When a Corporate Summer Party Suddenly Needed a New Venue
Finding a last-minute corporate event venue in Dublin can be challenging at the best of times. Finding one for around 100 guests when the original venue suddenly closes just 48 hours before the event is a very different situation.
One of our regular corporate clients had planned a summer party following a company training day. They wanted to finish the day on a high with casual food, drinks and entertainment in a city-centre rooftop venue that would be new to their team.
Everything had been arranged. The venue had been selected following viewings, the food was agreed, and the photographer, DJ and other entertainment were organised.
Then, two days before the event, the venue contacted us to say they were closing with immediate effect.
Rather than going back to the client with a problem, we immediately started contacting suitable alternatives. Within 90 minutes, we were able to present the client with replacement venue options that could accommodate the group and allow the event to go ahead.
Once the new venue was selected, the focus switched to reorganising the moving parts and making sure the client didn't have to start again.
Forty-eight hours later, approximately 85 guests arrived for the summer party as planned.
This is how the event came together.
Event Snapshot
Event Category: Corporate Summer Party
Date: August 2026
Venue Selected: Old Fashioned Sam's, Montague Street, D2
Guests Invited: 100
Guests Attending: Approximately 85
Event Duration: 6:00 pm to Midnight
Key Challenge: Original venue closed just 48 hours before the event
Response: Replacement venue options sourced within 90 minutes
Services Provided: Corporate Event Venue, Corporate Entertainment, Corporate Party Hire, Event Planning Support
The Brief
The summer party followed a company training day, so the client wanted the evening to feel like a genuine change of pace and a strong finish to the day.
As a regular Find a Venue client, they had already experienced many Dublin venues. Finding somewhere new was therefore important, and viewings were arranged in advance to make sure the chosen venue felt right before proceeding.
The original brief included:
- A rooftop or outdoor summer setting in Dublin city centre.
- Space for approximately 100 guests.
- A venue that would be new to the majority of attendees.
- Easy access to major public transport links.
- Casual food and drinks.
- A BBQ with dietary requirements and allergens properly catered for.
- A DJ and additional entertainment.
- Photography covering both the company training day and evening event.
- A relaxed environment where colleagues could socialise after the training day.
The brief changed unexpectedly when the selected venue closed with immediate effect. The priority then became finding an alternative that could accommodate as much of the original plan as possible, while giving the organiser confidence that the event could still go ahead successfully.
The Solution
With the original venue no longer available, the priority was to find suitable alternatives quickly without compromising the key elements of the client's event.
Rather than simply informing the organiser that there was a problem, we immediately contacted venues we knew could accommodate the group at short notice. Within 90 minutes, we had suitable replacement options ready for the client to consider.
Old Fashioned Sam's on Montague Street was selected. The venue team responded quickly, were flexible around the requirements and gave both us and the client confidence that everything could be brought together in time.
Once the replacement venue was confirmed, we worked through each element of the event:
- The BBQ menu, guest numbers and dietary requirements were confirmed with the kitchen.
- The photographer was updated with the new location for the evening part of the event.
- The DJ was moved to the replacement venue and the new setup arrangements confirmed.
- The Selfie Mirror and novelty props were reorganised for the new space.
- Other entertainment suppliers were updated with the revised location and timings.
- Singalong Social, which had been booked separately by the client, was incorporated into the revised plans.
- All relevant suppliers and stakeholders were given the information they needed to make the change.
Find a Venue then attended before doors opened to check that the venue and suppliers were ready. We also checked in with the organiser once guests had started arriving to make sure they were comfortable with the setup and confident about how the evening would unfold.
The aim throughout was simple: manage the disruption behind the scenes so the client could concentrate on their training day and summer party rather than having to reorganise everything themselves.
The Outcome
Forty-eight hours after the original venue unexpectedly closed, approximately 85 guests arrived at Old Fashioned Sam's for the corporate summer party as planned.
Despite the last-minute venue change, the key elements of the event were successfully transferred to the new location, including the food, DJ, photographer, Selfie Mirror and entertainment.
Most importantly, the organiser was able to continue with the company training day knowing that Find a Venue was managing the venue change and coordinating the different suppliers behind the scenes.
What could easily have resulted in the summer party being cancelled instead became a successful event, with the client's subsequent Google review describing how “everything came together seamlessly.”
What Our Client Said
“Absolutely outstanding service from Find a Venue!”
Sean has organised several events for us over the years, and he is always my go-to person when it comes to event planning. Working with him is always an absolute pleasure — he is incredibly professional, responsive, reliable and always goes the extra mile.
For our latest company summer event, our venue unfortunately cancelled just two days before the event. Sean and the Find a Venue team immediately jumped into action and saved the day by finding us a fantastic alternative venue at very short notice.
They also organised a magician and selfie mirror for the event, which were both a huge hit with everyone. Despite the last-minute change, everything came together seamlessly.
I genuinely couldn’t recommend Sean and Find a Venue highly enough. Their professionalism, dedication and ability to find solutions under pressure are second to none. They are always my first choice, and I look forward to working with them on many more events in the future!
Sara Skalska
Workplace Experience PartnerView this review on Google
The Summer Party in Action
Freshly prepared BBQ served throughout the evening, ensuring guests could enjoy quality food at every stage of the event.
The Selfie Mirror and novelty props gave guests another fun way to get involved and capture photos throughout the summer party.
A selection of cocktails added to the relaxed summer party atmosphere as guests enjoyed drinks and socialised throughout the evening.
More Corporate Summer Party Success Stories
Every corporate summer party comes with a different brief. From finding the right venue and managing large guest numbers to entertainment, food, logistics and changes on the day, see how we've helped other companies bring their summer events together.
A Dublin Summer Party for 250 Guests
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With BBQ food, games and outdoor activities central to the brief, Find a Venue sourced a Dublin venue with a complete indoor alternative. When poor weather arrived, the layout, catering and entertainment were adapted without losing the summer-party atmosphere.
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