Our pick of the best new spots for meetings and private events
Bridge Theatre, SE1
Max capacity 900
Best for award ceremonies, conferences
A project from theatre heavyweights Sir Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr, Bridge Theatre is the only large commercial theatre in central London that isn’t in the West End. Bright and contemporary, the space’s highlights are its huge atrium ceiling and views of
Tower Bridge, The Tower of London and Potters Field, while its sizeable auditorium suits conferences and product launches as well as productions.
The Curtain, EC2
Max capacity 350
Best for cool credentials, post-industrial vibes
One of the biggest openings in Shoreditch for a while, The Curtain comes with 120 bedrooms, a private members club, two restaurants (including Obama’s favourite,
Red Rooster) and a rooftop pool. Its event spaces mix post-industrial exposed brick walls with custom-designed artwork. In short, they’re very cool.
Etc.venues County Hall, SE1
Max capacity 700
Best for city views, conferences
Etc.venues opened its biggest events hub yet this January. On the fourth floor of County Hall, it can seat 400 theatre style in its largest room and offers plenty of breakout space. Its views of the Thames are a draw for drinks receptions. We hear that the venue is already set to expand to 6,500sq m later this year.
Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square, EC3
Max capacity 200
Best for banqueting, private dining
Across the road from the Tower of London, the Four Seasons hotel opened its doors in handsome style. As well as 100 bedrooms and suites, the five-star beaux arts-style property houses three meeting rooms and two ballrooms. Private dining is available in its
Mei Ume and
La Dame de Pic restaurants.
Grace Hall, EC3
Max capacity 600
Best for banqueting, Christmas parties
Camm & Hooper kept us on our toes with this one, opening its latest venture at the end of November. The venue has four spaces covering theatre-style, seated and standing events. Interiors were revamped by Russell Sage Studios, who added a dash of modernity while staying sympathetic to the art-deco feel of Grace and Co. Bank’s historic former home.
London Stadium, E2
Max capacity 1,000
Best for pitch-side banqueting, hospitality
The new home of West Ham United, London Stadium can host events for between six and 1,000 guests across nine function rooms and 16 boxes. The team has developed a range of stadium tours specifically for the meetings and events market, and is in the process of applying for a wedding licence. Score.
Marylebone Rooms, W1
Max capacity 250
Best for alfresco events, meetings
The Marylebone Rooms – within
The Marylebone Hotel – are channelling a recent trend for meeting and event spaces that have the cool, relaxed feel of members club. Designed by Michaelis Boyd – lately seen doing impressive things for Battersea Power Station – guests can expect modern art and colourful furnishings, alongside hi-spec AV and an attractive outdoor space.
Natural History Museum, SW7
Max capacity 1,200
Best for banqueting, drinks receptions
Fresh from a radical refurb, and now crowned by Hope, a remarkable blue-whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling, the Hintze Hall at the Natural History Museum is once again available for private hire. Those wanting to avoid crowds of schoolchildren and queues can opt for evening events in the space: bookers can invite up to 600 for a dinner or 1,200 for a drinks reception, with guests granted close-up views of the new exhibit.
The Ned, EC2
Max capacity 200
Best for banqueting, meetings
Soho House & Co has opened a 252-bedroom City hotel. The Ned houses nine restaurants and six members-only spaces that are available to hire exclusively for events. Our pick is the 200-capacity Tapestry Room, which features walnut panelling, crystal chandeliers and a striking 1920s tapestry that wraps around the upper walls.
The Postal Museum, WC1
Max capacity 275
Best for award ceremonies, product launches
Opened this summer, The Postal Museum comprises both a contemporary museum and The Mail Rail, a flexible blank-canvas space occupying a series of vaulted brick arches. It was once a depot for London’s secret, six-mile-long postal railway, and 15-minute train trips around the original network are a must.
Printworks, SE1
Max capacity 6,000
Best for award ceremonies, experiential events
Once a newspaper printing factory, Printworks is a vast set of buildings in Canada Water that reopened as a venue this spring. It offers a whopping 11,000sq m of space that can host 6,000 people for daytime events, but it also make a great spot for gala dinners, product launches and immersive events.
Sea Containers Events, SE1
Max capacity 600
Best for city views, private dining
South Bank venue Sea Containers Events turned heads at the start of the year with its 2,300sq m of event space and killer river views. The relaxed 200-seat amphitheatre is the standout space, but the private dining room, with its balcony and sight line to St Paul’s Cathedral, is also popular.
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