London's best unusual Christmas party venues

Babylon Park's extra-terrestrial theme earns it a place on this list, and if you fancy a Christmas party that involves bumper cars, air hockey and virtual reality games, this is the place for you. There's even an indoor train that'll ferry you around the centre.

If you’re in charge of the Christmas party and are looking to create something memorable, why not test out everyone’s cooking skills at The Avenue Cookery School? This south west London based culinary hub will tick off the activity and dinner in one hit, as well as promoting a bit of healthy competition among colleagues for best chef.

For a spot of fine-dining with an added flair, why not try Ricco London? Boasting an array of rather flamboyant decor, from neon lights to velvet banquette seating, this isn’t your typical venue. Exclusive hire can accommodate up to 120 guests, with food, drinks, a DJ and a 3am licence - so you can party until late.

Clay pigeon shooting, 4x4 off road driving, quad biking and duck herding are just some of the unusual activities on offer at The West London Shooting School - all guaranteed to get you and your group into the festive mood! Once you've built up an appetite, get stuck into bacon rolls, pigs in blankets, and a proper Christmas lunch.

Specialising in tech-focused events, Techspace is the ultimate, industrial-style blank canvas for your Christmas party, offering over 2,000 square feet to play with. Bring the space to life with festive decor, and celebrate in style with integrated sound systems and 4K TVs, as well as a selection of nibbles and drinks.

Ever hosted a Christmas party on a bus? No, we didn’t think so. Bustronome is the sort of statement-making space that will leave your guests talking. Enjoy a complete festive feast, Christmas tunes blasting, whilst taking in all of London’s iconic landmarks as you drive around the city.

This impressive marquee fits up to 1500 for receptions and 650 for seated dinners, making it an ideal spot for an unusual corporate Christmas do. There’s enough room for you and all your guests inside, plus performers such as stilt walkers, fire breathers and aerial silk gymnasts. The Big Top is fully temperature controlled too so no need to worry about the weather.

Just a minute's walk from Oxford Circus station, Swingers West End couldn’t be better placed for Londoners in search of a bit of crazy golf action. The West End site boasts three mini golf courses, as well as a huge range of private rooms for large and small gatherings and street food from well-known brands like Patty&Bun and Pizza Pilgrims.

Christmas in a castle? Sounds alright to us. Le Gothique’s Disney-esque turrets and spires make it an almost fairytale-like setting for Christmas. Inside it’s full of character too, with a fantastic, award-winning bar and a hidden walled garden. Keep your fingers crossed for snow to complete the storybook Christmas.

Whether your co-workers are keen on cars or you just want something a little out of the ordinary for your Christmas do, Mercedes-Benz World could be up your street. Located just outside London in Weybridge, Surrey, this automotive theme park offers driving experiences, F1 simulators and team building activities during the day, before you descend into festive merriment in the evening.

The Grade-II listed London Transport Museum is one of Covent Garden’s most recognisable landmarks, but did you know you can have a Christmas party here? There are multiple spaces inside available for private hire, but none more unique than the Museum Galleries, where guests are immersed in London’s transport history before being treated to a traditional Christmas banquet.

This 120-year-old Dutch barge could be quite the unusual spot to host your festivities this winter. Great views, a commitment to sustainability and a dance floor are all part of the package, whether you're looking to host an indulgent sit-down feast or standing drinks reception. 

Famed for its party atmosphere, The Little Scarlet Door will have you feeling right at home with its funky and vintage decor inspired by a student flat. It's vibrant and over-the-top, complete with chandeliers and plenty of disco balls to help you get into the festive spirit. The Open Plan Kitchen has space for 70, with the Basement Studio catering for larger groups of up to 130.

Spark a bit of competition this festive season at Pitch and challenge your colleagues to play some of the world’s most famous golf courses. With a variety of different levels, from novice to expert, all the team can enjoy this state of the art simulation. Offering bookings for up to 120 guests, it’s a great choice for larger parties who want something a little different this Christmas. 

