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The best Christmas party venues in London for 20 people

Too many for one table, too few for a big venue? These London private dining rooms and semi-private spaces are just right for a Christmas party of 20.

Updated on 28 September 2026

A Christmas party for 20 people can throw up a few challenges. It's too many to squeeze round a standard table and too few to justify taking over an entire venue. That is exactly why the city's private dining rooms, semi-private corners and compact first-floor spaces come into their own in December. Get the room right and a group of 20 can have a proper festive dinner: one conversation running down the table, a menu agreed in advance and staff looking after nobody else.

For a group of this size, the practical questions are often the most important: will everyone fit, and will it still feel like a party? A department or small company might want privacy without paying for space it won't fill, while a group of friends or an extended family may prefer the energy of a busy restaurant without shouting across three separate tables. The detail matters too, from whether a room seats 20 around one table or across several, to whether it can host drinks standing up before dinner.

To build this guide, we looked for venues where a group of around 20 isn't an afterthought. Each has a room, alcove or takeover option suited to that number, with options across London and a mix of price points, cuisines and party styles.

Best Christmas party venues for 20 people: at a glance

  • Best private dining rooms sized for around 20: The Bird in Hand, Arthur Hooper's, NURI Korean BBQ Canary Wharf, Hotel Indigo London Clerkenwell, SOOM Korean Restaurant, Frame Notting Hill, 3 Henrietta Street, The Chelsea Townhouse, Belvedere
  • Best semi-private spaces that keep the restaurant buzz: 11 Cadogan Gardens, Coya Mayfair, The Anthologist, Ukai
  • Best for taking over a whole floor or small venue: Scalini, La Bibliotheque, Casa Tua Camden
  • Best for hands-on and interactive dining: NURI Korean BBQ Canary Wharf, SOOM Korean Restaurant, Coya Mayfair, The Anthologist
  • Best for dancing and entertainment: Ukai, Albert's Schloss London
  • Best for staying over: Hotel Indigo London Clerkenwell, 11 Cadogan Gardens, The Chelsea Townhouse
  • Best for combining a meeting with a festive meal: 3 Henrietta Street, Arthur Hooper's, Bennie
  • Best for skipping the turkey: The Bird in Hand, Shoryu Ramen Covent Garden, Casa Tua Camden
  • Best for grand or atmospheric interiors: Belvedere, Scalini, Mour, Frame Notting Hill, Manzi's
Arthur Hooper

Arthur Hooper's

8 Stoney Street, London Bridge, London, SE1 9AA

Upstairs at this Borough Market restaurant, the high-ceilinged Fruit and Veg Room seats 20 and looks out over the market through enormous windows.

Groups can order festive Mediterranean sharing plates including burrata, confit garlic and chilli, alongside dishes like braised lamb neck and parmesan polenta. A unique spot for your Christmas celebrations.

Shoryu Ramen Covent Garden

Shoryu Ramen Covent Garden

35 Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5AA

This Covent Garden ramen restaurant, inspired by the street food of Japan's Hakata region, swaps turkey for tonkotsu. Exposed brick, Japanese lanterns and dimmed lights set a cosy tone in the private dining space, which can seat up to 24.

Reasonably priced set menus with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options keep things simple for a mixed group.

Albert

Albert's Schloss London

20-24 Shaftesbury Avenue, Leicester Square, London, W1D 7EU

This Alpine-themed venue in the heart of theatreland brings live entertainment and a party atmosphere to the festive season. The restaurant's Ski Tables seat 20 perfectly, giving a group a set base.

A great venue for smaller groups who want to soak up the energy of a big night out.

La Bibliotheque

La Bibliotheque

325 Kingsland Road, Dalston, London, E8 4DL

Low lighting, booth seating and a whisky library give this Dalston restaurant a cosy, slightly theatrical feel that blends French bistro with Japanese detailing. Groups can gather around a large communal table or 28 diners can take over the whole venue.

Christmas bookings centre on set menus with optional wine or sake pairing, plus Japanese-inspired cocktails.

11 Cadogan Gardens

11 Cadogan Gardens

164 Pavilion Road, Chelsea, London, SW1X 0BP

Moments from Sloane Square, Hans' Bar & Grill - set within 11 Cadogan Gardens - offers the semi-private Wine Room for up to 24 seated across two tables of 12. Glass-fronted wine displays, art deco booths and emerald walls set the scene beautifully.

