Christmas party venue specials, win a chocolate machine and more from Best Venues of Australia

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	Where has the year gone? All of a sudden it's Christmas party time again! And even though we love the festive season, it's not easy pleasing everyone and finding the best venue for colleagues, friends or family members. That's why the team at Best Venues has been getting its red fluffy hats on early and seeking out venues for every kind of event – from extravagant Christmas parties for hundreds of guests to smaller, more intimate, Christmas gatherings with nibbles and cocktails. Our venues have been telling us that they are booking out quickly, so make sure you get in quick to secure the dates that you want. Aside from the Best Venues party suggestions, there are also plenty of Christmas party packages and specials. We also have an event services section to give your function that extra punch. Are you doing annual rewards this year to give your staff the extra boost they may need after a tough financial period? Best Gift Certificates are perfect for corporate incentives, competition prizes or employee benefits and offer a unique and memorable experience. You can purchase a Universal Gift Certificate for $25 - $500 and then let your staff use it to choose from over 150 restaurants and 1000 experience vouchers Australia wide. The certificates can be emailed directly or printed out in less than 24 hours. Email Debbie for a corporate information pack or visit bestgiftcertificates.com.au for more. Are you tight on budget? Make your party sparkle by choosing a registered club. Our Best Clubs team has been gathering some great Christmas deals for the corporate market. Keep reading for some suggested clubs. Best Venues would also like to treat our members with a spectacular Cocktail King chocolate machine prize as well as tickets to Fashion Weekend Summer, Sydney. Read on to win.


	It has been very hard to select the venues as they are all very impressive so we hope you'll forgive us for an extra long newsletter with a huge list of suggestions from all around Australia. NSW: This festive season enjoy all the opulence of the British Raj era when you host your Christmas party at The Victoria Room, Darlinghurst. A selection of group dining options are available, with prices starting from $45pp. [more] NSW: Let a team of dedicated event managers arrange your event at a world renowned waterfront venue, the Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour has everything you need for an extravagant party. [more] NSW: Celebrate in style with a cruise on the Bella Vista, Sydney Harbour and enjoy an exclusive private boat or share your celebrations with others. [more] NSW: The perfect venue for a funky cocktail party to impress your colleagues, Melt Bar is a unique lounge and bar tucked away in Kings Cross. [more] NSW: Book the private dining room at Cafe Morso, Pyrmont for a personal sit down dinner under the grand chandelier – start off the night with cocktails on the deck at sunset. [more] NSW: Making a night or weekend of your Christmas function? The Hughenden, Woollahra is a boutique hotel with private dining and function facilities. [more] VIC: The Harbour Room, St Kilda at RMYS is taking bookings now for Christmas lunches – get in quick to dine on the foreshore with remarkable views and cuisine. [more] VIC: Be spoilt for choice at Melbourne's Best Functions and be the fashionable Christmas event this year by celebrating at Baroq House, Deck 10, Jett Black or Marrakech. [more] VIC: Cocktails and nibbles in the surrounds of fine wines and champagne at the Rialto Bar, Melbourne designed on the traditional wine bar concept with a contemporary atmosphere. [more] VIC: Chill it up this year at the Melbourne Aquarium, offering five unique spaces including the Fish Bowl, Coral Atoll, Upper Deck, as well as the amazing Antarctica. Brrrr. [more] VIC: Indoor and outdoor dining with up to 200 people for a sit-down function and up to 300 for finger food at Cafe Italia, Carlton. [more] VIC: Melbourne Convention Centre is a premier venue providing outstanding efficiency and flexibility special events with capacities up to 5,553 and the ability to acoustically separate theatres. [more] QLD: Zuri, Fortitude Valley is a venue where class, majestic decor and the senses rendezvous in an exuberantly French-boudoir style. [more] QLD: Hold a designer Christmas party in a function space with imagination. Cloudland, Fortitude Valley spans four levels and has a retractable glass roof that opens with the touch of a button. [more] QLD: Christmas parties at Dreamworld, Gold Coast are truly something special. Fun for colleagues and families by day and extraordinary locations that transform after dark. [more] WA: Family friendly Ninniku Jip, East Victoria Park can cater for your needs by individually preparing various types of foods including finger foods or hire the whole restaurant. [more] WA: The alfresco vineyard setting of Knee Deep Winery, Margaret River makes a great venue for cocktail parties and corporate functions with a difference and can easily accommodate for up to 100 guests. [more] WA: Astound your colleagues with cuisine cooked by certified Master Chefs from Germany at The Gala Restaurant, Applecross. [more] SA: Themed parties at Buddah Bar, Adelaide with karaoke as the main event and in designed theatrettes for a fun and exhilarating experience. [more] ACT: The Kremlin Bar, Canberra is perfectly sized for intimate events and can hold up to 98 people comfortably for larger functions. [more] TAS: The Hilltop Granton has stunning river views, delicious meals and personalised service with facilities for 30 to 300 people (seated) or up to 500 (cocktail style). [more]


