Top 10 Private Hire Christmas Party Venues in London

LBN Reporter

2 years ago

‘Tis the season to be jolly. That means it’s also that time of the year to start to think about where you’re going to host that all-important Yuletide gathering.

If you’re looking for an event space in central London, you’ve come to the right place.

Our list features ten of the best of them.

We have all the bases covered – from the recently converted and cavernous Old Billingsgate market, ideal for a corporate event and large gatherings, to smaller spaces that are perfect for more intimate soirees.

We also have some of the quirkiest event spaces in London on our list, including the drawing room of the globetrotting Philias Fogg and an underground Tube station that harks back to post-war London.

Disclaimer: Our list is in no particular order and the information provided was correct at the date of publication.

1. Munich Cricket Club

‘Christmas Time, Mistletoe & Stein’ is how this club in London punningly describes its yuletide offering.

This German bierkeller operator has establishments in three locations in London: Victoria, Tower Hill, and Canary Wharf.

Given the name, you’ll be unsurprised to learn they offer Bavarian-style Christmas party packages, replete with giant steins of continental beer and festive food and entertainment with a Teutonic twist.

Website: https://munichcricketclub.co.uk/
Email: events@munichcricketclub.co.uk

Victoria Road

Address: 1 Abbey Orchard Street, London, SW1P 2LU.
Phone: 020 3746 2000.
Venue capacity: Entire venue: 399 people; Circus: 50 people; Mezzanine: 75 people; Circus and Mezzanine: 125 people.

Tower Hill

Address: 9 Crutched Friars, London, EC3N 2AU.
Phone: 020 3746 2000.
Venue capacity: Bierhalle: 250 people; Half Bierhalle: 150 people; Other areas (e.g., Stein Cage and The Arch): 20-75 people depending on the space.
Price: start from £18.95 per person.

Canary Wharf

Address: West India Quay, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4AE.
Phone: 020 3746 2000.
Venue capacity: The whole venue: 200 people; Smaller private areas such as The Chalet, Ski Scene, and The Library: 15-175 people depending on the space.
Price: start from £18.95 per person.

2. Swingers Club

If you’re looking to give your guests an eventful Christmas party, then look no further than this indoor crazy golf club in two prime locations: The City and the West End.

At the West End course, you will find a quintessential 1920s British seaside setting, complete with outrageously fun crazy golf, old-school carnival games, street food, and drinks and endless fun.

While over in The City, the 1920s-inspired English countryside golf club with its elegant clubhouse, rolling greens and first-rate hospitality.

At Christmas time, the courses are decked out with lush green Christmas trees and a cosy fireplace can be found in the Clubhouse.

To add to the festive cheer, guests are plied with lashings of mulled wine before they tee off.

Swingers’ Christmas Packages are available from 18th November to 24th December and come in four different types:

Swingers West End

Address: 15 John Prince’s Street, London, W1G 0AB
Phone: 020 3846 3222.
Website: https://www.swingers.club/uk/venues/west-end
Email: cityinfo@swingers.club
Venue capacity: Spaces available that can host between 12 – 900 people.

Holly Set (£45)

Crazy golf (specific tee time), carnival games
2 deluxe drinks, street food, festive dessert
Christmas cocktail, golf visor, reserved area

Jingle Set (£72)

Includes everything in the Holly Set
3 deluxe drinks instead of 2

Sleigh Set (£87)

Includes everything in the Jingle Set
Christmas cocktail on arrival
Reserved area for 90 minutes.

Party Set (£117)

Unlimited deluxe drinks for 3 hrs
Reserved area for 3 hrs

Swingers City

Address: 8 Brown’s Buildings, London, EC3A 8AL
Phone: 020 3846 3222.
Website: https://www.swingers.club/uk/venues/city
Email: cityinfo@swingers.club
Venue capacity: Spaces available that can host between 12 – 900 people.

Holly Set (£35)

Similar perks to the West End version at a lower price

Jingle Set (£62)

Includes 3 deluxe drinks

Sleigh Set (£77)

Adds a welcome Christmas cocktail and a longer reserved time

Party Set (£107)

Unlimited drinks and extended reserved area.

3. Cahoots Underground

Step into a Christmas from a bygone time at Cahoots in Soho this Christmas.

