London's best unusual Christmas party venues

Bored of the same Christmas venues year after year? Time for your guests to expect the unexpected with these unusual Christmas party venues.

Updated on 25 October 2023

We don’t know about you, but it feels like Christmas appears on the radar earlier and earlier every year! Believe it or not, the best time to start looking for your office Christmas party venue is now. All of the best venues get snapped up early because, let's face it, everyone wants to host the best Christmas party.

Where was your Christmas party? Let us take a guess: a restaurant? A bar? A ballroom or banquet hall? If you’re on a mission to host your company’s best Christmas party yet then listen up - you're not going to win any awards with a boring venues. Quirky venues are just what you need to get your guests expecting the unexpected - that’s where we swoop in with this handy list of the best unusual Christmas party venues London has to offer. 

Whether you’re after a specific theme, more of an entertainment venue or just something with a little more of that wow factor, you’ll be surprised at what you’ll find among the festive streets of London - there are unique Christmas party venues all over the capital. Looking to base your Christmas party around an immersive experience? Check out Park Row, London's first DC-inspired restaurant and bar. Or maybe you're prioritising entertainment and activities at your party this year? Bread Ahead Borough Market Christmas baking classes or The Curling Club may just be the perfect spot for you and your staff to blow off some steam.  

While we’re feeling pretty confident that one of these venues are going to blow those socks off, if you’re still stuck for a venue and need some extra help then check out the SquareMeal concierge service, where our team will hand-pick the best recommendations. All you have to do is send over your party brief and within 24 hours you can be booking a wild Christmas party venue the rest of your colleagues will never forget. Easy as (mince) pie.

Bread Ahead Borough Market

Bread Ahead Borough Market

Bread Ahead Bakery & School Borough Market, London Bridge, London, SE1 9DE

Bread Ahead’s baking classes are ideal for those who want a Christmas party with a bit more action. You can’t miss Bread Ahead - just look for the queues of hungry people waiting for a taste of a Bread Ahead doughnut. Bread Ahead’s bakers are also wonderful teachers, and if you can finish Christmas having learned to make a Bread Ahead cookie, isn’t that the best gift of all?

Wonderville

Wonderville

57-60 Haymarket, St. James's, London, SW1Y 4QX

Inspired by vintage circus and cabaret performances, Wonderville is a larger than life circus experience full of magic performances, flamboyant costumes and live acts. Kick off your festivities with some fizz, and soak in some extraordinary circus performances alongside loads of traditional Christmas food.

Pitch London

Pitch London

12 Meard Street, Soho, London, W1F 0EQ

Spark a bit of competition this festive season at Pitch and challenge your colleagues to play some of the world’s most famous golf courses. With a variety of different levels, from novice to expert, all the team can enjoy this state of the art simulation. Offering bookings for up to 120 guests, it’s a great choice for larger parties who want something a little different this Christmas. 

F1® Arcade

F1® Arcade

1 New Change, City of London, London, EC4M 9AF

Inject some friendly competition into this year's festivities and get the team racing at F1® Arcade - there’s a private hire space for 90 available, complete with private bar and a load of gaming chairs, so everyone can get behind the wheel of a virtual F1 car. With a range of food packages available too, F1® Arcade has something for everyone.

TSQ Playhouse Putney Bridge

TSQ Playhouse Putney Bridge

2-4 Lower Richmond Road, Putney, London, SW15 1JN

This low-lit private hire playground plays on a unique and mysterious atmosphere, with walls covered in curios like children’s dolls and Venetian masks, and a Moulin Rouge-themed stage which hosts live acts on many nights. It’s the perfect private hire Christmas spot if you’re looking for something a bit different, and TSQ has two private dining rooms for smaller gatherings, as well as AV equipment for karaoke, supported on an 85-inch TV screen.

Hilton London Metropole

Hilton London Metropole

225 Edgware Road, Paddington, London, W2 1JU

One of the key things when looking for a venue for office Christmas parties is the size - and Hilton London Metropole is certainly not short on space. With a capacity of up to 1350 people, there is ample room to get the festivities started, plus various drinks packages to keep it going all night.

