

Can staff get outside during the work party?

Yes, at Anglers: a door from the River Room leads to a courtyard, and the Chifley Room comes with a little outdoor space.

How do the two venues differ on price?

Canapés start from $37 per person at Anglers Tavern and from $38 per person at The Laurel Hotel, which adds no room hire fee, though a minimum spend may apply depending on the booking.

Christmas Party Venues in Inner West

See Your Christmas Party Venue Options in Inner West