Top 21st Birthday Venues Melbourne for Hire

21 is loads of fun, but it’s the birthday party that marks this milestone year that should be the real success. You want your mates to be floored by the beauty of your event, and you need this to be a night to remember. You’ve chosen an outfit, a kick-arse theme and catering to match. The last step is to find a suitable venue for your big celebration.

Luckily, there are fantastic 21st birthday venues around almost every corner in Melbourne. This bustling city is home to heaps of unique venues, ranging from a rooftop bar to restaurants, cafes, private clubs, and function rooms that are perfect for a 21st. We’ve put together a guide to ensure that your celebration will be the talk of the town.

How to plan a 21st birthday party

Whether you’re throwing a pool party or booking a cruise, inviting everyone you know or just your closest friends and family, a 21st  birthday party is one you’ll want to prepare for in advance. As you grow older and take on more responsibilities, major birthday celebrations will be few and far between. Use this milestone to bring your dream birthday party to life! Check out these tips for an unforgettable 21st birthday in Melbourne:

Look for venues in Melbourne that have everything you need — Make a list of all the things you require for your party and make sure your venue has them. If you're looking for venues in Melbourne then VenueNow is your best choice by far with over 1,000 venues and function rooms to search and book online.

On the VenueNow platform, you can easily search for 21st birthday venues in Melbourne that have the amenities, capacity and layout you need. Filter your search results by criteria such as space type and availability of features like outdoor space, kitchen, projector and natural light to find your perfect 21st birthday venue in minutes.

Don’t forget about the weather — Gardens, courtyards and pools make for a spectacular 21st birthday venue in Melbourne. But if you’re planning an outdoor soiree, make sure you have a Plan B in case rain puts a damper on your celebration. Before you book your venue, talk to the venue manager about the fallbacks they have for bad weather.

Consider some professional entertainment — It’s not always necessary, but having some form of live entertainment at a party really takes the event to new heights. Live performances also help avoid the lulls in activity that make a party boring and forgettable. Some of our favourite party entertainment includes sand artists, magicians, caricaturists, stand-up comedians, silhouette artists and acrobats.

What are some good themes and 21st birthday party ideas?

There’s no better time to throw a themed birthday party than in your early 20s! Here are some of our top picks for 21st birthday party themes:

Masquerade Ball — It’s the perfect excuse to glam up and play at being sophisticated adults in gowns and dinner suits. A masquerade party theme is also perfect for adding a dash of mystery and intimacy to any event. Dress up your venue with chandeliers, candelabras and feathers to give it a luxurious feel.

Music Festival — Recreate the revelry, fashion, music and anything-goes atmosphere of your favourite outdoor music fest at any of Melbourne’s versatile 21st birthday party venues! Ask your guests to come in festival getup, get your favourite festival performances on the party playlist and make sure there are enough drinks to go around!

Mixology Night — Now that you’re almost 21, it’s time to learn how to make a proper drink. Book a venue, grab your closest friends and hire a mixologist to teach you and your mates how to stock up your home bar, mix classic cocktails and come up with new recipes. Then indulge in your creations!

How to make a 21st birthday party a success

After you’ve made your pick from the hundreds of spectacular 21st birthday venues Melbourne has to offer, it’s time to make sure you and your guests have a blast! Check out our top tips for planning a truly special celebration.

Have your cake — Every birthday party has to have a cake! Whether you’re throwing a birthday bash for a friend or for yourself, make sure you order a show-stopping cake well in advance.

Bring out the karaoke machine — The surest way to entertain your guests is to involve some karaoke. At any party, there’s always a handful of guests who are more than willing to show off their singing talents. Once the fun starts, even the shy ones will be ready to belt out their favourite songs! Karaoke bars make great 21st birthday locations, but you can also rent a karaoke machine for your venue.

Express yourself — Whilst keeping guests entertained is a priority, don’t forget that a birthday bash is really for the one whose birthday is being celebrated. Whether you’re hosting your birthday soiree or throwing one for your best mate, make sure that the event reflects the celebrant’s personality. Small touches, like having the bartender create a signature cocktail in the celebrant’s honour or hiring entertainment based on the celebrant’s secret hobby, make the greatest impact.

Unique event types for a 21st birthday party

From elegant waterfront bistros to exclusive clubs, gorgeous gardens to rooftop watering holes, Melbourne is jam-packed with exciting 21st birthday locations. If you want a celebration unlike any you’ve experienced, check out these unique Melbourne birthday venues:

Boat cruise — For a unique spin on the usual birthday party, take your guests on a river cruise on one of Magic Charters' twin-hull catamarans. It’s an extraordinary experience that’s only made better by the staff’s professionalism and the catering and drinks packages customised to your dietary requirements.

Ice bar — Want to keep things land-based but still unexpected? IceBar Melbourne, the only one of its kind in Australia, offers a unique experience for those who want to “chill.” Step into sub-zero temperatures and enjoy a drink or two as you admire the beautiful hand-carved ice sculptures. If it gets too chilly, you can step out and have a warm coffee before popping back in. IceBar offers packages for birthdays and other events.

Indoor racing — Satisfy your need for speed by celebrating your 21st at Auscarts. It’s an indoor kart racing circuit that also hosts functions, including birthday parties for children and adults. Your group can enjoy exclusive use of the track, along with personalised racing commentary. It’s a nice change from the usual shindig, especially if you and your mates have a competitive streak.

How much do 21st birthday party venues cost?

Venue hire

There are several factors that affect the cost of small 21st birthday venue hire in Melbourne including capacity, amenities, and space.

Popular events such as Christmas or Melbourne Cup demand a higher room rate and on the flip side, you can get cheaper bookings during less popular times. The same goes for days of the week or time of day; it's all supply and demand!

Food and Beverage

Popular food and beverage options for birthday parties include a bar tab or beverage and canapé package. Bar tabs make life easier to manage your costs because once you hit your budget, the staff will ask if you'd like to add more to the bar tab or you can let your guests buy their drinks for the rest of the night.

What are the most popular suburbs for 21st party venues in Melbourne?

There's so much to choose from so how do pick the perfect venue in Melbourne? Here are some of our favourite suburbs to get started:

Melbourne CBD

If you're looking for quality function rooms and the some of the best venues Melbourne has to offer, choose the CBD. It has spaces from theatres to cinemas and hotels with ballrooms.

South Yarra

South Yarra often offers excellent venues for events, from quaint Victorian houses to modern recreational spaces.

Preston

Nestled in Melbourne’s inner eastern suburbs, Preston may not have as many bigger event spaces but don't let that fool you! There are plenty of smaller function rooms so your guests will never feel too far away from one another - plus they all come equipped with free parking nearby which is always great when organising

Southbank

Melbourne is a popular destination for events because of its range of destinations and 21+ venues.

Docklands

Docklands is the place to be  for those that want a unique event space. The industrial warehouse with the exposed brick and high ceilings may not be for everyone, but it’s perfect if you're looking for something different!

Collingwood

Collingwood is the perfect suburb for those looking for a unique and quirky Melbourne event space. This suburb has some of the most beautiful homes and gardens in all of Melbourne, with plenty of different venues to choose from.

St Kilda

St Kilda offers a range of event spaces that are perfect for various occasions. With a stunning coastline, the shores here offer an idyllic setting for weddings and other events.