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Location, location, location
Forget summer; for many in the hospitality industry the focus is already on Christmas. Companies and businesses all over Scotland are turning their attention to the end-of-year get-togethers, some of which are regarded as the most important fixture in the working calendar! With all the festive celebrations, theme nights, dances, ceilidhs and corporate events it can be a daunting prospect booking your firm's Christmas do.
So, to help you and your business stay one step ahead of everyone else, we've teamed up with Prestige Scotland to bring you a run-down of the most unique venues in the country in which to celebrate and welcome in 2007. Placed in alphabetical order the venues are arranged in quick-view boxes to help you select the one which best suits your business's and colleagues' needs. Happy partying!
Aberdeen Football Club
Style of Party: Traditional or "Choose your Mood"
AFC offers a superb choice of packages at Christmas. The Winter Wonderland party nights begin at 7.30pm, followed by dinner at 8pm and a DJ disco 'til 1.00am.
Dates available: 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 & 23 December.
£35 including 1/2 bottle of house wine per person.
Vegetarian option also available.
Hogmanay at AFC includes a party in the Richard Donald Suite, with a glass of bubbly on arrival. Enjoy haggis, neeps and tatties followed by disco and licensed bar until 1.00am.
£25.00 per person.
Why we recommend it:
- Space for up to 350 partygoers
- A choice of nine function rooms
- Easy access to and from the city centre, clubs and pubs
- Exclusive rates for nearby hotels for those inevitable stay-overs
- The renowned home of the city's only football club
- Private parties can enjoy stadium tours and a signed AFC football
- Equipped to host end-of-year meetings in the conference rooms and end-of-year parties upstairs
- Free overnight parking for up to 600 guests' cars
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh
Style of Party: A Night at the Movies - Lights, Camera, Action!
Bring the world of Hollywood glitz and glam to the Capital. Arrive on the red carpet at 7:30pm, with dinner at the movies at 8:00pm and dancing till 1:00am
Enjoy a three-course meal with coffee and mince pies, followed by DJ & disco.
£37.50 per person.
Why we recommend it:
- Party in one of Edinburgh's most beautiful rooms
- A new party venue in town which isn't a hotel
- Entertain to the backdrop of the very best soundtracks and movie images
- Ideal town centre location surrounded by top nightclubs
- Easily followed theme: dress to impress
- Groups of 10 - 450
- Carry on partying in the heart of the city
Hampden Park
Type of Party: James Bond: '70s disco or curry karaoke
Bring a bit of Bond style to your bash. Arrive at 7pm for dinner at 8pm and a fun-money casino from 10pm to 12.30am. Package includes vodka-Martini cocktail on arrival, three-course meal with coffee, and disco with Bond movie theming. Fancy dress encouraged.
The curry karaoke nights offer a less formal opportunity to belt out your favourite hits. Package includes two-course Indian-style buffet to share from 8.00pm until 9.00pm, followed by karaoke and DJ until midnight, and disco 'til 1am.
007-themed party lunches: £32.50 per person.
Dates available: 20, 21 & 22 December.
007-themed party nights: £45.00 per person. Dates available: 1, 2, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 & 23 December.
Hogmanay: Package includes a glass of bubbly on arrival, three-course sit-down Scottish-themed meal, live ceilidh band, disco, a piper at the bells and a licensed bar until 2am.
£45.00 per person.
Why we recommend it:
- Renowned as Glasgow's biggest and best party venue, with a fun and relaxed atmosphere
- The HQ and spiritual home of the national game
- Choose from lunchtime package or traditional party night
- A neutral venue for all supporters; SMERSH and SPECTRE both welcome
- Hundreds of complimentary parking places
- Contemporary facilities in an inspiring setting
- Extensive meeting and conference facilities throughout the stadium
- Miss Moneypenny available for assistance with your bookings
- Well-known and accessible
- Close to city centre for after-party parties
- A unique alternative to a hotel suite
Heart of Midlothian Football Club
Tynecastle Stadium, Gorgie, Edinburgh
Party Style: 1970s!
Forget the carols this year and sing along to the hits of the past and present.
Package 1 includes finger buffet, DJ disco and karaoke until 1am.
£15.00 per person. Available 2 & 3 December.
Package 2 invites up to 400 groovers into 'Boogie Wonderland' for the return of party-night fever. This '70s theme night starts at 7.30 pm and includes a three-course sit-down meal followed by DJ and disco 'til 1am.
