Business

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What are the minimum spend requirements for exclusive hire of Duck & Waffle?

Minimum spends vary significantly by day and time: Saturday evenings require £30k (excluding VAT and service), Sunday evenings £25k, weekday evenings £26k, and July evenings start at £20k minimum. All minimum spends exclude VAT and the mandatory 18% service charge (15% service charge plus 3% event management fee).

What are the capacity limits for different event formats?

Duck & Waffle exclusive hire accommodates up to 250 guests standing or 120 seated. The bar area can host up to 40 people in a seated/standing mixture with a roped-off semi-private section. The private dining room seats up to 20 guests with a £500 minimum spend for breakfast events.

What additional mandatory costs apply beyond the minimum spend?

All events incur an 18% service charge (15% service plus 3% event management fee) on top of the minimum spend, plus VAT. Security and furniture removal charges apply for exclusive hire events, though specific amounts aren't detailed. The SAMBAROOM option requires £2,000 including VAT for furniture removal when hosting over 100 guests.

What are the standard event timings and setup access?

Evening events typically run from 18:30 to midnight with setup access from 16:30. Bar bookings are available for up to 3 hours from the booking time with options to extend. Breakfast events run 8:00-11:00am, and the venue operates a 14-day cancellation policy for private dining bookings.

What deposit and payment terms are required?

The full minimum spend is required as a deposit within 24 hours of booking confirmation. Private dining bookings require the full minimum spend to be pre-paid as a deposit. A 7-day cancellation policy applies to group bookings, while private dining has a 14-day cancellation policy.

Are there restrictions on event types or external suppliers?

Duck & Waffle cannot host externally promoted ticketed events due to licensing restrictions - any ticketed events must be organized by the venue. The venue doesn't supply Halal meat but can provide vegetarian alternatives. All group bookings require pre-ordering of arrival drinks and canapés.

What are the pricing differences between Duck & Waffle and the SAMBAROOM option?

SAMBAROOM on the 39th floor offers a lower-cost alternative with £12k minimum spend on Sundays (£20k Saturdays) for up to 150 standing guests, compared to Duck & Waffle's £25k-£30k minimums. SAMBAROOM has shared lift entry and cloakroom, and requires £2,000 for furniture removal above 100 guests.

How far in advance can bookings be made and what's the booking process?

Private dining bookings can be made online up to 2 months in advance. For exclusive hire and larger events, dates are only held upon specific request. The venue recommends site visits for SAMBAROOM bookings to view the separate lounge and bar areas connected by a corridor.

What service charges apply to different event types?

Exclusive hire events incur 18% service charge (15% service plus 3% event management fee). Bar bookings and private dining have 14-15% service charges. SAMBAROOM breakfast events have 15% service charge, while evening events follow the 18% structure for larger bookings.

What are the minimum spend requirements for smaller bar bookings?

Bar bookings for up to 40 people require £4k including VAT (excluding 14% service) for evening slots. Smaller group bookings of 50 people have minimum spends ranging from £2k-£5k including VAT depending on timing and specific requirements.