“I think people enjoyed it even more than we expected.”
“Our energy and exuberance from the afternoon continued into dinner -
“Thank you so much,
I have heard nothing but brilliant reviews!”
Additional Options:
1. Water Taxis
We work with Sydney’s leading working water taxi company and have created an add-
2. Jet Boats
If you have a little more room in your budget you could consider a spin on the Jet Boats as part of the Amazing Race. We work with OzJet Boating and they can do exclusive hires of their jet boats for a spin to Cockatoo Island and the Harbour. Maximum capacity at one time is 46 people (23 per boat) and you do have to hire the whole boat which is $1,035 per half hour or $1,550 per hour. If you have the budget, this is a fabulous thrill for your group.
3. Luna Park
If you choose the Kirribilli Amazing Race or the Water Taxi option Botanic Gardens Race you can also add on a Luna Park ticket to your Amazing Race for around $40 (booked on the internet).
Finish Options:
Finishing Circular Quay
- The Sea Rock bar is right on East Circular Quay, so the closest to the end point for the Amazing Race and they don’t not charge us to reserve an area here. Their function manager is Darnelle on 8274 7511.
Quay Bar is on the ground floor and outside Customs House and they have a great offer. They don’t charge a fee to reserve an area and charge beverage on consumption (can be prepaid). They also have some innovative canapé offers, they make big platters that can be carried around or put on the tables. I think the best area is the portico area, with a maximum of 50 people. Their phone number is 9247 4898, download their function package here.
Below is Sea Rock Bar Below
is Quay Bar
- The recently renovated Paragon Hotel in Circular Quay is great for large groups as they are easy to deal with and both food and beverages are well priced. This particularly suits down to earth groups, who may want to linger and play a game of pool or 2. You can call the function manager or bar manager to reserve an area on 9241 3522, suggested reservation time is 1.5 hours after we meet you for the race.
- If you would like a restaurant feel rather than a pub, we recommend the lovely Italian restaurant Appetito in George Street. It has a lovely function room at the front that can hold up to 40 people seated and 70 or so standing. They are great to work with, I think they’d be happy to do a canapé menu or a sit down. http://www.appetito.com.au/functionpage.php?generalID=7
- Another lunch or dinner option is the Bavarian Bier Café in O’Connell Street. http://www.bavarianbiercafe.com.au/venues/view/13
- If you are looking for a party venue for 40 -
70 people, Tankstream bar is part of the Merivale stable that includes Establishment and the Ivy. It is very funky and quite compact, last year one team (about 70 people) finished here for their end of year party and loved it, though you need to take the whole space, so this is not a low budget option. http://www.merivale.com/#/establishment/tankstream/function - Finishing in the Rocks
- Cruise Bar is a in a superb location on the southern tip of the Overseas Passenger Terminal, they do allow our groups to reserve an area but have a minimum spend requirement of $1,000 on weekdays and $2,000 on Fridays. They also have a platter menu and issue wristbands and are happy to run a consumption based bar tab.
- The Argyle Hotel does require you to book a function and has 2 function rooms on
the first floor. They offer our groups a discounted rate for early finishing functions.
Belvedere Bar (50-
80 guests cocktail style) is usually a $2,500.00 minimum spend, however if completed by 5pm, I would be happy to hold your events in this room for a $1,000.00 minimum spend on food and beverage for this space. Should the minimum not be attained, the balance is paid at the conclusion of the event as room hire. Same deal for the the Reibey Room for (50- 100 guests cocktail style) with a $1,500.00 minimum spend on food and beverage and a 5pm finish. Please see this link for a pdf with more information on these spaces. File: Belvedere Bar + Reibey Room 2011.pdf - The Orient is a budget friendly option, smaller groups (up to 25) can reserve their Cocktail bar on level 1, whilst the Atrium or Nightclub levels are great for bigger groups (hire charges apply) and the restaurant is a good lunch option. More information about what the Orient has to offer on this link: http://www.compad.com.au/cms/orient_hotel/control/upFiles/FUNCTION_INFORMATION_PACK_JUNE_11.pdf
- The Harbourview is deep in the Rocks and a “mid market” offering between the Argyle and the Orient. It has some really good spaces available for groups and are good to work with. There are 2 rooms on the first floor for exclusive hire (@$350 or $450) which have their own bars for a private tab and can do canapé platters which are fairly good or can be set up as private dining rooms.
Finishing in Darling Harbour or Pyrmont
- The Watershed, is a big, spacious bar right on Darling Harbour that do allow for reservations of an area and are easy to work with. They can also arrange food and private areas for a function. http://www.thewatershedhotel.com.au/Functions
- The Pymont Point is a terrific pub, quite funky and the food is a cut above the competition.
It has several private spaces with bars on the top floor and does good canapés.
We had a team finish here last year and were very impressed with the feel of the
place. http://www.pyrmontpoint.com.au/karma-
bar/ - Oscars on the edge of Pyrmont is also a great venue and have some good areas that they can reserve, plus set up a bar tab and serve canapés. http://www.oscars.net.au/