Business

Dining

Events

What are the exact venue hire costs for the dining spaces at Middle Temple?

The Queen's Room costs £1,250 for hire between 09:00-17:00. Wedding venue hire is £12,000 + VAT (£14,400 including VAT) on Saturdays and Sundays. Additional hourly extensions beyond standard times cost £670 per hour plus VAT for some spaces, while others charge £1,000-£1,200 + VAT per hour.

What are the dining capacity limits for different event setups?

The Queen's Room accommodates up to 22 people in boardroom dinner style. The maximum seated dining capacity across all spaces is 260 guests using long tables. For larger groups of 300, only standing receptions with canapés or bowl food are possible.

What does the standard catering package include and what are the per-person costs?

Standard catering costs £98.00 + VAT per person (minimum 20 guests) and includes: 30-minute drinks reception with wine, beer, and soft drinks; three-course lunch; half bottle of house wine with meal; filtered water; all essential catering equipment, glassware, and white linen; full event management and staffing. Christmas packages start at £150.00 + VAT per person.

Can I bring my own caterer or use external food suppliers?

External caterers are not permitted at Middle Temple. All catering must be provided in-house. However, for Asian weddings, specific approved Asian caterers are permitted with a mandatory kitchen buy-out fee of £5,000 + VAT (£6,000 including VAT).

What days and times are unavailable due to regular venue activities?

Hall Lunches take place Tuesday through Friday, making the venue unavailable for private dining during these times. The venue cannot accommodate full-day bookings (09:00-17:00) during certain periods due to these regular commitments.

What additional mandatory costs should I budget for beyond the basic package?

Potential additional costs include: cloakroom staff at £25.00 + VAT per staff member per hour (4-hour minimum) if you want manned service; clothed poseur tables at £25 + VAT each; staff taxi fees at £250 + VAT for events ending after 22:30; event security at £42 + VAT per staff member per hour (one per 100 guests).

Is there built-in audiovisual equipment in the dining spaces?

The Queen's Room does not have any built-in AV equipment. All audiovisual needs must be hired from Middle Temple's accredited suppliers. The venue provides a list of approved AV production, lighting, and equipment suppliers that must be used.

What are the booking and payment procedures for dining events?

The venue offers to hold dates with a pencil booking while you consider the proposal. Minimum guest numbers apply (20 for standard catering, 55 for some Christmas packages). All suppliers including florists, AV, entertainment, and toastmasters must be selected from their accredited supplier list.

Are there restrictions on event timing and extensions?

Standard venue hire typically runs 09:00-17:00 for daytime events or 18:00-23:00 for evening events. Extensions beyond these hours incur additional charges of £670-£1,200 + VAT per hour depending on the space. Events ending after 22:30 trigger mandatory staff taxi fees of £250 + VAT.

What happens if the venue cannot accommodate my preferred date?

Middle Temple frequently cannot accommodate bookings due to large events requiring all rooms or existing Hall Lunch commitments. When unavailable, they may suggest alternative dates or direct you to find alternative venues. Date flexibility significantly improves booking chances.