Park Row

Park Row

77 Brewer Street, Soho, London, W1F 9ZN

London’s famous DC-inspired restaurant is an automatic pick for any unusual venues, largely thanks to The Monarch Theatre, where guests are wowed by an 11-course tasting menu, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling screens and 360-degree projection mapping that immerses the group in Park Row’s unique Batman-themed experience. There are more rooms available too, all with their own specific DC themes.

Skylight Tobacco Dock

Skylight Tobacco Dock

Tobacco Dock, Wapping, London, E1W 2SF

If you fancy Christmas with a view, look no further than Skylight Tobacco Dock, where you can gaze out over London’s snowy skyline from the top of the iconic Tobacco Dock. Nor only that, you’ll find an ice rink up here too, as well as heated igloos with capacity for 10 people each. Head down below the terrace for an array of heated apres ski lodges too, where you can enjoy a mug of mulled wine.

Inamo Covent Garden

Inamo Covent Garden

11-14 Hanover Place, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9JP

Inamo’s private hire Onyx Room combines cutting edge tech and easy-going pan-Asian food to make something completely unique. A pair of 65-inch screens can be used for anything from live sport and films to console gaming, and there’s karaoke available too. Plus, the tables themselves are touch sensitive, so you can use the table surface to play touch sensitive arcade games like air hockey and Space Invaders.

The Tower of London

The Tower of London

Tower of London, City of London, London, EC3N 4AB

The ultimate historic Christmas party venue in London, The Tower of London speaks for itself, boasting a variety of unique rooms which all have their own story. If you’re planning something big, you’ll be glad to know that you can indeed hire the whole place exclusively - arguably one of the most impressive Christmas party venues in the country.

Electrowerkz

Electrowerkz

7 Torrens Street, Angel, London, EC1V 1NQ

Electrowerkz may well be the ultimate party venue for those looking for a big night out this festive season. It’s made up of five rooms, comes complete with stages perfect for DJs and it’s licensed until 5am - oh and there’s capacity for 350 people, so there’s no need for anyone to miss out.

Swingers City

Swingers City

8 Brown's Buildings, City of London, London, EC3A 8AL

Like Swingers West End, Swingers City is a massive crazy golf venue that has it all when it comes to hosting Christmas parties. Standard packages include a round of mini golf plus food and drink, and there are a wide variety of large and small private areas available to hire for your Christmas festivities.

London Transport Museum

London Transport Museum

39 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7BB

The Grade-II listed London Transport Museum is one of Covent Garden’s most recognisable landmarks, but did you know you can have a Christmas party here? There are multiple spaces inside available for private hire, but none more unique than the Museum Galleries, where guests are immersed in London’s transport history before being treated to a traditional Christmas banquet.

The Avenue Cookery School

The Avenue Cookery School

3 Enterprise Way, Wandsworth, London, SW18 1FZ

If you’re in charge of the Christmas party and are looking to create something memorable, why not test out everyone’s cooking skills at The Avenue Cookery School? This south west London based culinary hub will tick off the activity and dinner in one hit, as well as promoting a bit of healthy competition among colleagues for best chef.

Ballie Ballerson

Ballie Ballerson

97-113 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3BS

Nothing says ‘unusual Christmas party’ quite like throwing everyone in a giant ball pit, but that’s exactly what you’re getting at Ballie Ballerson in Shoreditch. There are a few areas reservable for small groups but the move is to hire the whole place for a giant, exclusive ball pit party, complete with cocktails and pizzas.

Swingers West End

Swingers West End

15 John Prince's Street, Marylebone, London, W1G 0AB

Just a minute's walk from Oxford Circus station, Swingers West End couldn’t be better placed for Londoners in search of a bit of crazy golf action. The West End site boasts three mini golf courses, as well as a huge range of private rooms for large and small gatherings and street food from well-known brands like Patty&Bun and Pizza Pilgrims.

Le Gothique

Le Gothique

The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, John Archer Way, Wandsworth, London, SW183SX

Christmas in a castle? Sounds alright to us. Le Gothique’s Disney-esque turrets and spires make it an almost fairytale-like setting for Christmas. Inside it’s full of character too, with a fantastic, award-winning bar and a hidden walled garden. Keep your fingers crossed for snow to complete the storybook Christmas.

