10 of the best private dining rooms in Bristol

Bristol is home to a wealth of fantastic restaurants, many of which are perfect for celebrating life’s big moments. There’s nothing wrong with booking yourself a table in a restaurant as usual, but there’s something uniquely memorable about having a space all to yourself - especially when it comes to big celebrations.

That’s where private dining rooms truly shine, offering exclusive spaces where you can mark any occasion in style. From curated drinks packages and floral arrangements to the option to add your personal touch with decor (within reasonable limits), these spaces go the extra mile.

Perhaps you're picturing a riverside setting for a client lunch? You’ll find many of Bristol’s private dining rooms nestled in the city centre, often with scenic views of the city’s various wharfs and canals. Or maybe a cosy, candlelit lounge feels more your style for a special birthday or party? Whatever your vision, Bristol has something for everyone.

The venue is important, of course, but so is the food. Fortunately, you’re in good hands in Bristol, which boasts one of the UK’s most exciting food scenes. The venues featured here offer everything from laid-back brunches and sharing boards to elegant set menus, depending on what you're after.

Whether you’re planning an intimate birthday dinner, a corporate gathering, or a festive get-together with colleagues, the private dining scene in Bristol has something to suit every need and aesthetic. We’ve even grouped our favourites by event style to make things easy.

Once you’ve found something you like, just click the ‘book now’ link for more details and images, as well as contact details to start planning your next event.

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Best private dining rooms in Bristol for corporate events

Smart, sophisticated, and offering wide-ranging menus that anyone would be happy with, we reckon this pair of elegant restaurants are great for anyone organising a corporate dinner, or for client entertaining.

The Old Manor House

What: This beloved hotel in Keynsham has a long history of old-school luxury, serving proper British cooking through the week, as well as a popular Sunday roast. The Function Room in the hotel can host seated dinners for up to 60 guests, or more casual drinks and canapes for up to 70, and the gilded mirrors and high corniced ceilings are a flexible backdrop for all sorts of occasions from birthday celebrations to smart corporate occasions. Catering is done by the venue, offering classic British cooking, like homely pies, beer battered fish and chips, roasted pork belly and more.
Maximum capacity: 70
Where: 5 Bristol Road, Keynsham, BS31 2BA
Book now: The Old Manor House

Haveli The Yard

What: Haveli is one of Bristol’s most popular Indian restaurants, regularly catering big celebrations with a menu packed with sumptuous regional Indian cooking. Even better, the restaurant can lay on everything from buffet service to sharing menus to support private dinners, with the main restaurant having room for up to 80 guests. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong with the epic dum biryanis.
Maximum capacity: 80
Where: 10 Upper Maudlin Street, BS2 8DJ
Book now: Haveli The Yard

Best private dining rooms in Bristol for birthdays

These private dining rooms are the perfect mix of brilliant food, classy service and unadulterated fun, and that's just what you want for a good birthday meal, isn't it?

Sonny Stores

What: Sonny Stores’ breezy Mediterranean seasonal plates have made it one of Bristol’s top tables, and what better way to enjoy the food than by hiring the private upstairs room? It comfortably fits up to 14 guests, so you can while away a few hours snacking on plump olives and anchovies, as well as signature dishes like Sonny Stores’ pizzettas, as well as gorgeous handmade pasta dishes and a top quality tiramisu.
Maximum capacity: 14
Where: 47 Raleigh Road, BS3 1QS
Book now: Sonny Stores

BANK Bristol

What: We’re huge fans of this Totterdown sharing plates spot, which specialises in wood-fire cooking. The menus are always varied and exciting, with international influences cleverly woven across a range of cooking styles. The restaurant accepts dining room bookings for groups up to 14, but if you’re planning something bigger you can also hire the restaurant exclusively - it’s a perfect spot for food-focused birthdays and celebration dinners.
Maximum capacity: 40
Where: 107 Wells Road, BS4 2BS
Book now: BANK Bristol

