Gala & Ball Venue · Sydney Harbour
Gala dinners and balls for up to 300 above Manly Wharf
The Freshwater Room seats 270 with a stage and dance floor, or 300 on oval tables, with a private bar and a terrace over the harbour. The Shelly Room, our intimate new space, opens this December for pre-dinner receptions and smaller awards dinners.
Private waterfront rooms to hire
Seated with a stage and dance floor
Oval-table dining or cocktail in The Freshwater Room
Ferry from Circular Quay to your front door
The Gala Room, And The Room Before It
Both sit on the upper level of Manly Wharf, both are exclusively yours, and both are run by the same in-house events team. The Freshwater Room is where the gala happens. The Shelly Room is where the night starts.
The Freshwater Room
- 270 with dance floor
- 300 oval tables
Sweeping views across the crystal-blue water of Manly Cove and Sydney Harbour, with a private bar and the outdoor terrace.
This is the gala room: charity and fundraising galas, black-tie balls, awards nights, formal dinners and industry celebrations. Room for a stage, a dance floor and seated dinner for 270, long tables for 272, or oval tables for 300 when the night is all about the dining.
Enquire About The Freshwater RoomThe Shelly Room
- 120 seated
- 200 cocktail
Overlooking eastern Manly Cove, with water views unfolding on two sides and light from two aspects.
The intimate counterpart to The Freshwater Room. Use it for the pre-dinner reception, a VIP or sponsors' room, or a smaller awards dinner or presentation evening where 300 would feel like too many. It opens this December and the first bookings are being taken now.
To celebrate the opening of The Shelly Room, we're extending a special invitation: book one of our first 25 events and enjoy 25% off.
A closer look at both spaces
The rooms, the bar and the terrace, from seated gala dinners through to the dance floor. Click any image to enlarge it.
Four reasons to book sooner rather than later
25% off the first 25 events in The Shelly Room
To celebrate the opening of The Shelly Room, we're extending a special invitation. Book one of our first 25 events and enjoy 25% off. Opening December 2026, the room looks out over the eastern side of Manly Cove, with water views on two sides.
First 25 events booked in The Shelly Room only. Subject to availability.
A complimentary arrival spritz for every guest
Celebrate the festive season with up to 300 guests in The Freshwater Room, or be among the first to book The Shelly Room when it opens in December. Christmas packages include canape service and a Somewhen beverage package.
From $117 per person 3-hour cocktail package, Sunday to Thursday
Book your Christmas event before 30 September 2026 to receive the arrival spritz. Subject to availability.
Save 14% on events booked inside 12 weeks
For cocktail events held within 12 weeks of your enquiry. Cold, hot and substantial canapes plus a Somewhen beverage package for the full duration, at a lower rate than our standard packages.
From $100 per person 3 hours $100pp (usually $116) · 4 hours $120pp (usually $139)
New bookings only. Subject to minimum catering spend and availability. Not combinable with other offers.
A full conference day, costed per head
Running a conference or AGM alongside the gala? Our Day Delegate Package covers arrival tea and coffee, morning tea, a networking lunch and afternoon tea, so the day is costed per head before you start adding suppliers.
From $115 per person Half day $115pp · Full day $130pp
Available in The Freshwater Room for conferences and seminars up to 300, or The Shelly Room for smaller sessions from December.
Two rooms, every kind of gala
From a black-tie fundraiser to an awards night or end-of-year ball, the floor reconfigures around your run sheet.
Charity & fundraising galas
A stage for the auction, a dance floor for after, and a room that makes guests feel their ticket was worth it.
Awards nights
Seated dinner in The Freshwater Room with a stage and AV that carries every announcement to the back of the room.
Black-tie balls
Long tables for 272 or oval tables for 300, dressed to be entirely yours.
Dinner & dancing
Oval tables with a stage and dance floor for 270, from sunset to the last song.
Corporate & industry galas
A destination arrival on the harbour that reflects well on the brand behind the night.
Receptions & smaller awards
Open with drinks in The Shelly Room from December, or host a more intimate presentation evening for up to 120 seated.
"Timeless luxury with an airy harbourside sensibility, inspired by the elegance of the French Riviera."
What's included in every gala
No chasing five suppliers and hoping they line up on the day. One waterfront space, one team, everything under the same roof.
- Exclusive use of your room for the event, with no shared space.
- In-house catering: feasting, plated and cocktail menus, with stations & enhancements.
- Private bar and dedicated beverage packages to keep the night flowing on the terrace.
- Fully furnished: your choice of long or oval tables, bentwood chairs, indoor and outdoor lounge furniture, linen, cutlery and glassware.
- Outdoor terrace over the harbour for arrival drinks, speeches and sunset.
- A dedicated events team to plan the run sheet and manage the night with you.
- Two rooms to choose from: pre-dinner receptions in The Shelly Room through to 300-guest galas in The Freshwater Room.
Lunch events run 11am to 3pm and dinner events from 6pm. Limited paid parking onsite, and both rooms are wheelchair accessible.
From enquiry to confirmed booking in three steps
Enquire online
Submit your dates, guest numbers and the occasion through the enquiry form, and one of our Event Executives will be in touch. It takes about a minute.
Book a tour
Experience both rooms in person with a private tour. Stand on the terrace, picture the set-up, and meet the team who will run your night.
Secure your date
Once you have chosen your date and room, we prepare your Venue Hire Agreement and guide you through the deposit and planning process.
Book A Tour & View Our Packages
The quickest way to picture your gala is to stand in the room. Send us a few details and our events team will be in touch to arrange your tour and share the full package and menu options for your date.
Book a TourNo obligation. Takes about a minute. Planning Christmas? Book before 30 September and every guest arrives to a complimentary spritz.