Holding a Celebration of Life or Wake at The Normanby Hotel
A celebration of life, wake or funeral reception is a different type of event to plan. In many cases it’s similar to other events, regarding food and drink ordering, but there are subtle differences to be taken into account.
As a pub with a history and nostalgic feel, we’re a popular venue for wakes. In my last 5 years at The Normanby I’ve been involved in many life celebrations. I hope this information is helpful in making the planning process a bit easier. And if you need more information, please feel free to contact me directly on (07) 3831 3353 or email functions@thenormanby.com.au
Why do you think people like to hold a celebration of life at The Normanby Hotel?
I’ve been told a number of reasons people decided to book a wake at The Normanby Hotel. We’re a historical pub in Brisbane with a genuine nostalgic feeling. People like to hold a deeply emotional event, like a wake, in a place with a sense of history and honour.
Also it’s because of the convenience and parking. The Normanby Hotel is a 10 minute drive from the Brisbane CBD. Easy to access from all directions of Brisbane, but just far enough outside of the city to be away from the congestion and traffic. We’re easily accessible off the ICB, at the Hale St exit. And within a 3 minutes drive, on Kelvin Grove Rd, there are two funeral homes – White Lady Funerals and George Hartnett Metropolitan Funerals.
We have free on-site parking for around 80 cars, next to the hotel. Access is via Kelvin Grove Rd at 18 Kelvin Grove Rd, Kelvin Grove.
Another reason people like to hold a wake here is the friendly vibe. We’re a true, down-to-earth pub with a warm and comforting atmosphere. That’s the kind of place you want to be in when people are feeling emotional as they honour and commemorate the life of a loved one.
Which of the rooms or spaces at The Normanby Hotel are the most commonly chosen for a wake?
Our large spaces work best. These are The Lounge Bar and our Public Bar.
For information on all our rooms, download our Functions Package.
What would you recommend for food and drinks?
We have a variety of platters to serve all the guests. Our most popular are the Cheese and Antipasto Platters. Easy for sharing amongst a crowd that comes and goes. Food can also be ordered off the bistro menu and delivered to the room.
I’d recommend people order their own drinks at the bar. We can do a package if interested though, so just ask.
For all the food & drink selections, check out the Food & Beverage Packages.
Can you serve something special, like a favourite food of the person we are commemorating?
We can definitely try. Ask us and we’ll do our best to cater for you.
Do you have gf and vegetarian options?
Yes, we always include gf and vegetarian options. Check the menu for all the delicious offers we can serve.
I have a music playlist I would like to use.
We have sound systems in all our rooms. You can link to Spotify or nightlife/crowd DJ. Or give us your genre and we can create a playlist for you.
I would like to show a photo slideshow.
Yes we can have this set up for you.
The Lounge Bar has a small screen which supports USB with jpeg format.
The Public Bar has a large screen which supports HDMI input.
Can we just hire the space?
Yes. We don’t charge a room hire fee. All we require is a minimum spend which varies by space, and a $500 deposit, to secure the booking. This amount is part of the minimum spend.
I’m not sure how many people will turn up. Do you have a space I can book without an upfront fee?
Yes, we have the Garden Bar, which is a book and go style. This means you don’t need to pay a deposit or meet a minimum spend. This works best if you aren’t sure how many people will turn up or you know it’s going to be a smaller gathering. You just book the area and it’s yours for as long as you need it. It’s kind of like a VIP beer garden booking…It only accommodates up to 30 seated, 50 standing though, so spacing is more limited.
Am I able to book a couple of days in advance?
We understand planning a celebration of life is not something you can do in advance. We’ll accommodate your timing as much as we can. The best of course is to contact us as soon as possible.
How long can I book the room or space?
Once you book, it’s your space for as long as you need, while we are open. We open at 10am daily and close 12am weekdays and 2am Friday-Saturday.
At The Normanby we’ve had wakes for as short as 2 hours and as long as 8+ hours…
Other helpful ideas
We have wireless mics available if anyone would like to address the crowd
- If you’d like to have a table available for a photo or anything special to show, we can definitely set that up at the entrance of the room
Are there any funeral homes nearby?
White Lady Funerals and George Hartnett Metropolitan Funerals are a 3 minute drive from The Normanby, on Kelvin Grove Rd.
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 functions@thenormanby.com.au or call (07) 3831 3353. Or send us an enquiry with our event form below.
A wake is a special event. We feel highly privileged to be considered as the venue for your significant occasion. Rest assured, we’ll work hard to make it a memorable and respectful event.
