FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Private Dining FAQs
What private dining rooms do you have?
Bentley’s has a collection of private dining rooms, each with its own character and suited to different group sizes.
The Swallow Street Rooms can accommodate 30 to 60 guests seated, including up to 30 guests around one long table. The Mersea Room seats 18 to 24 guests, the Swallow Library up to 20, the Rib Room up to 24 and the Crustacea Room up to 15.
Our Private Dining team can recommend the best room depending on your guest numbers and the style of event you are planning.
Do you charge room hire?
No. We don’t charge a separate room hire fee. Instead, each private dining room has a minimum food and drink spend.
How much does private dining cost?
Minimum spends vary depending on the room, day of the week, time of day and time of year.
Speak to our Private Dining team for current rates and availability.
What is included in the minimum spend?
Your minimum spend is made up of food and drink ordered for your event. Service charge is additional.
If the agreed minimum spend is not reached through food and drink, the remaining balance will still be payable.
Do you offer breakfast events?
Yes. Our private dining rooms are available for breakfast events from 7.30am until 10.30am, Monday to Friday.
They work particularly well for business breakfasts, presentations and morning meetings.
What times can I have the room?
Our standard private dining times are:
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Breakfast: 7.30am–10.30am
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Lunch: 12pm–4.30pm
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Dinner: 6pm–11pm
If you have different timings in mind, speak to our team and we can advise what may be possible.
Do you have a late licence?
Yes. Our Swallow Street Rooms can host events until 3am.
An additional charge applies for extending an event under the late licence. Our team can provide details when you enquire.
Can we have drinks before lunch or dinner?
Yes. Depending on the room and your guest numbers, we can arrange drinks and canapés before you sit down to dine.
Some of our spaces, including the Mersea Room and Swallow Street Rooms, have their own private bar and reception areas.
Are the rooms completely private?
Yes. Our private dining rooms are exclusively yours for the duration of your booking.
Several of the rooms also have their own entrances, bars or reception spaces, so speak to the team if privacy is particularly important for your event.
Can my guests choose their food on the day?
For groups of up to 16 guests, our Private Dining À La Carte Menu allows guests to choose their dishes on the day.
For groups of more than 16 guests, we offer a choice of set menus.
Can you cater for dietary requirements?
Yes. We can cater for most dietary requirements and allergies.
Please send us your guests’ requirements at least 72 hours before your event so that our chefs and front-of-house team can prepare accordingly.
When do you need my final guest numbers and menu choices?
Your Private Dining Coordinator will confirm the deadlines for your particular event as part of the planning process.
We recommend confirming final numbers, menu choices and dietary requirements as early as possible, with dietary requirements provided at least 72 hours before your event.
Can I have live music?
Yes. Live music can be arranged in the Swallow Street Rooms.
If you are considering musicians, entertainment or a DJ, let our team know when you enquire so we can advise on the most suitable setup.
Can we play our own music?
This depends on the room and the type of event you are hosting.
Let us know what you have in mind and our team can advise on the options available.
Can I bring a birthday or celebration cake?
Please speak to our team in advance if you would like to bring your own cake. We can advise on storage, presentation and any applicable charges.
Can I bring decorations or flowers?
Yes, in most cases.
Please let us know what you are planning before your event. Certain decorations may be restricted because Bentley’s is a historic listed building and nothing should be attached to walls, ceilings or other original features without prior agreement.
Can I bring my own wine?
Please speak to our team if you are considering bringing your own wine. Any arrangements must be agreed in advance and may be subject to corkage.
Do you have AV facilities for meetings or presentations?
Several of our rooms can accommodate meetings, presentations and corporate events.
Let our team know what equipment you require when you enquire and we can advise on the most suitable room and setup.
Can I hire Bentley’s exclusively?
Yes. Exclusive hire may be available depending on the date, guest numbers and type of event.
For larger celebrations or corporate events, speak to our Private Dining team and we can talk through the options.
Can I hold a wedding at Bentley’s?
Yes. Our private dining rooms are licensed for civil ceremonies, so you can host both your ceremony and wedding celebration at Bentley’s.
Our team can help you choose the right room and plan the day around your guest numbers.
Is Bentley’s wheelchair accessible?
Bentley’s is a historic listed building and unfortunately does not have a lift.
Our private dining rooms are located either on the first floor or one floor below the main restaurant and are accessed by stairs with handrails.
Please speak to us before booking if you or any of your guests have accessibility requirements so we can advise on the most suitable options.
Are children welcome?
Yes. Children of all ages are welcome in both the restaurant and our private dining rooms.
Do the private rooms have their own toilets and cloakrooms?
Facilities vary by room.
Some of our larger private spaces have their own toilets, cloakrooms and private reception areas. Our team can recommend the most suitable room if having completely private facilities is important to you.
How do I book?
To confirm your booking, we require a signed contract together with a deposit equivalent to 50% of the agreed minimum spend.
The remaining balance is payable on the day of your event.
What is your cancellation policy?
Outside the Christmas period:
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More than 14 days before your event: your deposit will be refunded
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Between 7 and 14 days before your event: your deposit will be retained
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Less than 7 days before your event: the full minimum spend will be payable
During the Christmas period:
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More than 28 days before your event: your deposit will be refunded
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Between 14 and 27 days before your event: your deposit will be retained
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Less than 14 days before your event: the full minimum spend will be payable
Full cancellation terms are included within your booking contract.
How far in advance can I book?
Private dining at Bentley’s can be booked up to one year in advance.
For popular dates, particularly Thursdays, Fridays and the Christmas period, we recommend enquiring as early as possible.
Private Dining Questions
Which room should I book?
Our private dining rooms offer the perfect location for any event, and can be tailored to your party. Our events team will be able to provide recommendations for your group size and date.
Find our more about our private dining rooms below.
Do I need to pre-order any wines?
Our sommeliers will be on hand on the day to assist with recommendations. We recommend pre-ordering wines if you are booked into our Swallow Den or Swallow Street Rooms to guarantee ample stock or if you have specific requirements.
Can I bring my own wine?
Yes, you can. Our corkage rate is £50 per 750ml bottle of wine and £60 per 750ml bottle of Champagne or £100 for a magnum of wine or champagne. A maximum of one type of wine is allowed (one red, one white, one sparkling, one sweet).
Can I bring my own celebration cake?
You are welcome to bring your own cake along. There is an additional fee of £9pp if desserts are not ordered.
Do you provide flowers for the room?
As standard, we provide floral table decorations in each of our rooms. If you would like to provide your own, please have them delivered to the restaurant no earlier than the morning of your event. We can recommend our supplier that we work with.
Do your private dining menus only include fish and seafood?
No, our menus include both meat and fish options. If you have a specific menu in mind, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Do you cater for dietaries?
Yes we do, we can cater for most dietaries. Please inform us with 72 hours notice.
Do all my guests have to dine from the same menu?
We have a range of set menus and private dining á la carte menus. Depending on your group size we have the option for either choice on the day, a pre-order or a set menu.