Sticking the company card behind the bar in the local boozer just doesn’t cut it for the office Christmas party anymore – unless, perhaps, your ‘local boozer’ happens to be one of these cool London bars. And while a nice, festive meal out at one of London’s trendy restaurants is a lovely idea, there’s a good chance it’ll blur into all the other Christmas events that have taken place in previous years (except that one involving Steve from accounts that no one’s allowed to talk about).
We get that Christmas events, gatherings and parties are all subject to budgets, so we’re not suggesting you fly your team out to Dubai or anything, but we have gathered some suggestions of immersive experiences you can book for the Christmas do this year as an alternative to a standard Christmas meal or drinks reception.
Of course, the kind of immersive experience London is famous for isn’t for everyone, so we’ve tried to include a variety of different activities depending on group size, participation level and duration. Some include food and drink while others are pure experience, so whatever you have in mind, you’re sure to find one that sounds suitable. And if not? Ditch your colleagues and go with your mates instead!
Bustronome, London
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What: Dinner on the top-floor of a luxury double-decker bus.
Where: Bustronome, Coach bay 40B, Victoria Embankment, WC2N 6PB
Details: We can guarantee Instagram will be booming with this one. Fitted out like a fine-dining restaurant, this bus comes complete with a glass roof so you can see all the sights as it whizzes you around London. When it comes to decorations, you can go for traditional festive ones or you can introduce your own theme. Even the route can be bespoke for your company so that you can stop or drive past certain areas, landmarks or buildings that might have a sentimental meaning to you. Pick-ups and drop-offs can be tailored to your needs, too. Now that’s the ticket, eh?
Capacity: 38
Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience
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What: A high-tech Martian invasion-themed immersive experience.
Where: The War Of The Worlds, 56 Leadenhall Street, EC3A 2BJ
Details: Based on Jeff Wayne’s musical version of H. G. Wells' pioneering sci-fi novel from 1897, The War Of The Worlds, this highly interactive 110-minute experience merges immersive theatre, virtual reality, augmented reality, holograms and other cutting-edge technology. Relive the ‘Martian invasion of 1898’ through VR headsets and multisensory storytelling techniques that will have you smell the grass you’re seeing in your goggles, sense the chill of the Martian invaders and actually physically feel the ground shaking as the spaceships lands in front of you. Both live and virtual actors will guide you through the landscape as you crawl, walk and slide your way through the experience.
Capacity: Groups of 12
Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Bar
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What: An immersive theatrical cocktail experience in a fake prison.
Where: Alcotraz, Covent Garden & Shoreditch
Details: Nothing says ‘thanks for all the hard work this year’ than sentencing your employees to a stint in prison – a fake prison that involves crafting elicit cocktails, that is. Inspired by popular prison films and TV, Alcotraz is an immersive cocktail experience that sees the ‘inmates’ clad in orange jumpsuits and installed in real metallic cells. Once incarcerated, they are instructed by notorious bootleggers from inside the joint to smuggle in liquor to make a range of tailored cocktails based on your tastes. Inmates are encouraged to be as creative as possible in their attempts to smuggle-in alcohol, with just one warning: don’t let The Warden catch you.
Capacity: 50 per venue
Immersive Gatsby
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What: An immersive themed party based on F Scott Fitzgerald's seminal work, The Great Gatsby.
Where: Gatsby's Mansion, Immersive LDN, 56 Davies Street, W1K 5HR
Details: Anyone who’s read or seen The Great Gatsby is almost certain to have wished they could attend one of Jay Gatsby’s decadent soirees in real life. Cue Immersive Gatsby, where lavish décor, flowing Champagne and beautiful costumes make for one helluva Christmas party. You are cordially invited to don your dancing shoes, dress to the nines and immerse yourself in the drama unfolding around you. Explore the various rooms and spaces, learn the Charleston or maybe chat to Mr Gatsby himself. Your level of interaction is completely up to you, but no matter how much or little you decide to get involved, you’re guaranteed a rip-roaring time.
Capacity: 65
Gingerline's Chambers
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What: An immersive five-course, multi-room dining adventure.
Where: Gingerline, a hidden location near Hoxton Station
Details: Shrouded in mystery, this interactive dining experience from immersive experts Gingerline is an excellent shout for curious folk, particularly since its motto is 'only the brave will dine'. It requires a bit of a leap of faith as everything from the location to details of the actual experience are kept secret until the day, but it assures us that this is all part of the fun. What we do know is that guests will be hurled headlong into the multi-verse to embark on a two-hour, five-course, multi-dimensional dining adventure involving unusual flavour combinations. Sounds like just our kind of thing!
Capacity: 16 per group
Trapped in a Room with a Zombie
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What: This one’s pretty self-explanatory.
Where: Trapped in a Room, Corner of Honour Lea Avenue & Sunrise Close, E20 1DU
Details: If you like a healthy dose of fear at your Christmas events, this immersive escape room will be right up your street. Hidden in the room is a key that will unlock the door to your survival – survival, that is, from the hungry zombie chained up in the room with you. You’ll need to work together on the clues and riddles quickly if you want to get out, as the zombie’s chain will be released one foot every five minutes and within an hour, the zombie will be able to reach and eat* you. Thrilling and fun, it’s perfect for small groups looking to do something a little different (okay, a lot different) this Christmas.
* Cannibalism has been outlawed since 1804, so the zombie is not legally permitted to eat you.
Capacity: 10
Looking for more festive fun? Get in the Christmas spirit with a trip to London’s Christmas markets