As the UK’s leading venue platform, we’re always on the lookout for the best up-and-coming event locations around. Whether it’s a brand new activity venue, a swanky hotel perfect for bougie away days, a purpose-built conference location, or an exciting new restaurant opening, London is the epicentre for some of the best event venues in the world.
2023 has raised the bar incredibly high, with some seriously impressive new venues enter the arena in the rest of this year. Read our top picks below!
Newly opened venues
F1 Arcade
Want to feel like a champion? A thrilling new experience has just opened its doors to Londoners, bringing all the glamour and excitement of Formula 1 to a city normally known for its slow and steady red buses and black cabs! Boasting 60 full-motion racing simulators, delicious culinary experiences and a fully-stocked bar, this is the perfect fun activity for gaming enthusiasts in a thrilling, adrenaline-filled atmosphere.
Why not host your next corporate event here and introduce some friendly competition to your meeting or away day?
Location: St Pauls
Best for: Away days, meetings, corporate entertainment, parties
Hire Space Highlight: An exclusive private space for up to 90 guests, with a private bar and 8 racing simulators
Opening: June 2023
Ocean Diva
The hotly-anticipated launch of the spectacular Ocean Diva has finally reached our shores.
The first carbon-neutral event vessel on the River Thames, SMART Group’s latest offering is a revolutionary blank canvas venue perfect for all kinds of events, from conferences to swanky parties. Able to accommodate up to 1,500 attendees over 3 sophisticated decks (each boasting incredible views across the City), this venue is set to seriously shake up the events game.
Location: The vessel will pick up guests from London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Greenwich and ExCeL London
Best for: Conferences, award ceremonies, parties, dinners… anything you can think of!
Hire Space Highlight: Ocean Diva even has a helipad. A HELIPAD.
Opened: July 2023
1 Hotel Mayfair
Embracing a new era of eco-friendly luxury, 1 Hotel Mayfair is the newest addition to London’s greener venues. With beautifully designed bedrooms, a stunning interior throughout, and an unbeatable location near the edge of Green Park, the hotel is an oasis of tranquility in the heart of Mayfair. Sustainability’s been increasingly important on many event briefs we’ve seen this year, so we’re excited to see venues like this offering clients the luxury they’re looking for, with a planet-friendly slant!
Location: Trafalgar Square
Best for: Corporate entertainment, Christmas parties, drinks receptions
Hire Space Highlight: Sustainability is built into this venue’s bones – and it boasts moss walls, which we, for one, can’t wait to see!
Opened: July 2023
Lightroom
If you’ve been looking for venues to really captivate your guests, Lightroom is an incredible new space in the city centre that spans four stories, projecting artwork across walls and ceilings in incredible detail. Each event becomes an immersive experience, and the venue presents plenty of opportunities for branding and to let your imagination to run wild. We’re all for creative expression with events – the wilder the better!
Location: King’s Cross
Best for: Product launches, Christmas parties, drinks receptions
Hire Space Highlight: Seriously impressive projections bring your guests into a totally immersive world – this venue has to be seen to be believed!
Opened: February 2023
Larry’s at The National Portrait Gallery
Step into the unique and art-inspired world of Larry’s, located in the historic vaults of the National Portrait Gallery. With private dining and evening event options, Larry’s is a master stroke for intimate gatherings or company socials with flair – and if you’re looking to how your guests your business’ sophisticated side, how much more cultured can you get?! Surrounded by portraits from the gallery’s collection, we’re sure this spot will help be a conversation starter like no other!
Location: Trafalgar Square
Best for: Corporate entertainment, Christmas parties, office parties, drinks receptions
Hire Space Highlight: 100 portraits from the gallery’s collection line the walls of this unique space!
Opened: June 2023
Stereo Covent Garden
Experience the cutting-edge fusion of urban London and New York vibes mixed with Parisian chic at London’s coolest cocktail venue, Stereo Covent Garden. Launched at the beginning of the year, this stylish venue boasts a standing capacity of 600, and has all the signs of a great party venue! From live music to delectable food and drinks, this spot is sure to set the tone for a night of revelry!