£28.50 per person (9 & 10 December)
£31.50 per person (16 and 17 December)
Hogmanay:
A hot buffet of haggis, neeps & tatties, and New Year will be welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine. Doors open at 8pm with disco and bars open 'til 2am.
Price: £20 per person.
Why we recommend it:
- Easy access from West End business offices
- Near Haymarket rail, bus and taxi services
- Small suites available for private Christmas bashes
- Prizes for the best costumes
- Capacity for up to 450 grooving souls
- Receive a psychedelic cocktail on arrival
- Free and easy parking for designated drivers or coaches
- Disperse quickly into town to continue the festivities
Murrayfield Stadium
Style of Party: James Bond
Start with vodka-Martinis at 7pm, followed by dinner at 8pm. Enjoy Bond-theme karaoke, a fun-money casino from 10pm -12.30am and the DJ's Disco 'til 1am.
£45 per person.
Dates available: 1, 2, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, & 23 December
The Bond theme also surrounds the festive lunches which run from 12pm 'til 4pm, with traditional lunches served from 12.45pm until last orders at 3.45pm.
£30 per person.
Dates available 20, 21, & 22 December
Dance through the Decades is Murrayfield's informal, festive boogie. Bar opens 7pm 'til 1am. Package includes festive cocktail on arrival, three-course fork buffet, decades disco and complimentary parking.
Dates available: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 December
Why we recommend it:
- It's a world-renowned sporting venue
- Easy access from West End offices
- Space for 10 to 1,000 'agents' at once
- Various drinks promotions
- Dedicated and experienced Miss Moneypennys to plan your event
- Space for corporate and private events of all sizes
Perth Racecourse
Type of Party: Disco through the decades
The night begins at 7.30pm with a welcome cocktail followed by a three-course meal with coffee, novelties, crackers and a funky disco. Fancy dress encouraged.
Licensed bar until 1am.
Available 8, 9, 15, 16 & 22 December.
£29.95 per person.
Or…create your own Christmas night out, assisted by the Prestige Scotland team.
Hogmanay:
The black-tie package includes sparkling wine and canapés reception, a four-course meal with coffee and live band.
Bacon rolls served at 12.30am, and the bar remains open until 1am.
£57.50 per person.
Or…enjoy a more informal evening at the Hogmanay Hoolie!
Package includes haggis, neeps and tatties, a live ceilidh band and a cash bar until 1.00am.
£19.95 per person.
Why we recommend it:
- Contemporary facilities in a stunning, countryside setting
- New grandstand provides a unique party experience, with panoramic views across the racecourse
- Features Radio Tay's Ally Bally and his hottest tunes
- Easily accessible: only 90 minutes from 90% of the Scotland's population
- Five minutes from Perth city centre
- Fancy dress encouraged
- Free overnight parking for guests' cars
- Flexible space for large and small gatherings up to 180 people
- Have a day (or night!) the races instead of a hotel function suite
The Tall Ship, Glasgow Harbour
Type of party: Traditional Scottish
Enjoy a tasty three-course meal and a superb live ceilidh band. Festivities commence at 7.30pm with dinner served at 8.00pm and dancing until 1.00am with licensed bar.
Kilts welcome…
Win a bottle of bubbly in the 'Strictly Jigging' competition after dinner.
Dates available: 1, 2, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 & 23 December.
£45.00 per person.
Or…create your own Christmas night out for 50 to 250, assisted by the Prestige Scotland team. From the thrills of 007 to the glamour of Hollywood nights, and the grooves of the seventies to formal dinner or simple buffet with disco, the Tall Ship can be transformed for any experience you want.
Hogmanay:
Package includes a glass of champagne on arrival, three-course seated Scottish-themed meal, disco and licensed bar until 2.00am. £40.00 per person.
Why we recommend it:
- The unique setting of Glasgow's only Clyde-built sailing ship
- The a spacious but cosy venue on winter's night
- 'Reel' in your colleagues for some ceilidh dancing
- Superb food and drink
- Free parking
- Exclusive hire available
- The ultimate change of scene for a Christmas do
- Jig the night away till 1am then head into town for more
For more information on any of these venues, contact Prestige Scotland, on 0800 328 1373, or email scotland.events@sodexho-uk.com
This article has been edited from its original version. For the complete feature please see Catering in Scotland magazine September/October 2006.
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