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Best dry hire venues in London

Looking for a dry hire venue without any of the added extras? These brilliant venues leave it up to you.

Updated on 15 March 2024

Venue and event spaces across London are numerous, with plenty of options that offer catering and bar service. Whilst this can be a greatly appreciated addition for some, for others it's the freedom of being able to sort everything yourself that can be the most appealing quality of a venue. Now, the term ‘dry hire’ might have you picturing an empty, unfurnished warehouse but this couldn’t be further from the truth. It turns out there’s a huge variety of venues in London that offer dry hire, from glamorous restaurants to elegant library spaces.

The big upside to dry hire is, of course, pricing. Without the cost of in-house catering and drinks - which is usually more expensive than third party - you’ll have plenty more budget for other things. Be warned though, dry hire can vary from space to space, with some options viewing things such as furniture as part of the deal. Just make sure that you check the venue's specific policy so you don't miss out. 

If you're not sure where to start, then look no further that the list below. Booking a venue can be daunting but that's where we come in: with our carefully curated list of venues, ranging in styles and pricing, there's sure to be something that tickles your fancy. Whether you're looking for a blank canvas venue to plan the wedding of your dreams or a simple space to host a drinks reception, one of these dry hire venues in London could be exactly what you're looking for.  

Once you find a dry hire venue you like below, hit book now to see more information. You can browse various brochures, check out the different rooms and more before making a decision. If it all fits the bill, enquire with just a few clicks and the venue will be in touch to get things started. Still feeling overwhelmed by the task? Why not take a look at our free venue-finding concierge service - it couldn't be easier!

The Orangery at Holland Park

The Orangery at Holland Park

Holland Park , Holland Park, London, W8 6LU

Converted from the old conservatory at Holland House, The Orangery now takes its place as a striking space for your next event. Surrounded by the lush greenery of Holland Park, it's an idyllic dry hire spot that's bursting with natural light and neutral decor. 

Max Theatre 120
Max Standing 150
Max Banquet 80
8 Bishopsgate

8 Bishopsgate

8 Bishopsgate, City of London, London, EC2N 4BQ

An unforgettable evening from this 50th floor location, 8 Bishopgate’s unparalleled views of the city are sure to impress. Dry hire can accommodate up to 280 people, so there’s no need to keep the guest list short. Feel free to contact the events team if you want a hand with all the planning. 

Max Meeting 35
Max Theatre 50
Max Standing 70
The London Library

The London Library

14 St James's Square, St. James's, London, SW1Y 4LG

You may not have realised it, but The London Library is in fact an ultra-flexible events space that offers dry hire. This unique venue was founded in 1841 and provides a blank canvas to plan your event with options to sort your own catering from one of the approved suppliers.

Max Meeting 100
Max Theatre 120
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 100
Arboretum London

Arboretum London

2a Charing Cross Road, Charing Cross, London, WC2H 0HF

This private member's club is an ideal spot for everything from networking events to award ceremonies. A ‘living’ green wall of ivy may take centre stage in the Main Lounge, but drinks, refreshments and AV equipment all come separate, allowing you complete creative control.

Max Meeting 10
Max Theatre 200
Max Standing 300
Max Banquet 100
The Loading Bay

The Loading Bay

25 Luke Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 4DS

Offering up 2,000 square feet of dry hire space, The Loading Bay’s neutral decor and double-height windows come together to create the perfect blank canvas for your event. Work alongside the dedicated team to design everything to your liking - catering, florists, entertainment - it’s all up to you. 

Max Meeting 16
Max Theatre 100
Max Standing 200
Uncommon Borough

Uncommon Borough

1 Long Lane, Borough, London, SE1 4PG

A space designed with flexibility in mind, Uncommon Borough location boasts a chic but industrial feel combining exposed pipework with an abundance of greenery and plush velvet seating. Several event spaces are on offer here, from the Cafe Lounge to the Roof Terrace, so you can start planning the perfect event. 

Max Meeting 18
Max Theatre 30
Max Standing 100
Max Banquet 24
IET London: Savoy Place

IET London: Savoy Place

2 Savoy Place , Covent Garden, London, WC2R 0BL

Whether you're looking for intimate meeting rooms or large open halls, IET London is bound to have the perfect option for you. Fixed costs for room hire means you can build your event any way you want, amongst the sleek and historic backdrop of this central location.

Max Meeting 50
Max Theatre 451
Max Standing 330
Max Banquet 330
Glaziers Hall

Glaziers Hall

9 Montague Close, London Bridge, London, SE1 9DD

At Glaziers Hall you’ll find seven event spaces with a total capacity of up to 450 guests - perfect for those needing a larger venue. Each room is unique, from the open plan River Room, complete with picturesque views of the Thames, to the underground brickwork Arches.

Max Meeting 300
Max Theatre 300
Max Standing 300
Max Banquet 220
The Lightwell

The Lightwell

25 Worship Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 2DX

Located just round the corner from Liverpool Street Station, this versatile venue offers 1,250 square feet of dry hire space, perfect for up to 50 guests. Whether you're looking to work completely alone or with a dedicated events team, you can plan every detail just the way you want. 

Max Meeting 50
Max Theatre 50
Max Standing 50
Roehampton Venues

Roehampton Venues

Roehampton Lane, Putney, London, SW15 5PH

Sitting on the edge of Richmond Park, you'll find Roehampton Venues contemporary event spaces. Neutral decor, adjustable lighting and open plan rooms are all part of the package here, the perfect dry hire location allowing you to build your dream event.

Max Meeting 140
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 100

If you've started planning your event and aren't sure that you want to do it all yourself after all then we've got some excellent picks for alternate venues. Why not check out our guide to the best restaurants available for exclusive hire in London? That way you can let someone else deal with the catering without worrying about the quality.

Or why not let the view do the talking with this guide to the best venues with a view in the capital? There's no need to worry about decorations when these picturesque spots are bound to impress all on their own.

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