Exclusive Booking vs Catering: Which Should You Choose for Your Event?

Where the event happens usually decides everything else about it. At Harry's, that means picking between an exclusive booking at one of our outlets or event catering delivered to yours.

Both work equally well. A few practical questions will point you to the right one for your event needs.

What's the Difference?

• Exclusive booking: Sometimes called a restaurant buyout, this hands your group one of our outlets. The kitchen, bar and staff are available for the length of your event. A casual restaurant given over entirely to your guest list.

• Catering: Catering runs the other way round. We come to your location, whether that's an office, a function room or an outdoor space, with a menu built around your brief. Same casual dining food, served wherever you're hosting.

One option moves your people, the other moves our kitchen.

When an Exclusive Booking Makes More Sense

An exclusive booking earns its keep when the room is part of the point.

• A proper change of scenery: Getting the team out of the office lands differently from a catered function room down the hall.

• Smaller, tighter groups: The atmosphere matters as much as what's on the table, and an outlet supplies both.

• Outlets with their own character: Choose between waterfront tables at Clarke Quay or greenery and open-air seating at Dempsey. With more than 12 Harry’s outlets across Singapore, you’re sure to find one that suits.

• Full run of the room: Music, seating plan and an AV system, all set the way you want it.

When Catering Makes More Sense

Catering is cleaner when moving everyone off-site is more trouble than it's worth. Think the same food we serve across our kitchens, transported straight to yours.

• Large headcounts and fixed venues: No shifting the whole team across town when your space is already sorted.

• A menu built around your brief: Our corporate event catering covers bold local flavours, bar bites, unique fusion cuisine and chef-led live stations.

• Drink packages that bolt on: Free-flow options and bites-and-bottomless add-ons, matched to your budget rather than a set price.

• Portable bar service: Bar, staff, glassware and bartenders who know what they're doing, set up and cleared away for you.

• Licensed indoors and out: A rooftop works as easily as a function room for your drinks catering.

Book Harry's for Your Next Corporate Event

Both routes end in the same place, which is a room full of people eating well. It's the getting there that differs.

• Go with an exclusive booking if: You want a proper change of scenery, your group is manageable, and the venue itself matters.

• Go with catering if: Your event sits at a fixed location, your headcount is large, or you need flexibility on timing and format.

Not sure? Tell our events team your date, headcount and budget, and we'll tell you which one fits best. Either route starts with one enquiry, whether that's a restaurant booking for the whole outlet or a full spread sent to your door. Simply get in touch with us to get the conversation started.