Birthday Party Venues in Ultimo

Choosing the Right Birthday Party Venue

Three party spaces sit a short walk apart on the UTS campus, and they could hardly be less alike: a live music hall inside the UTS Tower, a lantern-strung courtyard bar in an 1800s terrace beside it, and a level 7 function floor with rooftop terraces on Jones Street.

The Underground Sydney and The Loft on Broadway charge no hire fee, asking instead for a set spend on catering and the bar, and profits from all three go back into UTS student programs.

Which of the three fits the birthday:

An 18th or 21st with a band or DJ: The Underground Sydney's stage, rigged lighting and house sound, hired exclusively for up to 600 and licensed to 3am, from $3,500 minimum spend Monday to Thursday
A 30th in the open air: The Loft on Broadway's courtyard of fairy lights and lanterns, where a Saturday, Sunday or Monday booking gives up to 300 the whole place
A weeknight drinks for 50: the upstairs mezzanine at The Loft, Tuesday to Friday, from $600 minimum spend
A seated 50th or 60th: Aerial Function Centre joins five rooms into one pillarless floor for 350 at dinner, or sets a single room for 70 at banquet tables
Grandparents on the guest list: Aerial is step-free by lift and ramp, has an accessible bathroom, and its in-house food starts from $35 per person

The Underground and The Loft share the 15 Broadway address, and neighbouring spaces such as The Loft can be added to an Underground booking for events of up to 1,200.

At the Broadway pair, the kitchen sends out platters, barbecue food or canapés
Drinks can be a package, a capped tab or guests paying their own way, so the host decides how much to shout
Aerial's own kitchen does all the cooking, down to live smokehouse and pizza stations, and outside food isn't allowed
The Underground's screen and projector suit a slideshow of the birthday guest through the years

Setting up the night

The Loft includes staff, a bar, furniture, background music and an event coordinator
Extras on Broadway such as DJ packages, LED walls, moving lights and bubble machines carry their own quotes
Bookings at The Underground and The Loft run at least four hours, with a 30% deposit
Aerial will set its rooms up as a dance floor, lounge seating, banquet tables or a cocktail layout

Common Questions About Venues for Birthday Parties

Which Ultimo venue suits the biggest birthday crowd?

The Underground Sydney, booked exclusively, holds 600. Aerial Function Centre takes 450 for cocktails with all five rooms opened up.

Where in Ultimo suits a birthday on a tighter budget?

Up to 50 can take The Loft's upstairs mezzanine on a weekday evening from $600 minimum spend, while Aerial Function Centre's catering begins from $35 per person.

Can an Ultimo birthday party go past midnight?

Yes. Both The Loft on Broadway and The Underground Sydney are licensed until 3am.

How do guests reach the Ultimo venues?

The Broadway venues are around ten minutes on foot from Central, and Aerial about five. Drivers can use Interpark's UTS car park, which connects by lift to Aerial.