Lane7’s activity-filled spaces are ideal for those who want a Christmas party with a bit more action. Mix things up this Christmas with crazy golf, bowling, darts, arcade games and plenty more. With drinks and food packages also available, this one is bound to go down a treat.

Ever fancied trying your hand at curling? The Curling Club makes this unusual winter sport accessible for all, packaging up a shortened curling lane with plenty of drinks and snacks to keep the team going, as well as burgers and hot dogs for those with bigger appetites.

Electrowerkz may well be the ultimate party venue for those looking for a big night out this festive season. It’s made up of five rooms, comes complete with stages perfect for DJs and it’s licensed until 5am - oh and there’s capacity for 350 people, so there’s no need for anyone to miss out.

Housed in an old Victorian warehouse, nowadays London Cru Urban Winery stands as a unique, and wine-focused, space to host your festivities. Whether you’re planning a wine-tasting, winery tour, or simply looking for an industrial-chic backdrop to host your celebration, London Cru has it all, as well as some pretty excellent wine lists.

Like Swingers West End, Swingers City is a massive crazy golf venue that has it all when it comes to hosting Christmas parties. Standard packages include a round of mini golf plus food and drink, and there are a wide variety of large and small private areas available to hire for your Christmas festivities.

Dating back to the 1860s, The Hackney started life as a brewery, bringing an industrial-chic charm to this year's Christmas party. Double-height ceilings, exposed brickwork and an abundance of floor space mean you don’t have to keep the guest list short, with exclusive hire available for up to 100 guests.

The Barbican’s Conservatory and Garden Room is definitely up there for one of London’s most impressive, unique venues; it’s amazing that this rooftop conservatory - home to over 2,000 species of tropical plants and exotic fish - isn’t more well-known. Enjoy festive drinks under the conservatory’s jungle canopy, or head to the Garden Room for a Christmas banquet.

Inject some friendly competition into this year's festivities and get the team racing at F1® Arcade - there’s a private hire space for 90 available, complete with private bar and a load of gaming chairs, so everyone can get behind the wheel of a virtual F1 car. With a range of food packages available too, F1® Arcade has something for everyone.

Start warming up your vocal chords and sing your heart out this Christmas. Lucky Voice Soho is the perfect place to host this year's Christmas party with private karaoke rooms available for up to 30 people. Now offering a whole new menu of festive finger food, and even Christmas pizzas complete with turkey and pigs in blankets. 

Neon-lit, high tech mini golf is just the start of the fun at Puttshack, which also has beer pong on hand for when the Christmas party starts to get boozy. The food is good too, and exclusive hire has room for a massive 650 guests. 

This low-lit private hire playground plays on a unique and mysterious atmosphere, with walls covered in curios like children’s dolls and Venetian masks, and a Moulin Rouge-themed stage which hosts live acts on many nights. It’s the perfect private hire Christmas spot if you’re looking for something a bit different, offering an exclusive hire space with live DJs, equipment for karaoke and the option to add a live band to celebrate in style.

Looking for a unique location that still puts the focus on the food? Swap out your turkey for extensive menus of Chinese fare, all to be enjoyed on a floating barge. Sit back on the water, surrounded by twinkling lights and tuck into a non-traditional feast. What’s not to love?

Looking for an unusual Christmas party venue in Brixton? 100 Barrington is found in a former furniture factory, complete with extravagant period features such as the 24-foot brick archways. There are three spaces here, perfect for those looking to host a welcome drink before moving on to the main event and finishing up on the dance floor.

An imposing cylindrical skyscraper near Old Street tube, art'otel London Hoxton has several events spaces, but its dedicated art gallery is surely the jewel in the crown. Boasting floor-to-ceiling AV screens projecting works by signature artist D*Face, this 135 sqm space is perfect for a Christmas drinks reception with a touch of flair and creativity.