Birthday Party Venues in Williamstown

Choosing the Right Birthday Party Venue

Three pubs, three quite different birthday settings: a rooftop above Ferguson Street, a local sports pub on Victoria Street and an 1874 hotel on the Nelson Place dining strip, which faces the water.

Between them they cover a casual 30th with finger food, a seated family dinner and a drinks party looking out over the bay.

Choosing between the three Williamstown pubs:

The Rooftop @ Hobsons Bay Hotel, 28 Ferguson St – 100 standing guests at most, gazing across the bay to the skyline, with its own bar, heating and function-only toilets, and a lift to the roof.
Rifle Club Hotel, 121 Victoria St – the Rifle Room takes 120 standing, with a pool table, games, Bluetooth music and a microphone.
Rifle Club Hotel's Public Bar – up to 60 with no room hire or minimum spend.
Customs House Hotel Williamstown, 161 Nelson Pl – four rooms under dark timber and a stained-glass ceiling dome, from The Snug for 20 to 30 to a room for 150 standing with a stage.
Hobsons Bay Hotel's lower floors – the balcony takes up to 54 and the private dining room 24.

Budgets range widely: finger food at the Rifle Club Hotel starts From $22 per person, the rooftop canapé packages begin From $62.50 per person, and Customs House Hotel Williamstown's rooms start From $1,000 minimum spend.

A relaxed 30th or 40th: the Rifle Room has its own entry and bathrooms, and roaming finger food comes in six, eight or ten pieces per guest.
Drinks with a view: the Rooftop has covered and open sections, so it works through the seasons.
A seated family milestone: Customs House runs set menus that flag vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes, plus a seniors menu.
A projector for the slideshow: Customs House's Imperial room seats 40 with a projector, screen, lectern and microphone.

Timing and tabs

Rooftop curfew: the roof and balcony at Hobsons Bay Hotel are licensed until 10pm, while indoor spaces can run until 1am.
Music: bands and DJs can play up top, but they cut into the number of guests the Rooftop can take.
Paying for drinks: all three pubs offer a bar tab or guests paying their own way.
Securing the date: a fifth of the cost is paid upfront at Hobsons Bay Hotel, where minimum spends change with the date.

Common Questions About Venues for Birthday Parties

Which Williamstown pub is cheapest for a birthday?

The Rifle Club Hotel's Public Bar carries no room hire or minimum spend, and its roaming finger food starts from $22 per person for groups of 20 or more.

Can a birthday party go past 10pm on the Hobsons Bay Hotel rooftop?

The roof and balcony are licensed until 10pm; the indoor spaces can run until 1am.

Is there a small room for about 25 people in Williamstown?

Customs House Hotel Williamstown's Snug takes 20 to 30, and Hobsons Bay Hotel's private dining room seats up to 24.

Do any of these pubs have games for a birthday crowd?

The Rifle Room at the Rifle Club Hotel has a pool table and games, along with large TVs and Bluetooth music.