How to plan a Christmas party in Dublin city centre without the stress

Somebody has to organise the Christmas party, and if you are reading this, it is probably you. The good news is that a great party in Dublin city centre comes down to a handful of decisions made early. Here is how we would approach it, after many years of hosting festive groups on South William Street.

Start earlier than feels necessary

Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in December are the first dates to go, right across Dublin 2. If your team has its heart set on one of them, aim to book by late October or the first week of November. If you missed that window, do not panic. Midweek evenings and long lunches stay open for much longer, and they often make for a better party anyway.

Set a budget per head

Agreeing a figure per person makes every other decision easier. Think about three parts: food, drinks and any extras such as a private room or entertainment.

At Dada, our three-course Christmas dinner is €59.95 per person and Christmas lunch is €45 per person, served until 3:30pm. For a team of twenty at dinner, food comes to €1,199. If the group brings ten bottles of wine, corkage adds €60. A 12.5% service charge applies to groups of five or more, so it is worth including that in your sums from the start.

Pick the right format

• A seated dinner suits teams who want to talk, toast and linger.
• A long Christmas lunch suits people with trains to catch or children to collect, and it rarely ends on time in the best way.
• A finger-food reception suits larger companies and client events. We can host up to 150 guests this way.

Make dietary needs the easy part

Ask everyone for their requirements when they confirm, not the week before. A Moroccan kitchen is a gift here. Our kitchen is Halal, our Christmas menu has vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free choices on every course, and the food is gently spiced, with harissa on the side for anyone who wants more heat.

Let the food break the ice

Our Christmas menu opens with a platter of appetisers for the table: zaaluk, kofta, spiced spinach, spicy rice, chicken kebab and a slaw salad. Passing plates around gets people talking long before the mains arrive, which is exactly what you want when colleagues from different floors are sitting together for the first time.

Think about the journey home

A central venue saves everyone time and taxi fares. Dada is a few minutes from Grafton Street and the St Stephen's Green Luas stop on the Green Line, with the Drury Street car park around the corner. If the night carries on, Dublin 2 has plenty of places to continue the celebrations.

Your Christmas party checklist

1. Agree a date, a backup date and a budget per head.
2. Choose dinner, lunch or a reception.
3. Book the venue and pay any deposit.
4. Collect dietary requirements and share them with the restaurant.
5. Decide on drinks. If you bring your own, nominate someone to collect the bottles.
6. Confirm final numbers at least 48 hours before the party.

Booking your party at Dada

Send us your preferred date, your numbers and anything you have in mind to info@dadarestaurant.ie, or call 01 617 0777. We ask for a deposit for parties of ten or more and 48 hours' notice of any change, because we buy fresh for every booking. Groups of eight or more are welcome to bring a celebration cake, which we will plate with dessert for €3 per person. You can see the full menu on our Christmas page.

Quick answers

When should I book a Christmas party in Dublin?

For Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights in December, book by late October or early November. Midweek evenings and lunches stay available for longer.

How much is a Christmas party at Dada?

Christmas dinner is €59.95 per person for three courses and Christmas lunch is €45 per person, served until 3:30pm. Bring your own wine for €6 corkage per bottle.

How many people can Dada host for Christmas?

Up to 150 guests for part or exclusive hire, and up to 40 in our private rooms.