Updated on 18 April 2024
The right venue is a crucial part of pulling off a successful gala dinner. You need a venue large enough to host a big crowd - ideally a hundred or more - with room for cabaret-style round dining tables or similar. You need in-house catering, or certainly the capacity for a catering team to come in and prepare food for large numbers. Perhaps most important of all, you need a venue that’ll inspire and delight your guests, and potentially encourage them to feel generous when it comes to donations and fundraising.
What is a gala dinner, though? This is the name often given to large-scale, formal or semi-formal dinners. They’re often held in support of a cause, to promote an organisation, or hand out awards. Gala dinners often involve multiple parts - a drinks reception, a sit-down dinner as well as an afterparty with music, and the event can also include speeches, prize raffles and presentations. Commonly they’re held in order to raise funds from guests, whether for charity or in support of a specific goal.
So, the key to a good gala dinner is in the planning! A good venue can help you with the planning aspect - many of the venues we’ve picked out below are experts when it comes to large scale events and coordinating lots of moving parts. Sometimes the events team can even help out with planning live music, catering and more, which all helps to make sure the whole event goes smoothly.
Fortunately, London is packed with fantastic halls and ballrooms available for private hire, many of which are very used to hosting large banquets and fundraising dinners. Scroll down for our pick of the best, or take a look at more large-capacity banqueting venues in London right here.
Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA
Speaking of impressive venues, they don’t come more impressive than the Houses of Parliament. The historic Churchill Room and Members’ Dining Room are both large enough for a memorable gala dinner, but the more modern, river-facing Terrace Pavilion is also worth checking out.
Mandeville Place, Marylebone, London, W1U 2BE
A classic venue in one of London’s most desirable postcodes, The Mandeville Hotel impresses at every turn. Inside you’ll find the MacLaren Hall, which exudes old-school opulence thanks to wood-panelled walls and an amazing carved ceiling.
Tower Hill , City of London, London, EC3N 4AB
What could be more impressive than hosting a fundraiser at The Tower of London? The New Armouries Banqueting Suite has been built for such occasions, presenting a relatively contemporary space that still provides easy access to the more historic areas of the venue. There’s also the more modern Reveller, which looks out onto the Thames through large panoramic windows.
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, City of London, London, EC4Y 7HL
Inner Temple Hall has capacity for 240 dinner guests within its walls, and a talented catering team handles all the food and beverage on the evening, leaving you with less to worry about. From May to July you can also hire the huge gardens - the second largest private green space for hire in the City.
1C Portland Pl, Marylebone, London, W1B 1JA
There aren’t many better places to hold a fundraising dinner than the Grand Ballroom at The Langham Hotel. Not only is it jaw dropping space, but all the food at the hotel is overseen by culinary director Michel Roux Jr, so you’re guaranteed a meal that will live long in the memory.
22 Bishopsgate, City of London, London, EC2N 4AJ
Situated on Level 58 of the City of London’s tallest building, Horizon 22 elevates gala dinners to new heights. Perfect for charity or corporate events, guests indulge in immersive surround sound and exquisite Searcy menus, all while enjoying breathtaking 300-degree views of the city.
60 Upper Thames St, City Of London, London, EC4V 3AD
The Westin’s slick, modern Ballroom has room for banquets of up to 200, and includes a private entrance, cloakroom and washroom, providing complete privacy for all your guests. It can be divided too, in case you’re planning a smaller gathering, or you want separate reception and dinner areas.
Ave Maria Lane, City of London, London, EC4M 7DD
This stupendous, history livery hall has stood in St Paul’s for over 350 years, and the main hall is ideal for large dinners, adorned with stunning timber floors, carved oak panelling and huge stained glass windows.
Armoury House, City Road , Old Street, London, EC1Y 2BQ
The Honourable Artillery Company (or HAC) is well-known for its huge 5000-capacity private hire garden, but inside you’ll find a few large banqueting rooms with more than enough room to host a fundraiser. Well-respected caterer Searcys handles all the food and drink, leaving you in capable hands.
Walbrook, City of london, London, EC4N 8BH
Venues don’t come much more stupendous than Grade I-listed Mansion House, locations in the City near the station of the same name. Check out the lavish Egyptian Hall if you’re planning a large-scale dinner, as it can host nearly 400 amid its towering pillars and decorative domed ceiling.
8 John Adam Street, Charing Cross, London, WC2N 6EZ
This 18th century Georgian townhouse has a huge range of private event spaces spread over four floors, but gala dinners are often held in The Great Room - a stunning 130-seater hall with domed glass ceiling.
Goodenough College, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 2AB
Goodenough College’s Great Hall is a spectacular room in its own right, with high vaulted ceilings and original oak panelled walls. It has hosted royal visits and ambassadorial receptions in the past, and can be hired in conjunction with the college’s glorious outdoor Quad for summer receptions.
Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, London, W1J 7BX
This luxury Mayfair hotel sits in a perfect spot for you to gather guests from far and wide, and boasts a huge, well-equipped ballroom that seats up to 650 guests, complete with stage and curtains at one end of the room and a private entrance.
Kensington Gardens, Kensington, London, W8 4PX
If you want to impress, royal palaces are guaranteed to do the trick. Kensington Palace has lots of historic rooms suitable for gala dinners, including the recently renovated Orangery, which features huge arched windows and capacity for 200 seated dinner guests.
9 Montague Close, London Bridge, London, SE1 9DD
Glaziers Hall’s Banqueting Hall does what it says on the tin, but there are more options inside this impressive riverside venue, many of which boast impressive views of the Thames. We love the London Bridge Arches room as well, situated among the renovated Georgian brick arches underground.
If you want more recommendations for London venues that can host big parties, check out our list of the best large venues for hire in London. We also have a whole list dedicated to London's best large summer party venues as well!
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