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The best bars for hire in London

No matter whether you’re looking to organise a work party, or surprise your friend for that milestone birthday, the options are limitless when hiring a bar in London. Head to East London for rooftop drinks overlooking the city, or go to the West End to double up your drinks party with a few rounds of crazy golf - whatever it is you want, you’re bound to find it in our list below.

Updated on 09 September 2024

London’s bar scene is as eclectic and exciting as it has ever been. The capital has it all, from hotel lounges steeped in history to hidden speakeasies, as well as some of the world’s most awarded cocktail bars that can be found here. So if you love a slice of luxury, a good martini, or the buzz and atmosphere of a high-end bar, take a look through our list of the best bars for hire in London, and start organising your next event.

Popping into your local haunt is a good way to sample some delicious drinks, but for those planning something a little bigger, you may want to look into hiring a bar for exclusive use. The rules vary between venues, with a few only offering exclusive hire, and others letting you choose a specific area at the bar for smaller groups. For example, some hotels listed will allow you to hire the whole hotel bar, whilst a selection of restaurants in the list will have a hidden area that you can book for an evening (allowing for something a little more intimate). Each option comes with its benefits, such as booking in a restaurant guaranteeing some decent grub alongside the extensive list of drinks available.

As for live music and entertainment, plenty of venues have this covered too. Lots of bars for hire have live music playing most evenings, whilst others are famous for their colourful, no-holds-barred fun and entertainment. Alternatively, there is also often the option to book your own entertainment, allowing you to plan the perfect bespoke event whether it be to celebrate an anniversary or hold a networking event.

At these bars you can be involved with organising as little or as much as you’d like, the only thing you need to do is pick one. So take a look through our favourites for bar hire in London, and get the ball rolling.

Bar Crispin

Bar Crispin

19 Kingly Street, Soho, London, W1B5PY

Bar Crispin is conveniently located in the heart of Soho, comfortably part of the area’s buzzy and exciting environment. From the same owners as Crispin, this spot offers a selection of delicious small plates and hosts a collection of low-intervention wines to choose from. Host your intimate dinners in the bars Greenroom, a private dining space with room for 14 guests or, for larger events, hire out the main restaurant. 

Max Banquet 34
Mama Shelter

Mama Shelter

437 Hackney Road, Hackney, London, E2 8PP

Mama Shelter is here to make sure you’re having a good time, whether that’s through serving an array of hearty dishes, or providing you and your guests with a state of the art karaoke room.

Max Meeting 50
Max Theatre 150
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 180
YOPO at the Mandrake

YOPO at the Mandrake

20–21 Newman Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T1PG

The Mandrake is a one of a kind hotel in the heart of Fitzrovia, with YOPO taking centre stage as the hotel’s main restaurant and bar. Aiming to transport guests from London to the Amazon rainforest, you can expect plenty of jungle themed decor, and South American inspired drinks.

Max Meeting 20
Max Standing 130
Max Banquet 60
Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh

4a Upper St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9NY

Leaving their original location in Camden behind, Gilgamesh has brought their iconic style and flair to the streets of Covent Garden. The extravagantly decorated venue is available for exclusive hire, with space for up to 250 guests, but more intimate parties can be held in the Zion room.

Max Meeting 250
Max Theatre 250
Max Standing 250
Max Banquet 150
Brown

Brown's Hotel

33 Albemarle Street , Mayfair, London, W1S 4BP

If you’re looking for somewhere a little fancier to spend your evening, then you’ll be hard pushed to find anywhere that does luxury quite like Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel. This sophisticated bar comes with plenty of velvet, gold accents, and patterned glass tables, creating a sleek finish, and perfect backdrop for anything from a peppermint tea to dry martinis.

Max Meeting 32
Max Theatre 70
Max Standing 120
Max Banquet 70
Viajante87

Viajante87

Basement 87 Notting Hill Gate, Notting Hill, London, W11 3JZ

This West London underground bar serves up Latin American inspired food and drinks in a moody, dimly lit space filled with secret corners and hidden enclaves. Thanks to the venues dedicated DJ set-up and licensing to stay open until the early hours, this venue is perfect for big blow-out parties.

Max Standing 120
Max Banquet 110
The Cinnamon Club Bar

The Cinnamon Club Bar

The Old Westminster Library, 30-32 Great Smith Street , Westminster, London, SW1P 3BU

Connected to the much loved Cinnamon Club in Westminster, The Cinnamon Club Bar is the sleek and stylish space to hide away from the crowds and get together with friends or colleagues. With a capacity of up to 70 standing, it works for a whole range of events.

Max Standing 45
Swingers West End

Swingers West End

15 John Prince's Street, Marylebone, London, W1G 0AB

Swingers City and West End comes with five cocktail bars, a stunning rooftop terrace and three bespoke crazy golf courses, available to book for groups between 12 and 800 people. Plus, you can choose between a selection of street food vendors or in-house caterers to soak up all of those cocktails.

Max Theatre 100
Max Standing 270
Hyatt Place London City East

Hyatt Place London City East

9th Floor, Hyatt Place London City East, Aldgate, London, E1 1DU

After somewhere with an outdoor terrace and unbeatable views of the city? Head to Hyatt City East where you can sip on cocktails whilst taking in the sun setting over London with your nearest and dearest.

