Our sprawling metropolis has thousands of unique venues – each with its own particular personality and offerings. Here’s a rundown of eight of our top off-the-beaten track venues to help make your next meeting truly memorable, plus a few local favourites that are now available for exclusive events
1. Hipster Hollywood Glam
Located in the original Paramount House building in the heart of hipster Surry Hills, Golden Age Cinema is an intimate homage to the world of old Hollywood glamour. High ceilings, a full-service bar with custom cocktails and tasty finger food, and the original Paramount Pictures screening room all serve to make this venue absolutely unforgettable.
Key features include:
- Exclusive use of cinema and bar
- In-house AV system and technical support
- 2K digital projection
- Flexible catering options
2. Set sail on Sydney Harbour
There’s nothing quite like Sydney Harbour, but instead of searching for a luxurious venue with views, why not opt for a state-of-the-art ship that skims the waves at sunset? Captain Cook Cruises offers fully customisable options for business event organisers looking to make an impression, plus a flotilla of activities that will set your next face-to-face meeting apart.
Key features include:
- Fleet of 14 vessels
- Private dining rooms, deck, or full vessel hire
- Daily scheduled sightseeing and dining cruises
- Whale watching available May to November
3. Heritage on the waterfront
Recently restored to its former glory by a multi-million-dollar remediation and restoration effort, Campbell’s Stores is a stunning heritage dining and entertaining hub in The Rocks. Perfectly placed between The Park Hyatt and The Overseas Passenger Terminal, the three-storey, gable-fronted sandstone precinct offers panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay. Home to seven world-class restaurants and bars, this one-of-a-kind waterfront venue will never disappoint.
Key features include:
- A historic event space, dating back to 1839
- Spectacular waterfront location
- Mix of high-quality formal dining with more informal niche small bars, cafes and tenancies
- Capacities from 5 to 5000
4. Intimate industrial chic
Situated inside a former working mechanic’s shop, Riley Street Garage is a 120-seat restaurant informed by 1930s New York glamour. With a décor scheme inspired by New York’s famous meatpacking district, and original mullioned warehouse-style windows overlooking the street, your next event will be the height of urban cool. Featuring a signature raw food menu and world-class oyster bar anchored around an extensive brass beverage-serving area, this venue is one of Sydney’s most unforgettable.
Key features include:
- Set in art-deco building
- Private dining room
- Exclusive venue hire
- Variety of catering and beverage options
5. Exclusive gala gold
Situated off the shores of beautiful Balmain, Goat Island is a hidden oasis awash with majestic sandstone buildings, secluded hiking trails, important Indigenous sites and recent convict and maritime history. With breathtaking views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and harbour foreshore from all sides and no unauthorised moorings permitted, it’s ideal for your own private inner-city island business event.
Key features include:
- Premium themed gala dinners
- Unique team-building options
- Personalised event service
- Discovery and experience of ancient Aboriginal culture including authentic ceremonies, demonstrations, performances and interactive classes
6. Contemporary and connected
Concealed on the top floor of Here Coworking’s landmark Sydney space, The Viewing Deck is one of the local event industry’s best-kept secrets. Offering stunning wall-to-window views of Pyrmont Bay and just a stone’s throw from other attractions such as The Star, Sydney Fish Market and the Powerhouse Museum, the inner-city hideaway is the perfect place for events of up to 150 people. And with state-of-the-art connectivity options and custom catering on offer, it’s ideal for those looking for an event space that offers face-to-face and digital conferencing options.
Key features include:
- Panoramic water view
- Available outside of business hours and weekends
- Large function or dining area and kitchen
- Can be configured for sit-down or stand up group gatherings
7. Events of all sizes
Escape the hustle and bustle of inner-city life with the Blue Mountains’ premier eco-resort. Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley is set on a carbon-neutral conservation and wildlife reserve taking up over 7000 acres of prime land, with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and luxurious facilities. Business event organisers will love the easy 2.5-hour drive from Sydney, walk-in wine cellar with over 150 different labels, elegantly appointed villas for delegates wishing to turn the trip into a weekender, and kitted-out private function areas suitable for everything from business retreats to team-building days and full-scale conferences.
Key features include:
- 40 free-standing villas each with private pool and stunning views
- Showcase of NSW food and wine with seasonal, regional produce
- Meeting spaces accommodating 5 to 90 guests
- Business Centre, complimentary Wi-Fi and a fast, fibre-optic network
8. Serenity in the city
With verdant green leaves and traditional pagodas and koi ponds, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is an homage to the Taoist principles of Yin-Yang and Wu-Xing in the heart of Sydney. Designed by architects and landscapers in Sydney’s sister city Guangzhou, it offers a stunning slice of serenity amidst the hustle and bustle of CBD high-rises, achieving perfect balance with its surroundings. Hire out the full venue for a breathtaking outdoor event or take advantage of the understated indoor facilities for something more intimate.
Key features include:
- Unique cultural and heritage venue
- Hidden oasis in the Darling Harbour precinct
- Centre of community and cultural significance
- Variety of spaces for corporate and private events of up to 300 people
Connect with Sydney's best venues, hotels, conference suppliers, team building facilitators and more for your next business event in Sydney by using our free online Supplier Search.
8 Reasons to host your next incentive in Sydney
An iconic harbour. World-famous beaches. Incredible culinary experiences with views to match. Indigenous stories to tell. Yachts to sail. New hotels. Unexpected venues and places to discover. All of this and a stunning array of Australia’s vast landscapes just beyond make Sydney a remarkable destination for an unforgettable incentive experience. As the world begins to meet again after the disruption of the pandemic, Sydney’s offering is bigger and more diverse than ever, making the city an exciting proposition for future events. Here are just a few of Sydney’s new business event offerings.
New offerings for business events as Sydney reopens
Since Sydney reopened, plenty of Business Event Opportunities emerged. We've caught up with 5 business event suppliers to find out what they had to say.
A Day and Night Guide: Darlinghurst
Darlinghurst has a storied history, which has carried through to create the vibrant and lively melting pot it is today.