The Banyan Tree is a family-run bar and restaurant in Castlefield, Manchester, that hires out its floor for private parties and celebrations. The room takes up to 80 guests at a sit-down banquet or 105 at a standing reception, and the outdoor seating adds space for another 40 to 50 people. There is no hire fee. The venue asks for a minimum spend on food and drinks instead, and the amount depends on the day and on the length of the event.
Rooms and capacities
The floor plan is flexible, so the same room can be set for a seated dinner or for an open reception. The official site gives two indoor figures: 80 guests for a sit-down banquet and 105 for a reception. The outdoor seating holds a further 40 to 50 guests, which helps with a summer drinks reception or with guests who want to step away from the music.
The bar is already set up for DJs and live acts. A stage can be added at an extra cost if a band, a host or a small show needs a raised platform. The site does not publish a floor area, a ceiling height or a list of separate rooms, so ask for a plan and a layout when you plan the evening.
Catering
Food and drink come from the venue's own team. The kitchen offers flexible catering on site and off site, and its menus include vegan and gluten-free choices. The bar team can also write cocktail packages around the theme of your party.
The minimum spend can be spread across catering and drinks. An organizer can therefore decide how much goes to a dinner or a buffet and how much to the bar. The minimum changes with the day and the length of the event, so give your date and hours when you ask.
Catering also travels. For events at your own address, the team supplies food for gatherings of any size, with professional waiting staff and a full bar set up on site. The same service covers a lunch for an office, if you want something lighter than a party.
History and setting
The Banyan Tree describes itself as an award-winning, independent, family-run neighborhood bar and restaurant. It sits in the Moho Building on Ellesmere Street, at the edge of Castlefield, and the owners say they source products from local independent businesses.
The interior was built around made-to-measure work: hand-built seating booths, carved wall displays and outdoor seating inspired by the architecture of Castlefield. The furniture includes Philippe Starck Kartell Master Chairs made from renewable plastic, Timothy Oulton Syphon lights and tables in solid marble and brass. The result suits a relaxed, design-led party rather than a formal reception.
Pets are welcome inside and outside, which matters for guests who bring a dog to a daytime gathering.
Getting there
The address is Unit 3, Moho Building, Ellesmere Street, Manchester M15 4JY. The bar opens daily from 9:30 am and the kitchen serves until 9 pm, or until 8 pm on Sundays. Private hire is arranged with the team directly, so confirm the opening times that apply to your date.
