Business

Dining

Events

What is the minimum group size for Christmas parties at The HAC?

The HAC requires a minimum of 80 guests for Christmas parties. Groups under 80 are not accommodated for Christmas events during the festive season.

What are the contact details for making dining space bookings?

You can contact the sales team at 020 7382 1533 (main sales office) or reach Sales Executive Isalyn Elie directly at 020 7920 3310. The events website is www.hac.org.uk/events for additional information.

What is the typical pricing structure for private dining events?

Based on available quotes, private dining packages start from around £160 + VAT per person for day delegate rates. Evening events in the Long Room include venue hire at £4,500 + VAT plus a minimum catering spend of £3,500 + VAT that covers all food and drinks throughout the event.

What are the standard operating hours and timing restrictions for dining events?

The venue typically operates with hire periods from 08:00 until 17:00 for day events, and 18:00 until 00:00 for evening events. All guests must vacate by midnight, and suppliers have a maximum of 90 minutes to clear down after events.

How far in advance should I book my dining event?

The venue experiences high demand and frequently has no availability on requested dates. Many inquiries receive responses indicating dates are unavailable, suggesting booking well in advance is essential, particularly for popular periods like December.

What budget range should I expect for private dining events?

The venue has indicated they cannot accommodate events with budgets of £1,000-£2,000. Based on responses to inquiries, minimum viable budgets appear to start around £4,000-£5,000 for smaller groups, with larger events requiring significantly higher budgets.

Are there restrictions on external caterers for dining events?

For certain spaces like the Prince Consort Rooms, external caterers must pay a Kitchen Buyout Fee of £1,000 + VAT and a Caterer Damage Deposit of £1,500 + VAT (refundable after satisfactory post-event inspection). The deposit is paid directly to The HAC by the caterer.

What dining spaces are available and what are their capacities?

The Long Room is available for evening dining events with venue hire from 18:00-00:00. The Prince Consort Rooms can accommodate up to 700 guests for standing events and up to 400 guests theatre-style for ceremonies, with the West Albert Room suitable for drinks receptions up to 300 guests.

What happens if my preferred date is not available?

The venue frequently offers to check alternative dates if clients are flexible. They also provide a service to help find alternative venues for clients when The HAC cannot accommodate their requirements, as mentioned in several email responses.

What information do I need to provide when making an inquiry?

The venue requests estimated guest numbers, designated event budget, preferred timings, event style (reception, seated dinner, or mix), catering requirements, AV or staging needs, and specific dietary requirements. This information helps them provide accurate, tailored quotes.