The best Christmas party venues for small groups in London

Irish chef Richard Corrigan’s eponymous restaurant promises spectacular food as standard, so the only decision you’ll need to make is which room to host your bash in. Smaller spaces include the intimate Chef’s Table, semi-private Poet’s Corner, atmospheric Kitchen Library and grand Lindsay Room.

Bob Bob Ricard's 16-seat private dining room is modelled on a Royal Dining Carriage, bringing a certain degree of style to a festive banquet. Naturally, dinner at Bob Bob Ricard means feasting on the finer things in life - expect oysters, caviar and Champagne in abundance. 

Craving some warmth for your festive do this year? Bombay Bustle is the place to be, offering up feel-good plates like palak patta chaat, tandoori jumbo brawns, and badami kofta curry to keep the winter blues away. The Carriage seats up to 12 at a large sharing table, while larger groups prefer The Dining Room, which seats 36.

This intimate, family-run spot in the heart of London, is a heartwarming place to spend a winter celebration. With a separate mezzanine level, and three variations of set menus to choose from, Barcelona Tapas Bar y Restaurante is a great blank canvas for a Christmas party with a touch of Mediterranean sun. 

This avant-garde townhouse on Frith Street is perfectly placed for a Christmas party, and Zima leans into the Soho vibe with a private karaoke bar, a shisha lounge and two dining rooms, all available for private hire. The menu sticks to authentic Russian cooking, and homemade vodka infusions are guaranteed to take the party to the next level afterwards.

Known for its oyster bars and Michelin-starred menus, Bentley's promises excellent cuisine, from chef Richard Corrigan, and extensive wine lists for your upcoming festivities. This versatile Mayfair townhouse has several spaces available, such as the Swallow Library, Rib Room and Crustacea Room - perfect for parties of 12 to 30. 

The Cooks’ Room at Hawksmoor in Borough is a dedicated private dining space able to accommodate up to 18 people. Featuring a stunning open kitchen where its professional chefs cook up a storm in front of guests, this theatrical venue is sure to add plenty of drama to your festive celebrations.

Enjoy a dramatic dinner or drinks party within the Amazonian-inspired surrounds of The Mandrake’s unique event spaces. Book the Greenhouse for groups of up to eight, offering an abundance of natural-lighting and foliage for a quiet reception. Elsewhere, the impressive, red-lacquered private dining room is sure to leave an impression.

Dishoom Shoreditch has private and semi-private spaces for small groups to enjoy Dishoom's now-iconic Bombay-inspired menus, but it also has a stunning heated veranda, where you can sip on Mulled Bramble cocktails and hot chai surrounded by hanging foliage. Don't forget Dishoom's generous Christmas group menus, which cater for every occasion, even a delicious festive breakfast.

Arthur Hooper's bright and breezy first floor private dining room is one of our favourites in London, suiting all sorts of occasions. There's room for up to 20 for a cosy Christmas dinner upstairs, and the room also has AV equipment for presentations, quizzes and speeches too. The Mediterranean is packed with delicious things that even the fussiest eater couldn't find fault with. 

Intimate, rustic, and ideal for festive events, Brindisa Tapas Richmond comes armed with a host of options for smaller festive celebrations. Host up to 34 (40 standing) in the Bodega Bar, or opt for a semi-private table in the main dining room for up to 15 guests. Whichever suits you best, you’re guaranteed epic seasonal Spanish menus packed with the best Iberian products and produce.

You can't go wrong with Christmas at Dishoom, and the King's Cross site is particularly impressive, set within a restored Victorian industrial building at Coal Drops Yard. The group menu packages are generous too, and who's saying no to Dishoom's delicious black daal, chicken tikka and more. There are private and semi-private options for small groups too. 

Located in the historic vaults of the Old Bank of England, Gaucho City is conveniently situated between Bank and Liverpool Street stations, making it ideal for team festive lunches and corporate Christmas dinners. Host a sit-down meal in one of the private dining rooms, or say cheers over some celebratory drinks in the cocktail lounge.

A family affair since the 1930s, Bricco e Bacco is a Sicilian steakhouse that loves to host private parties. There's a private dining room with space for 16 people, that boasts views overlooking Charlotte Street, and can be paired with your choice of three party menus. If you like the sound of A5 Japanese Wagyu and lemon semifreddo this Christmas, this is for you.

For smaller group celebrations, Ember Yard offers an intimate setting in the heart of Soho. Whilst you can take over the entire space, its Josper Room is perfect for up to 24 guests, bringing a relaxed feel alongside great wines and sharing Mediterranean small plates. Choose from two festive set menus packed full of manchego croquetas, prawns pil pil and churros.

Clarette is well-equipped for small Christmas parties, with the Salon Prive providing a lovely, intimate space for cosy dinners. Clarette is ideal for lovers of good food and good wine - the wine list is extensive and full of rare vintages, and seasonal French cooking is a perfect match. 

This stylish subterranean cocktail bar serves up plenty of Latin American flair, even over Christmas. Unforgettable cocktails steal the headlines, but don’t sleep on the classy Nikkei party food, all delivered in a glamorous space punctuated by mood lighting, hammered copper wall panelling and a backlit blue bar.

Just because you have a smaller guest list doesn’t mean the Christmas party can’t be memorable. MR PORTER’s intimate Chef’s Table is ideal for small groups, offering a luxurious setting for up to 14 guests. Tucked away at the back of the restaurant, the space boasts indulgent menus packed full of premium steaks and seafood, with bespoke drinks packages and curated wine pairings to match.

