11 (Cool) Christmas Party Ideas In The Shire
Your inspiration to plan the ultimate end-of-year celebration
Mintaka Charters
Can you believe it’s already that time of year? As holiday preparations kick into gear and Santa fine-tunes his sleigh, the buzz of Christmas party planning is in the air.
Let's be honest: we've all been to that one Christmas party that was, well, a dud. Thankfully, however, the Shire is packed with venues up for hosting an end-of-year celebration that's actually good. Whether you're celebrating with friends, coworkers, or family, if you're fresh out of ideas about how to send the year out with a bang, here's our guide to Christmas Party ideas worth getting around. You’re welcome!
11 Christmas Party Ideas In The Sutherland Shire
Cocktail Making At Cony’s
Going out for a celebratory Christmas cocktail is all well and good, but what if you could have some fun making and shaking yourself? It’s little known, but here’s a secret: Shire icon Cony’s offers fuss-free cocktail-making classes. Guests can up their skill set by learning the secret recipes behind Cony's signature cocktails, whilst enjoying a delicious cheese platter. It’s $79pp for two cocktails and $95 for three, and you can book online or call 0433 502 422.
Long Lunch At Summer Salt
Waves practically lapping at the windows, a menu that is simply divine and a cocktail list to match; there’s no better place to celebrate summer - and another year gone - than Summer Salt. To make things simple, opt for one of the group menus, which feature some seriously good seafood and quality seasonal produce. Summer Salt can cater for groups of up to 36 people - so it’s perfect for an office get-together before you bid each other adieu ‘til 2024. BYO is available for lunch too!
Enjoy A Bottomless Session
What’s not to love about free-flowing drinks? Not a lot. In the Shire, we’re blessed with a plethora of options that satisfy a joint love of endless Aperol, sangria and rosé. Truly, there are too many to list here - but luckily for you, we made a whole separate guide for those looking to while away the hours with great food and sparkling in hand.
Plan A Brewery Hop
Tucked away in warehouses and off the main drag, you have to be a true local - or a dedicated lover of craft beer - to know where to find the Shire’s local breweries. In fact, you may be shocked to hear that we’re home to four: Sunday Road, Slim Pickin’s, Hairyman and Shark Island. Each has its own signature spin on a good brew and plays host to various food trucks, but the one thing they all have in common is that they’re a great spot to say ‘cheers’ to the festive season.
Pottery And Sip
The hardworking among us have spent the year getting our hands dirty to get the job done - so why not continue the trend? Set in a bright and breezy, uber cool warehouse, Part Time Ceramics in Caringbah will play a fabulous host to Christmas celebrations. Book you and your friends in for one of their many workshops, or take it private and have the place to yourselves. Just don’t forget to bring the bubbles!
Mintaka
This one’s for the boujee-and-proud and those up for an adventure. Forget sitting in a restaurant or bar, a day out on one of Mintaka’s sublime catamarans kicks things up a notch. Soaking up the sun, queuing up the best songs on Spotify, hopping off for a dip, a catered lunch and - of course - a drink in hand (BYO, too!); need we say more?
Cronulla Sailing Club
This venue is only open during the warmer months, so should you choose to host your Christmas party here, it’s guaranteed to have an air of exclusivity. With unmatched views over the water, Cronulla Sailing Club plays host to some of the Shire’s best sunsets as well as great live music. The Club is open for dinner (and drinks) on Fridays only - but who doesn’t love a pre-weekend party?
Book A Table At Hurricanes
As one of the newest venues to hit the Shire, there’s been a lot of hype surrounding Hurricanes - but trust us, it’s all warranted. Boasting their signature flair for quality meat, plus a location-inspired twist, the menu is next-to-none. We also highly recommend you check out their RAW bar - it’s exclusive to Cronulla, and features the freshest, locally-sourced seafood available - the perfect way to set off the party. To score extra brownie points as the ‘Shire’s best boss’, make a booking in their private dining room.
Pinot and Picasso
The paint-and-sip trend is still going strong, and those who have tried it before will know exactly why. Fun, creative and sometimes a little messy, an afternoon spent at Pinot and Picasso is the ultimate bonding experience for you, your friends, your colleagues or your family. Add on a grazing box, bring your favourite bevvies and get ready for a good laugh.
A Lazy Arvo At Lawn Bowls
Leave your shoes at home and bring your competitive spirit - there’s nothing better than a sunny, lazy afternoon spent on the green with a beer in hand. You’ll be pleased to know that there are no less than six (yes, six) lawn bowl venues in the Shire, and all are equally up for hosting you and your mates as you kick it (or should we say, bowl it?) at the end of the working year.
Wine Time Tasting Co
Can’t make it to the Hunter and back in an afternoon? Not to worry. Wine Time Tasting Co brings the fun and excitement to you. Offering a unique tasting experience, you’ll receive 9 to 10 tastings as owners Stacey and Kim run games and activities to put your vino knowledge to the test (there are even prizes for the winners!). The experience also includes a wine and food pairing activity, blind tasting and boozy facts. All wine bottles are left at the event to enjoy after the tasting, so you’ll definitely want to stick around longer.