Business

Dining

Events

What are the hire costs for the Atrium for evening dining and drinks events?

Evening hire of the Atrium costs £3,790.00 +VAT with access from 17:30 when the museum closes to the public. For charity events, a discount is available bringing the cost to £4,352.00 +VAT for combined Foyer and Atrium hire.

What are the capacity limits for different event formats in the Atrium?

The Atrium can accommodate up to 80 guests for private dining with seated arrangements, or up to 150 guests for standing drinks receptions. For larger events up to 300 guests, the space can be combined with the adjacent Foyer.

What time can I access the Atrium for evening events?

Access to the Atrium for evening events begins at 17:30 when the museum closes to the public. This applies to all evening hire bookings including dinners, drinks receptions, and private parties.

What catering options are available and who provides them?

For evening events, you can choose from a list of approved external caterers or use the in-house catering partner, Searcys. Searcys provides various options including 3-course dinners, fork buffets, bowl food, and canapés with pricing detailed in their current menu.

What equipment and staging is included with the Atrium hire?

The venue can provide poseur tables, uplighters, staging, and microphones as part of the hire. The space features a lighting grid with 6 presets, localised speakers with input, and a ribbon installation of 10 LED screens for visual impact.

Can the Atrium be used for exhibitions and what are the limitations?

The Atrium can accommodate up to 14 exhibition stands as part of a larger exhibition setup (maximum 30 stands total when combined with Foyle 2). However, the Atrium can only be hired for exhibitions on Mondays when the museum is closed to the public.

What makes the Atrium unique as a dining and event space?

The Atrium is a dramatic central space extending the full height of the building and houses a suspended Lynx helicopter as its centerpiece. It features showpiece military objects on display and creates a strong visual link between museum spaces, providing an impressive backdrop for events.

Are there any restrictions on what types of events can be held in the Atrium?

The Atrium is suitable for private dining, drinks receptions, cocktail parties, and standing receptions. For events requiring the space during museum opening hours or on specific days like Mondays, additional security charges of £187.00 +VAT may apply for having main doors manned.

How does the booking process work and what agreements are required?

To confirm a booking, you must complete and sign an order agreement with full company details and contact information. The finance team will then issue an invoice separately, and any additional services like security require separate agreements.

Can the Atrium be combined with other spaces for larger events?

Yes, the Atrium connects to the Foyer via a platform lift and can be hired together for events up to 300 guests. The combined Foyer and Atrium evening hire costs £4,352.00 +VAT (charity rate) and works well for seated dinners across both levels or large standing receptions.