Bath party venues – our top picks
Bath has more than its fair share of great private party venues so if you are looking to hire out an event space, look no further. From quirky independent pubs with private rooms to grand halls designed to cater for weddings and conferences, among the many Bath party venues there will be something to suit every style and size of party.
As a town built largely with leisure and entertainment as its core preoccupations, Bath is the perfect place to host a party, whether for work, family or friends. If guests are coming from further afield, make a whole weekend of it and explore Bath’s beautiful historic city centre and all the delights it has to offer from the Roman Baths to exquisite local food and drink.
Our Bath self-catering properties are all perfectly located within a short stroll of the city centre, making them ideal post party crash pads and great places from which to explore the city the next day.
But first, if you need to book a location for your party, here’s a brief round-up of some of the best places for private hire in Bath:
Bath’s regency party venues:
For those wanting a grand setting for larger parties, or to feel like you’ve wandered into a Jane Austen novel, you can rent one of Bath’s stunning Georgian buildings including:
The Assembly Rooms – arguably the original Bath party venue, built for entertainment in 1771, this was Bath’s social hub during the Regency era. It remains a fantastic location for parties, conferences, weddings and other private events. The Ball Room can host up to 280 guests for dinner, with space left for a dance floor, or hire the whole building which has capacity for up to 420 people.
The Guildhall – this beautiful 1775 property adorned with fine art has several rooms to hire for different scale events from the ornate Banqueting Room which can seat up to 200 for dinner to the more intimate Aix-en-Provence Room. You can even hire out the Council Chamber for meetings and weddings.
The Pump Room – another triumph of Georgian architecture and interiors, the Pump Room remains largely unchanged since its unveiling by the Duchess of York in 1795, with the natural ‘spa’ water flowing from its fountain. It is a wonderful setting for a large event or party with a stage for live music and a good dance floor for the more energetic guests.
An even more historic setting:
The Roman Baths – imagine sipping on your drink while looking down into the Great Bath itself, lit by flickering torches. Well if you hire out the Roman Baths, you can do exactly that. Clearly the Baths are not suited to every type of event but make a fantastic location for a drinks reception – some people even get married there. The Roman Baths and Pump Room together were voted the UK’s Best Historic Wedding Venue in 2017.
Large versatile space:
Bath Function Rooms at Green Park Brasserie – with space for up to 120 guests, this expansive versatile space within the Victorian grandeur of Green Park Station is ideal for almost any large event, from parties and weddings to conferences and concerts. With an experienced event manager and top-class chef on hand, the team can help you craft the perfect get-together, whatever the occasion.
Chapel Arts Centre – with professional stage, sound and lighting equipment already in place, the Chapel Arts Centre Main Auditorium is a great place to host a large evening do with music and dancing. With a licensed bar and technicians on hand to help ensure things run smoothly, it offers a great foundation to develop an impressive event. There is space for 100 people seated for dinner and many more for drinks and dancing.
Private dining:
The King William – nestled on the corner of a Georgian terrace, this lovely gastropub gets repeated accolades for its wonderful menus with their focus on fresh seasonal local produce. With two elegant private dining rooms for 16 and 22 guests, this is the perfect place for a truly spoiling sit-down dinner.
Hare and Hounds – another gastropub with great homecooked seasonal dishes paired with the best views of any pub in Bath. The pub has charming private dining suite, with space for a pre-dinner drinks reception, and can create bespoke menus to suit every taste.
French chic:
Comptoir and Cuisine – a little taste of France in Bath, this champagne and cheese bar meets lifestyle store has some beautifully quirky and stylish rooms perfectly designed for private dos of between 20 and 50. With a fine selection of French cheeses, charcuterie, artisan wines and of course, top quality bubbly, your guests will be in for a treat. Close your eyes and you could be in Champagne.
Drinks:
Opium – this Bohemian cocktail bar tucked away in the vaults next to Pulteney Bridge, has a ‘secret room’ with its own entrance, bar, karaoke and screening equipment making it a fantastic option for a private party. You’ll have your own bartender with the option of cocktail making sessions for all your guests, if they can tear themselves away from the karaoke that is!
Circo Bar and Lounge – one of Bath’s coolest cocktail bars with interiors as sleek as its cocktails, Circo will cordon off private areas depending on the size of your party so you can sip on your martinis in happy exclusivity. With an impressive back bar, Circo produces its own bitters, infusions, juices and purees resulting in truly delicious drinks but can also arrange canapés, buffets, sit down meals and entertainment.
Hall and Woodhouse – this lively bar and kitchen right in the heart of Bath has something for everyone with an extensive choice of wines, beers and cocktails as well as a tempting menu. With a huge open plan space split over two floors, sections can be booked for parties and it also has a more intimate party room for those wanting a more private setting.
Informal pub gatherings:
Bath Brew House – if you want to keep things relaxed, this friendly pub and brewery, with its fine selection of real ales and craft beers, also has a number of private function rooms which can hold up to 50 standing guests. In summer the brew house opens its marquee, which boasts a bar, flat-screen TV and PA system and can host much bigger parties of up to 200 guests.
The Cork – one of Bath’s most popular weekend drinking spots, the Cork also boasts two private karaoke pods with space for eight or 12 people, which can guarantee an evening of laughter among friends. If singing isn’t your thing, you can also book a space in the pub itself.
There are of course many other Bath party venues available for private hire, from grand hotels to tiny historic pubs, this is just a swift selection, based in and around the city centre. For more advice on this, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Panda Sanctuaries all of whom live in Bath and can offer great insider knowledge on the best spots in and around the city.
Whatever event you are planning, Bath can cater to your needs.
