Birthday parties and celebrations are back on our social calendars once again, without restriction. Are you looking for a party venue to host a long-overdue event? Sheffield is a vibrant city brimming with lively clubs, bars, and restaurants. With so many venues popping up around the bustling city centre, it can be time-consuming to find a place to host a special celebration that ticks all the boxes.
Take the stress out of event planning by following our 5 top tips to find the best party venues Sheffield party hosts can hire for a truly memorable celebration.
1. The Venue
Choosing where to host your birthday party is the first item on your party planning agenda. There are three key factors to consider for your celebration venue:
- Location
- Parking and transport
- Accessibility
Consider where your guests are coming from and how they intend to travel. Do you need to be within easy reach of public transport? Will your guests be arriving by car and need access to free parking?
If your guests are travelling from far afield, will they be staying in a hotel on the night of the celebration? Finding a venue within walking distance or a short taxi ride from the party venue will make life easier and reduce transport costs for your guests.
Most importantly, do your guests have accessibility requirements? Look for accessible party venues where your guests are not restricted. For instance, can a wheelchair user access every area of the venue where party activities will be taking place? Can guests move around the venue without requiring additional assistance?
Tick all these boxes to ensure your guests have a memorable night without having to compromise.
2. The Theme
If you want to go all out to make sure your celebration has the wow factor, picking a theme is essential. Whatever occasion the event is going to celebrate, select a theme that is relevant. For example, a 90’s boyband-themed birthday party, a 1960s-style wedding anniversary, or an Ibiza-themed hen party.
Once you have chosen a theme, draw up a list of party places that will allow you to venue dress. Find a venue that will complement your ideas. If you are opting for an Ibiza style for instance, you might want to avoid hiring a Georgian venue.
Will the venue allow advance access to the room? Ideally, visit the venue at least a week prior to the event so you can plan how the space is going to be dressed. From here, a list can be made to give yourself plenty of time to go shopping or get crafting.
Here are a few items you might want to consider for your venue dressing shopping list:
- Party favours
- Balloons
- Banners
- Confetti
- Napkins
- Table accessories
- Centrepiece
- Guest book
3. The Catering
Feeding guests is part and parcel of every celebration! Look for a venue with a team of talented on-site chefs and hospitality staff with experience in delivering high-quality dining to large parties. Whether you decide on a sumptuous sit-down meal or a bountiful buffet, you need to ensure your party is well catered for. Check out venue reviews and example menus online to get an idea of how different party venues have served other celebrations.
Look for a venue with a dedicated hospitality service so, as the party organiser, you can sit back and enjoy the celebration. To ensure your party is a huge success from the moment guests arrive, you will need the full support from the venue events staff – we’re talking hospitality at its finest.
There are added extras to look out for that will set venues apart from one another. For example, does the venue offer bespoke menu design to keep party catering on theme? Look for venues with extra services to really impress your guests:
- Choice of table linen
- Menu cards
- Seating plan
- Space to arrange tables
- Private bar
4. The Entertainment
Your guests will be dancing into the night with the right choice of entertainment. However you like to party, find a venue that will accommodate your choice of entertainment. Depending on your budget, you can hire an entertainer or go DIY. Your chosen venue should be able to give you a list of recommended industry contacts, such as live music acts, tribute nights, magicians, drag acts, stand-up comedians, or DJ’s.
DIY entertainment can be just as fun as hiring a professional, with the added bonus of being a low-cost option. Here are a few of our favourite party games:
- Mr and Mrs
- Murder mystery
- Quiz night
- Beer pong tournament
- Karaoke
6. Rooms for Hire
Party venues come in all shapes and sizes. To find your perfect party place, draw up a guest list so you can find a venue with the right capacity to suit. Consider how many tables and chairs you need for your guests, plus, space for activities and entertainment. If you’re playing a high-energy game for instance, make sure you have plenty of area for people to run around, dance, and generally have a good old knee’s up.
A purpose-built events venue is usually best able to accommodate different party sizes, often with a flexible approach to venue dressing. When you have a specific theme in mind, modern party venues are ideal because they tend to have neutral interior design, allowing you to stamp your style when it comes to venue dressing.
Party Venues Sheffield
The OEC takes centre stage as one of Sheffield’s most spectacular multipurpose events and conferencing venues. The OEC ticks all the boxes for a fabulous celebration! As one of the leading party venues in Sheffield, this purpose-built events space is ready to wow your guests. As a fully accessible venue, everyone receives a warm welcome at OEC Sheffield.
Available for both private hire and public event nights, your search for places to have a party ends with the OEC. Perfect for private parties of 10 to 500 guests, with a team of talented chefs and attentive hospitality, ready to cater to your needs.
The OEC, designed specifically for events, banquets, and showcases, has quickly established itself as a preferred choice of destinations to have a party in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. With a choice of stylish rooms to host sit-down meals and celebrations, cutting-edge audio-visual technology, and a team of friendly hospitality staff, your search is over. OEC private party packages include:
- Red carpet arrival
- White or black table linen
- Menu cards
- Bespoke seating plan
- Dedicated event coordinator
- Disco and DJ *
- Room hire
- Private bar
- Cloakroom
With over 400 free parking spaces, guests will have no issues getting to your party on time.
PRIVATE EVENTS AT OEC SHEFFIELD
Join the Party!
If you’re not one for organising a large-scale celebration, why not join our party? We have a full schedule of live events throughout the year, with tables accommodating 10 guests each. From live tribute nights and comedy dining to Bingo Revolution and sporting dinners, we really do have something for everyone. Enjoy an evening of fine dining, fabulous entertainment, and the finest Yorkshire hospitality – a ready-made party! Join us for your birthday celebrations – book a table for 10 people and you will receive a FREE spot for yourself*.
Simply quote ‘Birthday Offer’ when booking your table with our events team & bring valid ID to prove it’s your birthday that month.
Give the Gift of a Fabulous Night Out
Not sure what to buy for their birthday? Give a gift they won’t forget! OEC gift vouchers are perfect for those special occasions. Treat your loved one to our popular live music events or a themed dinner. With a gift voucher, they have the freedom to book an event at a time of their choosing.
Give the ultimate gift of a fantastic night out for two people for just £60, including a drink on arrival. After all, OEC Sheffield is one of the city’s most exciting places to have a birthday party!
Looking for birthday party venues? Get in touch with OEC Sheffield to find the perfect place for a celebration with the wow factor:
Call: 0114 232 0266
Email: hello@oecsheffield.co.uk
