Group bookings fail in a small number of predictable ways, and almost all of them are solved by a phone call that covers the right information. The venue needs to know four things, and the group needs to know two.
White Chocolate has six private salons of different sizes, which means most groups can be given a room of their own rather than a scattering of tables. Here is how to arrange it so that actually happens.
What to Tell Us
Four things: how many of you there are, the date, roughly what time you will arrive, and what the occasion is. The headcount and the date determine which salon we can hold. The arrival time matters because a group expected at 21:00 and arriving at 00:30 has usually lost its room.
The occasion changes how we set up. A retirement dinner and a hen party want very different things from the same space, and knowing in advance lets us get it right.
How Far Ahead
For a weekend, as early as you reasonably can, and certainly more than a few days. Large salons go first. For December, weeks rather than days, since the month is full of company parties competing for the same rooms.
Midweek and outside the busy season, a few days is usually enough, and a small group can often be accommodated the same afternoon.
What to Tell Your Group
Two things, and they cause almost every problem at the door. First, strictly 18+, with identification requested regardless of appearance. Second, smart dress - no trainers, sportswear or football shirts, applied at every hour.
With twenty people it only takes two who did not get the message. Send it to everyone in writing before the night rather than assuming it spread.
Frequently asked questions
What size group can you take?
A single salon comfortably holds up to around twenty. Larger groups can sometimes be spread across more than one salon - call with your numbers and we will tell you what is realistic.
Is there a minimum group size for a salon?
No. We have salons of different sizes and a group of four can reserve one.
How far in advance should we book?
For weekends, as early as possible. For December, weeks rather than days. Midweek and off-season, a few days is usually sufficient.
What happens if we arrive much later than we said?
We hold salons based on the expected arrival time, so a group several hours late may find the room has gone. Call us if your plans shift during the evening.
What should we tell the group beforehand?
Strictly 18+ with ID, and smart dress with no trainers or sportswear. Both are enforced at the door at all hours and are the cause of nearly every problem.