Frequently asked questions
What to know before you book a private space or list your venue. Can't find your answer, or not sure what applies to your booking? Email company@bookthebars.com and a person on our team will reply.
Booking a space
What is the difference between bookable and inquiry-only spaces?
Bookable spaces show live availability: you choose a date, start time and guest count, see the price, and confirm by paying the venue's deposit. Inquiry-only spaces don't take instant bookings; you send your event details and the venue replies with a quote in a chat on Book the Bars. When a venue sends a quote, it holds your date for 24 hours.
Are there booking fees?
No. Guests pay the venue's own price. Book the Bars is paid by the venue, through a platform fee taken from its payout.
How do deposits work?
Each venue sets its own deposit, either a percentage of the total or a flat amount, and you see the amount at checkout before you pay. Some venues take the deposit off your final bill; others make it a non-refundable fee to hold the date.
When is the rest of the bill charged?
The remaining balance is charged to the card you booked with at the end of your event. For minimum-spend bookings, any part of the minimum you did not spend is still owed and cannot be refunded.
What if my plans or numbers change?
Message the venue in your booking chat on Book the Bars. Changes to guest numbers, timing or menus are agreed directly with the venue.
How do cancellations and refunds work?
Every space shows its cancellation terms before you pay: how many days before the event you can cancel, and what share of the money is refunded. Non-refundable deposits aren't refunded. You can cancel from your booking page. If you're not sure what applies to your booking, email company@bookthebars.com before you cancel.
What if there is a double booking or a mistake with my booking?
Email company@bookthebars.com with your booking details and what went wrong, and we will look into it with the venue.
Which cities is Book the Bars in?
Venues are live in New York City and Sydney. Each city has its own page listing every venue there.
For venues
How do I list my venue?
Start on the List your venue page and add your spaces with photos, capacity, pricing and availability. Our team reviews each new listing before it goes live.
Who sets the prices and the terms?
You do. Each venue chooses how a space is priced (minimum spend, per person, room hire, set menus or packages), the deposit, whether the deposit is refundable, and the cancellation terms. Guests see them before they pay.
How and when do venues get paid?
Payments go through Stripe Connect. Once you finish Stripe’s payout setup, the money for each booking, minus the platform fee, is released to your Stripe account 48 hours after the event ends. Stripe then pays it out to your bank.
What does Book the Bars charge?
Listing is free. Book the Bars charges a 10% platform fee on bookings made through the platform, deducted from your payout. Guests pay no booking fees.
Talking to a person
How do I talk to the venue?
Once you send an inquiry or make a booking, you and the venue share a chat thread on Book the Bars for questions, menus, quotes and changes.
How do I reach the Book the Bars team?
Email company@bookthebars.com and a person on our team will reply. Include your booking or venue name so we can find it quickly.
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