Office party venues in London

An old pub transformed into a giant doll’s house and members club creates an interesting atmosphere for a party. Handpainted illustrations and opulent decoration adorn the walls in the signature style of the Dead Doll’s Club group. Take your office for a ‘house party’ with a difference.

Located on buzzing Bermondsey Street, Tanner & Co is a converted warehouse with a large open-plan event space to suit any size of party. It has a sleek open-plan kitchen serving contemporary versions of British classics and the experienced events team can help you to transform the blank canvas space into anything you want. So if you’re looking to flex your creative muscles, this is the place for you.

Once a metal box factory, Hixter Bankside draws on the original features, with ceiling-high windows, exposed brick and metalwork, retro chandeliers and modern art – there’s work from Gary Webb, Mat Collishaw and Tracey Emin adorning the walls, to name a few. The restaurant concept centres, quite simply, around chicken and steak. You can enjoy a bespoke dining experience for smaller parties in the Cock ’n’ Bull Room or up to 48 in the Bull Room. An ideal venue for a more intimate office party with great food.

I’klectik is a new creative space dedicated to the support and development of experimental contemporary art, as well as being a centre for addressing social, political and cultural issues, and transforming the local community. It’s an intimate venue that can be adapted to your party needs. You can bring in outside catering, beverages and equipment if needed. That said, they create Mediterranean food using locally sourced ingredients in the small cafe on-site as well. It’s not a typical Christmas party venue but it’s one that might inspire some conversation.

For a really memorable office party, try the Guy Fawkes show set within the London Dungeons. Available for evening hire, you can treat your guests to a spooky Dungeon Experience with a ghostly candlelit dinner or an atmospheric cocktail party in some scary surroundings for up to 150 people.

You can’t help but feel in the party mood at this east London venue. Bright colours, carnival vibes, Latin food and great music are a winning combination. Split into two areas, there’s room to relax and chat, plus a sizable dance floor to throw some shapes. There’s also a converted caravan seat that makes for a very comfortable place to rest your weary bones after a hard night of dancing.

If low-key is your bag, you can show any film of your choice in one of the screening rooms while sipping champagne, but there’s also plenty of space for a party in this venue too. Housed in a former leather factory, Rich Mix is an independent arts venue, so you’ll be supporting a great social enterprise at the same time.

Hix Tramshed started life as an electricity-generating station for trams in 1905. It’s a dramatic, high-ceiled affair, dominated by a Damien Hirst work; a cow with a chicken on its back, preserved in formaldehyde. It’s a not-so-subtle nod to the two things served at Tramshed – chicken and steak – and what better way to get to know your colleagues than by sharing a whole roast chicken.

How about a Turkish bath from the 1800s that’s recently been developed into a beautiful event space, with Arabic motifs, marbled floors, brightly coloured mosaics and stained glass? It’s an unexpected gem in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city, and a venue your guests definitely won’t be expecting.

The Brewery is a new venue in the heart of Hackney. It operates out of two large railway arches, with an outdoor courtyard joining the two areas. Both spacious and versatile, it retains all the natural charm of the original build, while allowing you to adapt the space for your needs. You can choose from the Light Arch, spacious rooms with a courtyard and the Dark Arch, draped and soundproofed for the more raucous office parties.

For something a little eccentric, visit the residence of explorer Phileas J. Fogg in Mayfair. There’s a lot of dark wood, leather and trinkets from the explorer’s travels. Take a look around and you’ll find hidden treasures and curiosities. With guests encouraged to be ‘elegantly dressed’, it’s a touch more glamourous and sophisticated than your average drinking den and certainly a very memorable venue for a party.

This is one for the gin-fiends. Sat between Piccadilly Circus and Carnaby Street, Graphic is decked in modern art painted directly on to industrial shutters. It boasts over 300 gins from around the world and has space for parties from 20–220 people, meaning you can reserve an area for just a few or take the whole venue. The kitchen serves easy sharing small plates or if you’ve opted for full hire, have a look at the canapé and bowl food menus for larger events.

This vast and iconic venue has an event space for every kind of event you can think of. The home of Chelsea Football Club has 24 function rooms and 60 smaller syndicate rooms, as well as a huge number of on-site additional facilities. The site also features two restaurants by Marco Pierre White, two hotels, a luxury health club and a museum for the football fans in the party. Stamford Bridge is a one-stop shop for party planning.

The Roof Gardens in Kensington has long been one of London’s most spectacular and extraordinary landmarks. The Roof Gardens are made up of three themed gardens spanning 1.5 acres, a private members' club and Babylon Restaurant, all 100ft above London. The venue can cater for parties of 50 to 500. It’s one that's sure to impress, with gardens containing fully grown oaks and fruit trees, a flowing stream stocked with fish and wildlife and, of course, the Flamingos.

Belgraves is a boutique hotel nestled in Belgravia. Combining traditional British hospitality with bohemian American style, this venue feels luxurious and accomplished. It features several private spaces, including a charming roof terrace, with a very good menu as well.

Recently renovated, Brand Exchange opened in 2015. The Grade II listed building is steeped in history, character and elegant architectural features. Located on Birchin Lane and just two minutes from Bank Station, it's situated among some of London’s oldest bars and restaurants. It’s a cosy venue, with dark wooden floors, plus leather sofas and chairs calling out to be sat on. Brand Exchange is an ideal venue for smaller parties of around 50.

With stripped-back decor, the cocktails are the main event here and there are more than a few good ones to try at Barsmith, which can only be a good thing at an office party. There’s a team (yes, a team) of mixologists, own-made infused spirits and artisan mixers, and a lot of theatre around the drinks – and they taste pretty great too.

You can't get more Central than Central & Co. Two minutes walk from Oxford Circus tube station, located at the top of Carnaby Street opposite iconic shop Liberty. The glass-fronted bar has art deco lighting, brass fridges and exposed pipes, adding to the atmosphere of a laid-back venue frequented by young professionals from surrounding offices. It has a particularly good wine offering, plus craft ales and bespoke cocktails. Food comes in the form of sharing plates, although canapes, bowl food and sit down menus are all available too.

This venue is a vast, contemporary bar in the heart of the City. Once inside, there are shiny mirrors and disco balls, plus plenty of dancefloor room and a 2am private-event license, meaning that there are no excuses for not busting out some moves. Party offerings are wide and varied, with canapé, finger-food and sit-down meals on the cards, as well as a bowl food option, featuring international favourites.

The Silver Cross is a large, warm and inviting traditional British pub a few steps from Trafalgar Square along Whitehall. Set over two floors, with large dining areas upstairs, the pub offers a variety of function spaces, along with private dining options to suit any office party needs. It’s also said that the pub used to be a brothel and is haunted by a young woman. Who doesn’t love a good ghost story?

As Noddy Holder once screeched: it’s Christmas! You might have heard some Christmas songs enough times to make you want to perforate your eardrums with a candy cane, but many festive pop songs are great works of art. Here’s our countdown of the Top 50 Christmas songs, from ancient carols to the best Christmas Number Ones.