In-person events – remember those?! It’s been a very long (almost) year for a lot of our brilliant venues, with some not able to open at all during the pandemic.
Positive news of the vaccine rollout provides some much-needed optimism for the return to events later this year. So, as we power through these last few months of tight restrictions we’re looking ahead to the days when we can visit some of our favourite spots.
Here at 10 London venues that we can’t wait to get back to.
Sexy Fish
Oh, how we’ve missed a party!
And, if there’s one place that knows how to throw a party, it’s Sexy Fish.
Found in ever-fashionable Berkeley Square, it’s one of our favourites for a knees-up. The Coral Reef Room is home to two of the largest live coral reef tanks at either end of the room (of course), creating a magical underwater atmosphere filled with tropical sea creatures.
With opulent fabrics and furnishings adorning the rest of the room, it’s perfect for a special occasion. Japanese-inspired dishes are on the menu and there’s a late night bar to keep the party going.
Swingers
If you’ve missed your colleagues over the last year, what could be better for a reunion than a bit of crazy golf.
The venue is made up of two 9-hole crazy golf courses, street food vendors, five cocktail bars and a two-storey clubhouse – the ultimate destination for a spot of competitive socialising.
In the heart of the City, Swingers recreates a ‘quintessential 1920s English country golf club.’
You can hire out Swingers in its entirety for parties of up to 500 people or create smaller events depending on your requirements. Exclusive hire gets you the run of the venue and the opportunity to fully personalise your event experience.
12 Hay Hill
Eating dinner…inside…with people you don’t live with. What a revelation!
12 Hay Hill is an exclusive Private Members Club based in the heart of Mayfair; set over six storeys and with a plethora of spaces including a sun-filled fourth floor, atmospheric bar and lovely private dining rooms.
A particular favourite, Ground Round, is a beautiful, intimate private dining space, with grand wooden doors that close-off the space. Perfect for an extra-special dining experience.
Pergola Paddington
Dare we dream of summer? It’s difficult to imagine when dark, rainy January hits.
Pergola Paddington is the ultimate summer party destination. It’s an open plan, rooftop space set in the heart of Paddington Central with space for up to 850 Guests.
Set across two floors, with upstairs playing host to an open-air bar and day beds and a Pergola design downstairs, with communal seating and a plethora of street food vendors to choose from. With a sound system that covers the whole venue, think relaxed, beach club vibes – almost like being in Ibiza (right?).
Brigadiers
Brigadiers is an Indian barbecue, beer, whisky, and live sport venue inspired by the army mess bars of India.
Blighters is an ideal event venue for more casual private functions in central London, particularly for sports fans.
A central bar flanked by restaurant booth seating makes Blighters the ultimate vantage point to while away the hours whilst watching live sport – there might even be spectators – imagine that!
The intimate booths and concealed TV screens mean the space can be transformed from an extravagant drinking den to a lively sports bar.
Century Club
Another wonder rooftop space, this time in Soho.
Century Club is an impressive multi-storey venue that sumptuously decorated throughout. Regularly billed as London’s ‘best-kept secret’, it’s a calm oasis from the frenzy of London below.
Discreetly hidden behind a door on Shaftesbury Avenue, the club has four floors of member’s facilities including a cocktail lounge, two restaurants, a screening room, a performance stage and roof terrace.
The Roof Terrace at the Century Club is the largest in Soho and has a stunning vantage point over London’s iconic skyline. The terrace can be privately hired for breakfast events, presentations, dinners, receptions and even weddings. It has heaters and a fully retractable canvas roof, making it an excellent choice for events all year round.
The Stratford Hotel
It’s always five o’clock somewhere!
This cocktail bar is tucked away in The Stratford, a beautiful, 42-storey building from the team behind Chiltern Firehouse and St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
The menu features modern techniques applied to familiar classics inspired by the New York cocktail scene between 1930 and 1960.
It is both extensive and unique, with four distinctive cocktail sections and a wide selection of whiskies including rare, small-batch liquids from Japan, Scotland and America.
Ideal for private drinks receptions and parties, this is no ordinary cocktail bar.
Lumiere Underwood
Looking for beautiful interiors? Look no further.
Carlos Lumiere, CEO and founder, creates stunning event spaces that you’re likely to want to move into, immediately. Opulent furnishings and fabrics make up the studios at Lumiere Underwood, complemented but everything you need for a successful event. From AV to storage areas and wheelchair access, every aspect has been thought of. 7 minutes walking distance from Old Street Station provides an ideal location too.
Perfect for conferences, team away days, workshops and more.
Science Museum
We’re going big with this next venue. Illuminate at the Science Museum is a venue designed to both ‘anticipate and surpass the needs of the ever-evolving events industry.’
Illuminate is situated on Levels 4 and 5 of the Science Museum, and is a space that is bound to impress. The vast floorspace and simple industrial design provide a striking backdrop for any event. Its panoramic window on Level 5 offers stunning views of the City and an abundance of natural daylight too.
Available for both daytime and evening hire, with capacities of up to 400 for dinners and conferences and 450 for receptions – when big events are back, it’s first on our list.
Madame Tussaud’s
Home to some of the World’s biggest stars – this space at the iconic Madame Tussaud’s will make you feel like a VIP.
If you’re looking for somewhere unusual to host an event then this is the place.
Mingle with stars of sport, screen, music and Royalty for sparkling events such as receptions, gala dinners, and Christmas parties.
With integrated AV, branding opportunities and space for a band or DJ, it’s a brilliant party space and one you won’t forget in a hurry.
Can’t wait until everything reopens? Take our Virtual Tour of London or explore thousands of venues on headbox.com
