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Best banqueting venues in London

The term banquet implies a special occasion, so it’s essential that you have a suitably special venue to hold it in. Whether you’re after somewhere that exudes opulence through plush furnishings and gold accents, or somewhere contemporary and sleek with views over London, this list of the best banqueting venues in London includes a wealth of choice. No matter your preference, you’re sure to find something that ticks all the boxes. Of course each venue has only made it onto this list if it also comes with an equally impressive catering option, because making sure all of your guests are well fed and watered is our top priority.

Updated on 31 January 2024

While we love going out for an intimate dinner with friends, there’s nothing quite like being part of an extravagant banquet - a ceremonious feast with long tables, lavish decor, and plenty of general merriment. It’s the most sociable form of dining, often being placed elbow-to-elbow with strangers - personally, we can't think of a better way to spend an evening.

Of course, one of the most important things to consider is the food - because you can’t enjoy a delicious banquet if the meal itself isn’t up to scratch. This doesn’t mean you need a Henry VIII-style blowout for it to suffice either. On this list you’ll find a range of cuisines to suit different palates, plus various dining styles from buffets to multi-course, sit down options.

Another vital factor in creating the ultimate banquet is finding the perfect backdrop to your big event, and to get you started, we've narrowed down London's best banqueting venues to a range that offers both style and substance. You can choose to wow your guests by putting on a spread in a historical landmark like the Tower of London, or opt for somewhere sleek and closer to the city like Pan Pacific.

Finally, we realise that budget is a key element of the decision making process, so we’ve made sure to include plenty of diversity when it comes to cost - we all want our banquets to look a million bucks, not cost it.

Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace

East Molesey, Hampton, London, KT8 9AU

If you’re wanting to feast like a king, there really is no better place than Hampton Court Palace - King Henry VIII’s London home. Each room is as breathtaking as the last, but if you’re looking to go all out, then opt for The Great Hall. With capacity for up to 270 guests, it also boasts sky-high ceilings, hand painted walls, and romantic gothic architecture.

Max Meeting 180
Max Standing 1200
Max Banquet 600
Mansion House

Mansion House

Walbrook, City of london, London, EC4N 8BH

Few central London venues are better located than Mansion House, sat opposite Bank tube station making it an ideal choice for locals and out of towners. Rooms are traditional and ornately decorated, but benefit from the perks of some modern additions if you need to use technology at your event.

Max Meeting 400
Max Theatre 400
Max Standing 500
Max Banquet 360
Armourers

Armourers' Hall

81 Coleman Street , City of London, London, EC2R 5BJ

Armourers’ Hall is one of the oldest, most historic venues in London, with a history dating all the way back to 1346. It houses historical suits of armour, as well as a number of incredible paintings. The banquet rooms available vary from 5 through to 100 people.

Max Meeting 100
Max Standing 125
Max Banquet 85
Searcys at The Gherkin

Searcys at The Gherkin

30 St Mary Axe, City of London, London, EC3A 8EP

The Gherkin is one of London’s most iconic buildings, and it could be the location of your next equally iconic banquet. Searcys, who own a number of specialist Champagne bars, restaurants and event spaces, occupies three floors here - each one offering uninterrupted views over the city.

Max Meeting 140
Max Standing 260
Max Banquet 140
 Sheraton Grand London Park Lane

Sheraton Grand London Park Lane

Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, London, W1J 7BX

If you’re after a venue to cater for a particularly large group, Sheraton Grand is on hand with a 650 banquet capacity. Each room is fully equipped with advanced audio visual technology, lighting and sound support, as well as event catering.

Max Meeting 500
Max Standing 1200
Max Banquet 650
10-11 Carlton House Terrace

10-11 Carlton House Terrace

10-11 Carlton House Terrace , St. James's, London, SW1Y 5AH

Carlton House Terrace is home to the British Academy, and takes pride of place in a Grade I-listed Georgian townhouse in St James’s. There are 10 rooms to choose from and an in house team to help guide you through the planning.

Max Meeting 35
Max Theatre 125
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 100
The View at The Royal College of Surgeons

The View at The Royal College of Surgeons

38-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, Holborn, London, WC2A 3PE

The View at The Royal College of Surgeons gets its name from the incredible city vistas found from the venue’s terrace, and that’s just one of its many selling points. There are various rooms available, from large 180 capacity conference suites to intimate boardrooms that can be transformed into your perfect banquet backdrop.

Max Meeting 63
Max Theatre 300
Max Standing 300
Max Banquet 180
The HAC

The HAC

Armoury House, City Road , Old Street, London, EC1Y 2BQ

The HAC is an undeniably breathtaking venue, full of history and tradition, whilst still being ideally located on Old Street in Shoreditch. There are a number of rooms available for banquets here, so whether you’re after a blowout feast for 350 guests or a group of 30, it’s an excellent choice.

Max Meeting 400
Max Theatre 400
Max Standing 5000
Max Banquet 350
Stationers

Stationers' Hall

Ave Maria Lane, City of London, London, EC4M 7DD

Just a stone's throw from St Paul’s Cathedral, you can choose from one of the smaller private dining rooms with space for 12, all the way up to the Livery Hall for 205 guests, and everything in between. Whichever size you go for, there’s a dedicated team to help plan the entire event.

Max Meeting 200
Max Theatre 200
Max Standing 400
Max Banquet 205
Inner Temple Hall

Inner Temple Hall

The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, City of London, London, EC4Y 7HL

Located in the heart of the City of London, Inner Temple Hall is a venue with character and charm, as well as plenty of space for larger events of up to 240 people. There’s even the option to hire a marquee in the garden during the warmer months.

Max Meeting 270
Max Theatre 270
Max Standing 400
Max Banquet 240
The Tower of London

The Tower of London

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

The Tower of London is a major part of the city’s history, and each room tells a story of its past. Whether you opt for The White Tower room that holds Henry VIII’s armour, or The Jewel House with the crown jewels, there’s so much to discover (and plenty of delicious food to be eaten too).

Max Meeting 150
Max Standing 300
Max Banquet 240

Not every occasion requires a banquet for the masses, with some events perfectly suited to a cosy private dining room for you and your closest companions. Thankfully, London’s venue scene is pretty well prepped for dinners at either end of the scale, with a number of private dining rooms for up to 10 available across the capital. From contemporary spaces with boast floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over London’s iconic skyline, to dark and moody rooms tucked away from the crowd - there’s even an option for a dining room with a window through to the chef's kitchen, so you can watch the magic happen.

Tempted? Take a look at our list of best private dining rooms for 10 in London to start planning your next event.

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