Seasonal decorations run through the hotel during the festive period, and with bedrooms on site, guests can make a night of it in Chelsea.

NURI Korean BBQ Canary Wharf

NURI Korean BBQ Canary Wharf

33 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London, E14 8RR

For a Christmas dinner that gets everyone involved, NURI puts tabletop grills at the centre of the table so guests cook their own halal meats and seafood.

The waterside Canary Wharf restaurant has a private dining room for sit-down meals of up to 22 guests. An ideal setting for small groups looking for privacy.

Manzi

Manzi's

1-8 Bateman's Buildings, Soho, London, W1D 3EN

Jewel tones, sumptuous fabrics and statement lighting make this Soho restaurant a glamorous choice for rewarding a team after a busy year. Groups of 20 can book a table in the main restaurant, soaking up the atmosphere.

A festive menu and canapés such as mini prawn cocktail and devilled eggs suit the kitsch setting perfectly.

3 Henrietta Street

3 Henrietta Street

3 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8LU

This restored five-storey Covent Garden townhouse offers several ways to host a group.

One being The Onion Room - a private space designed for 20 overlooking the Piazza, with built-in AV and a demo kitchen, and can be catered by any of the building's restaurants.

 Casa Tua Camden

Casa Tua Camden

176 Royal College Road, Camden, London, NW1 0SP

This small Camden Italian offers two cosy spaces for festive groups, a lower room for 18 guests and the ground floor for up to 25.

Expect Italian sharing plates, fresh pasta, gourmet pizza and a well-chosen wine list. The main menu also runs at lunchtime for a daytime festive get-together.

Mour

Mour

13 Seymour Street, Marylebone, London, W1H 7JW

Mour takes its cue from long Mediterranean lunches, with cornicing, wall panelling, dark green chairs and a large tapestry giving this Marylebone restaurant the feel of a stylish private home. The courtyard is ideal for 20 guests.

Groups settle into their reserved area and enjoy dishes such as beef ragù pappardelle and lamb with rosemary jus.

Hotel Indigo London Clerkenwell

Hotel Indigo London Clerkenwell

2 Clerkenwell Road, Barbican, London, EC1M 5PQ

This Clerkenwell hotel offers several festive spaces. The bright Clerkenwell Suite is where groups of 20 will feel the most comfortable. While the Sabini Bar, inspired by 1920s Clerkenwell, suits late-night cocktails after hours.

On-site bedrooms mean anyone travelling into London can stay over after the party.

Belvedere

Belvedere

Abbotsbury Road, Holland Park, London, W8 6LU

Set inside Holland Park in a Grade II-listed building, Belvedere brings history and grandeur to a festive dinner. The Loggia is a private alcove seating up to 20 with Roman arches and arabesque chandeliers, looking down over the terracotta-walled dining room.

Chef Lello Favuzzi's seasonal Italian menu and on-hand sommeliers suit a group that wants a sense of occasion.

Ukai

Ukai

240 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 1LL

Set in a refurbished Notting Hill pub, Ukai pairs Japanese dishes such as miso black cod and hamachi with jalapeño dressing alongside cocktails like the Kyoto Style Mojito.

Groups can book a semi-private area for 20 or the lounge for 25, then head for the dance floor when the DJ comes on.

Scalini

Scalini

1-3 Walton Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 2JD

A Chelsea institution since 1988, Scalini occupies a Georgian townhouse and reserves its first-floor private dining room and bar exclusively for groups.

Groups of up to 24 can sit together around one oval table and play their own music through the Sonos system. The extensive Italian menu runs from langoustine and truffle fettuccine to Dover sole.

Frame Notting Hill

Frame Notting Hill

39 Hereford Road, Notting Hill, London, W2 4AB

Distressed walls, gilt frames and old-fashioned chandeliers give this independent Notting Hill restaurant a romantic, old-European feel.

The low-lit basement Cellar, surrounded by wine displays, can be reserved privately for groups of up to 24. Guests share modern European plates with a Spanish twist, from Manchego croquetas to Basque cheesecake.

SOOM Korean Restaurant

SOOM Korean Restaurant

99 St. Martin’s Lane, Leicester Square, London, WC2N 4AZ

In Leicester Square, SOOM's private dining hall is decorated with shimmering mother-of-pearl wall art and seats up to 24. Adjustable mood lighting lets hosts shift from a relaxed dinner to something more celebratory.