The Holmes Hotel on Baker Street is packed with beautiful, intimate rooms for small Christmas parties, including a billiard room for those who fancy whiling the evening away with some friendly competition. We also love The Conservatory, which features a huge skylight which opens into the private courtyard above.

Private members' club, The Groucho, specialises in effortlessly chic and unusual interiors as well as top-notch food to solidify itself as an excellent Christmas party spot. A selection of festive menus can be enjoyed in the bright and stylish Mackintosh Room, perfect for up to 16, or the art-focused Carter Room, ideal for groups of 22. 

Norma's 14-seat Etna private dining room sits right at the top of this beautiful Charlotte Street townhouse - a gorgeous space of marble and mosaic, inspired by Sicilian grand cafes. It's a stunning space for small groups to enjoy peerless Sicilian festive cooking, including seasonal cannoli and regional specialities. 

For a slightly more relaxed space, why not try The George? Once a favourite amongst the city’s artists, writers and poets, this cracking gastropub has several stylish dining rooms, such as The Gluepot Bar or The Green Room, which can accommodate groups as small as four people.

School of Wok offers a huge range of classes and activities for small groups of budding chefs - sure, you can learn to make sushi, but you can also spend a day cooking for the homeless, or competing in your very own festive cooking showdown. You even get Christmas dinner into the bargain. 

Looking to mix it up this Christmas? Sripur offers something a little less traditional, but just as enjoyable, with vibrant menus of authentic Indian fare. Gather your nearest and dearest and book a seat in the main dining room - perfect for smaller groups who still want a taste of the action.

Stylish Islington wine bar Salut! is perfect for smaller, more intimate gatherings. Host up to 70 guests for standing receptions or 35 for private dining in this candle-lit, wine-led bistro. Expect elegant, broadly European comfort food, alongside old-world wines, a quality aperitif list, and lots of fun, festive decor.

If you're looking to host a small Christmas dinner, with plenty of indulgent French food, Cafe Francois is a great option. Their private Market Room seats 30 guests (50 standing), boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and a view into the patissiers' kitchen. Meanwhile, the outdoor terrace can also be hired for a group dinner, as can a smaller section of the restaurant.  

One of the coolest restaurants to open in recent years, Fonda is an ideal venue for a small, foodie-friendly, atmosphere-guaranteed Christmas party. Inspired by Mexico City's after-hours dining and drinking culture, whether you're 12 in the private dining room or 40 in the Sala Rosa, Latin set menus tick all the boxes.

This five-star hotel has a whole host of private spaces for your Christmas party, including the Rubens Room and Da Vinci Room, both ideal for sit-down dinners for up to 10 guests. Pop the Champagne and delve into one of the classically British festive menus for the ultimate feast.

Slap bang in the heart of the city, Casa invites guests to swap turkey for something a bit different with its menus of Portuguese classics. Host your festive feast in the Sol or Mar rooms, which can each hold 14 guests, or combine the two for something a bit larger.

MBER comes with a bit of history, sitting on Pudding Lane, just across the round from the spot where the Great Fire of London started. The design here is slick - copper accents, dark metal and warm wood - and small groups can head to the very fashionable cellar bar, with its rare sake collection and Tom Dixon furnishings.

Perfect for small groups, this party venue prioritised warmth and cheer with a range of flavour-packed Indian street food menus. The private dining floor seats 32 (with space for 40 standing), while the dedicated private dining room can accommodate 30 seated or 25 standing, both come already dressed with festive fairy lights. 

Bennie is smack bang in the middle of London, but has the vibe of a welcoming neighbourhood local. The private dining room houses 12 guests making it perfect for more intimate dinners, with Christmas menus leaning towards classic, comforting dishes.

For a stand-out spot, Bocconcino’s central location and menus of delectable Italian fare are a winning combination. The Sotto private dining room is ideal for parties of 23 or less, complete with a private bar and full DJ setup to bring your party to life.

Small companies and celebrating groups are in luck when it comes to choosing COMO The Halkin London for a Christmas bash. You've got options: the intimate 24-person private dining room, the 50-seater Garden Room with its wave-like ceiling, and the intimate COMO Suite, which seats just eight for a much more intimate feel. Plus, with luxurious three or five-course menus, you can guarantee a real feast. 

The quirky Bohemia private dining room seats 12 for a very special dinner, with La Terrazza’s contemporary Italian food taking star billing. Alternatively, check out the Living Wall Bar, which can host around 30 for drinks amid the Hotel’s lush vertical gardens.

Love seafood and, well, olive oil? This cosy Italian restaurant and wine bar on Bermondsey Street specialises in both. Book the Ground Floor space for 30 guests, or choose the Kitchen Floor for smaller groups of 20, with delightful menus of Italian cuisine and fine wines to cater your party.

Platform is a social gaming bar in Shoreditch with a huge range of private spaces to hire for small groups, and an endless catalogue of video games to get stuck into. Wood-fired pizzas keep you fuelled whilst you take down your bosses at Mario Kart, or hire the eSports Stage for some cooperative Call of Duty.

Specialising in seasonal farm-to-table dining, The Orangery TCR offers a unique way to dine as a small group. Situated within the restaurant's underground farm is a chef's table with space for up to 16 guests around a long banquet. Surrounded by fresh herbs and growing vegetables, guests are taken on a journey through produce-led dishes, such as chard leek fondue and pumpkin gnocchi.

John and Desiree Chantarasak's magnificent Thai restaurant is never a bad choice for any event, such is the quality of the cooking. The 'Baan' private dining room is an achingly cool space, decorated with Murano glass chandeliers, hand-carved wood panels and mid-century Thai art. Throw in John's revolutionary cooking, and AngloThai would be high on our lists for any occasion.