Five cool new venues to check out in August

Whether you’re returning from summer holidays or still brushing off confetti remnants from a particularly hectic wedding season, it’s easy to feel like August is the anti­-climactic rounding ­out to summer vibes. Fear not. The venue experts at Hire Space are back to shout about London’s hottest new spots for private hire, meaning your transition from an eventful summer to an eventful summer­-autumn limbo will be as smooth as the smooth variety of peanut butter.

1. Hyde Kensington

Pan­-Asian cuisine and cocktails are the draw of this brand­ new joint on ever­-classy Kensington High Street, directly opposite the majestic Kensington Palace. The venue offers something for all moods and tastes, framing itself as a 'late-­night restaurant, lounge and bar' that keeps doors open until 3am Thursday to Saturday. Private events are welcome at Hyde, where plush sofas and stylish booths can be reserved whether in the early evening or late night, and with sharing plates and hand­crafted cocktails to boot.

2. Bronte

This new restaurant on the Strand stands out for numerous reasons – the most exciting being that its interior was designed under the creative leadership of celebrated British designer Tom Dixon. The intricacy of the design is clear, with unique elements like the floor-­to-­ceiling windows, pink concrete bar and gold pendant lights. This all makes it an exceptional private­-hire venue, especially thanks to the hireable mezzanine area, intimate dining room in the back, and outdoor seating area. And we haven’t even mentioned the Pacific­-Antipodean menu (which includes a burger with chilli-miso and quinoa onion rings!).

3. Casita Andina

Ceviche is already one of our favourite London venues, with its colourful decor and delectable Peruvian cuisine. The latest spin­off from the Ceviche team is Soho’s Casita Andina, an imitation of the traditional Peruvian 'picanteria', a family restaurant with focus on hearty food and hospitality. Groups of eight or more can tuck into Latin flavours in a private setting – exclusively or semi-­exclusively – no matter whether the occasion is a meeting or party, standing reception or sit-­down Christmas dinner. (Yes, it’s already time to plan for Christmas.)

4. Intercontinental O2

The Intercontinental is already a big name in luxury hotels around the world, and the latest site to be graced with one of these bad boys is the Greenwich Peninsula. Along with the 453 rooms and suites, spa, plush restaurants and proximity to the O2, the hotel boasts capacity for bespoke business gatherings in its riverside conference centre. The 3,100sqm ballroom accommodates 3,000 for receptions, while the 20 mezzanine meeting rooms cater to all kinds of corporate functions, from product launches to exhibitions. Not to mention the panoramic views over the Thames and Canary Wharf.

5. Boulud Sud

Chef Daniel Boulud has made his mark across Europe, North America and Asia, including at the London’s Bar Boulud, located at the lush Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park. Somewhat confusingly, but nonetheless excitingly, Bar Boulud is hosting a pop­up of the New York-­based Boulud Sud, serving Mediterranean fare and wine specifically from the Rhone and Burgundy regions. Running until the end of August, the pop­up welcomes private­dining groups of up to 20 guests, so that diners can try the bespoke menu in the comfort of their own intimate event.