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Exclusive reception venue in Manchester

Overlooking the Manchester Ship Canal on Trafford Wharf Road, the possibilities for events are endless with our collection of reception venue spaces. With exquisite catering that’s as impressive as the venue itself, hosting your next reception here will certainly leave your guests buzzing.
 
A welcome reception is the perfect opportunity to show appreciation for your employees and clients. And where better to impress delegates than at IWM North? Featuring modern facilities and versatile spaces such as the Main Exhibition Area and WaterShard, this architectural marvel is ideal for both daytime and evening receptions. 

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Inspiring reception spaces

With room for up to 500 guests, our reception venue offers spaces that can flex to your needs. Whether you choose the contemporary WaterShard, the iconic Harrier Jump Jet Area or the spacious Main Exhibition Area, all our event spaces can be set up in a variety of different layouts and set-ups.

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Delectable catering

You won’t find food quite like this at other reception venues in Manchester. Our catering team are known for creating seasonal, sustainable menus that are as impressive as the reception venue itself. Their culinary creations turn every bite into an experience to remember, carefully balancing flavour, colour and texture. 

Whether you’re planning a drinks reception with elegant canapés or an elaborate three-course dinner, every element is thoughtfully prepared using high-quality ingredients from trusted local suppliers.

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Go beyond the ordinary

To get the most from your booking at this memorable reception venue in Manchester, take advantage of our daytime or evening packages. Our daytime AirShard DDR package includes full-day room hire, built-in AV, Wi-Fi, access to museum exhibitions and a seasonal working lunch. 

In the evening, the Main Exhibition Space transforms into an unforgettable dining venue, with the option to host a VIP dinner beneath the iconic Harrier Jump Jet. Packages include expert catering, full technical support and access to immersive exhibitions. With flexible room layouts and bespoke lighting, every detail can be personalised just for you.

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Hear from our guests

As one of the most sought-after venues for receptions in Manchester, we pride ourselves on always going above and beyond for our guests. With decades of experience hosting a wide range of corporate events, we’re always thrilled by the positive feedback we receive from those who have hosted their events here.

  • In the lead up to the event, communications were frequent and clear - the staff were happy to accommodate any and all requests we made. On the day, staff also flexed some of the food and timings to support additional needs that were previously unknown. 

    The venue was clean and quiet, set up exactly as requested and the staff checked in at set intervals, to ensure we had what we needed. Overall the venue was great, the staff were superb and being able to explore the museum was a great added bonus!

    Team Building December 2025
  • The event went really well. The space was good for the working parts of the meeting and the team helped with extension cords when needed which was really appreciated! The social element also went really well. We had a lot of comments about the food and drinks and that it was lovely and the session achieved what we hoped it would. Thanks so much for your support with this. I'll certainly be recommending you for event spaces with the teams I work with.

    Team Away Day September 2025
  • Fantastic set up for our staff engagement event. It looked like a wedding. Particularly fabulous food. Will definitely book again.

    Team Away Day February 2026
  • IWMN team worked with us to make the event a success and provided good advice so everything ran smoothly. I would recommend using them for an event.

    Conference January 2026
  • The venue and events team made our conference shine. Nothing was too much trouble and all our needs were catered for.

    Conference October 2025
  • I hugely enjoyed working with the team at the Imperial War Museum North. We couldn’t have chosen a more unique and memorable events venue. The striking architecture set the tone but it was the digital wallpaper that truly delivered the wow factor. Immersive and powerful, it brought our event to life in the most extraordinary way. A standout venue in every sense.

    Conference and Reception July 2025
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Get in touch

Take the hassle out of event planning by hosting your next reception at IWM North. Got a question about our services or want to find out more this leading reception venue in Manchester? Get in touch using the form below and we’ll be in touch shortly.

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