A company dinner in Barcelona costs between €45 and €150 per person, depending on the format, the day of the week and what's included. In this guide we explain what's behind each price, what pushes it up and how to adjust it without your team noticing.
In short
- The format (cocktail, seated dinner or dinner with a show) is what moves the price most.
- December Fridays are the most expensive dates and the first to sell out; a Thursday can work out a good deal cheaper.
- Always compare quotes item by item: venue, menu, bar, music and coordination.
- The most common extra cost is paying for guests who don't show up: confirm attendees early.
Price per person by format
The format is the variable that weighs most. These are the guide ranges at our Barcelona venues for groups of 50 to 150 people with exclusive use of the venue:
| Format | What's included | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Cocktail and party | Long standing cocktail, 2 h open bar, DJ | 55 – 75 € |
| Seated dinner | 3-course menu, wine, 2 h open bar, DJ | 75 – 110 € |
| Dinner with a show | Menu, live show, host and party | 110 – 160 € |
Guide prices excluding VAT.
A cocktail is usually the cheapest option and the one that gets people moving most: no one is stuck at a table and the party starts sooner. A seated dinner works better when there are speeches, awards or a more senior team.
What the price includes (and what it doesn't)
When you compare quotes, the first thing is to check they include the same things. A complete company dinner usually has these items:
- Exclusive venue, with cleaning, security and floor staff.
- Food and drink: starters, mains, dessert, wine, cava and water.
- Open bar, usually for 2 to 3 hours.
- Music: DJ with sound and lighting equipment.
- Coordination: one person in charge for the whole night.
What is not usually included: transport home, themed decoration, a photographer, gifts for attendees, extra bar hours and AV for presentations.
What pushes the budget up
- The day. Fridays and Saturdays in December are the most requested dates. Thursdays and dates in late November or January are cheaper.
- Booking late. With less than a month's notice there are fewer venues left and less room to negotiate.
- Small groups in big venues. The cost of the venue is shared between fewer people.
- Extra hours. Extending the open bar or the venue's closing time has an hourly cost.
- Last-minute changes to the number of guests or the menu.
Five ways to save without anyone noticing
- Choose a Thursday. The atmosphere is the same and the price is usually lower.
- Book in September or October. More venues to choose from and better terms.
- A cocktail instead of a seated dinner. For young teams it works just as well and livens things up more.
- Adjust the open bar. Two well-planned hours are usually enough.
- Confirm attendees early and agree with the supplier the last day you can adjust the number.
Example: dinner for 80 people
This is what a typical quote would look like for a seated dinner with a party, on a Thursday in December in the Eixample:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exclusive venue | 1.500 € |
| 3-course menu and wine (80 × €55) | 4.400 € |
| 2 h open bar | 1.440 € |
| DJ, sound and lighting | 850 € |
| Coordination | Included |
| Approximate total | 8.190 € |
Checklist for comparing quotes
- Is the price per person or a fixed total? Does it include VAT?
- How many hours of venue and open bar are included?
- Is the venue exclusive or shared?
- Is there a minimum number of guests or minimum spend?
- Until what date can I change the number of attendees?
- What happens if there are allergies or special diets?
- Who is my contact on the night of the event?
Venues for your company dinner
Some of our venues for company dinners in Barcelona: Sala Rockstar (up to 200 people, with a stage), Local Tuset (up to 250, with its own kitchen) and Local Maciá (up to 225, with dining areas and a dance floor).
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should we book the company dinner?
For December Fridays and groups of more than 100 people, in September or October. For Thursdays or small groups, a month is usually enough.
Does the price include VAT?
The ranges in this guide exclude VAT. The final quote always shows the amount including VAT.
Can I pay in instalments?
The usual arrangement is a deposit to hold the date and the balance before the event, agreed in writing.
What is the cheapest format?
A standing cocktail with an open bar is usually the cheapest per person and the one that works best to get the party going.