FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. Meat Market does not contract a specific caterer. If you require catering for your event, Meat Market is happy to recommend some options for you.
Meat Market has no public parking available on site. We recommend utilising public transport options when visiting the venue. The surrounding area has limited permit, metered and timed on-street parking. Nearby hospitals have limited parking available for a fee. Limited parking is also available at Wilsons Parking (33 Bedford St, North Melbourne) 24 hours a day.
Please note that Secure Parking (14-20 Blackwood St, North Melbourne) is not open to the public.
Yes. A formalised quote is generated following discussion with the Presenter Services Coordinator and, if necessary, the technical team.
It is the responsibility of the Hirer to arrange any of the following staff that a booking may require, including:
- sound designers and operators
- lighting designers and operators
- security staff
Meat Market reserves the right to request evidence of these staff members being hired for the event. Crew, front of house and ticketing staff can be arranged for your booking. Please contact Meat Market’s management team to discuss your requirements.
All technical operations in the venue must receive prior approval from the Operations Manager.
Technical operations are to be carried out by qualified and reputable technicians with appropriate skills and a clear understanding of the venue’s equipment.
A venue supervising technician will be required when any external AV operator is present. It is Meat Market’s preference that all events use the venue technicians to fully support and troubleshoot any issues that may arise during your event.
Meat Market holds lost property on site for a maximum of 30 days. If you have misplaced something in one of our spaces, please contact our office on (03) 9329 9966 to enquire if it has been found or collected.
Bump-in and bump-out of events often requires use of hazardous machinery and vehicles which mean that it can be a risk and safety issue to have children onsite.
Children (anyone under the age of 18) can only be onsite during your bump-in and bump-out under supervision, and with prior written approval of Meat Market management.
Hirers and their teams must be onsite a minimum of 60 minutes before doors open on the first day of public access for their event. This allows enough time to ensure that all relevant team members complete a venue induction.
For venue hire enquiries, contact the Presenter Services Coordinator on 03 9329 9966.
Meat Market is available all year. Please contact the Presenter Services Coordinator on 03 9329 9966 to discuss specific availability.
Meat Market is taking bookings until 1 July 2022 with a primary objective to support the independent, small and medium arts sector. Please contact the Presenter Services Coordinator on 03 9329 9966 for information on availability before and after this date.
Meat Market’s primary objective is to support independent, small and medium sized arts organisations and practitioners. Arts events are sometimes waiting on grant application outcomes or other sources of fundraising and have a shorter lead time for venue bookings. Whilst we welcome non-arts events, we are mindful about giving every opportunity to artists to use Meat Market. Due to the popularity of the venue and an increase in advanced bookings from events other than arts, Meat Market is pleased to tentatively book your event in advance and confirm your booking 90 days from your event delivery date.
Each space has a different capacity depending on its size and seating arrangement. It the Hirer’s responsibility to observe the maximum patron capacities as stated in the space’s technical specs.
Sound and noise restrictions: Main Pavilion – 90dB, Stables – 84dB, Garden – 78dB.
Meat Market venues are in residential areas and therefore any noise, voice or other music amplification must be at a lawful acoustic level.
You must immediately follow and adhere to any direction made by the City of Melbourne or the Victoria Police to reduce noise volume.
Due to the residential nature of the venue location, the Main Pavilion has an 11pm event curfew and a 2am curfew for bump-out. If bump-out is likely to continue past 2am, hirers are required to book the venue for a half-day of bump-out for the following day.
You may be required to provide security depending on the nature of your event.
For some events, Meat Market will require the use of their preferred security company. This includes events with alcohol and with more than 300 patrons in the pavilions, or more than 100 patrons in the Stables.
Yes. You must hold a current Public Liability Insurance policy of at least $20 million. A Certificate of Currency must be provided to the Presenter Services Coordinator before any activities commence.
As a heritage listed venue, all decorations and signage must be approved by Meat Market’s management team to ensure the venue will not be damaged.
You and the Presenter Services Coordinator will agree on a commencement and finish time for your event. If the venue is not vacated by the agreed finish time, you may be required to pay extra charges.
You are responsible for the safekeeping of all valuables and cash associated with your event and the City of Melbourne will not be held liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Hirer.
You may sublet the space hired only with the prior written consent of the City of Melbourne; this will attract the commercial event rate. The types of events for which subletting may be allowed include fairs or exhibitions where stallholders or exhibitors are charged an occupancy fee.
If you will be providing alcoholic drinks to patrons you must hold a liquor licence obtained from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR). You are responsible for ensuring that the licence and all required signage is displayed at the point of service.
A copy of the licence must be given to the bookings officer prior to the event. Details can be found at VCGLR or phone 1300 182 457.
Upon request, the Hirer will supply the Presenter Services Coordinator with a detailed statement or program showing precisely what is to take place during the event and hire period from the commencement time and date to finish time and date.
Hirers are also required to supply contact details of volunteers and/or personnel who will be organising the event/function – in particular, the event organisers attending and responsible for the event throughout its duration.
The Hirer must give immediate notice to Meat Market if the project is likely to be highly controversial or injure the reputation of the City of Melbourne.
Advanced notice will enable the City of Melbourne to address any media issues that may arise.
In some instances, the Hirer may be required to post a clear and visible notice at the venue.
Kitchen facilities are available with some rooms within Meat Market and the use of the kitchens can be discussed with the Presenter Services Coordinator.
Hirers wishing to use the kitchen for catering purposes must provide the Presenter Services Coordinator with safe food handling permits.
No barbecuing is permitted at, in or around the venue whether on portable equipment or otherwise, unless approved by the venue management team.
All city venues are smoke-free zones and smoking is strictly prohibited in all spaces and surrounding areas at all times.
Naked flames including candles, smoke machines, special balloon effects and pyrotechnics are prohibited at, in or around the venue, without the prior written consent of the venue management team.
If you need to cancel your booking, please inform the Presenter Services Coordinator immediately. Please note that penalties may apply according to the conditions outlined in your contract.
For items of significant weights and items containing liquids – including bars where liquid spills are common – every measure must be taken to protect all Meat Market flooring from damage. Damage to flooring will incur additional costs.
Please consult with Meat Market personnel before and throughout your hire on appropriate protective measures according to items, furniture, fridges, potted plants or bars required for your event.
Meat Market encourages hirers to engage a first nations elder to conduct a Welcome to Country at the commencement of their proceedings where possible. If you would like to arrange a Welcome to Country please contact the Meat Market team who will be happy to make some recommendations.
If you prefer, you are encouraged to conduct an Acknowledgement of Country at the commencement of proceedings. This is an example of text which can be used for this, for the nations whose land we are on:
[Your event or company name] respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, the Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) peoples of the Kulin Nation and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.Download City of Melbourne’s comprehensive guide to planning events in Melbourne here.
Meat Market is a City of Melbourne venue for hire, committed to the delivery of sustainable events. The diversity of events at Meat Market means that the way sustainability and waste is approached differs hugely. There are many ways to reduce the impact of your event on the planet and our community. Read our Sustainability Policy here.
Meat Market is unable to permit the use of conventional glitter, paper glitter, or paper tickertape as part of any hire. There are two exceptions to this rule which are noted below.
- Glitter cannons/large glitter: under some circumstances and with prior written approval by Meat Market’s management team, Glitter cannons which disperse large glitter pieces may be accommodated. The glitter pieces used in this circumstance must be not smaller than 1.5cm x 1.5cm. Additional cleaning charges will apply.
- Performers are permitted to use glitter as part of their makeup.
Please note that any glitter spillages will incur additional cleaning charges which will be added to your final invoice.