Anyone from Newcastle?

[1st for Jess]

I have a family friend that is trying to find somewhere for her 21st. She has a really really tiny budget so can't afford anywhere very nice but refuses to consider a school/sports hall. :no: I suggested a cafe that isn't normally open at night that she can hire. She said she can't find anywhere that wouldn't normally be open on a sat night. I find this hard to believe - but I'm from Melb and spoilt for cafe options.

Anyway the question - do you know of a good cafe/venue for a stand up function of about 100 people that would be super cheap? Maybe your favourite place for breakfast/coffee. Would need to be licenced...

[1st for Jess]

Any day time Newcastle-ians?

[mimsie]

:) hi :) just wanna let you know I'm here then will respond lol

[mimsie]

Ok.

Most cafes here are open at night on weekends, especially if they are licensed. The main concentration of them are in two suburbs and the strip/street is quite lively at night, and if they aren't open then you'd have to look at staff cost, hire, penalties for staff, etc - it'd probably be very expensive to open a cafe just for you. but like I said there really aren't that many that aren't open at night unless they are inside a shopping centre.

I know a function centre, I just don't think it's cheap, lol. Does she have a date/budget? If so let me know and I'll talk to hubby if you like (he's a chef, works in a bistro/restaurant/function centre - the function area is separate to the pub/bistro part as in, separate building next door - accessible through the front of that building and through the pub) Feel free to PM me those kind of details if you like :)

[1st for Jess]

Wow! That is sooo lovely of you. She's being a bit of a brat so I don't know why I'm bothering to help so please don't go out of your way!

She is having it on Nov 20th and has a budget of $300-$500. They were hoping to find somewhere with no/cheap room hire and cater themselves. Everyone would buy their own drinks.

I've told her she's not being very realistic (I've worked in catering for the last 6years) but I know there are more options in Melb than Newcastle so wasn't sure if I was being just as clueless as her.

I suggested doing barefoot bowls as lots of people do it here and it's tonnes of fun. But she's not keen. :no:

Think I'm going to leave it to her as I'm all ut of suggestions but I thought I'd have a last stab at asking you ladies for suggestions.
Thanks for the reply Mimsie!! :yelclap:

[mimsie]

Hmm. I know there is a club somewhere maybe Hamilton, doing a deal with free room hire. If she could find a cheap catering option with them, it might scrape into her budget. I think it's the Hamilton RSL.

I also found this, from Fannys which is a nightclub:


The function room is available at no hire charge on the condition that $800 is spent across the bar by the end of the function which, in most cases, will be 10:30pm. You have the option of paying this amount in full at the beginning of the night or letting your guests buy their drinks throughout the evening. If you choose the latter option but $800 is not spent, you will need to pay the difference at the end of your function.


So you can finalise at the end of the night. And it's only $8/pp in drinks to get the 800 dollar level.

You get a DJ, and they allow self-catering. Might be a good option. It's in the city. Oh minor/major issue it's over 18 only so no kids. So it depends on who is going!