The space is a mocked-up disused Tube station and carriage that evokes 1940s post-war London.

The venue principally consists of two platforms—Northbound and Southbound—and life-size carriages, all of which can host guests.

The pair of carriages are connected by a gangway that is festooned in blingy fairy lights and festive decorations over the Christmas period.

Address: 13 Kingly Court, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW
Phone: 020 7352 6200.
Website: cahoots.co.uk
Email: events@cahoots-london.com

● Venue capacity:

Southbound Platform: Up to 70 guests.
Northbound Platform: Up to 70 guests.
Full venue: Up to 220 guests (for standing events across the entire venue).

● Price: Custom pricing based on party size and requirements; contact the events team for detailed quotes. A minimum of 20 guests is required to book a space.

4. 8 Northumberland Avenue

This place in Trafalgar Square puts a lot of time and effort into preparing for Christmas.

In fact, it spends twelve months dreaming up themes and ideas for its Christmas parties and this year has gone for a pair of themes: House of Velvet and Studio 8.

The themes are high-concept and designed to provide guests with a unique and memorable experience:

House of Velvet: A luxurious cabaret-inspired theme featuring opulent decorations and world-class live entertainment. The dining experience includes a dinner or reception package with your own theming used and a DJ and live band provided.
Studio 8: This is the more immersive theme of the pair and promises guests a night they won’t forget, with hyper-vibrant décor and captivating live entertainment.

They offer a bespoke event planning service and the catering for all its private functions is provided by AlchemyLive.

Address: 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5BY
Phone: 020 3263 1011.
Email: events@8northumberland.co.uk
Website: https://www.8northumberland.co.uk/
Venue capacity: Typically, between 100 – 1000 people. Smaller spaces are available for hire.
Price: For Christmas parties, prices start at approximately £135 per person. This rate may vary based on group size and your requirements.

5. Mr Fogg’s Residence

This cocktail lounge in Mayfair is ideal if you’re looking to host an off-beat and immersive festive event featuring some of the most stunning decor you’ll find anywhere in London.

The bar is done up as Phileas Fogg’s Victorian Drawing Room and features memorabilia and curios from the collection of artefacts and antiquities collected by the titular adventurer on his travels.

The event space can accommodate both intimate gatherings and grand soirées of up to 150 guests.

Nice Christmas touches include an exquisite selection of yuletide potables, including hot mulled wine and Christmas versions of the club’s award-winning classic cocktails.

Address: 15 Bruton Lane, Mayfair, London, W1J 6JD.
Phone: 020 7036 0608.
Website: https://www.mr-foggs.com/mr-foggs-residence/
Email: residence-events@mr-foggs.com
Venue capacity: 20 to 150 guests.
Price: Enquire.

6. The Dickens Inn

Charles Dickens popularised our modern idea of Christmas so if you’re looking to celebrate the festive season in a part of London that held a special place in the author’s heart look no further than this pub in St Katharine Docks in East London.

The Dickens Inn offers several elegant event spaces in a charming, historic venue, ideal for Christmas celebrations or other gatherings:

The Dickens Suite: A bright and spacious function room that can accommodate up to 175 guests for a standing event. The room has high ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and large picture windows providing stunning views of the docks and Tower Bridge.
The Pickwick Room: A versatile space that can accommodate up to 120 standing guests. It features a balcony with views of nearby St Katharine Docks and is well-equipped to host both formal dining events and casual drink receptions.
The Copperfield Bar: This ground-floor space can accommodate up to 85 guests for standing events. It includes a private bar and comfortable seating with access to an outdoor terrace that overlooks St Katherine’s docks.

Add-ons like live entertainment, DJs, and a photo booth can also be provided.

Address: St Katharine’s Way, Tower Hamlets, London, E1W 1UH.
Phone: 020 7488 2208.
Website: https://www.dickensinn.co.uk/christmas/
Email: bookings@ssp.uk.com
Venue capacity: This requires a minimum amount of money based on event timing and date.
Price: Enquire.

7. The Ten Bells

The Ten Bells is a historic public house that sits on the corner of Commercial Street and Fournier Street in Spitalfields.

The Grade-II listed building has played host to a public house for hundreds of years and is synonymous with Jack the Ripper: Annie Chapman and Mary Jane Kelly both drank here.

The venue spans three floors, making it ideal for private events.

