Events at Art Gallery NSW
Just minutes from Sydney’s CBD, the Art Gallery of NSW offers a one-of-a-kind setting for events. Think bold architecture, open spaces, and an atmosphere that feels a little more elevated than your usual function room. Hosting an event at the Art Gallery of NSW gives your guests something truly memorable: exclusive access to major exhibitions and the Gallery’s permanent collection. It’s a rare opportunity to experience exceptional art in a private, after-hours setting that adds depth and character to any occasion.
The experience is complemented by catering from The Fresh Collective, the Gallery’s exclusive partner. Known for bold flavours and beautifully presented dishes, their seasonal menus are crafted with premium Australian produce and designed to reflect the Gallery’s creative, modern atmosphere.
A snapshot of Art Gallery NSW
- Natural light-filled venues featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and timber flooring.
- Outdoor terraces with panoramic views of Woolloomooloo Bay and the Sydney CBD
- Contemporary Australian menu by renowned chefs Matt Moran and Clayton Wells
- Ideal for up to 1000 guests for cocktail-style functions
- Located in The Domain, just minutes from Sydney’s CBD
Capacity
Up to
200
Dinner & Dance 
120 -
1000
Standing 
Up to
330
Theatre 
Up to
120
Sitting 
Up to
280
Cabaret Facilities
Spaces At This Venue
-
Kaldor Hall
A striking gallery space with rotating international and Australian art. Fits 350 seated or 900 cocktail-style, with AV, rigging, and space for staging. Ideal for large-scale events, from networking nights to awards presentations.
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Function Room
A light-filled, modern space available for semi-private daytime events or exclusive evening hire. Popular for conference breakouts, dinners, and cocktail functions—especially on Wednesdays during Art After Hours. Can be combined with the restaurant to host up to 300 guests, with optional guided exhibition tours.
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Art Gallery Restaurant
With floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping views over East Sydney, the Art Gallery Restaurant offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Receptions use the existing furniture, requiring minimal styling to create an elegant, ready-to-celebrate space. Also deal for mid-sized dinners and networking events, with minimal styling needed. Menus by Moran, delivered by The Fresh Collective, elevate the experience.
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20th-Century Galleries
Now reopened after major refurbishment, these double-height spaces showcase iconic works across two floors. Ideal for small to mid-sized cocktail events, with optional guided art talks for guests.
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Domain Theatre & Foyer
A tiered auditorium with cinema screen, DCP player, and full AV—ideal for screenings, lectures, and presentations. The adjacent foyer suits catering and registration. Available outside Gallery program times.
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Centenary Auditorium
A modern, tiered venue ideal for conferences and presentations. Includes advanced AV and optional breakout space in the nearby function room. Combine with evening networking or exhibition viewings for a complete event experience.
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Meers Hall
Located in Naala Badu, Meers Hall is a flexible space with timber floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and views of the sculpture garden. Suitable for various event formats, it includes AV and seating for up to 300 guests. Available for daytime and evening hire.
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Atrium
At the heart of Naala Badu, the double-height Atrium and sculpture gallery offer striking architecture and rotating artworks. It’s the largest space for cocktail events and connects seamlessly to the sculpture garden and Meers Hall for pre-dinner drinks.
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MOD Dining
A bright, elegant space with a curved roof and views over Woolloomooloo Bay and Sydney Harbour. Seats up to 80 guests on long tables with existing furniture. Connects to the harbour terrace and is available for hire outside Art Gallery hours.
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Harbour Terrace
With views over Woolloomooloo Bay, this open-air space hosts up to 300 guests for cocktail events. Ideal for pre-dinner drinks alongside MOD Dining or Meers Hall. Available until 10pm. Wet-weather option included; no amplified sound permitted. Additional fees may apply.
Read More
A striking gallery space with rotating international and Australian art. Fits 350 seated or 900 cocktail-style, with AV, rigging, and space for staging. Ideal for large-scale events, from networking nights to awards presentations.
Guest Capacity
Standing: 0 - 900Dinner & Dance: 0 - 116
Cabaret: 0 - 280
Theatre: 0 - 220
Ceremony: 0 - 116
Dining: 0 - 350
A light-filled, modern space available for semi-private daytime events or exclusive evening hire. Popular for conference breakouts, dinners, and cocktail functions—especially on Wednesdays during Art After Hours. Can be combined with the restaurant to host up to 300 guests, with optional guided exhibition tours.
Guest Capacity
Standing: 0 - 180Dining: 0 - 120
Theatre: 0 - 105
Ceremony: 0 - 116
With floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping views over East Sydney, the Art Gallery Restaurant offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Receptions use the existing furniture, requiring minimal styling to create an elegant, ready-to-celebrate space. Also deal for mid-sized dinners and networking events, with minimal styling needed. Menus by Moran, delivered by The Fresh Collective, elevate the experience.