Location: Covent Garden
Best for: Corporate entertainment, parties, Christmas
Hire Space Highlight: An eclectic line-up of live DJs playing throughout the week
Opened: February 2023
Labyrinth Waterloo
A new magical hospitality experience opened its doors beneath the hustle and bustle of Waterloo Station, in the form of Labyrinth Waterloo. Whether you’re looking for a new nighttime playground, planning a mystical gastronomic experience for your top clients, or love the sound of an immersive theatre performance, this quirky new space offers an escape from the busy streets of London and will transport your guests to another world.
Explore this subterranean world of possibilities and excitement for yourself and take your event game up a level!
Location: Waterloo
Best for: Gala dinners, drinks receptions, corporate entertainment
Hire Space Highlight: Who wouldn’t want to get lost in a mystical maze under the streets of London?!
Opened: Spring 2023
Lío London
Promising a ‘spectacular, sassy and sexy’ experience for all who step foot inside, Lío London is a brand new, one-of-a-kind destination bringing together world-class performers and an eclectic, heady combination of cabaret and high-end dining experiences for up to 715 guests.
The ultimate hedonistic playground, this space, previously home to iconic venue Café de Paris, will be the go-to for glitzy drinks receptions, corporate entertaining, and private dinners, featuring a beautiful Mediterranean-inspired menu curated by renowned chef Adam Rawson.
Location: West End
Best for: Gala dinners, drinks receptions, corporate entertainment
Hire Space Highlight: Available for private hire and bespoke packages for a plethora of event types.
Opened: March 2023
The Peninsula London
As one of the world’s most prestigious hotel brands, The Peninsula made its highly anticipated debut in the heart of London. Opening this year on the corner of Hyde Park, this venue has been designed by some of the world’s most iconic interior decorators and architects to reflect the connections between East and West. With lavish event spaces tailored to host a variety of occasions, The Peninsula offers the perfect backdrop for unforgettable experiences.
With its opening date selected by a Feng Shui master, this venue hasn’t left anything to chance – plus, with a scale model of Concorde hanging from the ceiling, we’re sure it’ll captivate guests at any event!
Location: Hyde Park
Best for: Conferences, gala dinners, receptions, parties
Hire Space Highlight: A stunning triple-heighted event space with decor inspired by antique spice trading ships and the Far East
Opened: September 2023
Bounce Battersea Power Station
Another addition to the shiny new Battersea Power Station development, interactive ping pong establishment Bounce has become the latest venue to move in. Their Battersea venue, set in the original power station building, is sprawled over 8,000 sqft and boasts 11 gaming areas, a cocktail bar and gourmet menus to create the perfect package for your event. Even more perfect ping-ponging to be enjoyed!
Location: Battersea
Best for: Team building, away days, parties
Hire Space Highlight: A private room for that extra special, exclusive touch to your corporate event
Opened: August 2023
Raffles London at the OWO
Raffles, in all its opulent, old-Hollywood splendour, opened a brand new addition to its portfolio in the historic Old War Office Building. The iconic Whitehall building once inhabited by Britain’s most famous statesmen and spies, from Winston Churchill to Ian Fleming, offers a suitably glamorous experience to guests. This brand-new, ultra-luxe hotel boasts 120 luxury suites, London’s first Guerlain-branded spa, an opulent ballroom, 2 meeting spaces, 9 restaurants, and three bars led by world-class chefs and restaurateurs, including chef Mauro Colagreco.
Set to raise the standard of high-end hospitality, this beautiful venue oozes decadence and will be the go-to venue for all kinds of events, from conferences to luxury team retreats.
Location: Whitehall
Best for: Conferences, award ceremonies, gala dinners, exhibitions, incentives
Hire Space Highlight: The sheer luxury of this hotel is a guaranteed jaw-dropper for even the most hard-to-please guests!
Opened: Late summer 2023
Venues opening soon
2024 is set to be an exciting year for event spaces in London with the opening of plenty more unique venues, each offering something special for various types of gatherings. Check them out here first, and keep an eye out for announcements.
Convene St Paul’s
This venue is a game-changer in the world of corporate and large-scale events. Opening in Q1 2024, this expansive 41,806sqm venue in Sancroft, St. Paul’s, features seven meeting spaces, including a 900-person plenary room – the largest in Convene’s global portfolio and the largest single above-ground room in the City of London. It’s perfect for large conferences, corporate events, and exhibitions. The highlight of this venue is its combination of size and state-of-the-art facilities, making it a top choice for high-profile events.
