Choosing The Right Venue For Your Christmas Party
Olivia-Georgia Bartlett
Passionate Community Fundraiser for 3 Incredible Charities ✨
If you are responsible for planning your work Christmas party, the pressure is on to organise an unforgettable night that everyone will enjoy. It’s a tough gig and one that can leave even the most experienced of party planners quaking in their boots. One of the biggest decisions you will have to make is the venue.
So how do you choose a party space that will keep Kevin in accounts happy, while also appealing to your serious boss Suzanne, AND at the same time creating a full-filled night for the young bloods coming through the ranks?
PLAN EARLY
First and foremost, start planning early. The late summer months are a great time to start. Not only will your top venues have their Christmas packages arranged, but planning early will allow you time to visit the sites and directly compare each package. Don’t forget that venues such as Revolution and Revolucion De Cuba will offer early-bird package deals, so booking early can help you stretch your budget as well as securing those key dates. Venues will start taking Christmas bookings as early as January, so there really is no such thing as planning too early.
KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
The venue you choose will depend entirely on what you want your company's Christmas party to be. It’s always a good idea to suss out your colleagues needs on dates and preferences, taking special note of any personal or religious requirements. If a large number of your colleagues are non-drinking vegans, only consider a venue that can cater to those needs.
You also need to be sure of your budget and have an idea of how the majority of your party-goers will be travelling to and from the venue. That stately house in the middle of nowhere may look luxurious, but if no one can get home at the end of the night, the responsibility will fall to you. Ensure your venue has access to transport links such as close by train stations and taxi ranks.
The key to a great event is finding that middle ground that everyone will enjoy. It’s a tricky thing to find, so going with a venue that has a bit of something for everyone is your best bet. Whether you have a DJ or a band, designated space for people to dance is a must, as is a designated bar area. For those who like the quieter life, (or who just want to be able to chat away from the DJ’s speakers) ensuring that there is lots of space for tables and chairs to stay out after your meal, is really important.
WHAT ARE THE PACKAGE OPTIONS?
It seems an obvious question, but make sure you find out what is included in every package that is available at each venue. All will have minimum and maximum numbers. Some will offer a variety of food options such at hot buffets or three course meals, some will be inclusive of drinks, some come will full entertainment included whereas others may only include the venue/room hire.
When comparing these packages and prices per head, make sure you are made aware of any additional charges – not all venues may be up-front with every cost. At Revolution Southampton, our packages are inclusive of VAT with no hidden charges. Depending on what you're looking for, some of our packages include:
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Find out more about Revolution's Christmas Packages Here
VISIT THE VENUE - ALWAYS!
Nothing gives off the atmosphere of a place and lets you check out the attitude of the staff like a visit to the venue. It also allows you to check out parking arrangements, public transport links and get a feel for its facilities. Are the toilets clean? Are the communal areas well kept? Do the hosts smile as you enter the building? How accessible is the venue?
Remember the area is unlikely to be dressed for Christmas celebrations, (so a bit of imagination may be required) but you can still check out the space. Will it be big enough for your guests? Where will the dance floor be situated? Will the venue hire also include themes (will the venue dress the party space for you) or if this is something you will have to arrange yourself?
Each venue will be able to show you room layout options and pictures from their previous events, giving you a good idea of how your Christmas party will look. Venues such as Revolution offer you a dedicated events team (included within the package price) to take the stress away from organizing your Christmas party. It not only means that you have professional help in making it a night to remember, but you will be able to enjoy the festivities too.
Make sure to ask if your venue is for exclusive hire for your party and remember to ask if security is included in the cost. This means that you can rest assured there will be no unwanted gate crashers and that everyone can enjoy the celebrations.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS OR TALK THROUGH YOUR REQUIREMENTS
Successful events depend on clear communication. Make sure that you and your venue are on the same page by talking through all your requirements. Excellent venues will be flexible enough to cater for different dietary requirements and will be open to discussing changes to set packages. If you have a query or request, just ask, and if on the rare occasion the answer is no, there is usually a really good reason behind it, or an alternative they can offer.
All in all your venues dedicated events team will be happy to answer any questions you have. Don’t forget that they are there to help you create the best event possible, so that you keep coming back – not just for Christmas parties, but room hire for meetings, training days, team building and the like.
For more information on what our fantastic venue can offer you for your company's Christmas party, or any other event queries you may have, pop me an email on bookings-southampton@revolution-bars.co.uk and I'll be happy to assist you.
Great point!