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Best engagement party venues in London

Popped the question? Now it's time to celebrate! London has plenty of excellent venues for an engagement party and we've rounded up the best of the best. Whether you're looking for a private rooftop terrace or picturesque riverside dining we have options for all budgets and sizes.

Updated on 01 February 2024

Planning the perfect proposal can be scary. There are so many bits to think about: the ring, the location, choosing the right moment. London may have plenty of top restaurants for proposals but what you might not have considered is the equally excellent venues for hosting an engagement party. It's easily overlooked - we get it, there are so many other things to focus on. But now that the nervy part is over, it's time to celebrate!

There's something truly magical about an engagement: it's the next step in building a life together. Jumping straight into the madness of wedding planning might seem like the obvious next step but there’s no reason to skip the festivities. The venues below each have options for private hire allowing you to honour this momentous occasion with your nearest and dearest.

So, what makes somewhere the best spot for an engagement party? In our opinion there are a few factors that must be considered. Firstly, you need to decide what sort of event to throw. Perhaps you're opting for a relaxed drinks receptions, in which case you need to look out for extensive menus of innovative cocktails, access to a private bar or the option for a Champagne and canape reception. Or maybe a lavish sit down meal is more your style with group a la carte or elaborate tasting menus.

Secondly, be sure to consider the ambience of your venue. This can help set the tone for your wedding, whether that's a timeless elegance or something more unique and personal. Options for exclusive hire venues in London are hardly limited, so be sure to take some time and choose somewhere that best reflects you as a couple before you start planning!

Duck & Waffle

Duck & Waffle

110 Bishopsgate, City of London , London, EC2N 4AY

Watch the sunset across the capital as you celebrate with your nearest and dearest. Views at Duck & Waffle seal the deal when combined with artistic light features, wooden detailing and the theatricality of the open kitchen. Step out of the lift onto the 40th floor and embrace the magic of a private event for up to 250 guests.

Max Standing 250
Max Banquet 120
Sunday in Brooklyn

Sunday in Brooklyn

98 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London, W2 5RU

For that Sunday afternoon feeling, Sunday in Brooklyn is a delightful spot for something a bit more casual but no less stylish. Downstairs, you'll get access to a private basement with a DJ booth and secluded bar that fits up to 50 guests. Upstairs, you'll find bright and airy dining able to accommodate larger groups. 

Max Standing 130
Max Banquet 100
The Skinny Kitchen

The Skinny Kitchen

52 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 0QH

Known for its Ibiza holiday vibes, The Skinny Kitchen offers exclusive hire options of the restaurant, cocktail bar and beach-style terrace for a vibrant and lively gathering. Bringing a sense of island life to your event with an abundance of plants that is sure to look excellent in photos.

Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 130
Ochre

Ochre

National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN

Located in the National Gallery, Ochre provides refined dining with a more artistic flair. Share your engagement with up to 19 of your closet guests in the majestic private dining room which comes with unparalleled views overlooking Trafalgar Square. For something a bit larger, Ochre also has the option to hire out the entire space.

Max Standing 149
Max Banquet 72
Bardo St James

Bardo St James's

4 Suffolk Place, St James's, London, SW1Y 4HX

Embracing la dolce vita, Bardo St James invites you to relax on plush velvet seating, cocktail in hand, and watch live music in this romantically-lit space. Choose from the Kinnaird Room, a private lounge which can accommodate 100 guests, or the main restaurant with options for live music and space for up to 300. 

Max Theatre 120
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 120
Canopy by Hilton

Canopy by Hilton

15 Minories, Aldgate, London, EC3N 1AX

Offering a sense of luxury that has become synonymous with the name, Canopy by Hilton offers dazzling views from its Floraticca Rooftop Bar. Catering options range from light refreshments to fine dining that ensures a stylish soiree to suit your needs.

Max Meeting 30
Max Theatre 100
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 120
OXO Tower

OXO Tower

OXO Tower Wharf, South Bank, London, SE1 9PH

Love is in the air at OXO Tower with bespoke menus and elegant dining. Offering some of the finest views of the city, you can choose from exclusive hire dinners to semi-private canape parties in this renowned location. With a capacity for up to 750, you can truly mark this occasion in style. 

One Hundred Shoreditch

One Hundred Shoreditch

100 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, London, E1 6JQ

Elevate your engagement at One Hundred Shoreditch where glamorous dining meets Instagram-worthy charm. The rooftop terrace is adorned in baby pinks with gold detailing and offers enviable views of London's skyline - an idyllic setting for up to 48 guests. Elsewhere, the subterranean Seed Library's moody lighting and red velvet seating makes it the quintessential cocktail bar. 

Max Theatre 80
Max Standing 150
Max Banquet 60
Louie London

Louie London

13-15 West Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9NE

Taking up residence in a 19th-century townhouse, Louie London exudes luxury in each of its dining spaces. The exclusive Cabana is hidden away behind a secret door, ensuring complete privacy for an intimate dinner. Elsewhere, the Alligator Bar could host a cocktail reception for up to 100.  

Max Standing 350
Max Banquet 200
The Maine Mayfair

The Maine Mayfair

6 Medici Courtyard, Mayfair, London, W1S 1JY

This historic townhouse has hosted numerous iconic gatherings from fashion shows to networking events and, now, your engagement party. The restaurant's Brasserie embodies that old Hollywood feel for a glamorous evening of chandeliers, an oyster bar and a stage for jazz and cabaret performances. Meanwhile, the Terrace can cater for summer receptions for up to 100 guests. 

Max Standing 80
Max Banquet 80
The Wharf

The Wharf

22 Manor Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 8BG

Set against the banks of the River Thames, The Wharf's enviable waterside location makes it the ideal spot for a get-together, with relaxing and picturesque views that would make for lovely photos. Here, exclusive hire spans two different spaces with dinner in the ground floor dining room or a drinks reception in the conservatory-style first floor. 

Max Banquet 300
SUSHISAMBA City

SUSHISAMBA City

110 Bishopsgate, City of London, London, EC2N 4AY

If you’re looking to impress then look no further than SUSHISAMBA. Boasting the highest outdoor dining terrace in Europe, the views are sure to astound whilst you host a Champagne and canape receptions. But it's not just the location that makes this a top spot with renowned botanical decor and flexibility for all kinds of events. 

Max Theatre 200
Max Standing 400
Max Banquet 110

Still not found what you're looking for? London has a whole host of options from unusual and quirky venues in London, that are sure to stand out, or something a bit more low-key with one of these pubs available for exclusive hire.

Now that the engagement party is planned, it's time to turn to wedding planning. Be sure to check out our complete guide on how to throw a wedding in a restaurant. It's something a bit different but with guaranteed excellent food!

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