Set menus are curated from the restaurant's core dishes, with barbecue platters cooked at the table as a sociable centrepiece.

The Anthologist

The Anthologist

58 Gresham Street, City of London, London, EC2V 7BB

This City of London bar and restaurant gives mid-sized groups plenty of choice. The semi-private Snug seats 24 and keeps you close to the atmosphere, while the Deli offers a quirkier private space with its own street access.

The festive set menu runs from beetroot-cured salmon to roast turkey and mince pie cheesecake, and cocktail-making sessions can be added.

Bennie

Bennie

102 Great Portland Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W 6PD

This Fitzrovia restaurant and bar has a private room designed for meetings as well as dinners, so a team of up to 26 can wrap up a planning session and move straight on to the celebration. Patterned floors and distressed concrete walls give the space character.

A globally inspired menu of dishes such as beef ribs and burgers suits a varied group.

Coya Mayfair

Coya Mayfair

118 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London, W1J 7NW

Peacock-blue tones, carved detailing and statement chandeliers make Coya a striking setting for a Peruvian Christmas feast near Hyde Park Corner.

The Andean Room can be curtained off for groups of up to 25, with festive menus featuring ceviche, tacos and miso chilli sea bass. Extras include pisco masterclasses, floral styling and live entertainment.

The Bird In Hand

The Bird In Hand

88 Masbro Road, Kensington, London, W14 0LR

Skip the turkey at this independent Kensington pub, where the first-floor private dining room - seating up to 20 - is yours alone, with a dedicated server looking after the table.

Set feasting menus lean Mediterranean rather than traditional. Dishes such as burrata panzanella, porchetta and creative pizzas are passed around one central table for a relaxed, sociable dinner.

The Chelsea Townhouse

The Chelsea Townhouse

26 Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea, London, SW3 2RP

This Chelsea hotel's Garden Room seats 24 and comes with its very own bar and access to private gardens. On-site bedrooms mean guests have the option to stay over. It suits a cocktail reception or festive lunch with a polished, corporate feel.

The smaller Mulberry Room is dressed with Christmas decorations for more intimate dinners.

If your numbers are still shifting, a few related guides are worth a look. Our round-up of the best Christmas party venues for small groups covers tighter headcounts. London's best casual restaurants for Christmas parties suits teams after something more relaxed. And for a room that's entirely your own, browse the best private dining rooms for Christmas parties in London.

Frequently asked questions about Christmas party planning for 20 guests in London

What type of venue works best for a Christmas party of 20 in London?

For a seated dinner, a private dining room sized for around 20 is usually the most comfortable option, giving the group its own space, one menu and dedicated service. Semi-private areas within a restaurant suit groups who want some separation while still enjoying the atmosphere of the main room. If your group sits at the upper end of a room's capacity, a small restaurant or a single floor available for exclusive hire can offer more flexibility.

What should I check when a venue lists a capacity of 20?

Confirm whether the figure refers to seated or standing guests, as many rooms hold noticeably more people for a drinks reception than for dinner. It's also worth asking whether everyone can sit at one table or will be split across several, since some rooms seat fewer on a single table than their overall maximum. Where a venue quotes slightly different figures for the same space, check the current number directly with the events team.

What's the difference between a private and a semi-private space for 20 people?

A private dining room is enclosed and separate from the main restaurant, so the group can give speeches or run a presentation without disturbing other diners. Semi-private spaces are usually a designated area, alcove or curtained-off section of the dining room, which keeps some of the restaurant's energy. Ask exactly how the space is separated, as curtains, screens and roped-off sections offer different levels of privacy.

Are there Christmas party venues in London for 20 people with accommodation?

Yes. Several hotels in areas such as Chelsea and Clerkenwell combine private or semi-private dining spaces with bedrooms on site. This is useful for guests travelling in from outside London or anyone who would rather not head home late. It's worth asking about bedroom availability at the same time as you enquire about the party.

Do private dining spaces for 20 come with minimum spends or restrictions?

Some do. Exclusive use of a space can depend on a minimum group size or an equivalent spend, and some rooms are unavailable at the busiest times, such as weekend evenings. Set, sharing or feasting menus are also common once a group passes a certain size. Check what's included, and whether dietary requirements can be accommodated, before you confirm.

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