Pub Leaving Do Guide: How To Decorate A Hired Snug Or Function Room

A pub function room is the default UK leaving do for good reason: no washing up, a bar that runs itself, and somewhere people can drift off from at their own pace.

The catch is always the same - you get the room shortly before the guests, so setup has to be quick.

Honest note: we make cards, pin badges, prints and party decorations. Pre-strung glitter banners are a recommendation from elsewhere.

Booking the room

• Ask about minimum spend rather than hire fee - most UK pubs use one or the other, occasionally both.
• Confirm the time you can get in to set up, in writing, and get a name.
• Check whether food is buffet only, and what the deadline for final numbers is.
• Ask what's already booked in the main bar - a big match on the same night changes the whole evening.
• Confirm you can put decorations up and what you can fix them with. Some landlords say no tape on paint, full stop.

Decorating in twenty minutes

• One pre-strung banner across the wall behind where the speeches will happen. Already threaded means no kneeling on the carpet knotting string.
• Balloon clusters weighted on two or three tables, not tied to chairs people need to move.
• Photo prints pegged along a string line - cheap, personal and takes two minutes.
• A table by the door for cards, the gift and the signing book.
• Bring your own scissors, tape and a step - assume the pub has none of it.

Working with what the room gives you

• Snugs are small and warm: less decoration, more seating, and keep the walkway clear.
• Function rooms are usually too big for the numbers - block off one end with tables rather than spreading out.
• Beams and picture rails are the easiest hanging points and leave no mark.
• If the lighting is fluorescent, ask whether it can be dimmed or switch on a couple of lamps.
• Check where the speeches can be heard from before you decide where to hang the banner.

Running the evening

• Give guests 45 minutes to arrive and get a drink before anything formal.
• Speeches early enough that everyone's still there and sober enough to listen - around 8pm works.
• Food after the speeches, so there's no plate-balancing.
• Nominate someone to collect the card, gift and any leftover decorations at the end.
• Party games that work in a pub - Read the guide

Shop party decorations

How to write it so it lands

• Ask about minimum spend, not hire fee.
• Pre-strung decorations only - setup time is short.
• Speeches around 90 minutes in.

Where to shop next

• Retirement cards
• Leaving cards
• Party supplies
• Bunting and banners
• Funny pin badges
• Retirement desk decorations
• Retirement afternoon tea ideas
• Funny retirement party ideas
• Village hall party decorations
• Leaving do ideas
• Retirement card messages
• Leaving card message for a colleague
• Retirement speech ideas
• Leaving do and retirement party games
• Retirement quotes
• Work colleague leaving gift
• Retirement party decorations
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to hire a pub function room in the UK?

Many pubs charge nothing for the room and set a minimum bar or food spend instead, typically GBP 200 to 500. Others charge GBP 50 to 150 for the room. Always ask which applies.

Can you put up your own decorations in a pub function room?

Usually yes, but ask what you can fix them with. Many landlords allow string, picture rails and beams but not tape or pins on painted walls.

How long do you get to set up before a pub party?

Often only 20 to 30 minutes. Take pre-strung decorations, your own scissors and tape, and decide in advance where the banner goes.

When should the speeches be at a leaving do?

About 90 minutes in, so around 8pm for a 6.30 start. Everyone has arrived, nobody has left, and it's before the drinking gets serious.

Do you need to give the pub final numbers?

If you're having food, yes - usually 48 hours to a week beforehand, and you'll normally pay for the number you confirm.

Do you sell retirement banners?

We make greetings cards, enamel pin badges, prints and party decorations in the UK. We don't make the pre-strung glitter banners mentioned here - those are recommendations from elsewhere. The only things linked to our own shop are ours.