Catering and alcohol at a private venue: what to ask

If you are asking can I bring my own caterer venue hire, do not assume the answer is the same at every venue. Catering arrangements, kitchen access and alcohol requirements can vary, so confirm the details before you book.

In-house, preferred suppliers and BYO

Private venues can take different approaches to catering.

Some may have an in-house catering arrangement. Others may work with preferred suppliers, while some may allow an external caterer subject to conditions.

Before choosing a venue, ask:

• Can I use my own caterer?
• Does the venue have preferred suppliers?
• Can an external caterer bring equipment?
• Can food be prepared onsite?
• Where can food be served?
• Is there a kitchen or preparation area?
• Does the caterer need to provide any documentation?
• Who handles cleaning after service?

Do not assume that "private venue" means you can bring whichever supplier you choose.

If you are still comparing event spaces on Spacenow, make catering requirements part of your initial venue brief.

Who holds the liquor licence and why it matters

Alcohol can introduce a separate set of questions.

The relevant arrangements can depend on the venue, event type, location and licensing position. Do not assume that a venue's ability to host an event means you can automatically serve alcohol in any way you choose.

Ask:

• Who holds the relevant liquor licence?
• Does it cover the type of event you are planning?
• Who is responsible for any required approvals?
• Can guests bring their own alcohol?
• Can you use your own alcohol supplier?
• Are there restrictions on service?
• Does the venue require a particular responsible service arrangement?

The exact answer needs to come from the venue and the relevant licensing authority.

For general Australian information about liquor licensing, you can check the Australian Business Licence and Information Service.

Kitchen access, and what "kitchen" can mean

A venue advertising kitchen access does not necessarily mean you can use the space for every type of food preparation.

Ask what equipment is actually available and what you are permitted to do there.

Check whether the kitchen includes:

• Preparation benches
• Refrigeration
• Cooking equipment
• Sinks
• Storage
• Serving areas
• Waste facilities

Also ask whether your caterer can use the kitchen throughout the event or only for limited preparation.

If food is being prepared or served, your caterer may also need to meet requirements that apply to the food business and activity.

For another venue option, Spacenow's concierge team can help you communicate specific catering and event requirements when comparing spaces.

What to confirm in writing

Once you have found a suitable venue, write down the catering and alcohol arrangements before you commit.

Your confirmation should cover:

• Catering supplier
• BYO arrangements
• Kitchen access
• Food preparation
• Alcohol arrangements
• Licensing responsibility
• Service arrangements
• Cleaning
• Waste
• Delivery and collection times

This prevents a verbal assumption from becoming a problem on event day.

If you are planning an event alongside a retail or brand activation, you can also compare pop-up spaces for alternative formats.

FAQ

Can I bring my own caterer?

It depends on the venue's arrangements. Ask whether external caterers are permitted, whether preferred suppliers apply and what conditions your caterer must meet.

Who arranges the liquor licence?

That depends on the venue, event and licensing arrangements. Confirm who holds the relevant licence and who is responsible for any approvals before you plan alcohol service.

Catering and alcohol can affect whether a venue works for your event, so ask the questions before booking rather than trying to solve them after the date is confirmed.