Let us guess: October’s snuck up on you and suddenly you’re in a mad rush to book the office Christmas party. Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! Fortunately you’ve come to just the right place to get some pointers on finding the best festive venues at short notice.
Our venue team are called experts for a reason: they’ve done the legwork to find the most memorable Christmas party venues to book both months in advance and at the last minute. Raring to get on with the search? Say no more! Read on for our round-up of 7 of the best last minute venues on our radar.
Looking for a venue that situates your celebrations in the centre of the city? The Oyster Shed is the perfect spot to give your guests a taste of the hustle and bustle of London. With a prime location on the north bank of the Thames, this stylish restaurant is an ideal location for a lunchtime event, or a sophisticated soirée with drinks and stunning views.
The Oyster Shed offers space for up to 140 in its beautiful Rockefeller Lounge, or up to 40 standing in the exclusive Captain’s Table, each boasting river views and large windows to set the scene for a special festive do.
Location: Monument
Capacity: 140 standing
The Broadcaster, based in stylish White City, is a beautiful backdrop for Christmas parties, offering both a warm and sophisticated interior, and a terrace with views over the city. An elegant, upmarket pub, it’s well-equipped to cater to large groups, and its excellent food and drinks are guaranteed to keep everyone feeling merry!
A blank canvas space, the venue’s spacious second floor can be used in a multitude of ways, with room for dining and dancing rolled into one sumptuous setting. And with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, it’s got plenty of perks to broadcast to attendees!
Location: White City
Capacity: 120 reception
Looking to launch the festive season with an event that really goes off with a bang? Got a team that likes competition with their canapés? At Clays (an incredibly novel venue where clay target shooting takes centre stage) you’ll be able to hit two birds with one stone, with fun, friendly competition, and plenty of delicious food and drinks to keep your colleagues fuelled up.
With the option of a private shooting room, private booths, or taking over the whole of the ground floor or full venue, you’ll have plenty of space to spread out and shoot your shot. One things for sure, this venue’s gunning for the title of the most entertaining spot in the city for a work do!
Location: Moorgate
Capacity: 320 standing
If you’re after something with a hip but homey atmosphere, The Little Scarlet Door is as cool as they come, with an interior based on a New York loft apartment, and plenty of quirky decor and cosy and comfy nooks and crannies. Half-house party (in the apartment of your dreams), half unconventional bar, this setting provides the perfect backdrop to Christmas parties that are sure to be remembered.
With the choice of hiring the venue’s basement studio, open plan living area, or both incredible spaces together, this venue makes for an ideal spot for a festive fiesta that’s as low key or extravagant as you like – plus with retro fun like a Nintendo 64 available, your guests are sure to have a trip down memory lane!
Location: Soho
Capacity: 220 standing
Just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. Exclusive members’ club 12 Hay Hill is an all-round stunning setting for a festive event, whether held in its elegant lounge, or intimate dining room. Offering a tranquil, artistic oasis in the heart of central London, this venue is guaranteed to add a touch of class to any event, no matter when it was booked!
Circulate cocktails around the luxuriously-decorated bar, before directing guests to your chosen dining space. Then, once you’ve enjoyed a traditional Christmas dinner, head up to the rooftop terrace or back to the bar for another drink while the tables are cleared away, before regrouping for a night of dancing till dawn!
Location: Mayfair
Capacity: 100 dining; 150 standing
Looking for something out of the ordinary? Allow us to raise the curtain on the Bloomsbury Big Top, a striking and original space for a splendid festive spectacle. Hosted under the canvas awning of a giant circus tent, a Christmas party here is no ordinary event: alongside dinner and drinks, you’ll be treated to an aerial display of acrobatics from the performers at Cirque Shanghai!
A firm favourite with guests, a Christmas do here is guaranteed to go down in company history – plus, the cap on your guest list is virtually non-existent, with space for up to 1400 standing in the venue! Just make sure you book as early as possible, as this spot is a ‘Top’ pick for a reason!
Location: Bloomsbury
Capacity: 1400 standing
Forget decking the halls with boughs of holly, The Hurlingham Club‘s gone all out on decking itself with palm trees! The club’s Palm Court and Orangery makes for an exotic entrance into your event, with an illuminated glass ceiling and tropical plants to welcome guests out of the wintery landscape outside – a completely unique way to kick off celebrations.
Set your drinks reception and dancing in this space, and host dinner in one of The Hurlingham Club’s elegant dining spaces, like The Hurlingham Suite or The Mulgrave Theatre. For a Georgian mansion that’s seen a century and a half of events, this venue is bang up to date with all the tech, lighting, and festive treats you could ask for!
Location: Fulham
Capacity: 700 dining; 500 dinner dance
December’s less than 2 months away, and we’re sure that all of these super spaces will be snapped up sharpish if you don’t stake your claim in time! See one on this list that you like? Get in touch below to enquire for availability.
Still looking? We’ve got plenty more fabulous last-minute festive venues on our website for you to check out!