The Rosarium

The Rosarium

Unit G8, Waterloo, London, SE1 8SW

Whether it's the foliage-filled Secret Garden or the stunning Glass House, The Rosarium has all sorts of intriguing spaces that'll make your Christmas party a bit special this year. The menu is rooted in classics, but there's an Alice in Wonderland thread that runs throughout, meaning that a surprise twist is never far away. 

The Postal Museum

The Postal Museum

Freeling House, Phoenix Place, Farringdon, London, WC1X 0DA

The Postal Museum doesn’t sound like the most exciting place to spend Christmas, but don’t judge until you’re aboard the special passenger train that snakes through the Post Office’s secret 100-year-old subterranean mail railway. The main festivities can take place in the huge underground depot, which has been restyled as an impressive blank-canvas events space.

Sandbox VR

Sandbox VR

The Post Building, Holborn, London, WC1A 1PB

Nothing screams Christmas quite like competing against your colleagues in a Squid Game inspired challenge, right? Try something different this festive season and dive into a fully immersive experience at Sandbox VR. For smaller teams of up to 6 players, you're able to physically interact and communicate with each other in this mind boggling virtual reality. It'll definitely be one to remember.

Limin South Bank

Limin South Bank

56 Upper Ground, South Bank, London, SE1 9PP

Christmas at a beach club might seem like an unorthodox move but Limin’s Caribbean food and rum-based cocktails are guaranteed to keep the chill away. Besides, half the world has Christmas in the summer - just pretend you’re on holiday and swap the sand for snow, or get everyone in Limin’s cosy Rum Bar for some expertly-made cocktails.

Lucky Voice Soho

Lucky Voice Soho

52 Poland Street, Soho, London, W1F 7NQ

Start warming up your vocal chords and sing your heart out this Christmas. Lucky Voice Soho is the perfect place to host this year's Christmas party with private karaoke rooms available for up to 30 people. Now offering a whole new menu of festive finger food, and even Christmas pizzas complete with turkey and pigs in blankets. 

The Curling Club

The Curling Club

South Bank, South Bank, London, SE1 8XX

Ever fancied trying your hand at curling? The Curling Club makes this unusual winter sport accessible for all, packaging up a shortened curling lane with plenty of drinks and snacks to keep the team going, as well as burgers and hot dogs for those with bigger appetites.

The Bloomsbury Big Top

The Bloomsbury Big Top

Coram's Fields, 93 Guildford Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 1DN

This impressive marquee fits up to 1500 for receptions and 650 for seated dinners, making it an ideal spot for an unusual corporate Christmas do. There’s enough room for you and all your guests inside, plus performers such as stilt walkers, fire breathers and aerial silk gymnasts. The Big Top is fully temperature controlled too so no need to worry about the weather.

Bunker 51

Bunker 51

3 Herringham Road, Greenwich, London, SE7 8NJ

A Cold War nuclear-themed underground venue may not be the first thing to spring to mind when planning a Christmas party, but this activity packed destination is sure to create lasting memories for you and your guests. Think paintball, laser tag, escape rooms and SO much more, plus some first class food and drinks packages.

The Conservatory & Garden Room at The Barbican

The Conservatory & Garden Room at The Barbican

Barbican Centre, Silk Street, Farringdon, London, EC2Y 8DS

The Barbican’s Conservatory and Garden Room is definitely up there for one of London’s most impressive, unique venues; it’s amazing that this rooftop conservatory - home to over 2,000 species of tropical plants and exotic fish - isn’t more well-known. Enjoy festive drinks under the conservatory’s jungle canopy, or head to the Garden Room for a Christmas banquet.

The West London Shooting School

The West London Shooting School

Sharvel Lane, Northolt, London, UB5 6RA

Clay pigeon shooting, 4x4 off road driving, quad biking and duck herding are just some of the unusual activities on offer at The West London Shooting School - all guaranteed to get you and your group into the festive mood! Once you've built up an appetite, get stuck into bacon rolls, pigs in blankets, and a proper Christmas lunch.

There are so many things to remember throughout the festive period. Now you've picked a venue, make sure to check out our Christmas party planning checklist to keep your office Christmas party plans on track. Once you're sure you've got the ball rolling, it's time to turn your attention to other festive tasks - office Secret Santa, office party games, and pleasing your all-important clients.

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