Please note: this is a sponsored post
Looking to celebrate a wedding, birthday, christening or another special occasion in Bristol? You may decide you want to celebrate in your own home or back garden – a great (and affordable) solution if you have the space.
But if you’re looking for a bigger celebration – or if you want to host your event somewhere where someone else is responsible for setup, catering and cleaning up at the end – you’ll need to find yourself a venue to hire somewhere in the city.
As a major city, Bristol offers a whole host of venues to suit weddings and parties of all types and sizes – and to suit all budgets, too. But before you start, you’ll want to consider exactly what you need to make it easier to narrow that multitude of choices down. Here are five tips to help you to hire the Bristol venue of your dreams.
1. Start looking as early as possible
The sooner you can start your party planning, the better. Even though it may seem like you have plenty of time to get your venue booked and the planning underway, remember that the best venues will book up months if not years in advance – especially for weekend dates. Avoid being disappointed, and book your venue as soon as you possibly can.
2. Decide what type of venue would work best
If you’re after a simple drinks party, a bar might suit best. If you have guests travelling a long distance, a hotel may work better. For a celebratory meal, plenty of Bristol restaurants have separate areas or rooms that can be hired for private parties. Or for somewhere a bit different, places like Ashton Gate stadium or the Bristol Old Vic may work better. For a few ideas, take a look at the venue hire options on Square Meal: a site which allows you to sort your options based on venue type, venue style, budget, facilities, atmosphere and more.
3. Think about the location
How are your guests likely to travel to your event? If by car, you’ll need to ensure there’s enough parking either on-site or nearby. If by public transport, are you close to a bus stop or the train station? Make it easy for your guests to attend to avoid the risk of invitations being declined or people not turning up on the day if the weather is bad.
4. Look into any restrictions
Check the licensing hours of your chosen venue. If it’s a bar, check whether they allow children. Are you allowed to organise your own catering, or do you have to use their own in-house catering or preferred suppliers? Will a minimum spend limit apply?
By checking the answers to questions like these, you’ll avoid any nasty surprises.
5. Bear room layout in mind
If you want your event to feature a stage, a DJ or some other form of entertainment, will it fit, and is there a suitable space for it in the room? When the room is set up the way you want it to be, will people still be able to pass through the room comfortably, with easy access to toilets and exits – including any guests with impaired mobility? If you need power outlets, are they in suitable places? Will the room still feel like the ideal space once any tables and chairs are set up? An empty room can look very different to one set up for a wedding or party, so try and see the space “in action” if you can.
Whatever your celebration, you’re sure to find somewhere that suits in Bristol – or in the city’s surrounds. Have you found any incredible venues that you want to share with Bristol Bites readers? Let us know in the comments!