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Key takeaways
- Choose a BBQ party room to grill and then sing or play; choose a BBQ venue to focus on the food or get an outdoor feel.
- Before booking, ask what type of grill it is, how many there are, and whether forks and fuel are included.
- Grilling takes time to heat up and cook, so book 30 to 60 minutes more than for a normal party.
- Only Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above and the Black Rainstorm Warning trigger the special weather terms; other weather follows the venue's policy.
- Use separate tongs for raw and cooked food, keep raw meat chilled, and stop grilling 30 minutes before the end.
For a private BBQ you have two options: a party room with a BBQ grill or a dedicated BBQ venue. Party rooms usually add karaoke, consoles and other entertainment, so you can keep going after the food. BBQ venues tend to have more space, and some have a rooftop or balcony. Enter the date, time and group size on Gatherland to see each venue's total, with any BBQ food set listed as an add-on.
BBQ party room or BBQ venue?
| BBQ party room | BBQ venue | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Grilling plus other entertainment | Grilling first |
| Setting | Mostly indoors | Some with a rooftop or balcony |
| Good for | Birthdays, friends, a long night | Larger groups, an outdoor feel |
| Browse | Party rooms with BBQ | BBQ venues |
For open air, look at BBQ venues with a rooftop or with a balcony. If your friends prefer hot pot to grilling, see party rooms with hot pot.
BBQ party rooms to browse
What should I ask before booking?
The grill
Grills come in different types, such as electric and charcoal, which differ in smoke, heat-up time and the food they suit. Ask:
- What type of grill is it, and how many are there?
- Are forks, tongs, foil and fuel provided?
- Is there ventilation or an extractor?
Electric grill
- No fire to light: switch on and let it heat up
- Generally less smoke and ash
- Common in indoor party rooms
- Check how many grills there are
Charcoal grill
- Takes time to light and for the coals to be ready
- More smoke and ash; clothes will smell
- Usually on a rooftop, balcony or in a ventilated area
- Ask whether charcoal and firelighters are included
With a big group, the number of grills matters: too many people around one grill means most of them spend the evening waiting.
Food
Some venues offer BBQ food sets as add-ons, listed when you book; at others you bring your own. If you are bringing food, check whether there is a fridge and a sink.
Cleaning
Grilling leaves more grease and rubbish than a normal party. Ask whether you need to clean the grill afterwards and how rubbish is handled. Some venues take a refundable security deposit; if the host reports extra cleaning with evidence, part of it may be withheld.
How are BBQ venues priced?
Venues charge per person per hour or per room per hour. Friday to Sunday, public holidays and the day before a public holiday are at the weekend rate. Some venues also set:
- A minimum number of hours and a minimum headcount
- A child rate and group discounts
- Add-ons such as BBQ food sets
- A refundable security deposit, shown before payment
For typical price levels, see the price index. There is no booking fee for guests, so the total shown is what you pay.
How should a four-hour BBQ run?
The usual problems are nothing to eat at the start and running over at the end. A sample four-hour plan:
- 1
First 30 minutes: fire up and set out
Switch on an electric grill to heat up, or allow time to light charcoal. Meanwhile set out food, sauces and drinks, with raw meat kept to one side.
- 2
30 minutes to 2 hours: first round
Start with quick, crowd-pleasing items such as sausages, fish balls and corn, then move on to wings and meat.
- 3
2 to 3 hours: second round plus other activities
Not everyone needs to stand at the grill. Take turns while others sing, play games or relax.
- 4
3 to 3.5 hours: dessert and cake
Stop adding raw food. Toast marshmallows or grill fruit, cut the cake and take the group photo.
- 5
Last 30 minutes: shut down and tidy
Turn off the grill, clean it as the house rules require, bag the rubbish, wipe the tables, check for belongings and leave on time.
Practical tips for a BBQ party
Allow enough time
A grill needs time to heat up and food takes a while to cook, so a BBQ party needs more time than a normal one. Slots run in 30-minute steps; leave room at the end to eat and tidy up so you do not run over.
Split the jobs
The usual problem with a big BBQ is everyone crowding one grill. Split into groups: one grills, one handles sauces and drinks, one tidies, and rotate. List food and equipment in the party checklist and divide food and room costs with the cost splitter.
What to bring
Dress for smoke
Clothes will smell of smoke. Tell guests not to wear their best outfit, or to bring a spare layer.
Cancellation and weather
Each venue uses a Flexible, Standard or Strict cancellation policy; see the cancellation policy. If Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above or a Black Rainstorm Warning is in force at any time from three hours before the start until the start, you can cancel for a full refund or move to another free slot at the same venue within 30 days.
For a birthday BBQ, see BBQ venues for birthdays and the birthday party room guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a BBQ party room and a BBQ venue?
A BBQ party room is a party room with a grill, usually alongside karaoke, consoles or other entertainment. A BBQ venue is built around grilling, and some have a rooftop or balcony. Choose a party room for grilling plus other activities, a BBQ venue to focus on the food.
Is food included?
It varies. Some venues offer BBQ food sets as an add-on; others expect you to bring your own. Check the venue page or message the host.
What if it rains or a typhoon signal is raised?
If Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above, or a Black Rainstorm Warning, is in force at any time from three hours before the start until the start, you can cancel for a full refund or move to another free slot at the same venue within 30 days. Other weather follows the venue's cancellation policy.
Are BBQ venues priced per person?
Some charge per person per hour, others per room per hour. Enter your group size when you search and the results show the total for that slot.
What if it just rains heavily at a rooftop venue?
Amber or Red Rainstorm Warnings, Signal No. 3 and ordinary rain are not covered by the special weather terms, so the venue's cancellation policy applies. Before booking a rooftop or balcony venue, ask the host whether there is cover or an indoor fallback.
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