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 (in our humble opinion).
2022 saw some gorgeous new venue openings, including Convene, One Hundred Shoreditch, Fairgame, and our new favourite immersive space Frameless. 2023 looks set to raise the bar even higher and we’re excited to see some seriously impressive new venues enter the arena this year. Read our top picks below!
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.
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
Opening: Soft launching in July 2023
Ocean Diva
The hotly-anticipated launch of the spectacular Ocean Diva is finally about to reach our shores.
Set to be 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.
Opening: March 2023
Raffles London at the OWO
Raffles, in all its opulent, old-Hollywood splendour, is set to open 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, will offer 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!
Opening: Summer 2023
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
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…)
Labyrinth Waterloo
A new magical hospitality experience is set to open 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?!
Opening: 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.
Opening: March 2023
F1 Arcade
Want to feel like a champion? A thrilling new experience is set to open 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: Just opened
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!
