Social Venues

Choose your hall carefully. There are a number of different kinds of halls that will host socials.

Types of Venues

Legion Halls will often have a kitchen available, and may offer a cash bar and bartenders. Community centres can be a great inexpensive option if you are open to managing the liquor license and bar. Some curling clubs offer hall rental and may already have a liquor license. A hotel banquet hall will have more amenities, but will likely cost more than your local community centre or legion hall. There are bars that will host socials. Having your event at a bar can be an easier way to run the event, as you don't have to plan, budget for, or pick up the alcohol, but the venue will keep all alcohol profits and the drinks will be expensive for your guests.

Find a Venue

Ask Questions

Finding the right hall means doing a lot of research. Call around to compare prices and amenities, and visit a few halls to get a feel for them. Talk to people that have been to or have run socials to find out which halls have been successful. Hall prices, amenities, size and upkeep vary wildly - don't make assumptions.

Some things you may want to ask about before you commit:

• Do they have a liquor license, or will you need to supply liquor
• Kitchen facilities or catering options
• Bartenders, security or other staff
• If a DJ is supplied or if they have requirments on what DJ companies they will work with
• If they supply non-alcoholic drinks for mix, cups, or ice
• If tables and chairs are included in the base fee
• Parking availability
• Wheelchair accessibility
• Additional fees for cleanup
• What time you will have access to the hall for decorating
• Proximity of the location to your guests, and their ability to find a safe way home for rural venues

Picking the right hall can have a significant impact on the outcome of your social. Make sure to get a look at the hall yourself before you commit - don't trust to pictures from the website.

Expect to pay a damage deposit, and find out what is expected of you as far as clean up.

Decorating the Hall

Put up a sign or banner displaying what the social is for. Many DJ companies have packages which include social banners and tickets, so book your entertainment well in advance.

If you want a banner but your DJ does not supply one, you can order one online cheaply from BannerBuzz Canada.

Decoration suggestions:

• Helium balloons at each table, tied to heavy items (wrapped rocks or bags of sand, etc)
• Party streamers
• Plastic table cloths
• Signs to mark out prizes, the ticket table and the bar

If the social is close to a fun holiday, run with it. Halloween socials (with prize for best costume!) are great fun and will attract a lot of guests. St. Patrick's day and New Year's Eve socials will probably sell more alcohol and have great turnout if you plan them far enough in advance.