Event venue and private dining in Wellington
We are the ultimate private function venue in Wellington. Specialising in corporate functions, birthday celebrations (including 21st's) and weddings. We have also held a number of funeral wakes being so close to Old St Pauls Cathedral.
Catering for groups from 20-180, we will provide you with a dedicated event co-ordinator to ensure your event runs seamlessly. Our chefs are masters of function food. Generous in portion size and also flexible with dietary requirements.
Situated in the heart of Wellington city & close to public transport, the Thistle Inn is the ideal place for your next event.
For a virtual tour, please click here.
You have a choice of venues for your private function:
Main Bar
The wonderfully historic main bar offers a warm and inviting atmosphere to cater for any occasion. Have your function surrounded in Wellington's, and possibly even New Zealand’s, most iconic and history-riddled building. The area offers a glass floor through which you can view the original cellar from 1840, a lovely gas open fire, historic photos of the Thistle and other Wellington icons. A very comfortable and enticing space. Minimum spend applies.
Capacity
- 180 people standing function
- 80 seated dining (120 including conservatory)
Internal Conservatory / Courtyard
This wonderful, bright area just off the main bar offers a glimpse into the 1840 cellar through the glass trap door and interesting corrugated iron signs which were found underneath the building during the renovations in 2003. Large glass bi-fold doors separate this area from the main bar, the glass ceiling allows plenty of sunshine during the day in the summer months and a lovely open gas fire for the winter months. Available anytime, with the exception of Friday evenings.
Capacity
- 35 people standing function
- 35 seated dining
The Parlour Room
Located just off the main bar, the Historic Dining room offers a traditional feel with the original earthy Thistle green colour, surrounded by historic photos of the Wellington region's historic hotels and the famous poem written by Katherine Mansfield about one of her experiences at the Thistle in the early 1900s. Minimum of 20 people required for private dining or $100 hire fee.
Capacity
- 36 seated
Georges Room
Located upstairs where the hotels rooms used to be at full capacity, Georges Room can cater for many different functions. A lovely, light and airy room offering meeting facilities, bar service and both informal and formal dining experiences. This area can be extended to the Marquee area (details below). 7am-5pm Monday – Friday hire fee applies, minimum spend applies for all other times.
Capacity
- 20 people - Boardroom style
- 30 people - Theatre Style
- 35 people - Cafe Style
- 42 - Seated dining
- 45 – Cocktail function
- 120 – Cocktail function with Marquee Area
Marquee Area
The Marquee Area is an outdoor location which can hold up to 60 people, offering an al fresco style function space which can be utilised in both winter and summer months. Filled with fairy lights, the casual atmosphere is great for those looking informal dining or a cocktail style event. This area can be linked to Georges Room to increase capacity.
Capacity
- 60 – Cocktail function
- 42 – Dining
Katherine Mansfield Room
A gracious room located on the corner of the building with loads of natural light and original wooden floors. A quiet space tucked away from the rest of the building offering a relaxed and inviting space for meetings, dinner or smaller private functions. 7am-5pm Monday – Friday hire fee applies, minimum spend applies for all other times.
Capacity
- 14 Boardroom style
- 28 Cafe style
- 28 Seated dining
Please email jess.mumby@thistleinn.co.nz for more information or call 04- 499 5980.
Recent Reviews
December 2022 - Facebook Review, Debbie Gibson
I wanted to say thank you to everyone in the team at the Thistle for the wonderful service right through from enquiring, booking and holding our team gathering today in the George’s room. Everyone has been friendly and helpful and it’s been a pleasure to work with you.
I would like to say particular thanks to Jess who managed our booking and kept in touch with us to make sure we had everything we needed and organised in advance of the day. Also thanks to Sophie who kindly & happily looked after us during the time we were there as she went up & down the stairs many many times to order and deliver our drinks which was much appreciated. And of course the gastro food team for our delicious food.
We had booked a room for a private function - staff Christmas Dinner. The actual place is so big that there were a variety of rooms and lots of other groups using the facility. It’s so big that I didn’t even know other groups were there.
So with that in mind and staffing issues they did extremely well in catering for our group. The room decorated beautifully, well ventilated and the food was delicious.
