What the data says about venue hire demand
Venue hire is one of those strategies that's often overlooked, but it can be a valuable source of extra income, bringing plenty of new faces through your doors.
Our recent survey of pub and bar operators across the UK and Ireland supports statement, showing that 57% find private hire more profitable than their usual trading operations. Our survey also found that nearly nine out of ten pubs and bars (88%) already offer some kind of private hire option, and most are doing so regularly - 63% at least once a month and around 40% every two weeks or more. Operators are optimistic, too: nearly half (47%) predict bookings will increase in the next year.
On the customer side, the research revealed some clear preferences. People hiring venues consistently look for good value per person (73%), want the option of food (71%) and frequently request to have music playing (65%). Plenty of space and the reputation and location of the venue matter to 61% of guests.
The benefits of offering private hire
Adding private party venue options to your business model brings multiple advantages beyond simply generating extra income.
Revenue boost
One major benefit is increased customer spend - private bookings such as birthdays, weddings or corporate events often involve pre-paid packages for food, drinks and entertainment, resulting in higher spend per guest compared to standard operating procedures and guaranteed income from bookings and minimum spend.
Exposure to new customers
Private events introduce your event space for hire to new audiences who may not have previously considered your venue, helping to expand your customer base. If the experience was positive, the new relationship might lead to better customer loyalty and new private booking opportunities.
Marketing exposure
When guests celebrate special occasions or attend private functions, they often share their experience online, especially if your space looks great and offers something a little different. Consider offering free guest wi-fi through a hospitality-made provider like Wireless Social, which will allow you to capture emails of the large number of customers at once and entice them back to your venue, whether for private bookings or your everyday offerings.
Common challenges with venue hire and how to solve them
Though private hire might seem like a perfect solution for rising costs, before you decide to hire out your venue, consider all the potential challenges, which include:
Managing enquiries and availability
If you rely on a pen and paper booking method and have multiple people handling the enquiries, you might find yourself overbooked. Avoid miscommunication by streamlining this process with a dedicated booking system like Access Collins, which automatically manages availability and sends instant confirmations.
Deposits and pre-orders
For some customers, deposits might be a potential drawback. To avoid disappointment and costly no shows on your end, make sure your deposit policy and collection method are straightforward and communicated from the beginning.
Last-minute changes
Late changes to guest numbers or event details can disrupt your kitchen prep, staff rota and supply plans leading to wasted stock, missing supplies or understaffed service. Offer flexible, clearly defined packages that can be easily adapted without hurting your profits and most importantly, make sure guests know how and when to communicate any changes.
Guest communication
Clear, timely communication prevents misunderstandings and ensures events run smoothly. Automated emails and reminders from your booking system keep guests informed ahead of time and reduce the volume of admin your team needs to handle in the lead-up to the event.
Under-promoting your venue
Relying solely on word-of-mouth limits your venue's potential. To maximise your visibility, consider listing your bar or pub on high-traffic discovery platforms like DesignMyNight, which puts your space in front of thousands of potential customers looking to hire an event space.
Key audiences for private party venues
Different people come to your venue for different reasons. Corporate groups want something relaxed but functional, while party-goers want atmosphere and fun. And then there are the regulars - groups that meet for sports screenings or quizzes. Understanding what these audience's value can help you tailor your events and boost bookings.
Corporate groups
For many companies, networking and team-building events need to strike a balance between casual and professional. Pubs and bars are perfect for this, offering flexible spaces without the stuffy, formal vibe of a traditional conference venue. Networking drinks, socials and team celebrations often fill mid-week slots, giving you a chance to increase business on quieter nights.
Private celebrations
Birthdays, anniversaries and engagement parties are bread and butter for pubs and bars. These guests are looking for lively spaces that can also accommodate their specific needs, whether it’s a private area, themed decor or a DJ. Providing simple, all-in-one packages with drinks, food and entertainment options can make event planning easier for your clients and drive higher spending on the night.
Special interest groups
These are your quiz teams, sports fans, gaming communities and themed event lovers. What they want is an interactive, engaging space where they can share their passions. These groups are often highly loyal, especially if you create a strong connection with their community. Consider collaborating with local clubs, fan groups or even influencers to boost word-of-mouth and build a regular schedule of events that keep people coming back.
How to start offering venue hire
If you’re thinking about offering venue hire, it might help to put some structure behind it. The goal is to make it easy for customers to book, clear for your team to deliver and beneficial to your bottom line.
Here are a few key steps to help you get started:
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Identify the spaces that can work: Take a good look at your venue and consider which areas could be used for private bookings. It doesn’t have to be a dedicated function room - an underused side room, a covered outdoor space or a quiet area during weekdays can all become great private party venues with a few tweaks.
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Develop simple but flexible hire packages: Offer a clear selection of options tailored to different event types, such as drinks-only package with a minimum spend or a package that includes food and entertainment. Start with a few tiers to not overwhelm the customer but, especially if you’re just starting, be open to their feedback.
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Be upfront with pricing and terms: Make it easy for people to understand what they’re booking and clearly communicate pricing, deposit policies, cancellation terms and any limits around timings or noise levels.
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Make your venue discoverable: List your event space for hire on DesignMyNight and other relevant discovery platforms to reach people actively searching to hire a venue. Include updated and ideally professionally taken photos, accurate capacity info and a clear outline of your packages to make the listing as helpful as possible.
Ready to hire out your venue?
In this article, we've explored why venue hire is increasingly popular, outlined its clear benefits, addressed common challenges with practical solutions and provided straightforward steps to get you started. With 57% of operators confirming venue hire as more profitable than regular operations, it's clear this strategy can positively impact your bottom line. But one of the biggest challenges you're likely to face is getting bookings - how do you make sure your events and hire spaces are fully booked?
There are plenty of ways to promote your venue and attract new and returning customers. Social media and email campaigns are particularly effective, especially if you're outside a busy city. But for venues in busier areas, discovery platforms like DesignMyNight can be incredibly helpful.
At the same time, Access Collins simplifies how you manage reservations. You can track large group bookings, organise multiple events and handle requests without the usual admin headache.
If you’d like to learn more about how these tools can support your venue, book a demo or speak to our friendly team.