	Real-time reservations are now available on bestrestaurants.com.au and with over 50 restaurants already live and hundreds more to come, we've selected a few venues that could be ideal for your Christmas party. Use the Dimmi gadget to make a real-time booking on bestrestaurants.com.au and it will immediately be recorded in the restaurant's electronic reservation system and you will receive instant confirmation and a reservation number. Start booking now! Manta Restaurant: Woolloomooloo, NSW – Cuisine: Modern Australian Kobe Jones: Sydney, NSW – Cuisine: Asian Kingsleys Group: NSW, QLD, ACT – Cuisine: Seafood, Steakhouse Flying Fish: Pyrmont, NSW – Cuisine: Seafood Bathers Pavilion: Balmoral, NSW – Modern Australian Summit: Sydney, NSW – Cuisine: Modern Australian Coast: Darling Harbour, NSW – Cuisine: Italian MuMu Grill: Crows Nest, NSW – Cuisine: Modern Australian Oyster Little Bourke: Melbourne, VIC – Cuisine: Seafood Bistro Lilly: Sydney, NSW – Cuisine: Modern French Quayside Brasserie: Sydney, NSW – Cuisine: Modern Australian Light Brigade: Woollahra, NSW – Cuisine: Modern Australian Aperitivo: Leichhardt, NSW – Cuisine: Italian Tapas Bistro Ortolan: Leichhardt, NSW – Cuisine: French Burlington: Crows Nest, NSW – Cuisine: Modern European The Wharf: Walsh Bay, NSW – Cuisine: Modern Australian Harbourkitchen&bar: The Rocks, NSW – Cuisine: Mediterranean Altitude: The Rocks, NSW – Cuisine: Modern Australian Whitewater Restaurant: Manly, NSW – Cuisine: Modern Australian

Bluestone Restaurant and Bar
349 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 9620 4060 www.bluestonerestaurantbar.com.au

If you love lush surrounds, great food and restaurant service, Bluestone is the perfect venue for your Christmas event. Bluestone is a multi-purpose venue, located in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, it leaves your guests with a memorable, lasting impression. It combines inspiring Contemporary Melbourne Cuisine, plush surrounds and accommodating, professional attention.

Since 2000, Bluestone has earned a reputation for its 30 years' combined experience in planning and orchestrating superb, individually-tailored dinners, many the direct result of referrals. Events of every description are designed to suit individual needs and budgets. Bluestone can cater for 10 to 140 guests for a seated event, and up to 210 stand up.

Two main venues, are available for exclusive dining or pockets of either space can be reserved for smaller groups • the elegant restaurant with original bluestone features and opulent fittings; and • the versatile, basement Lounge with stylish bar and eclectic décor.

Lounge function/set price menus are three courses, plus drinks packages. Total of $100 all inclusive Restaurant function/set price menus are three courses plus drinks packages Total of $120 all inclusive

PIZZA EXPRESS $35 SPECIAL: Perfect for large Christmas lunch groups – feast on a selection of our gourmet wood-fired pizza's, followed by dessert platters served in the middle of the table inclusive of salads with the mains and tea or coffee.

NSW: Sebel Hawkesbury Resort & Spa, Windsor [more]
WA: Lamont's, East Perth [more]
ACT: DeVine Function Centre, Lyneham [more]
SA: Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide [more]
TAS: Wrest Point, Sandy Bay [more]
QLD: AMF Bowling, Mt Gravatt [more]
NT: Seven Spirit Bay, Cobourg Peninsula [more]


	Paddington Bowling Club – Quarry Street, Paddington, NSW – Get your mates or colleagues together for a game of barefoot lawn bowls for a party with a difference. [more] Bowlers Club – York Street, NSW – With a cocktail capacity of 350 six other smaller venues you can choose to have a sit-down dinner or dance the night away in the CBD. [more] Revesby Workers Club – Brett Street, NSW – Offering three major bars, three restaurants, 1,100 capacity theatre, a recently renovated function centre catering for up to 1,000 guests. [more] NSW Leagues Club – Phillip Street, NSW – Right in the CBD with four bars, a level 1 cocktail bar and a function centre for up to 300 guests. [more] Canterbury League Club – Bridge Road, Belmore, NSW – The club can accommodate groups from 20 to more than 300, and offers quality functions at an affordable price. [more] Penrith Panthers – Mulgoa Road, Penrith, NSW – Sydney's newest, first-class venue will ensure your party is a success with facilities for dining, conference or cocktail. [more]

Find all our CHRISTMAS specials and packages here.