Guest Capacity
Standing: 0 - 120Dinner & Dance: 0 - 116
Dining: 0 - 116
Now reopened after major refurbishment, these double-height spaces showcase iconic works across two floors. Ideal for small to mid-sized cocktail events, with optional guided art talks for guests.
Guest Capacity
Standing: 0 - 150
A tiered auditorium with cinema screen, DCP player, and full AV—ideal for screenings, lectures, and presentations. The adjacent foyer suits catering and registration. Available outside Gallery program times.
Guest Capacity
Standing: 0 - 200Theatre: 0 - 332
A modern, tiered venue ideal for conferences and presentations. Includes advanced AV and optional breakout space in the nearby function room. Combine with evening networking or exhibition viewings for a complete event experience.
Guest Capacity
Theatre: 0 - 90
Located in Naala Badu, Meers Hall is a flexible space with timber floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and views of the sculpture garden. Suitable for various event formats, it includes AV and seating for up to 300 guests. Available for daytime and evening hire.
Guest Capacity
Standing: 0 - 450Dining: 0 - 280
Cabaret: 0 - 120
Theatre: 0 - 200
Dinner & Dance: 0 - 200
At the heart of Naala Badu, the double-height Atrium and sculpture gallery offer striking architecture and rotating artworks. It’s the largest space for cocktail events and connects seamlessly to the sculpture garden and Meers Hall for pre-dinner drinks.
Guest Capacity
Standing: 0 - 1000Ceremony: 0 - 200
A bright, elegant space with a curved roof and views over Woolloomooloo Bay and Sydney Harbour. Seats up to 80 guests on long tables with existing furniture. Connects to the harbour terrace and is available for hire outside Art Gallery hours.
Guest Capacity
Standing: 0 - 150Dining: 0 - 80
Dinner & Dance: 0 - 66
With views over Woolloomooloo Bay, this open-air space hosts up to 300 guests for cocktail events. Ideal for pre-dinner drinks alongside MOD Dining or Meers Hall. Available until 10pm. Wet-weather option included; no amplified sound permitted. Additional fees may apply.
Guest Capacity
Standing: 0 - 300
Location
Venue Testimonials
I recently photographed a wonderful wedding at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and … we were able to walk through the art gallery after hours and take some wedding photos of the couple. It was closed to the public so we had the place to ourselves which was great. The wedding reception took place in the restaurant which was modern and sophisticated.
Adam C
What a vibe. I felt like I was in ancient Greece. Helpful staff. Calm environment. Good for anyone who is interested in the arts like myself.
JJ H
Beautifully designed new building. The area is spacious and has lots of artistic and coffee corners to sit down and enjoy the art. The top level is beautifully filled with panoramic views of the harbour and lots of seating. High speed Wi-Fi is available inside the building too, so it is quite helpful.
Trang L
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes there are multiple events running concurrently in the same building. In this instance, the events would be held in separate spaces and not impact one another. The start times could be staggered if necessary. Weddings are only hosted outside of the Art Gallery’s opening hours between 10.00am and 5.00pm and offer exclusive use of the venue for a wedding.
Yes, you are welcome to organise your own suppliers or the events team would be delighted to recommend suppliers who have worked with the Art Gallery before.
Capacities may vary based on layout, seating style, and whether a dance floor is included. For cocktail-style events, the largest space accommodates up to 1000 guests, with other rooms ranging from 120 to 450. Wedding receptions can host from 66 up to 200. Ceremonies can host from 116 to 200. Theatre-style setups can host up to 330 guests in the largest space.
Yes, the Art Gallery of New South Wales offers a variety of versatile event spaces suitable for corporate functions. Located near the Sydney CBD, the Gallery provides a unique setting for events such as conferences, cocktail receptions, dinners, and award nights. With a range of spaces across its original and new buildings, the Gallery can accommodate events of various sizes and formats. Additionally, venue hire at the Art Gallery supports its programs, contributing to the arts community in Australia.
As it is an art gallery, the team will need to approve any theming or styling elements in advance of the event. There are some limitations, such as no naked flames (LED candles permitted), confetti, smoke or haze, or balloons. All florals need to be sprayed with insecticide, as pests can harm the artwork. There are also limitations around branding while the Art Gallery is open to the public. Please speak to the events team if you have any questions about styling or theming.
The nearest parking is at Domain Car Park on St Mary’s Road, with online pre-booking available. Metered street parking is also available on Mrs Macquarie Road and surrounding streets. For parking stations, the closest options are Domain Car Park and the Wharf Woolloomooloo Car Park—both can be booked ahead online.
