How to book a venue

Venue Hire Requirements

Everything you need for venue hire

If your event has food, alcohol, entertainment contractors or staffed activities for young children we require some additional information before your event.  You can upload the required documents to your booking via the booking portal or email us directly. They must be provided 3 weeks before your event. 

  • A current NSW Food Handling Certificate from your supplier
  • A single function liquor licence
  • A pop bars and events licence (if required)
  • RSAs for all staff conducting alcohol sales
  • A copy of your completed and approved Police Notification of Party (if alcohol consumed)
  • Working with children check (WWCC) for staff of child focused activities
  • Certificate of Public Liability Insurance for $20 million for any hired/contracted third party
  • Fee subsidy consideration form (more details). 

Venue amenities, parking and accessing the venue

The email sent when you confirmed your booking has a Hirer Guide attached that explains how to access the venue, lists the amenities and contains important information such as how to enter the venue and parking.  You can also find a copy on the venue pages of our website here by clicking on your hired venue.

To collect your key, please visit the relevant Customer Service Centre during business hours (8.30am- 5pm), up to two days before your hire.  
 
1. For venues in Ashfield, Dulwich Hill, Haberfield, Lewisham, Petersham, Marrickville and St Peters, go to Ashfield Service Centre, 260 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield.  
 
2. For venues in Balmain, Leichhardt and Lilyfield, go to Leichhardt Service Centre, 7-15 Wetherill St, Leichhardt.  
 
3. For the Hannaford Community Centre in Rozelle and Annandale Community Centre in Annandale, go to the venue during opening hours.  

Weekend/early morning events or public holidays. 

If your event takes place on the weekend or early morning, please collect key on (date and time) and return on (date and time). 
 
Service Centres are closed on public holidays and key will need to be collected the business day prior. 

What happens if you don’t collect your keys?  

If you don’t collect your keys you will need to pay an additional After Hours Callout Fee to secure access. 
The key must be returned after your event to action a bond refund.  

The bond refund process will commence after the key has been returned (if there have been no issues with your hire).  
 
Payments made by credit card will be refunded within 7 business days directly to your credit card account. No further information is required.    
 
Payments made by EFTPOS will be refunded within 28 days and require a bank statement to facilitate a refund. You can provide this by replying to this email with your FULL NAME as in the booking, institution (bank), BSB and account number (a screen shot is acceptable). 

Cancellations 

Cancellations - 14 days and greater prior to booking, 100% of hiring fee refunded.
 
Cancellations - Less than 14 days prior to booking, 0% of hiring fee refunded.

Can I have fireworks, candles or a smoke machine?

Unfortunately these items are prohibited. Incidents that cause the smoke alarm to go off will be liable to a fire brigade callout fee – charges incurred for Fire Brigade attendance due activity by hirer, a minimum of $1,600.00. 

Can we decorate?  Can we decorate the night before?

Yes, you can decorate but the hire time must include all decorating and cleaning time. Please add additional time to your booking for this if required.

Can I have a jumping castle?

Jumping castles are not permitted inside our venues.

Can we bring animals?

Animals are not permitted unless they are assistance or guide dogs.

See our FAQs for more details and what you can and can't do. 

Most venues require amplified music and announcements to conclude by 11 pm sharp. 
Amplified music at Marrickville or Petersham Town Hall is to cease at by 10 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and by midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.
Noise emanating from the premises must be at a level that would give no cause for complaint from residents of the area and must comply with the Noise Control Act and Regulations. 

Your hire time must include set-up, pack down, cleaning and sanitising. Should you have contractors bringing food or equipment, this must also be done with in your allotted time. 

Call council on (02) 9392 5000 or Emergency Services on 000.

Contact us

Make a general enquiry about a venue

Need to speak to one of our team members? Phone: 02 9392 5923.

Page last updated: 31 Mar 2026