Vancouver is a mecca for foodies and home chefs alike, with one of the most varied culinary industries in the country and a whole slew of local ingredients you can’t find anywhere else, like some wild foraged mushrooms that frankly, change the game.
Whether your idea of the perfect dinner is a Great-Gatsby-inspired affair at a trendy local speakeasy or a homestyle gathering where everyone can mix and mingle at their leisure before settling down over fine china, our selection of private dining rooms is second to none.
Feeling anxious about the final tab? Consider us your super budget-savers. You might even find that the cost of a private dining event with us is comparable to the bill from the last time you went out all together on a whim, with the added benefit of an exclusive atmosphere just for you and your special guests.
For a meal you’ll still be raving about for years to come, enlist the help of the Giggster app. Our venues not only promise unmatched culinary talent, but also every amenity you could think of that will take your dinner from ordinary to extraordinary.
Having trouble visualizing what your celebratory meal could look like? This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to private dining in Vancouver, but it will give you a pretty good idea of how we take the concept of a “dining room” and turn it into something spectacular.
A classy affair full of small bites begs for a speakeasy venue. These snazzy underground lounges are perfect for an evening of wine, craft cocktails, and tapas, not to mention live music and all-dressed-up attire.
A casual meal with a large group is the perfect match for an industrial brewery. These brick-walled tasting rooms promise friendly chatter, laidback entertainment (board games, anyone?), cold beer, and phenomenal pub grub.
Thinking of a backyard BBQ? Thankfully, there are plenty of private home rentals available across the city with various vibes. From luxury chaises by the pool to a casual tiki bar by the ocean, there’s a backyard suitable for every summer celebration.
Believe it or not, a meeting room could make a great space for a meal with friends with a little ingenuity. If you want to host a tea or luncheon for a small group, a long wooden table in a contemporary office building would be a surprisingly good fit.
Don’t neglect a brunch event! Take things to a local coffee shop for premium espresso, delicate pastries, and breakfasts of all types—from sweet to savory. These places are full of cute decor to boot, ideal for a social media photo op.
Private rooms or complete buyouts of local restaurants are for the nights you’ll always want to remember. Whether you need to impress important clients at swanky business dinners, bring together the whole family for milestone birthdays, or do something a little different for your wedding reception refreshments, these rentals are guaranteed to be a hit.
Host your next dinner party without the stress of readying your personal space for an onslaught of guests. A private loft or apartment will give you the pleasure of sitting down to dinner at the dining room table, without all the prep work. Plus, you can tailor the decor style and amenities to your party theme!
Did you know that you can rent a production kitchen? These stunning spaces feature state-of-the-art appliances, contemporary decor, and great lighting because they are meant for content creation. With some beautiful tableware and linens, this could be the perfect place for those hiring a personal chef for the night, and rolling up their sleeves and testing their own culinary prowess.
Amazing Private Dining Venues in Vancouver Starting at Just $20/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Craving some delicious memories you can savor for years to come? Stir things up with a group booking of one of the Giggster app’s 179 private dining spaces.
Hassle-Free Booking: Not only do we offer absolute ease of booking, making it easier than ever to snag a private table at one of Vancouver’s top restaurants, but we also promise exceptional value with prices starting at just $20/hour.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Did your plans for your next event just take a nosedive into oblivion? We’re here for you when things fall apart. Thanks to our handy-dandy cancellation policy, you have 24 hours from confirmation to pull the plug on your rental as long as it’s set to start more than 48 hours away.
Platform Protections: Don’t let disruptions, damage, or liability concerns crash your dinner party! Opt into one of our premium protection plans when you make your reservation at a premium venue like Cafe Event Space At The Garden, and you can focus on your special celebrations while our team of pros takes care of it.
There are so many good reasons to break bread with your social circle. Here are a few unexpected ways you can make a culinary experience stand out on everyone’s calendar this year:
A Business Dinner – For VIP Clients. Meeting important clients for the first time, and want to ensure you’ve got that big contract in the bag? Shake hands and seal the deal over Vancouver’s finest culinary experiences.
Large Corporate Event – Company Parties. Is it about time that everyone in the company sits down to a seated dinner together? Whether you’re in charge of the holiday party, fundraising gala, employee appreciation event, or a brainstorming sesh over a hot meal, private dining venues in Vancouver are ideal for work groups.
Your Annual Birthday Party – Celebrate Another Year. This year hasn’t just been any other year—it marks one more year of you, and that calls for celebration! There’s no better way to treat yourself and connect with loved ones than lively conversation and a tailored-to-you menu.
Lunch with the Girls – Sometimes it’s just another Saturday, and that’s reason enough to level up your hangouts. Whether you have friends in from out of town or you’ve simply managed to coordinate everyone’s hectic schedules for the first time in weeks, lunch with friends could (and should!) look a little different this week.
Before you book a particular venue, make sure you know what you want to get out of it.
