How Much Does it Cost to Rent out a Venue in Manchester?

So, you’ve just remembered the imminent Q1 team social and panic is setting in about the event space’s price tag. Don’t fret. We’re about to break down venue rental costs in Manchester with honest numbers that won’t only help you plan, but might even make you look like a bit of a hero when guests see the results.

That said, asking “how much does it cost to rent out a venue” is like asking “how long is a piece of string?”. In this case, the string could cost anywhere between £150 and £15k. 

The team at ConnectIn Events has spent years booking everything from charity bashes to awards ceremonies across Manchester. And today, we’re spilling the beans on what venues actually cost. That means no mystery fees, no “contact us for pricing”, just straight facts that will make your job much more predictable.

The Quick Answer to Venue Costs

 

How much does it cost to rent out a venue in Manchester? Based on the very latest rates, here’s what you’re looking at:

• Small Meetings (10-30 people): £150-£800
• Medium Events (30-100 people): £800-£3,500
• Large Conferences/Parties (100-300 people): £1,500-£15,000+

The average venue cost sits around £1k-£2k minimum spend for most affordable places. But it’s important to know about the individual elements that can massively affect the final price tag.

What Factors Affect Venue Rental Cost?

 

There are five key factors that impact how much it costs to hire a venue in Manchester. These include the location, catering, buried charges, wider demand, and how long you need the space for. Here’s why:

1. Day of the Week = Price Roulette

If you’re booking for a Friday night, prepare for premium pricing. Happy to lock down Tuesday afternoon instead? This might feel like you’ve just unlocked secret discount mode. Yes, the day of the week makes a big difference to venue cost.

Real example: Popular Northern Quarter venues charge anywhere between £500-£1.5k minimum spend on weekdays. That same space jumps to £5k for Christmas events. That’s almost a 400% markup for picking the date in peak season.

Pro move: Schedule your awards dinner on a Thursday instead of Friday. You’ll save a wedge.

2. Location Within Manchester

Northern Quarter for hipster warehouse vibes? Spinningfields corporate class? Ancoats industrial-cool? They’re all appealing in their own way, but each postcode has its own price tag.

The breakdown from actual venues:

• City Centre Premium Venues: £600-£3.6k+ per event.
• Industrial warehouse spaces (Victoria Warehouse, Trafford Park): £1.5k-£16k.
• Trendy hoods (Northern Quarter): £500-£2k minimum spend.
• Museum and Heritage Venues: £2k-£3k+ for evening hire.

3. What’s Included vs. Hidden Extras

This is where costs can start to spiral. That £1.5k initial quote might just be the room hire. Then you can add the important ‘optional’ extras (that you will actually need for many types of event) like:

• AV Equipment: +£300-£800.
• Decor Setup: +£200-£500.
• Cleaning Fees: +£150-£400.
• Corkage (if you bring your own drinks): +£8-£15 per person.
• Staffing: +£150-£300 per staff member.

Some venues bundle everything together. Science and Industry Museum’s evening spaces start at around £2k+ VAT and often include A/V and furniture/decor. This makes the total event venue cost more predictable than “dry hire” venues that charge for everything separately.

4. Catering: The Big Multiplier

Food and drink typically adds between 50% – 100% to your venue rental cost. Understandably, the more you provide, the higher the fees.

Manchester pricing realities:

• Day Delegate Rates (including lunch): £40-£65 per person.
• Basic Buffet: £12-£20 per person.
• Three-course Sit-down: £35-£65 per person.
• Canapes and Drinks Reception: £25-£45 per person.
• Bar Tab (open bar): £20-£40 per person for 3 hours.

5. Rental Time = Money (Literally)

Most venues charge by the hour, session, or minimum spend.

How much does it cost to rent a small venue for different durations?

• 2-hour meeting: £150-£400
• Half-day (4 hours): £300-£900
• Full day: £480-£2,500+
• Evening event (5 hours): £1,200-£5,000

Real Manchester Venues: Actual Event Venue Costs

 

Let’s get specific with verified pricing from some of the most popular Manchester locations:

King Street Townhouse. Boutique luxury in a Grade II listed former bank. So, how much does it cost to rent out a venue with this much character? The Small Hub starts at around £150 (for up to 20 people), while the South Terrace and Lounge costs £600+ for up to 130 guests. Their Large Hub starts at £250 for up to 50 people. Perfect for when you need to impress without looking like you’re trying too hard.

