What's New: London Venues — January 2011

Go East

One of Canary Wharf's top events venues, East Wintergarden, is hosting an open day on Thursday 27 January from 12 till 7pm, with catering by Ampersand. MORE.

Free Cocktails at Jalouse

A free cocktail reception at Mayfair’s classy members’ club Jalouse is available for any event booked before 28 February. Check out the 80-capacity private room. MORE

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Free Wi-Fi at One Great George Street

The Westminster venue has just announced that free Wi-Fi is available for all conference clients throughout the 400-capacity venue, as well as Brasserie One. MORE.

Tom Aikens Launches Event Organising Company at Somerset House

Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens is launching the eponymous Tom’s Events, to be based at Somerset House. Coming off the back of four venue openings at the Grade I-listed, 500-capacity venue, Aikens’ company will team up with experienced event organisers to provide a bespoke event-planning service to make the most of the venue’s myriad rooms. Menus on offer will showcase Aikens’ traditional British style, with ingredients sourced from regional suppliers.

The Romantic Suite Launches in Ireland

Voted Ireland's most romantic hotel, The Ritz-Cartlon Powerscourt has just unveiled its new Romantic Suite in time for Valentine's. A trip to the hotel makes the ideal incentive trip or employee reward. MORE

All-in Bowling Parties at Shoreditch House

The classically-styled Biscuit Pin bowling alley at meeja favourite Shoreditch House is offering all-inclusive parties for £2,500 a night. The two-lane alley can host a maximum of 70 people, with the price including a hand-picked selection of party food from the venue’s hearty Bites & Tubs menu and an all-night open bar offering unlimited beer and soft drinks. The offer is open to club members and non-members alike, along with the rest of the exclusive fourth-floor event space.

A New Cantonese for The Chinese New Year

Cantonese restaurant the Grand Imperial launched last night as part of the £18m ongoing refurbishment at The Grosvenor Hotel in Victoria. The 143-cover restaurant is available for private hire, with vaulted ceilings, intricately crafted pillars and an elongated marble bar serving a range of Asian-inspired cocktails. The 20-seater private dining room is the stand-out space, put together in tandem by a top Chinese interior designer and Feng-Shui master. We’d recommend the cracking dim sum selection for business lunches and the hand-rolled Peking duck for decadent dinners.

An Evening of Black & White at Altitude

Altitude 360, one of London’s loftiest event space stables, is opening its doors to a VIP evening this Monday, 31 January from 6.30pm-9pm. The much-awaited Altitude Black is being launched, making a monochromatic contrast to its white-themed older sibling one floor above in the Millbank Tower. Kitted out with same top-notch AV facilities that have given Altitude 360 such high regard in the event industry, the new venue is perfect for a range of functions, from media presentations to dinners and receptions. Also on show will be Altitude 360, as well as the River Room, View Studios and Millbank Media Centre. RSVP here.

Scotland Takes Over One of London's Most Prestigious Venues

Last Thursday saw Banqueting House in Whitehall taken over by the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre for its annual Burns Night celebration. Over 150 guests including members of the press and top industry buyers enjoyed a slap-up, four-course Scottish supper underneath the Rubens fresco, in the venue where Charles I ended his days, hung from a second-floor window. Rabbie Burns poetry recitals were regular throughout the night, with the evening finishing on a traditional ceilidh dance.