Is it an exclusive private dining room? Sure, you could book out the main dining room for larger events, but many top restaurants will have hidden private dining rooms with cool themes and features, such as an underground wine cellar or a neon-lit lounge.
Does it come with an event coordinator? Sometimes, it helps to have a designated point of contact with event experience handling your private bookings, and many restaurants in Vancouver offer some sort of concierge to help answer your questions and handle any special requests.
Does it have bar service? Most restaurants will include a bartender, assuming they are liquor licensed, but if you’re hosting your dinner/cocktail reception with a more DIY approach, choosing a venue where alcohol can be handled on your behalf will help save you a few headaches (and some serious cash when it comes to stocking up!)
Does the room have a view? The overall decor of your venue will go a long way when establishing the vibe and atmosphere of your celebration, but a great view (either out the window or from a vibrant patio) will go even further.
Navigating the culinary scene of downtown Vancouver isn’t rocket science, but the more you know, the smoother you can make the experience for your guests. Here are a few things we would consider when planning your private dinner, if we were in your shoes.
Advantages
Vancouver is insanely beautiful, with mountains, forest, and oceanfront flanking the city on all sides. We’d recommend choosing a restaurant to make the most of it.
The city is extremely walkable, which is a huge plus for those planning to imbibe on their night out. Whether this is your “get home safe” plan or you merely think it would be nice to take a stroll to the beach after dinner, we’d consider the ease of getting around on foot a big bonus.
Vancouver has been touted as one of the most foodie-friendly cities in the country, with the most award-winning chefs/restaurants and tons of variety when it comes to cuisine. When it comes to holding an event with a culinary focus, you frankly couldn’t be in a better place.
Disadvantages
Life in Vancouver is expensive, and this extends into the restaurant and event industries. While you’re guaranteed a fabulous meal and exclusive experience at one of the best restaurants in the country, be prepared to shell out for it.
Vancouver is notoriously wet—you know, the typical west coast climate. If you’re leaning towards an outdoor patio event, you’re going to want a rain plan in your back pocket to avoid a last-minute panic.
Overall crime rates in Vancouver are 25% higher than the national average, but the prevalence of violent crimes is significantly lower, so it’s mostly petty crime you’ll need to exercise caution over.
Once you’ve found the perfect space to accommodate your crew, you’ll have a few more tasks to knock off the to-do list before showing up to share a meal with your guests. Here are some things you’ll want to take care of as soon as possible so you can sit back and wait for the day of your special occasion to arrive.
Choose Your Food – Whether you’ll be coordinating with the chef and strapping on an apron yourself, the menu is arguably the most important decision you’ll make when hosting a meal. Not much else matters if the food is no bueno, so prioritize deciding what you’ll be serving.
Plan Plating and Presentation – Some would say that how your food looks plays a huge role in your overall review of it, and we agree. Keeping an eye on the visual aspects of your meal as you plan (including tablescaping, centerpieces, glassware, and linens) is a good idea.
The Perfect Pairing – Don’t forget to pair your meal with the right drinks. Whether you have a wine pour for every course, a progression from cocktail to wine to digestif throughout dinner, or decide to have a free-for-all and let your guests decide, knowing what your bar menu will look like is almost as important as the food menu.
Plan for Picky Eaters – Don’t forget to take any dietary restrictions or modifications into account, and this includes tiny guests who refuse to eat anything but nuggets. As much as you’d love to keep it simple with one dish that’s universally appealing to all, this is a recipe for grumbly tummies at the end of the night, which is a host’s worst nightmare!
Make Invites – These days, people just use Canva or other design websites to create practically any graphic material, including invitations. Make sure to add the complete event details: nature of the event, date and time, and dress code, if any.
Part of your responsibility as a host is footing the bill. Ways to save money when dining directly at a local restaurant are more limited, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Here are a few budget-savvy tips that might be worth a try:
Opt for a meal other than dinner.
Breakfast and lunch are both notoriously cheaper than a fully plated, three-course dinner, but you could also choose to make your private dining event a happy hour cocktail reception and stick to appetizers and platters for the table.
Work with seasonal ingredients.
This is true across the board, but especially if you will be cooking and grocery shopping for your event yourself. Local, seasonal produce is simply cheaper (and tastier!), so why not take your inspiration from there?
Keep the menu limited.
If you’re working with a local restaurant, you’re likely going to pay more for the novelty of options. In other words, picking a single appetizer, main course, and dessert to serve to everyone will rack up a smaller final tab than creating an entire prix fixe menu everyone can order from. Want to keep the element of choice involved? Having guests submit their choices ahead of time also typically costs less than the privilege of ordering on the spot.
Stir things up when choosing a venue for your next group dining experience! From semi-private patios with unparalleled views to private houses where you can live out your Home and Garden Magazine dreams, a venue from the Giggster app is always a win.