Its upstairs cocktail bar provides a relaxing escape, while its location in central London means it’s a vibrant social hub.

Inside, you’ll find roaring fires, Christmas decorations and a nice craft beer selection (in the Lounge).

In the Cocktail Bar, you’ll find a candle-lit room, complete with a private bar serving seasonal cocktails and even a piano to belt out your favourite Christmas jingles.

The Ten Bells in East London has three spaces available for private hire:

Cocktail Bar (Max capacity: 60 people): Located on the first floor with views of Spitalfields Market and Christ Church, this stylish space is ideal for parties. It features a private bar and a piano, perfect for creating a lively atmosphere.
The Lounge (Max capacity: 30 people): A cosy, private space on the second floor, this area exudes East London charm. It’s suited for intimate gatherings, with a private bar to enhance the experience.
Full Venue (Max capacity: 170 people): Spanning three floors, the entire venue can be booked for larger events, including weddings and large-scale celebrations. Its eclectic style and historical character provide a unique setting for any occasion.
Address: 84 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, London, E1 6LY.
Phone: 020 7247 7532.
Website: https://tenbells.com/
Email: Use the contact form on the pub’s website.
Pricing: From £750 per event.

8. Old Billingsgate

This cavernous private hire space in this Grade II listed building in what was once the hub of London’s fish trade offers a vast and versatile space for your Christmas party.

It is a grand event space that offers three industrial-style function spaces and stunning vistas of the River Thames, Tower Bridge and The Shard.

Its three principal event spaces are The Grand Hall, The Vault, and The Gallery.

Inside, you’ll find Industrial architecture and exposed brickwork, arching beams, and vaulted ceilings.

Address: 1 Old Billingsgate Walk, London, EC3R 6DX.
Phone: 020 7283 2800.
Website: https://exevents.co.uk/venues/old-billingsgate/
Email: info@oldbillingsgate.co.uk
Venue capacity:
- The Grand Hall: Sit-down dinner: Up to 1,800 guests; Standing reception: Up to 2,500 guests.
- The Gallery: Sit-down dinner: Up to 250 guests; Standing reception: up to 500 guests.
- The Vault: Sit-down dinner: Up to 600 guests; Standing reception: up to 900 guests.
Price: For inquiries about pricing or specific arrangements, you can contact Old Billingsgate directly through the website.

9. Blame Gloria

This place in Covent Garden hosts some of the coolest and naughtiest Christmas get-togethers in the capital.

It is kitted out with unique décor that has gone heavy on neon lights, plush velvet seating, exposed brickwork and artwork inspired by rock legends such as Jimi Hendrix himself.

The food menu includes festive food platters and finger foods with meat, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, alongside drink packages that feature unlimited beverages.

The bar also serves up exclusive Christmas cocktails and one-of-a-kind entertainment, including drag shows.

Address: 20 Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9HP.
Phone: 020 8191 7665.
Website: https://www.blamegloria.co.uk
Email: bookings@blamegloria.co.uk
Venue capacity: Max total capacity: 250 people (180 seated). The Back Bar is good for smaller gatherings and can hold up to 100 guests (60 seated).
Price:
- Festive Finger Food (Meat, Vegetarian, or Non-Gluten): £26 per person.
- Platters: £50 each.
- Unlimited Drinks: £15.00 per person per hour.
- Premium Unlimited Drinks: £22.00 per person per hour.
- Prosecco reception: £7.50 per person.
- Cocktail reception: £9.00 per person.
- Standard drink vouchers: £6.00 each.
- Premium drink vouchers: £8.50 each.

10. Union Tavern

This restaurant and gastropub in Maida Vale offers semi-private and private hire.

The upstairs Fleet Room, which has its own bar, is used for more formal sit-down dinners.

For less formal festivities, they also offer sharing plates for drink-led functions in the downstairs parts of the pub.

Address: 52 Lloyd Baker Street, Clerkenwell, London, WC1X 9AA
Phone: 0207 278 0111.
Website: Union Tavern
Email: uniontavern@btconnect.com
Venue capacity: The Union Tavern can accommodate parties of up to 100 people (seated) and up to 150 (standing).
Price: Formal sit-down meals (3 courses for £37.95 or 2 for £29.95). Sharing plates for drink-focused events are also available (enquire).