The best Christmas party venues for small groups in the UK

Surrounded by rolling Oxfordshire countryside, Badgemore Park offers a festive escape from the office. Smaller groups will appreciate the charm of The Coach House, with its exposed beams and countryside views, and space for up to 60 for dinner. Add bespoke catering and outdoor drinks in the courtyard for the full experience.

Swap turkey for Caribbean flavours at Spiced Roots, one of Oxford’s most vibrant festive venues. Groups can enjoy semi-private dining or exclusive hire alongside jerk dishes, goat curry and plenty of island-inspired hospitality. There's plenty to enjoy this Christmas, with its colourful interiors, extensive rum collection and cocktail masterclasses.

Whether you're gathering a handful of colleagues or celebrating with your family, Delta Hotels Heathrow Windsor offers a flexible festive setting just outside London. Shared Christmas parties come complete with a welcome drink, three-course dinner and dancing, while private events can be tailored to suit your group, with options to swap the turkey for a vibrant Indian feast.

For a festive feast centred around exceptional food, Hawksmoor Manchester is hard to beat. Set within a grand Victorian building, it pairs historic surroundings with renowned steaks. Group menus are a particular favourite,  so be sure to enjoy premium cuts alongside sensational sides - cows in blankets anyone?

Malo brings a stylish twist to festive gatherings in Glasgow’s Merchant City. Known for its excellent wines and expertly mixed Negronis, the venue offers an atmospheric private dining room for up to 16 guests seated, or 40 standing. Plush seating, warm lighting and elegant interiors create the perfect backdrop for an evening of seasonal drinks and sharing boards.

Smaller groups can take over one of the elegant private dining rooms at Navadhanya, an award-winning fine dining experience in the heart of Cambridge. Tasting menus are ideal for those looking to enjoy the restaurant’s creative approach to Indian cuisine, with options to add wine flights for a truly memorable celebration.

With sparkling chandeliers, rich interiors and premium Argentinian steaks, Gaucho Newcastle brings a little glamour to the festive season. Smaller groups can book one of two private dining rooms, which can seat six or 12, while slightly larger parties will love the semi-private mezzanine for up to 50. 

For a Christmas party that feels intimate and bespoke, Hemisphere is a standout choice. Available for exclusive hire for up to 70, this stylish West Bridgford tapas bar offers flexible festive menus in a contemporary setting. Add your own playlist, personalise the decorations, and enjoy an evening of sharing plates and cocktails. 

Housed within Liverpool’s historic City Buildings, City Wine Bar & Kitchen offers a sophisticated setting for small groups, with a private upstairs event space that can host up to 80 guests. Expect seasonal dishes and crowd-pleasing bites, alongside plenty of excellent wine, all served in a lively space that feels tailor-made for end-of-year celebrations.

For a Christmas party with plenty of flavour, Aagrah Leeds City Centre delivers festive celebrations with an Indian twist. Groups of up to 40 can make use of the private dining room, with versatile table layouts to suit varied groups. Feast on sharing platters and regional specialities, and raise a glass with wines, beers and spirits from the well-stocked bar.

Furna is an acclaimed modern European restaurant in Brighton, serving a seasonal festive menu built around exceptional local produce. Whether booking a group dinner or taking over the restaurant exclusively, guests can expect polished service and a warm atmosphere, with exclusive hire for up to 33 guests - so you can have the space all to yourself.

For a Christmas party with plenty of flavour, Shampan Welling is a standout choice. This award-winning Indian restaurant goes all out with its festive menus, blending seasonal favourites and classic curries. Take over a large table within the restaurant, or opt for a semi-private space for just you and a few guests.

Few places feel as effortlessly cosy as Ardfern during the festive season. Created by chef Roberta Hall-McCarron, this intimate Edinburgh favourite combines inventive Scottish cooking with shelves lined with fine wines and a warm neighbourhood feel. Groups of eight or more can enjoy the festive set menu, with exclusive hire options allowing you to have the place to yourself.

Pici swaps formal festive dining for a more relaxed, share-friendly approach. This popular Nottingham spot specialises in fresh pasta, pizzettes and generous feasting menus that are perfect for groups. Smaller gatherings can book the intimate basement private dining room, which is ideal for just 12 guests, whilst exclusive hire of the restaurant can seat up to 20.

Tucked away on Edinburgh’s Thistle Street, Fishers in the City offers an effortlessly elegant setting this Christmas. Scottish seafood takes centre stage, with celebratory dishes ranging from king scallops to grilled lemon sole. Its private room can host up to 36 guests, with options for semi-private spaces and larger tables in the main restaurant.

Perched 18 floors above the city, on Birmingham's Colmore Row, eighteen offers a Christmas party setting that feels a world away from the office. Small groups can gather in a selection of private rooms, with capacity from four to 20 people, for a party complete with panoramic city views, thoughtful drinks packages, and menus from Orelle.

Tucked away in Summertown, Pompette brings a touch of French charm to festive celebrations. The upstairs private dining room is ideal for intimate Christmas dinners, with a large banquet-style table for up to 14 guests, and elegant vintage decor. Expect seasonal menus packed with indulgent winter dishes, with excellent wines to pair. 

Cosy, characterful and full of festive charm, E. Street Bar & Grill is ideal for smaller Christmas celebrations. Choose between the elegant Blue Room for up to 24, or the Woodcock Room for groups of up to ten. Seasonal menus showcase the best of West Sussex produce, so it's sure to be a memorable evening.

Eleven Fifty Five's intimate mezzanine private dining room can seat up to 12 guests, offering a backdrop of exposed brickwork, dark interiors and period features. Seasonal menus champion Scottish produce with creative flair, while cocktails, sparkling wines and inventive cooking make festive lunches and dinners feel particularly special.

Italian comfort food takes centre stage at Shambles, where festive menus feature handmade pasta, truffle-laced risottos and elevated seasonal classics. Smaller groups can take over the private dining room for up to 65 standing, whilst those looking for a drinks and nibbles reception can take over the bar for up to 70.

Set within a beautifully restored 16th-century building, The Hanger Freehouse offers a festive escape in the Hampshire countryside. Known for exceptional roasts and seasonal cooking, it's the perfect setting for those looking to add a touch of historic charm this Christmas. The Snug can host intimate gatherings for just ten, whilst the Main Dining Room is ideal for dinners for 35.

Just outside York city centre, The Old Liquor Store provides a relaxed backdrop for everything from Christmas brunches to evening celebrations. Its Ground Floor is available for exclusive hire for 55, or a few more standing, decked out with fairy lights and wreaths for the full experience. Smaller groups can enjoy seasonal a la carte or tasting menu options. 

One of Liverpool’s most enchanting venues, Mowgli brings twinkling fairy lights, hanging lanterns and lush greenery to this year's festivities. A semi-private dining space can seat up to 16, perfect for those wanting to embrace the restaurant's buzzing atmosphere, with curated Christmas menus full of chat bombs, curries and sharing plates.

Few venues do festive feasting quite like Dishoom. Set within a grand former Freemasons’ Hall, its Manchester location brings generous sharing menus packed full of fragrant biryanis and flavour-packed grills. The Dining Hall and Family Rooms can both seat 20, making it ideal for smaller groups who want a relaxed alternative to the traditional Christmas dinner.

Hidden away on Liverpool’s charming Queen Avenue, Queens Wine Bar & Bistro offers an intimate setting for festive celebrations in the heart of the city. The private cellar dining room seats up to 22 guests, the perfect spot to enjoy festive classics with a twist. Plus, you can rest assured that dishes are packed with local and seasonal produce.