30th Birthday Party Planning Tips
Interview with Jasmine Sparreboom, the Functions Manager at The Normanby Hotel. With over 5 years of experience coordinating events, most of them being birthday parties, she knows how to create the vibe and make it memorable for you. If you’d like more information about having your 30th Birthday party at The Normanby Hotel, email us, call (07) 3831 3353 or scroll to the enquiry form at the bottom.
How many 30th birthday parties have you helped plan?
I’ve lost track of how many birthday parties I’ve planned. I do like a 30th birthday though as everyone is just a bit more in control. Doesn’t mean 30th birthday’s aren’t fun, they just don’t tend to be as crazy.
Why do you think The Normanby Hotel is such a popular place for 30th birthday events?
The Normanby Hotel has been an icon pub of the Brisbane scene for so long. This means people in their 30’s have a lot of great memories of going to the Normanby at some point. It’s an extra reason why people like to book their birthday event at our venue. We have a variety of spots suitable for big and small party sizes, but we also have the nostalgic factor that makes us special for many.
Which room at The Normanby is best suited for a 30th birthday party?
The Public Bar and The Lounge Bar are our most popular spaces for a 30th Birthday party. They’re our biggest spaces and great for a cocktail party.
- The Public Bar can accommodate up to 120 guests
- The Lounge Bar can have up to 100 guests comfortably
- For a smaller space, I recommend the Valentine Room (50 guests) or the Cabana deck if you want it outside (60 guests)
- For a super casual, smaller party, we have the Garden Bar (40 guests)
For information about all our spaces, download our functions package.
What are some ideas to make a 30th birthday party fun?
- Photo booths – we recommend Steve from Photo Illustrated
- Make up your own playlist
What’s the best food for a 30th birthday party?
I always recommend small, bite size pieces that are easy to handle with a drink in your hand. Most of our platters are designed with this in mind.
Nibbles like sliders (our #1 choice!), pizzas, mini meat pies and sausage rolls, mini quiches, chicken skewers work really well. For the complete list, check out our menu options in our Food & Beverage Packages.
Do you have gf and vegetarian options?
Yes, we always include gf and vegetarian options. We can do gf and vegetarian pizza. Our arancini and spring rolls are gf. And if you have other dietary requirements just let us know. Check out the menu for all the selections.
How much food should I order?
Each platter feeds 6-8 people which is roughly 2-3 pieces each.
Should I do a bar tab or a drinks package?
For a 30th birthday party I recommend a drinks package. You then know how much you’re spending and for how long. After that time people can then order their own drinks at the bar.
Can I play my own music?
You can create your own Spotify playlist. We have the sound system to easily hook that up. Make it at least 4 hours long. Or we’ve done Spotify playlists for many parties if you aren’t sure what is the best for an event. Let us know some of your favourites and we can add it to the playlist.
What information do you need from me?
- Budget
- Timing especially arrival time
- Number of guests
- Bar tab or drinks package
- Which food platters
- What time you want to come and decorate (if you are doing to decorate)
And let me know who the birthday is for so we can put up signage around the venue to help direct people.
When should I book?
If your birthday is in the first 6 months of the year, book at least 2 months out.
If it’s the second 6 months, especially closer to the end of the year, book at least 4 months out to secure your date. We get very busy with functions as the end of the year approaches…
Can I have speeches?
We have a wireless microphone and AV system for speeches. Let us know and we will set it up and show you how to use them.
Should I have it on a Friday or Saturday night?
Saturday’s are more popular because it’s not a work day for many.
Do you have parking?
Yes we have parking for about 80 cars on site. It’s right next door to the hotel. For directions, the address for parking is 18 Kelvin Grove Rd, Kelvin Grove.
I have some more questions.
Please email us or call (07) 3831 3353. Or send us an enquiry with our event form below.
Booking your 30th at The Normanby Hotel is easy and affordable. We have a variety of spaces to work for you. Please email us or call (07) 3831 3353. Or send us an enquiry with our event form below. We can help plan your next fun event without any hassles or stress.
