Engaged customers have a stronger, more emotional connection with your brand. In research conducted by Salesforce, 80% of customers say the experiences provided by a company are as important to them as its products and services. The quality of this experience has a direct impact on your potential for business success.
When you engage your customers, you are building loyalty and trust with you, your business and your organisation. In today’s competitive business landscape, customer engagement has emerged as pivotal to how we are doing business in 2024 and building a successful brand.
Engagement through tailored experiences to educate, entertain and building connection with customers is a powerful tool. For our community, this customer journey includes invitations to key corporate hospitality events, private dining, education forums and dining experiences at premium venues.
When setting the key objectives for your customer engagement, we work with our community on a formula of four key pillars – it is the relationship they have with you and your business, what they are going to experience or learn, the other people in the room and the venue. Our Business Concierge and EsssentialX team have your guide to engaging venues in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane for a small, medium and large scale events.
SYDNEY
Margaret Double Bay
Located in Double Bay, Margaret is named after Neil Perry’s late mother is a neighbourhood restaurant where the best ingredients, the best wines and drinks program and craft come together in a unique and lovely experience for guests. Focusing on Australia’s amazing seafood is central to Neil Perry’s cuisine and taking pride and place in the design of the menus.
Margaret has a semi-private dining area that can be casually closed off with a white linen curtain and seats up to 18 guests on one long table.
Capella Sydney
The first Australian property in the Capella Hotels and Resorts portfolio, Capella Sydney has reawakened the Department of Education building with the opening of the luxury hotel in March 2023. From the private dining room in Brasserie 1930 for up to to 8 guests to the collection of spaces located on the ground floor of the Capella Sydney, catering for gatherings of 2 – 80 guests.
Alpha
Located Castlereagh Street in Sydney, Alpha is a premier Greek restaurant that exudes sophistication with whitewashed walls, oak floors and layered grey fabrics. The beautifully designed private dining room seats up to 20 guests. Nestled in the 238 Castlereagh Street building is Beta offering three levels of event spaces, that can accommodate intimate gatherings for 5 guests to up to 700 guests for a celebration. The venue’s design pays tribute to the building’s rich history with its signature exposed brickwork adorning two event spaces – The Gallery on Level 1 and The Grand on Level 2.
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is Australia’s premier yacht club and home to what is considered yachting’s ‘Everest’ – the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The CYCA has two main event spaces, the Freya and Morna Rooms. These two rooms can be booked for smaller events of 40 guests or combined to accommodate up to 200 guests.
Machine Hall
This spectacular former substation reanimated for contemporary events and experiences. The Machine Hall features a 12.5m ceilings, a raw, industrial destination comprising of four distinct event spaces and wraparound mezzanine level accommodating events for 240 guests seated or 400 for a standing event.
Yallamundi Rooms, Sydney Opera House
Meaning ‘storyteller’ in the local Sydney language, Yallamundi celebrates the Sydney Opera House connection to First Nations culture. This event space space is crescent-shaped and spans the entire northern end of the eastern podium to take advantage of spectacular harbour views. Sydney Opera House and Trippas White Group has appointed esteemed chef Danielle Alvarez as Culinary Director of the Yallamundi Rooms. Danielle is one of Australia’s most celebrated female chefs who gained her passion for farm-to-table cooking from an impeccable pedigree of restaurants both in the US and Australia.
MELBOURNE
Society Private Dining Room
Set above the Society Dining Room on a dedicated floor, there are three luxuriously appointed private rooms named, The Green Room, East and West. With sweeping views down Collins Street, The Green Room seats 20 guests and the East room seating 24 guests and the West room seating 32 guests or they be combined to form one room to seat up to 60 guests. The private dining menus are a carefully crafted selection from the Society Dining Room.
Chancery Lane
Housed in Melbourne’s history Normanby Chambers building, Chancery Lane is a charming European bistro from celebrated chef restaurateur Scott Pickett. A menu of European classic dishes with a twist, the 100-seat venue echoes a luxurious bygone era with antique brass and textured gold details. The private dining rooms – The Chandelier room seating up to 12 guests, The Archways Room seating up to 18 guests and the Cellar Room seating 10 guests and the combined Archways and Cellar rooms seat up to 40 guests.