Location: St Paul’s
Best for: Meetings, conferences
Hire Space Highlight: This spot is set to boast the largest above-ground room in the City of London, meaning you can bring a huge number of guests together with plenty of natural lighting!
Opening: Q1 2024
Lucky Voice, The Sidings
Opening in Spring 2024, legendary karaoke experience Lucky Voice is gearing up to bring its micced-up magic to the South Bank. As the fifth London venue of the popular karaoke brand, it features eight karaoke booths, a late-night bar with DJ, a VIP karaoke pod, and a large 20-person pod for larger corporate groups. The design, inspired by its location under London Waterloo’s platforms, makes it an ideal spot for lively corporate parties, team-building events, and casual get-togethers.
Location: Waterloo
Best for: Away days, birthday parties, office parties
Hire Space Highlight: A 2:30am license meaning plenty of time to crack out all of your best tunes!
Opening: 2024
Ministry Venues, Shepherds Bush
The latest in Ministry’s portfolio is shaping up in West London. With a capacity of up to 300 people, it offers 2 event spaces, 5 meeting rooms, and a podcast studio. The venue also includes a workspace, a multi-studio fitness offer, and a rooftop bar and restaurant. Its flexibility and state-of-the-art AV facilities making it suitable for conferences, seated dinners, product launches, panel talks, and receptions.
Location: Shepherd’s Bush
Best for: Meetings, conferences, panel talks
Hire Space Highlight: Open 7 days a week, this spot is equally suite to start-ups and larger corporates.
Opening: Q1 2024
Six Senses at the Whiteley London
Renowned for creating some of the best holistic hideaways around the world, upmarket hotel and spa brand Six Senses is set to make its London debut at The Whiteley London. Ideal for teams looking to feel refreshed and rebalanced, the latest addition to the Six Senses portfolio will offer a ‘wellness social club’, featuring a spa and relaxation rooms, as well as private dining rooms, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and several elegant restaurants and bars.
At the core of this venue is its focus on wellness, sustainability and reinvigoration, making it the perfect backdrop for a variety of events, from away days to creative meetings, or for treating your most important clients.
Location: Bayswater
Best for: Retreats, meetings, private dinners, incentives
Hire Space Highlight: A luxurious, relaxing oasis in the middle of London? Sign us up.
Opening: Late 2023… any day now!
Uncommon Holborn
Prepare for a breath of fresh air with Uncommon Holborn, the latest addition to Uncommon group’s, well… uncommonly elegant meeting and event spaces! Opening in September, this cool and contemporary space boasts three distinct event areas, each exuding a calming aura throughout, with a rooftop terrace accommodating up to 100 standing, a cafe for 75 standing, and a lower ground area for up to 350 standing.
We don’t now about you, but we think meetings would be much more productive on a rooftop! Watch this space and we’ll report back!
Location: Holborn
Best for: Meetings, conferences, away days, brand activations
Hire Space Highlight: The venue boasts a huge glass ceiling in its atrium, and living plants throughout to bring a breath of fresh air to meetings and events!
Opening: Q1 2024
The Chancery Rosewood
The Rosewood Hotel’s latest London instalment is housed in the former US Embassy, a prestigious Grade II listed building in the heart of Grosvenor Square. The building is currently being transformed into an ultra-luxe hotel boasting 139 rooms, 5 restaurants and bars, an upmarket wellbeing centre, 6 retail spaces, and fully-equipped meeting and event spaces.
Location: Mayfair
Best for: Meetings, conferences, award ceremonies, gala dinners, brand activations
Hire Space Highlight: An opulent ballroom accommodating up to 1000 guests; think of all the incredible awards ceremonies you could throw here!
Opening: 2024 (we cheated a little with this one but we just couldn’t wait!)
We can’t wait to check these gorgeous venues out for ourselves! If you already have your eye on one of these venues for an upcoming event and would like to chat about your event brief (or just want some venue inspiration for our other cool venues) get in touch with our venue team below!
