Gala dinners and award parties in Bristol and Bath

Looking to organise a Gala Dinner in Bristol, Bath or the surrounding area? The Meet Bristol and Bath team are on hand to find you the perfect place to host your event, whether it's a corporate gala dinner, charity ball or an awards ceremony. 

Bristol, Bath, and the West of England region offers a diverse range of fantastic venues which can cater for parties of all sizes and event types, from historical venues, contemporary and modern event spaces, as well as truly unique settings that you won’t find anywhere else. Take advantage of the rural and coastal areas surrounding the two cities for your next gala dinner or private dining event, with superb venues nestled across the countryside, many within their own private grounds. 

Take a look at these wonderful sites which are able to accommodate seated meals for 300 or more delegates: 

Ashton Gate Stadium

The Lansdown Suite is a premier choice for conferences and large meetings. Situated in the iconic Lansdown Stand, the Conference Centre can hold up to 1,000 people theatre-style or 850 for a dinner. With excellent transport links to Bristol city centre, and a wide choice of hotels, it’s an immensely popular choice.

The Grand Pier

The Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare offers more than just amusement rides and attractions; you will also find a variety of versatile spaces available for private and corporate events. Choose the perfect setting for your event from six venue rooms catering for up to 600 people. The seafront location also provides a memorable backdrop, making The Grand Pier an ideal choice for anyone seeking a distinctive event venue.

Image: The Grand Pier

Aerospace Bristol

Aerospace Bristol offers an exciting opportunity to stage your event under the wings of Concorde. The Concorde Gallery is a truly one-of-a-kind venue for corporate and private events, trade shows, conferences, weddings, gala dinners, and award ceremonies, with the last Concorde in the world to fly as the centrepiece of your special occasion. 

The Concorde Gallery seats up to 600 guests for a three-course first class dining experience under the wings of the supersonic jet, while the adjacent Concorde Balcony is the perfect location for a glamorous drinks reception. The Concorde Hangar features a dedicated conference suite to suit a range of events, from 10 to 70 attendees, and is the perfect setting for business meetings, anniversary celebrations and memorials. 

The conference spaces also include a lecture theatre with raked seating for up to 146 guests including 4 wheelchair users, but can be expanded to accommodate 200 guests. The space is ideal for conferences, talks, film screenings and product launches. Larger conferences, events or exhibitions can be held alongside Concorde in the main hangar. 

Image: Aerospace Bristol

The Bath and West Showground

With vast open-air spaces, a woodland area, a 4x4 off-road course, a miniature railway, and a lake, The Bath and West Showground makes an ideal setting for corporate getaways. The venue combines modern requirements typically found in the city with the relaxing and beautiful green surroundings of the Somerset countryside. Set in a stunning site of 240 acres, the Bath & West Showground features a variety of sizeable indoor spaces, with the ability to host large conferences for as many as 800 people. Smaller spaces are also on hand, including a theatre with a stage & seating for up to 120. 

Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre

Situated close to Bristol Temple Meads railway station and Cabot Circus shopping centre, this venue boasts 20 event spaces. Among these is the Bristol Suite, one of the largest in the South West, comfortably accommodating 450 people for a seated meal.

The Winter Gardens

The Winter Gardens Pavilion is a significant part of Weston-super-Mare's seafront and the town’s rich history as a major player in British seaside tourism. The venue’s ballroom is one of the most spectacular event spaces in the UK, and can cater for a variety of corporate events, including product launches, exhibitions, business meetings and team building exercises - the possibilities are endless! The ballroom features impressive audio visual technology, including a large screen, state-of-the-art colour changing lighting system, and a stage featuring various microphone options. 

Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel

Located on Broad Street, just a short walk from Bristol Temple Meads railway station, Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel provides an ideal venue for business meetings and events. The hotel’s largest function room, the Wessex Suite, can accommodate up to 430 guests for a seated meal, making it suitable for large events. There are also an additional nine rooms perfect for smaller events. 

Apex City of Bath Hotel

Apex City of Bath Hotel is home to Bath's largest purpose-built conference facility, with the main conference room catering for up to 300 delegates for a seated meal. The hotel is well-located in the heart of Bath, just a short walk from Bath Spa railway station, the famed Thermae Bath Spa, Roman Baths and Royal Victoria Park. 

The hotel features 177 modern bedrooms, including family and double rooms, some of which feature balconies and spectacular city views. The stylish rooms, each bearing their own distinct personality, are spacious and comfortable, featuring walk-in showers, baths, and Elemis toiletries, alongside all the latest technological innovations. The hotel also features a fully equipped gym, swimming pool, restaurant, and bar to make your stay all the more convenient and enjoyable.

Image: Apex City of Bath Hotel

Bristol Harbour Hotel

Offering the ultimate urban escape, the Harbour Hotel Bristol fuses two spectacular former bank properties to offer contemporary luxurious accommodation with impeccable design and a spectacular events space right in the heart of the city. The grandeur of the former banking hall of Lloyds Bank Headquarters serves as the hotel’s most impressive event space, a truly wonderful location for corporate functions. Stay in one of the 42 luxurious bedrooms, dine in the Harbour Kitchen and enjoy daily-changing cocktails at The Gold Bar, the hotel's contemporary bar with great music and DJs playing until the early hours. The hotel’s extraordinary underground spa features seven treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, dedicated areas for rest and relaxation, and a fully equipped urban gym.

Image: Bristol Harbour Hotel

Bristol Beacon

The Beacon’s brand-new spaces, which are available for private hire, will inspire music lovers and artists alike to come together to create, learn, and experience the joy of live music. When completed, the Beacon will boast two world-class performance venues, a bright new restaurant, and see the building’s historic cellars in use for the first time. The venue has also set a target to become the UK’s first net-zero concert hall by 2030.  

The Bristol - a Doyle Collection Hotel

The Bristol is part of a family-owned collection of luxury and urban hotels, providing modern style and warmth on Bristol’s Harbourside, one of the city’s many creative and colourful quarters. Against the attractive waterside backdrop is the hotel’s dedicated Meetings & Events Centre, which features its own separate entrance, lobby and lounge area. Offering nine elegantly appointed event spaces, spacious lobby and break-out areas, the latest conference technology and 187 bedrooms, The Bristol ensures that doing business is always a pleasure.  

We The Curious

Situated in the heart of the city’s Harbourside, We The Curious has established itself as one of the most prestigious corporate event venues in the South West. Choose from air-conditioned rooms flooded with natural daylight and private outdoor roof terraces with superb city views, where you can host everything from unique drink receptions and team-building activities among inspiring, award-winning exhibitions. Featuring a range of dynamic and versatile event spaces within an imaginative and exciting hands-on science centre, We The Curious is the perfect venue for conferences, meetings, training and networking events, awards ceremonies and dinners.

M Shed

M Shed is an innovative museum on Bristol’s Harbourside that takes visitors through the city’s history. Situated close to Bristol city centre with incredible views across the harbour, M Shed offers excellent contemporary event spaces for every occasion. From small workshop meetings through to large scale product launches, entertainment, or celebratory dinners, M Shed can accommodate a variety of event requirements. The Event Suite is situated on the top floor and offers state of the art lighting and AV solutions with access to the roof terrace balcony overlooking the harbour.

Image: M Shed 

How can Meet Bristol & Bath help? 

The Meet Bristol & Bath team are on hand to help you find the best venue for your gala dinner. Email us directly with your requirements, or submit your enquiry online here to access our complimentary venue finding service.