Reine and La Rue
This elegant dining experience brings French inspired food to a New York styled dining space. All elements of Reine and La Rue are created to provide thoughtful appreciation of its heritage of the historic Melbourne Stock Exchange building. Exclusive hire of this breath taking restaurant accommodates up to 100 guests for a seated event or 150 for a standing reception.
The Commons Collective by The Big Group
With a variety of spaces the Commons Collective has become one of Melbourne’s most stylish event destinations. The Rose Garden, surrounded by heritage-listed trees and historic bluestone buildings accommodates up to 150 guests seated or up to 500 guests for a standing reception.
The Arbour located in the Rose Garden is an intimate and elegant venue seating up to 40 guests seated and 80 guests for a standing reception.
The Conservatory – Beyond the trimmed hedges and under the lanterns, the Conservatory is located amongst the leafy gardens of heritage-listed trees and historic bluestone buildings, accommodating 80 guests seated or up to 100 guests for a stylish standing reception.
Glasshouse
A modern architectural pavilion set amongst the icons of Melbourne’s Olympic Park precinct with views to the Yarra Valley and the Royal Botanic Gardens. With floor to ceiling windows and specialty menus by The Big Group, the event space accommodating from 150 – 500 guests for a seated event or 1000 for a standing reception.
The Great Hall, National Gallery of Victoria
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia. The Great Hall is a large capacity event space famous for its high, stunning stained glass ceiling by Leonard French. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks in Federation Court, beneath the expansive glass ceiling or on the terrace overlooking the Grollo Equiset Garden, home to some of the Gallery’s most impressive sculptures before dining for up to 600 guests or host a standing reception for up to 1100 guests.
BRISBANE
Agnes
Built entirely around the concept of cooking on an open fire, even the interior has been kept minimal to highlight the heritage building it is housed in to feel earth like. Spread over three levels, in three distinct areas – the main dining room, a wine bar and a rooftop bar. Exclusive hire of Agnes accommodates up to 70 guests for a seated dinner, the Agnes private dining room seats up to 24 guests and stunning wine bar hosts up to 30 guests for a standing reception.
Fiume Rooftop
Located at the Crystalbrook Collection Vincent Hotel chic Fiume Rooftop Bar boasts views across the Brisbane River located at Howard Smith Wharves. The eclectic bar menu of share-style bites and unique cocktails. Nestled underneath the Story Bridge, Fiume is bathed in natural light with floor-to-ceiling glass and event spaces adjoined to the bar.
The Calile Hotel
Channelling a luxe 1950s-style Miami beachside vibe in the heart of the city is the ever chic Calile Hotel. Brisbane has an ever growing dining scene with The Calile hosting Hellenika, a bustling Greek restaurant, SK Steak & Oyster, the Sushi Room, and then within the James St precinct is two stand outs, Same Same and Bianca.
From poolside events for up to 120 guests to rooftop Amphitheatre for a standing reception for 120 guests to the Grand Ballroom seating 360 guests – The Calile Hotel has a total of nine elegant event spaces.
Craft’d Grounds
Lovingly designed by local Brisbane builder James Rennell, Craft’d Grounds is a beautiful historic precinct with industrial-luxe spaces. With its own private laneway, courtyard and dining space, the Private Dining Room in Albion’s Craft’d Grounds accommodates from 50 guests for a seated event to 200 guests for a standing reception.
Howard Smith Wharves
This foodie haven and entertainment precinct is home to five-star accommodation and an impressive portfolio of dedicated event spaces. With views of the Story Bridge and city skyline, there is an event space for every occasion.
The Rivershed – rich in original character, this heritage wharf building with exposed timber beams seats up to 360 guests a dinner or 595 guests for a standing reception.
Bougainvillea House – features a wrap-around veranda with stunning elevated views of the city skyline. Inspired by summer holidays in the Mediterranean and the relaxed Queensland lifestyle, this celebration venue seats 70 guests for a dinner and 150 guests for a standing reception.
The Green House – nestled in the heart of the gardens, the Green House offers an intimate space for a seated event for 40 guests or standing reception for 120 guests.
Ciao Papi Glass House – this light filled waterfront, air-conditioned space with floor to ceiling windows accommodates 75 guests for a seated event.
