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Pitt Building Evening Receptions

Evening Receptions
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Boasting several business event spaces brimming with architectural highlights, you can be sure that your corporate function will be memorable at The Pitt Building. Our spacious rooms and first-class hospitality make our venue ideal for networking drink pre-dinner apéritifs and canapés, post-conference receptions and much more. 

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Why choose the Pitt Building for evening functions

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Location

Situated in the heart of Cambridge, The Pitt Building is easily accessible via public transport. Beyond our front doors, you'll find spectacular historic buildings, an abundance of wonderful restaurants and the manicured lawns of the college 'Backs'.

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History

The Pitt Building offers unique and one-of-a-kind business event spaces in Cambridge. Having been completed in 1833 to commemorate Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger, it has previously served as the printing and publishing office of Cambridge University Press for more than 100 years.

Room dimensions

Rooms

Light and airy with lots of historic character, our rooms can host between 25 and 150 guests for evening receptions. Designed with flexibility in mind, the rooms provide plenty of space for guests to relax, mingle and network.

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Facilities

Each of our rooms are equipped with climate control for optimal comfort, while Wi-Fi and integrated A/V technology means you can create the perfect atmosphere with music or video—making our modern facilities second to none!

Catering available

Catering

Whether it be an evening buffet or canapé reception, we can cater to the needs of your business event. All our food is supplied by local caterers using fresh produce. We also offer a selection of wine, bottled beers and soft drinks upon request.

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Sustainability

We take the environment seriously. That's why we've undertaken operational measures, such as zero tolerance for single-use plastics and the use of energy-efficient LED lighting to promote sustainability. As a Green Meeting accredited site, our commitment to sustainability is one that is backed by action.

Rooms available for evening receptions

The Darwin Room

The Darwin Room

A substantial ground floor room offering a flexible space, the Darwin Room remains a popular choice for private drinks receptions.

Room hire rate

£750

Guests

15-100

View The Darwin Room
The Newton Room

The Newton Room

A newly refurbished space featuring an unparalleled sound system, the Newton room is an excellent option for pre-dinner drinks and canapé receptions.

Room hire rate

£800

Guests

15-100

View The Newton Room
The Oriel Room

The Oriel Room

Arguably one of the most stunning meeting rooms in Cambridge, this handsome Gothic room is perfectly suited to private drinks receptions.

Room hire rate

£750

Guests

12-30

View The Oriel Room

The team at the Pitt Building are fantastic, always very friendly and welcoming, and quick to help if we have any technical trouble! The facilities are fantastic, it is a great place for meetings - the Oriel room is particularly grand. The lunch is always delicious, too!

May 2025

FAQs

    What are your opening hours for an evening reception?

    Our evening hours are 6 pm - 9.30 pm, although there may be flexibility around these hours depending on other bookings.

    Can you provide alcohol?

    Yes, we can provide alcohol which will be paid for as part of your evening reception package. Please note, we do not provide a paying bar and cannot sell alcohol separately during the evening.

    What does your evening package include?

    Our evening packages are very generous and include room hire until 9.30 pm, a selection of house red and white wines, bottled beers, soft drinks and either light bites or canapés.

    How many canapés do you need for a drinks reception?

    We recommend ordering four savoury and two sweet canapés per person.  However, if it is a pre-dinner drinks reception, four canapés per person would be ample.

     

    Some of our guests have dietary requirements or allergies - can you provide suitable canapés?

    Yes, of course. If you know you have guests with specific dietary requirements, please speak with your Event Manager before the event. We will then liaise with our caterers who will provide canapés to suit specific diets.

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