Function Hire Guide
The Bartley Room vs the Club Room: Function and Venue Hire at Rushcutters Bay Park
Two bookable rooms in a harbourside park, compared on capacity, hourly rates and what each one suits.
Looking for function room hire in Rushcutters Bay? Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis Courts is best known for its five tennis courts and its Hot Shots junior program, but the same site also runs two function spaces most people never think to check: the Bartley Room and the Club Room. Both are at 7 Waratah Street, Rushcutters Bay, in a harbourside park.
This guide compares the two spaces directly, using the capacities and hourly rates on the venue's own site, so you can work out which one fits your event. Rates are as published in November 2026 and can change, so confirm them when you enquire.
- Rooms2 function spaces
- Address7 Waratah Street, Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011
- Hire from$18 per hour (community rate)
- Call(02) 9357 7332
The short version: choose the Bartley Room for up to 40 seated or 80 standing, especially if you need a screen or kitchenette. Choose the Club Room for up to 20 seated or 50 standing, at a lower hourly rate.
Two function spaces, one harbourside venue
Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis Courts sits in Rushcutters Bay Park, a harbourside park, and is managed by Sydney Sports Management Group, which has been trading for over 25 years. Alongside its five tennis courts and on-site cafe, operated by Scramble and Bean, the venue runs two bookable function spaces: the Bartley Room and the Club Room.
The venue is opposite Reg Bartley Oval, and it says there's plenty of parking along Waratah Street. You can find directions on the contact page.
Catering
The cafe can cater private bookings with food platters and drink packages, and the venue lists options for special dietary requirements. Catering prices aren't published, so ask for them when you enquire. The cafe's listed hours are 7am to 2:30pm, Monday to Sunday, so check how catering works if your event runs later.
Check the hire area: the grandstand seating and grassed area aren't part of the hire area for either room. If your plans rely on outdoor space, talk to the venue first.
The Bartley Room: capacity, features and rates
The Bartley Room is the larger of the two spaces, and the venue says it can be arranged for any type of function. Its list includes corporate and community events, birthday parties, Christmas parties, sports presentations, fitness classes, and anniversary or christening celebrations. The team can also help with room setup, catering and decorating to a specific theme.
- Capacity
- 40 seated
80 standing - Rates
- $31/hour community rate
$55.90/hour corporate rate - Features
- Plasma screen
Conference table setup
Kitchenette
Its size makes it the better fit for larger corporate functions, bigger birthday parties, or a Christmas party with a mix of seated and standing guests.
The Club Room: capacity, features and rates
The Club Room is the smaller, quieter option. The venue describes it as suiting birthday parties, meetings and activities such as dance, yoga or personal training, and it's available for hire all year round to customers and the wider community.
- Capacity
- 20 seated
50 standing - Rates
- $18/hour community rate
$33.30/hour commercial rate - Best for
- Meetings, smaller parties, dance, yoga and personal training
It suits smaller meetings, a modest birthday celebration, or a fitness class that doesn't need the Bartley Room's scale.
What each space suits
The difference is mainly scale, equipment and budget. A 20-person client workshop or a small fitness class fits the Club Room at a lower hourly rate. A 60-person end-of-year function needs the Bartley Room, because that's over the Club Room's limit of 50 standing.
You don't have to book for a one-off event. The venue also rents out both rooms on a regular basis, and says they're regularly used for dancing, flamenco, yoga and more.
Planning a child's party? The birthday parties page covers coached tennis parties on Sundays, and lists the Bartley Room as an alternative party option.
Comparison table: which room is for you
| Room | Capacity | Community rate | Corporate/commercial rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartley Room | 40 seated / 80 standing | $31/hour | $55.90/hour | Larger functions, Christmas parties, sports presentations, bigger birthdays |
| Club Room | 20 seated / 50 standing | $18/hour | $33.30/hour | Meetings, smaller birthdays, dance, yoga, personal training |
How to book, step by step
Work out your guest count
Decide whether guests will be seated or standing. Those numbers will usually settle which room you need.
Ask which rate applies
The venue doesn't publish who qualifies for the community rate, so check before you set a budget.
Send an enquiry
Fill in the form on the function hire page or call (02) 9357 7332. The team will come back with more information or to finalise your booking.
Confirm the setup and catering
Tell the team if you need the plasma screen, conference table setup or kitchenette, which are listed for the Bartley Room. Ask about platters, drink packages and dietary options at the same time.
Confirm the booking terms
Minimum hire times, deposits and cancellation terms aren't published online, so check them before you lock in a date.
Common mistakes event planners make
- Booking the Bartley Room for a small meetingIf your group fits within 20 seated or 50 standing, the Club Room has the lower hourly rate.
- Assuming the hourly rate is the only costCatering prices aren't listed with the room rates, so ask for them when you work out your budget.
- Setting a budget before checking your rateThe rates differ substantially: $31 or $55.90 an hour for the Bartley Room, and $18 or $33.30 an hour for the Club Room.
- Planning around the grass or grandstandNeither is part of the hire area for either room.
- Overlooking the screen when planning a presentationThe plasma screen is listed for the Bartley Room, not the Club Room.
- Leaving the booking too lateThe venue doesn't publish a lead time, and Term 4 is presentation night and Christmas party season, so ask about your date early.
Summary
Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis Courts runs two function spaces alongside its tennis courts: the larger Bartley Room (40 seated or 80 standing, with a plasma screen, conference table setup and kitchenette, from $31 an hour) and the smaller Club Room (20 seated or 50 standing, from $18 an hour). The right choice mostly comes down to guest count, equipment and budget.
FAQs
What's the capacity of the Bartley Room?
40 seated or 80 standing.
What's the capacity of the Club Room?
20 seated or 50 standing.
How much does the Bartley Room cost?
$31 an hour at the community rate, or $55.90 an hour at the corporate rate.
How much does the Club Room cost?
$18 an hour at the community rate, or $33.30 an hour at the commercial rate.
What's included in the Bartley Room?
The venue lists a plasma screen, conference table setup and kitchenette facilities, with catering options available. The team can also help with room setup and decorating to a specific theme.
Can I get catering for my event?
Yes. The on-site cafe can cater private bookings with food platters and drink packages, with options for special dietary requirements. Prices aren't published, so ask when you enquire.
What's the difference between the community and corporate/commercial rate?
The Bartley Room is $31 an hour at the community rate and $55.90 at the corporate rate. The Club Room is $18 at the community rate and $33.30 at the commercial rate. The venue doesn't publish who qualifies for each rate, so ask which one applies to your booking.
What kinds of events are the rooms used for?
The Bartley Room is listed for corporate and community events, birthday parties, Christmas parties, sports presentations, fitness classes, and anniversary or christening celebrations. The Club Room is listed for birthday parties, meetings, dance, yoga and personal training.
Is there a minimum number of hours to book?
The venue doesn't publish a minimum hire time, so confirm it when you enquire.
How do I check availability?
Fill in the enquiry form on the function hire page or call (02) 9357 7332.