Max Standing 80
Max Banquet 80
PocketSquare Skyline Bar & Terrace

PocketSquare Skyline Bar & Terrace

9th Floor, Hyatt Place London City East, Aldgate, London, E1 1DU

After somewhere with an outdoor terrace and unbeatable views of the city? Head to Hyatt City East where you can sip on cocktails whilst taking in the sun setting over London with your nearest and dearest.

Max Standing 80
Max Banquet 80
Hawksmoor Bar Wood Wharf

Hawksmoor Bar Wood Wharf

Hawksmoor Bar, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5GX

Sat atop the water in Canary Wharf is Hawksmoor Bar Wood Wharf, the brands largest bar to date. The venue's major pull is their heated waterside terrace, perfect for year-round use, no matter the weather. The outdoor space boasts striking views of the area, comfortable seating opportunities and a state-of-the-art sound system. The bar can accommodate up to 340 people for exclusive use, with outside and inside access. There are also plenty of semi-private event spaces for smaller group events.

Park Chinois

Park Chinois

17 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8EA

Park Chinois is the notoriously opulent Chinese hotspot with fine dining, cocktails and an atmosphere like no other. Perfect for any occasion, the space can be hired for business or private celebrations with space for up to as many as 450 guests.

Max Meeting 180
Max Standing 250
Max Banquet 130
Searcys Champagne Bar at Battersea Power Station

Searcys Champagne Bar at Battersea Power Station

Turbine Hall A, Battersea, London, SW11 8DD

Searcys Champagne Bar at Battersea Power Station is a truly jaw dropping venue to host any event in. If a champagne bar isn’t already luxurious enough, the newly renovated power station brings this venue up another level. Decked out in rich, vibrant hues and plush furnishings, this spot is ideal for extravagant birthday parties. Spend the evening sipping on champagne, it would be rude not to.

Max Meeting 80
Max Standing 80
The Leopard Room

The Leopard Room

39 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London, SW1W 0PS

If you’re wanting to party like royalty, look no further than The Leopard Room. Situated within The Rubens at the Palace, just a stone's throw away from Buckingham Palace, this opulent and extravagant space is perfect for intimate gatherings. The room can be booked for up to 30 guests and has its own private entrance and bathroom for maximum exclusivity.

Max Meeting 36
Max Theatre 80
Max Standing 40
Max Banquet 110
Pedro

Pedro's Wine Bar

Unit 128 Druid Street, Bermondsey, London, SE1 2HH

Tucked beneath a railway arch near London Bridge is Pedro’s Wine Bar, a Portuguese restaurant and bottle shop that makes the perfect venue for cool, unique events. The ground floor is home to an informal bar area where guests would find plenty of comfortable spots to perch while having a glass of wine. The mezzanine above is equally cool and laidback in vibe, with space for 100 people seated. The final space is the basement garden where partygoers can cool off.

Max Banquet 95
The Rum House at Jim & Tonic East

The Rum House at Jim & Tonic East

133 High Street, Stratford, London, E15 2RB

If you’re looking for a space that oozes East London cool, The Rum House is the place for you. This three-storey venue offers three separate event spaces or, alternatively, you can hire the entire venue. The cocktail bar is on the ground floor and perfect for a cocktails and canapes reception. One floor above is the barrel room, the venue's largest event space, which can be adapted to suit your needs. The shining star of the property, especially in the warmer months, is the expansive roof terrace complete with a bar and woodburning firepit.

Max Meeting 80
Max Theatre 80
Max Standing 120
Max Banquet 80
The Little Scarlet Door

The Little Scarlet Door

12-13 Greek Street, Soho, London, W1D 4DL

The Little Scarlett Door is the closest you can get to hosting a house party without having to open up your own home. Casual, comfortable seating invites your guests to make themselves at home, while the private bar and decks in the basement beg for a boogie session. Choose between hiring individual spaces, or the entire venue, for a fully-fledged house party feeling.

Max Meeting 50
Max Theatre 50
Max Standing 130
The Alchemist Bevis Marks

The Alchemist Bevis Marks

6 Bevis Marks, Aldgate, London, EC3A 7BA

The Alchemist have gained popularity for their whimsical and fantastical approach to mixology, serving up cocktails that shock and delight. Their Bevis Marks location is available for private hire and is a stunning space to host an event in. Guests can spread across the bar stools and banquette seating while enjoying an expertly crafted cocktail.

Max Standing 150
Max Banquet 95

Want to organise an event but looking for something a little more out of the ordinary? Thankfully London is full of weird and wonderful places to host your next big party - perfect for a whole range of budgets, styles, and needs. So regardless of if you’re after an intimate low-lit space away from the crowds, or somewhere bright and airy with unbeatable views of the city, you’ll be able to find whatever you are looking for here.

We’ve scoured the capital for what we think are the most unconventional spots, that offer some slap up food and an equally impressive drinks list, where you can work alongside some first class teams to turn your dream into a reality.

So check out our list of the best quirky and unusual venues for hire in London, and get one step closer to wowing your guests at the next big event.

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