The Clifton

What: The Clifton is the definition of a contemporary gastropub, serving a daily-changing seasonal menu of elevated pub grub, alongside a proper line up of beers and a cracking wine list. We love the smart, cosy styling of the interiors, and the cooking is exceptionally good. Private dining options include booking the main restaurant for 16-40 guests, or you can hire out the kitchen space for more intimate drinks and nibbles gatherings. Exclusive hire of the whole pub is available too for groups of up to 150.
Maximum capacity: 150
Where: 16 Regent Street, BS8 4HG
Book now: The Clifton

Best private dining rooms in Bristol for large groups

Organising a big gala dinner or a landmark birthday? We'd head to one of these two spots and plump for exclusive hire. There are others in this feature that do exclusive hire too - just check out the maximum capacity section of each entry to see if it fits your requirements. 

Cappadocia Bristol

What: Family-run Turkish eatery, Cappadocia, boasts a relaxed and stylish backdrop for those looking for a private dining room in Bristol city centre. Host an exclusive event upstairs, with space for up to 110 guests, with a variety of layouts available depending on your event. Groups can opt for a selection of set menus, with cold and hot mezze starters to share, followed by a main dish. Expect the likes of calamari, sucuk sausage, or falafel followed by chicken pide, halloumi casserole or lamb shank. 
Maximum capacity: 110
Where: 30-34 Baldwin Street, BS1 1NR
Book now: Cappadocia Bristol

The Pony Chew Valley

What: The Pony is a little way outside of Bristol but we’d be remiss not to mention it, such is the quality of the cooking and the value of Josh and Holly Eggleton’s project. This gastropub once held a Michelin star some years ago, but a refurb has made it altogether more relaxed. Josh Eggleton’s cooking is still superb though, and the renovation has opened a brand new 150-capacity space for private dinners and weddings. Guests also get access to the beautiful gardens and allotments, where The Pony grows a huge range of its own produce.
Maximum capacity: 150
Where: Knowle Hill, BS40 8TQ
Book now: The Pony Chew Valley

Best private dining rooms in Bristol for small groups

These small but mighty private dining spots are perfectly suited to more intimate occasions, with lots of cosy spots for you to gather a small group of friends.

Aqua Brasserie

What: Ever-reliable Aqua has a few Bristol outposts, and this Whiteladies Road spot is perfect for anyone around Clifton and Redland looking for a sophisticated place to plan a dinner. As well as offering exclusive private hire for groups up to 160, Aqua Brasserie also has a pair of cosy private dining rooms for more intimate dinners. The curated, seasonal menu is ideal for sharing too.
Maximum capacity: 160
Where: 153 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2RF
Book now: Aqua Brasserie

Prego Italian Bar & Kitchen

What: You’ll find Prego in Westbury Park, where it serves a loyal following of locals. This is the quintessential neighbourhood Italian trattoria, featuring simple, minimal interiors and a menu full of hearty, homely Italian cooking. Prego is best suited to low-key occasions where you want a bit of privacy whilst you get stuck into aperitivo cocktails, huge bowls of pasta, lasagne fritti, and sticky braised beef shin ragu, loaded with Parmesan. Exclusive hire is available for private parties - we recommend getting in touch for capacity info and more.
Where: 7 North View, Westbury Park, BS6 7PT
Book now: Prego Italian Bar & Kitchen

Bar 44

What: Tom & Owen Morgan’s wonderful Grupo 44 group started in Cardiff, but thankfully for Bristolians it has made the leap across the Severn Bridge to Bristol too. Bar 44 combines soulful Spanish cookery with a style and atmosphere that really reflects Spanish culture - you really can feel the respect for great Spanish produce and cooking here. The menu sticks to tried and tested classics, all of which you can enjoy in two private dining rooms - these former bank vaults are 6 and 13 capacity each, perfect for intimate celebrations.
Maximum capacity: 13
Where: 18-20 Regent Street, BS8 4HG
Book now: Bar 44

Dying for more Bristol recommendations? We've got you covered: check out our guide to where to find Bristol's best Sunday roasts; our roundup of Bristol's best brunches, and we've even gone ahead and tracked down Bristol's best child friendly restaurants, in case you're planning a family trip.