If your idea of Christmas party hell is a grey hotel function room, Number 90 in Hackney Wick, offers something a little different. Set beside the canal in East London, this warehouse venue ticks many boxes, from industrial style to huge capacity numbers and a friendly, anything-goes team.
Christmas parties come in all shapes and sizes, and that's where Number 90 excels. The venue comprises several spaces, including the canal-side Number 90 Bar, the expansive 90 Hideout and 90 Lock event spaces, plus a quirky private boat for smaller gatherings. Whether you're organising an office Christmas party for hundreds, a festive dinner for colleagues or an end-of-year celebration with clients, the venue can be tailored to suit.
For large-scale events, 90 Hideout and 90 Lock offer impressive warehouse-style surroundings with wooden floors, bespoke acoustic treatments and state-of-the-art sound systems. Capacities range from 300 to 500 standing per room, with the option of full venue hire for over 1,000 guests. Formal dining is equally possible, with seating for between 120 and 150 guests per room. The blank-canvas nature of the spaces means they can be transformed with Christmas trees, seasonal styling, festive lighting or branded décor to create exactly the atmosphere you're after.
One of the venue's best features is its canal-side setting. While winter may not call for sun-soaked terrace drinks, the waterfront backdrop still brings a distinctive feel to celebrations, while the outdoor areas provide useful breakout spaces throughout the evening.
For smaller festive gatherings, the Mary Read boat offers a memorable alternative. Moored on the canal, this 30-foot vessel can host up to 20 guests for private dining or 80 standing for drinks and dancing. Complete with its own private bar, sound system, DJ equipment and even a rooftop space, it's ideal for teams looking for something more unusual than the typical Christmas venue.