Howard Smith Room @ The Hoi
ProHighlights
- Heritage room in the Howard Smith Building for 35 seated or 60 standing
- Daytime minimum spends from $30 per person, covering food, drinks and staff
- Sonos sound in every room, with DJs, live music and karaoke welcome
About Howard Smith Room @ The Hoi
The Hoi is a small events venue inside the historic Howard Smith Building at 224–226 Flinders Street in Townsville City. It runs high teas, micro weddings and private functions across three spaces: the Howard Smith Room, the Piano Room and Denham Lane. The Howard Smith Room is the main room, a bright heritage space with chandeliers, soft drapery and original architectural details. It seats 35 for a long-table dinner or takes 60 for a standing event. Couples use it for the ceremony, then reset it for cocktails and a seated reception. Next door, the Piano Room is a darker lounge with leather sofas and lamps, and the laneway can be added for festoon-lit drinks and music. Most clients book a hosted event, where a per-guest minimum spend covers the room, staff, bar service, catering and furniture. Dry hire is also offered for organisers who bring their own caterer and styling, with the bar running as a cash bar. Every room has a Sonos sound system for your own playlist or the house music, and you are free to bring in a band, a DJ or karaoke. A microphone, a green wall and a smart TV for slideshows can be added. The kitchen caters for vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan guests. The bar closes at 10pm, and functions can be booked any day of the week, day or evening.
Inclusions & amenities
Venue type
Budget
Food & drinks
Features
Facilities
Pricing
Evening bookings (four hours, 6pm to 10:30pm) range from $55 per person for 50 to 60 guests up to $70 per person for 20 to 29. Extra hours are $100 in the day and $150 in the evening.
Dry hire of the room is $600 for an evening. A 25% deposit secures the date.
Food
For seated dining, tables are dressed with linen, glassware and cutlery, and a cake or gift table can be added. Canapé events come with four high bars and stools.
Beverages
On dry hire the bar runs as a cash bar. The bar closes at 10pm.
Availability
Frequently asked questions
How many guests fit in the Howard Smith Room?
It seats up to 35 for a sit-down meal and holds up to 60 for a cocktail-style event. Micro weddings at The Hoi are designed for 10 to 60 guests.
How does the minimum spend work?
For a hosted event you commit to a spend per guest, which goes toward the room, staff, bar service, catering and setup. Daytime events run from $30 to $45 per person depending on numbers, and evening events from $55 to $70 per person.
Can we bring our own caterer?
Yes, through dry hire. The Howard Smith Room is $600 for an evening on that basis, with the bar run as a cash bar. Licensed caterers can use the commercial kitchen for $150.
Can we have a DJ or live music?
Yes. Bands, DJs and karaoke can all be booked in, and every room has a Sonos system you can connect a playlist to. A microphone can be hired for $50.
What deposit is needed and what time do events finish?
A 25% deposit confirms the booking, and final numbers are due two weeks before the event. The bar closes at 10pm and guests leave by 10:30pm.
Where we are
Suitable occasions
Tara M
5 months ago
We recently held our vow renewal at the Hoi, and we honestly could not have chosen a more perfect venue. From the moment we first visited, we knew it was something special, but seeing the space come together on the day e…
Bob Chad
a year ago
Held our August Chicken and Chablis ladies' lunch here in August. The theme I chose was 'Elegance,fascinators/ hats because the function room was so elegant and formal including chandeliers. Nadine and her staff looked a…
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