Your Canberra Hens Party Starts with at Rizla
The Christmas Party Venue Hire Canberra Has Been Waiting For
December has a way of arriving before anyone is ready. The group chat fills up, opinions multiply, and somehow the final decision on where to go gets left until all the good spots are fully booked.
If you want Christmas party venue hire that does something the usual options can't, Rizla is the answer. Situated on Lonsdale Street in Braddon, Rizla is Australia's only Riesling-focused wine bar and restaurant: a small, thoughtfully run venue with a clear point of view, an award-winning wine list, and a talent for making groups feel looked after.
There is no scrambling for something to talk about here. The wine list does that work for you.
Why Rizla Works So Well for Christmas
Most Christmas function venues lean on decorations to create atmosphere. Rizla doesn't need to. The space already has warmth, character, and easy energy that comes from a team that loves hospitality.
What makes Rizla stand apart for Christmas venue hire:
With 10+ Rieslings available by the glass and a rotating list of up to 70 bottles, including Canberra District producers, national favourites, and European classics, our wine list gives your group something to explore together.
Winner of Best Wine List at Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards (2023 and 2025), it's a list that rewards curiosity at every price point.
The kitchen produces seasonal share plates designed to sit alongside the wine rather than compete with it.
Canapé packages start from $52 per person, with sit-down set menus from $90 per person up to $150 per person. Everything is tailored, and at Rizla we’re happy to build a menu around your group's theme, preferences, and dietary requirements.
Choose from a curated 3-hour 'New Release' package (local sparkling, Riesling, red wines, beer, and soft drinks) or upgrade to the 'Vintage' package for premium and exclusive drops from Canberra and beyond. Packages can be extended by the hour, or you can run a consumption tab if that suits your group better.
At Rizla, we don't charge a flat venue hire cost. Instead, a minimum spend applies based on the time of day, day of the week, and time of year. Our fees are always fair and transparent, keeping things simple for your party.
Flexible Spaces for Every Group Size
Rizla seats up to 35 guests for a sit-down Christmas function, or up to 45 guests for a standing canapé-style event. The venue divides into two distinct zones depending on your numbers.
- Whole Venue Hire: Exclusive use of the full space, the indoor bar and bench dining area, plus the mostly enclosed alfresco zone along Elouera Street. Perfect for groups of up to 40 seated or 45 for standing canapés. This is the option for teams and groups who want the room entirely to themselves.
- Half Venue Hire: For smaller groups or those who prefer a more intimate Christmas function, the alfresco area seats up to 22 guests or accommodates 30 for a standing event. Same great service, lower minimum spend, and a beautiful outdoor setting to enjoy Canberra's warm December evenings.
Whether you're organising a work Christmas function for 30 people or a close-knit dinner for 12, there is a configuration at Rizla that works.
Lunch
Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 12pm
Dinner
7 days from 5:30pm
Wines + Maybe More
Monday to Thursday from 5:30pm
Friday to Sunday from 12pm until late
Christmas Function Venue Hire for Every Type of Group
Rizla handles corporate Christmas functions with the kind of professionalism that makes organisers look good. The share-plate format keeps things social, the wine list gives even wine-hesitant guests something approachable to enjoy, and the team manages dietary requirements, service flow, and the end-of-night logistics without fuss.
For something a step above the usual, Rizla's Christmas function venue hire is an upgrade on the standard office party formula. If you're also looking for options earlier in the year, our corporate lunch venue page has everything you need.
A Riesling-focused wine bar in Braddon is exactly the kind of place a Friendsmas dinner should happen. Small enough to feel personal, interesting enough to make the evening memorable, and relaxed enough that no one feels they need to dress it up with small talk. Come in for a glass of something local and stay until the list has been thoroughly explored.
From birthday dinners crossing into December to end-of-year family gatherings, Rizla's intimate, convivial space works for any occasion that deserves a proper send-off for the year. And if another big occasion is on the horizon, our hen’s party venue page is worth a read too.
What to Expect When You Hire a Venue for Christmas Party at Rizla
The process is straightforward. Get in touch with the team, confirm your date and numbers, and Rizla takes it from there.
You'll work through:
- Food format – canapé-style packages or a sit-down set menu
- Beverage option – package or pay-on-consumption tab
- Dietary requirements – collected and communicated to the kitchen ahead of time
- Space configuration – full or half venue, depending on your group
The Rizla team has run enough Christmas events to know what makes them work and be talked about as the benchmark in years to come. They'll guide you through the options without making it complicated, and they'll run the evening without you needing to manage a thing on the night.
One important note: December tables at good Canberra venues fill up fast. If you're thinking about Christmas venue hire, reaching out in October or November gives you the best choice of dates, especially for Fridays and Saturdays.
A Canberra Venue With a Point of Difference
Rizla brings you a venue with a clear identity: one built around good wine, considered food, and hospitality that takes care of guests like friends rather than covers.
The Canberra District wine region is one of Australia's most underrated, and Rizla has championed it from day one. Hiring a venue for your Christmas party here means your guests leave having tried something new, whether that be a local Riesling they didn't expect to love, or a wine they'll go looking for again.
That's the thing about Christmas at Rizla. The party is the occasion, but the wine is what people remember.
For those who want to explore the full dining experience before committing, fine dining for Canberra lovers will find Rizla's restaurant page a good starting point. And if a long festive lunch sounds more appealing than an evening event, take a look at lunch in Canberra at Rizla. We’re open Friday through Sunday from 12 pm.
Book Your Christmas Venue Hire at Rizla
If you're still working through the options, our blog on Christmas party ideas in Canberra covers everything from format and group planning to budget expectations and what to sort first.
When you're ready to lock in your Christmas party venue hire, get in touch with the Rizla team directly.
Visit us: 22 Lonsdale Street, Braddon ACT 2612
Phone: (02) 6230 0771
Email: info@drinkrizla.com.au
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can Rizla accommodate for a Christmas function?
Rizla’s venue seats up to 35 guests for a sit-down Christmas function or up to 45 for a standing canapé-style event. For smaller groups, the half-venue option accommodates up to 22 seated or 30 standing guests.
Is there a venue hire fee for Christmas events?
Rizla does not charge a flat Christmas venue hire fee. A minimum spend applies based on your date, time, and group size. Contact the team for current minimum spend details.
What food options are available for Christmas functions?
Rizla offers canapé packages from $52 per person and sit-down set menus from $90 to $150 per person. Menus can be tailored to suit your group's dietary requirements and event theme.
What beverage packages does Rizla offer for Christmas parties?
The 'New Release' 3-hour package is $82 per person and includes local sparkling, Riesling, red wines, beer, and soft drinks. The 'Vintage' package is $109 per person and features premium and exclusive drops. Both can be extended hourly, up to 5 hours. A pay-on-consumption tab is also available.
When should I book my Christmas function venue hire at Rizla?
As early as possible. October and November bookings give you the widest choice of December dates. Popular time slots, particularly Friday lunches, Friday evenings and Saturday evenings, fill quickly once the season gets underway.
Does Rizla cater for dietary requirements?
Yes. The kitchen handles dietary requirements with care. Communicate all requirements at the time of booking, and the team will confirm they've been accounted for ahead of your event.
Can I visit Rizla before booking for Christmas?
Absolutely. Rizla is a Canberra wine bar open for dinner seven nights a week and for lunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12pm. Come in for a glass, meet the team, and see whether the space suits your group before committing.