$140 gift or a bottle of champagne?
Book a group of 25 guests or more from October to December at Manta, NSW and receive your choice of a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne or a $140 Manta gift certificate. [more..]

Sparkling packages at Quay Grand, NSW
Cocktail party packages in the ECQ Bar or Quadrant Restaurant start @ $59pp. Harbour Bridge Room is ideal for up to 100 guests and packages start from $89pp. [more..]

Spooky festive parties with a view
Book a Christmas package with a difference and include a ghost tour at Q Station; sit-down packages starting at $55pp. [more..]

Six specials from Harbours Edge
Choose from cocktail parties, lunch packages or dinner packages at this waterfront venue in Darling Harbour, specials packages start at $79pp and include beverage. [more..]

Beer competitions and gourmet BBQ's
Brewery tour, beer pulling competition, beer trivia and sit-down sumptuous gourmet BBQ packages at Carlton Brewhouse, VIC from $99pp. [more..]

Traditional Christmas lunches
Looking for a traditional Christmas lunch for a group booking? Campari House, VIC is offering a Christmas lunch menu with all the trimmings during Nov and Dec. [more..]

Relax by the river
Organise your Christmas function at Walter's River Cafe, WA with packages starting at $55pp for a 3 course set menu. [more..]

It's an electric special
Book your group Christmas party at Electric Ladyland and receive exclusive access to the bar and a VIP reserved area for 50+ people. [more..]

Win a home chocolate fountain from Cocktail King

Best Venues and Cocktail King are giving you a chance to win your very own home chocolate fountain!

Welcome to the silly season where parties begin taking place now – well at least for those of you involved in corporate event planning and parties. From our experience, we are booking well into New Year's Eve so if you are short of a good idea to jazz up your corporate function, be it Melbourne Cup, Christmas Party or New Years, why not consider our delicious range of cocktails from our cocktail machine packages or indulge in decadent chocolate cascading from our chocolate fountains!!!

So don't think too hard, and for too long, just check us out at cocktailking.com.au and you will be convinced.

We are the leading provider of event hire equipment and services, supplying cost-effective hire with exceptional customer service and delivery. We provide a full range of equipment and services to suit events of any size including:

* Frozen Cocktail Machines
* Chocolate Fountains of various sizes
* Marquees
* Chairs & Tables
* Heating & Lighting
* Entertainment & Music
* Mobile Bar and Cocktail Bartending

For more information, please visit cocktailking.com.au, email info@cocktailking.com.au or call 1800 005 707.
Entering the competition for this great prize is easy, all you need to do is tell us about what your favourite Christmas corporate reward or gift was and why? The best and most inspiring answer will win a home chocolate machine. To enter email prizes@bestvenues.com.au with “Christmas gifts” in the subject line.

Win a double pass to Last Chance Sunday at Fashion Weekend Summer
*Competition only open for tickets in Sydney, NSW – this is a ticket only prize.

Fashion Weekend Summer is the ultimate summer fashion event from Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 November 2009 at the Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park, NSW.

Fashion Weekend Summer will be Australia's biggest summer sale for fashion lovers to shop from 120 of Australia's leading fashion designers offering fabulous discounts of up to 70% off their collections. Designer stock is replenished each day of the event (yes really!) so that you have fresh stock to choose from whether they come on the Opening Night or the Sunday! It's perfect timing for picking up pieces for the summer and party season and fabulous for Christmas presents – imagine…designer gifts for all your friends and family this year, not forgetting one or two treats for you too! Plus, a stunning catwalk show with a summer theme, beauty makeovers by Gorgeous Cosmetics, hair styling by ghd, manicures in the essie nail bar, plus statement purchases at a fraction of their retail prices. It's what shopping is all about.

Visit the Fashion Weekend website for a full list of designers participating, www.fashionweekend.com.au.

SPECIAL TICKET OFFER – click here for a special $10 off general entry tickets to the Opening Night of Fashion Weekend Summer. Buy tickets now.

To win a double pass to this wonderful event, all you need to do is email us your name, postal address and tell us about your favourite function from 2008 and why and where it was held. The stories that stand out will win. To enter email prizes@bestvenues.com.au with "favourite venue" in the subject line.


	The corporate event planner dream – the best of venues from Australia. It all starts again in 2010 so we'll be rounding up the year with a showcase of our favourite venues for conferences, private dining, cocktail parties and the most unusual function venues to help you plan events with a bang in 2010.

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