Science and Industry Museum. Historic venue with sheer visual appeal. Evening spaces available from around £2k+ VAT. The 1830 Warehouse (top floor of the world’s first railway warehouse) starts at £3.6k and holds up to 300 people. Day delegate rates start from just under £500. Fees include tables, chairs, and a liberal sprinkling of antique props.

Victoria Warehouse. Industrial-elegance at a bigger scale. If you’re wondering how much does it cost to rent out a venue this versatile, The Bays start from £1.5k-£3.5k (holds up to 400 people). Full Cotton Sheds are ideal for housing massive events and come in at around £15k. Day delegate rates start from £38.50pp. Great for conferences that want to break the mould. 

The Fitzgerald (Northern Quarter). Vintage burlesque-inspired glamour. Venue cost ranges £750-£1.2k minimum spend depending on day, except Christmas when it jumps to £5k. Holds up to 100 guests. Popular with disruptive creative agencies who want that gritty NQ edge.

Band on the Wall (Northern Quarter). Iconic music venue with serious credentials. Available for private events with hire including their L’Acoustics sound system. They charge around £60 per person (£600 minimum spend) to take over a legendary Mancunian event space.

How to Save £££ on Venue Costs

 

If your eyes are smarting at how much it costs to rent out a venue, don’t worry. One of ConnectIn Events’ superpowers is our negotiation skills, which can make it a much more economical package. Our insider knowledge means we already know that most venues have 15-20% flexibility in their pricing, especially for:

• Off-peak dates (January to March, Tuesdays to Thursdays).
• Last-minute bookings (2-3 weeks out).
• Repeat bookings (mention you run quarterly events).

Bundle smartly. Venues offering package deals often work out cheaper. Day delegate rates that include room hire, A/V, refreshments, and lunch typically cost £38-£65pp, which is often better value than paying separately.

Consider unconventional spaces. Brewery taprooms, art galleries, and co-working spaces often cost a lot less than traditional venues. Average minimum spend then drops to around £500-£1k.

Be flexible on timing. Evening events cost more than afternoon ones, weekends cost more than weekdays, and December costs more than February. Simple maths maybe, but a golden opportunity to save serious money.

FAQs About Event Venue Rental Costs

 

Q: How much do event spaces typically charge per hour for rental?

A: In Manchester, many event spaces hire from around £100 per hour on average, though rates can vary widely based on size and location. Smaller or more basic spaces might start lower, while large, premium venues can be significantly more, anywhere up to £1000 p/h.

Q: Can I find venues that include catering in their rental price?

A: Yes. Some venues offer all-inclusive package pricing where food, drinks and sometimes entertainment are included for a set per-person rate. Others provide minimum-spend options that bundle catering with event space hire.

Q: Are there any budget options for venue rental in Manchester?

A: Absolutely! Budget-friendly options include minimum-spend venues or affordable hire spaces with fees from around £500–£2,000 total, and some smaller BYO spaces priced at up to £100 per hour. Prices depend on size, amenities and whether catering is included.

Q: How much does it cost to rent out a wedding venue?

A: Wedding venue hire in Manchester varies by type and season, but budget venues often range from £1,500 to £5,000+ for space alone or minimum spend. All-inclusive packages with catering and extras can push total costs to £10,000+, with premium city-centre or stadium venues higher still.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent out a Venue? The Bottom Line

 

So, how much does it cost to rent out a venue in Manchester? For a typical corporate event (let’s say 60 people, half-day conference with lunch) a budget option would come to around £2.5k. Mid-range clocks in at around £4k, while the premium option would take you anywhere between £5k and £8k.

The cost to rent a venue becomes more predictable once you know what to ask. Don’t just accept the first quote, instead dig into what’s included, negotiate extras, and choose your timing strategically. Manchester has incredible venues at every price point; your job isn’t finding the cheapest. It’s finding the place that suits your needs, offers the best bang for your buck and makes your event as memorable as possible (for the right reasons). 

At ConnectIn Events, we’ve got long-term relationships with many of the city’s leading venues. Want venue recommendations tailored to your specific plans? That’s literally what our FREE venue-finding service is designed for. No fuss, no faff, just a curated shortlist of elite, budget-friendly locations at your fingertips. 

Get in touch today to start the hunt for your dream spot. 

Prices are correct as of December 2025. Contact venues directly for current quotes as pricing may vary by date, season, and package selected.