When planning any event, it’s good to explore the venue options available to you. The cost of hiring a venue depends on a variety of things. For example, you often have the option of wet or dry hire, which is the difference between using the venue’s equipment or providing your own.
This guide will help you decide which represents the best deal for your event: an off-the-shelf package, a space where you can bring in your own suppliers, or somewhere that requires less upfront outlay.
Read on to find answers to the following:
- How much does it cost to hire a space?
- How much does it cost to hire a venue?
- How much does it cost to rent a venue for an event in Australia and New Zealand?
- How much can you rent a hall for?
- How much does it cost to hire a room?
Table of contents
What are some typical venue pricing models?
Does venue hire cost vary by geography?
What are some typical venue pricing models?
You might not be aware that different venue types often charge in different ways. This section explains the common pricing models that venues use. With a range of price points – whether it’s a room, town or community hall, whole venue, or outside space – you should be able to find an option that suits your budget.
Hire fee
A hire fee is a fixed price, which may be payable by the day, half-day, or hour. The hire fee is often just for the space and doesn’t include extras like food and beverages. Check that any items you see at the venue, such as furniture or equipment, are included in the price.
Dry hire
If you want to supply your own food and drinks you’ll be looking for a dry-hire venue. You’ll pay a fixed price to hire the space, but you can bring in your own equipment and catering. These venues are ‘blank canvases’, so they come without decor or equipment. You’ll be responsible for bringing everything in and may also pay a premium for hiring the venue with no strings attached. However, it can work out as a cheaper option.
Package per person
Rather than charging a separate fee for the space, some venues will bundle it up with the catering cost. If you’re having a party or dinner, you can pay a price per person to cover the event space, food, serving staff, and a set amount of alcohol – this can be half a bottle of wine per person or an allotted number of drink tokens.
Negotiate for the inclusion of extras, like a DJ and dance floor. You might get a more competitive deal for dining events by going to a large restaurant, as they often have fixed costs.
Day delegate rate (DDR)
DDRs are packages designed for meetings and conferences, often available as both half and full-day packages. You pay a set price per attendee, which includes the event space with furniture, basic refreshments (ie tea and coffee stations), lunch, basic AV equipment, and extras like notepads and pens. Hotels and resorts will also offer meeting packages that include overnight accommodation, called 24-hour rates.
Minimum spend
This deal is attractive if guests expect to purchase their own drinks, effectively giving you a free venue. The only risk is if guests don’t spend enough to meet the threshold – you’ll be required to make up the shortfall.
Minimum-spend venues don’t charge a hire fee. Instead, they stipulate that a minimum figure must be spent on food and drink. Determine if this is a good option by looking at the cost of what’s on the menu. For example, if the minimum spend is only $200, but drinks cost twice as much as at other venues, it’s not a good deal. Alternatively, if food and drink prices are reasonable, then it could be the better option.
Minimum number of guests
Some venues, like bars and clubs, may be open to the idea of an arrangement whereby you guarantee the minimum number of attendees rather than the amount they’ll spend on drinks. As the loss/gain for the venue is less tangible, you’ll have to negotiate the penalty should you fail to provide the promised footfall.
Does venue hire cost vary by geography?
Yes, the cost of renting a venue varies from state to state and of course from the city to the country. For example, an inner-city venue will be one of the most expensive choices – but it could be the most convenient and attractive for your attendees.
12 types of venues
There’s a wide selection of venues to hire for events these days. Familiarise yourself with all the options so you don’t miss any hidden gems.
Hotels
Typical Hire Price Range: $750 to $6,000 per event
Typical Pricing Strategy: Hire fee
Most hotels have at least one or two event spaces. Larger hotels may have a ballroom, while other spaces, such as restaurants, bars, and lobbies might also be available for hire.
Purpose-built conference centres
Typical Hire Price Range: $300 to $600 per day/room
Typical Pricing Strategy: Day Delegate Rate
Dedicated event venues offer a range of spaces, from small boardrooms to large auditoriums. Some will include catering in the price, while others won’t.
Business & co-working centres
Typical Hire Price Range: from $45 per hour per room
Typical Pricing Strategy: Minimum spend if a more social place, hire fee if not
These usually have meeting rooms available for members to use, sometimes at no extra cost. They may also have social areas suitable for events like networking.
Halls & community spaces
Typical Hire Price Range: $50 to $500 per event
Typical Pricing Strategy: Dry hire
Local authorities often have community spaces available for private hire, sometimes subsidised. The cost of renting a hall from the local Country Women’s Association or religious organisations can be significantly lower than for commercial spaces.
Sports clubs
Typical Hire Price Range: $750 to $5,000 per event
Typical Pricing Strategy: Dry hire
Golf clubs, rugby clubs, football clubs, and leisure centres all look to make extra income from their premises – however, you may need to avoid dates that fall on scheduled fixtures and social games.
Restaurants
Typical Hire Price Range: $50 to $150 per person
Typical Pricing Strategy: Either minimum spend or package per person
If your event is large enough, take over an entire restaurant. Alternatively, many restaurants offer private dining rooms or partitioned areas to book exclusively.
Bars, pubs, & clubs
Typical Hire Price Range: $750 to $6,000 per event
Typical Pricing Strategy: Minimum spend
Many bars allow you to hire them privately, and you can rent rooms in pubs. Clubs open only to the public at night can be a low-cost solution for daytime events, but inspect the room before any money changes hands. Scuff marks and shabby furnishings that go unnoticed at night might be all too apparent in the light of day.
Academic spaces
Typical Hire Price Range: $200 to $2,000 per event
Typical Pricing Strategy: Dry hire
Universities, colleges, and schools can be affordable venues. Some even have onsite student accommodation facilities, which are a great option if your event is outside of term time.
Stadiums & arenas
Typical Hire Price Range: $POA, tender process
Typical Pricing Strategy: Hire fee
With the capacity to hold thousands, these venues are ideal for large events. They also have facilities for smaller gatherings. Ease of access and onsite parking are bonuses.
Fields & marquees
Typical Hire Price Range: $300 to $5,000 per event
Typical Pricing Strategy: Hire fee
Landowners and agricultural societies often make sites available for events like festivals and fairs. Hire a marquee or find a site with an existing semi-permanent structure or shed.
Parks & public spaces
Typical Hire Price Range: free to $5,000 per event
Typical Pricing Strategy: Dry hire
You can hire local authority-owned parks and outdoor spaces, and make an application to hold events like street parties free of charge.
Cultural buildings & heritage sites
Typical Hire Price Range: $300 to $3,000 per event
Typical Pricing Strategy: Dry hire
All sorts of public and private buildings offer unique event spaces. Think museums, art galleries, tourist attractions, stately homes, and historic theatres – you might find the perfect quirky setting for your next memorable event.
Ready to organise your event?
There’s a wide range of different venue types available and the good news is that, with their different price points, you will find the one that best fits your event budget. Whenever you’re ready to plan and promote your next event experience, Eventbrite has you covered.
