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The London Library

Up to 200
Moderate

About The London Library

Founded in 1841, The London Library is an iconic literary institution that boasts over a million books and periodicals dating back to the 18th century. With a number of spaces available for private hire, it’s the perfect venue for lovers of the written word to come together under its rich architecture and impressive bookshelves. The London Library can be hired for a range of corporate and business events, such as meetings, presentations, launches and celebrations, or even as a space to film. 

The venue spans a wide range of spaces, from traditional to contemporary, large to small. The Reading Room is the Library’s largest room available for private hire, with a capacity of up to 200 people standing or 100 for dinner, and offering stunning views across St James’s Square. It’s also one of the most impressive spaces, with soaring book-lined walls and iron balustrades, and offers flexible hire options. Choose to host presentations or drinks receptions in the main space, as well as speeches and small performances from the railed balconies.  

The Issue Hall is a slightly smaller formal space for up to 100 guests and is often used as a welcome or pre-dinner drinks reception area in conjunction with The Reading Room. For smaller events such as meetings or intimate dining, The Study is a traditional space designed in faux recency style which affords a grand feel to the room, with one long wooden table in the centre able to seat 12 people for a meal.  

Finally, The Art Room is the best place to revel in the library’s impressive art and architecture collection, and works well as a reception space or private VIP drinks area.  

The London Library works with a range of trusted suppliers, including caterers, production companies and florists, who are well versed at working with heritage venues to create truly outstanding events.  

 

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Venue Facilities
Caterer not restricted
Disability access
Exclusive Hire
Wifi available

Good to know

Delegates/Guests
Up to 200
Venue Hire Cost
Moderate
Event Type
Meeting rooms
Venue Type
Institutions
Venue Style
Creative, Historic, Light and Bright, Traditional

Special offers for The London Library

Offer

£500 off venue hire on Fridays

Expires on 31 December, 2024

The London Library are offering £500 off hire on Fridays. They are able to stay open until 11pm in most cases but can make special exceptions for later hire until 1am if the client requests prior to the event.

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The London Library

The London Library Rooms

Art Room

Art Room

£500 Price per evening
50
Standing
12
Banquet

This recently refurbished space featuring the venue's extensive art and architecture collection is a modern and inspiring space for drinks receptions. It can also serve as a private area for VIP drinks during larger events.

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Issue Hall

Issue Hall

100
Standing
Room size: 150m²

Reached through the main entrance of the Library directly from St James’ Square, the Issue Hall offers a grand arrival point and is the an ideal spot for a drinks reception. It is a working space during the day, but can be converted into a registration and welcome area for larger standing events in the Reading Room, for instance. Clients are welcome to use the existing book-issue counters for this, maintaining the look and feel of the historic space and reducing the amount of set-up needed.

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Foyle Lightwell Reading Room

Foyle Lightwell Reading Room

£500 Price per evening
30
Standing
10
Banquet
Room size: 20m²

Created from a former central lightwell and reaching four storeys high, this exclusive space is excellent for smaller drinks receptions or as a VIP area away from the main space during larger events. Allowing glimpses into every wing of the library and featuring patinated bronze panelling, this is one of the most contemporary spaces in the Library.

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The Reading Room

The Reading Room

£8000 Price per hour
£8000 Price per hour
£8000 Price per hour
£8000 Price per hour
£8000 Price per hour
£8000 Price per hour
£3500 Price per evening
£3500 Price per evening
£3500 Price per evening
£3500 Price per evening
£3500 Price per evening
£3500 Price per evening
100
Meeting
200
Standing
100
Banquet
120
Theatre
Room size: 127m²

Offering impressive views across St James’s Square, the double-height, book-lined walls and elegant ironwork balustrades of this room make it the main space for events. Located at the heart of the venue, it is particularly suitable for theatre-style presentation or award ceremonies.

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The Study

The Study

30
Standing
16
Banquet
Room size: 36m²

Opposite the Reading Room, the Study is the Library's former committee room, and is the place for intimate dining or a small drinks reception. Guests can enjoy the faux regency design of the space, complete with original Robert Adam fireplace.

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The London Library's Pricing Summary

Catering

Venue hire, food and beverage packages available from £60 per person

AV Equipment

Included in hire

Packages

Price per evening

Price: £4500
Valid from: 01-Feb-2024 until 31-Jan-2025
What 's included:
Dry hire of venue based on a standard dinner schedule: 17:30-19:00 set up 19:00-19:45 reception in Issue Hall 19:45-22:30 dinner in Reading Room 22:30-23:30 tear down

Art Room Price per evening

Price: £500
Valid from: 01-Feb-2024 until 31-Jan-2025
What 's included:
Available as an add-on for events in the Reading Room starting from £500

Foyle Lightwell Reading Room Price per evening

Price: £500
Valid from: 01-Feb-2024 until 31-Jan-2025
What 's included:
Available as an add-on for events in the Reading Room starting from £500

The Reading Room Price per hour

Price: £8000
Valid from: 08-Mar-2024 until 30-Jun-2025
What 's included:
Price for day hire on Sundays - starting at £8000 for the entire day or £4000 for a half day.

The Reading Room Price per evening

Price: £3500
Valid from: 08-Mar-2024 until 30-Jun-2025
What 's included:
Dry hire of venue based on a standard reception schedule: 17:30-18:30 set up 18:30-21:00 event 21:00-22:00 tear down

Prices are given for guidance only, please confirm all prices directly with the venue.


Location

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

020 7766 4795

Website

Testimonials For The London Library

Montblanc (Photo Shoot Client)JANUARY, 2024

The London Library setting is not only a place for the traditional studying of the classics, but also a place influenced by the bustling, multicultural city around it, becoming a place for scratching beneath the surface and finding a new wave of inspiration in something that is unexpected, that goes against the current...An unlikely union of elegance and unconventionality.

Marco Tomasetta, Montblanc Artistic Director

Review from the Evening StandardJANUARY, 2024

The London Library is an institution addressed to the residents of this city. The pragmatic, confident and informal way it has developed since it was founded in 1841 illustrates the difference between an impressive experience and a place of character...[it] is probably the most wonderful library in the world...[and] the capital's best-kept secret.

The Evening Standard

Hugely impressedJANUARY, 2020

We were hugely impressed by the whole team at The London Library, who were impeccably organised, thoughtful and attentive both in the run-up and during the event. The evening was a huge success and a particularly memorable one in the Library's exquisite interior. We could not have asked for a better venue and colleagues.

Josh from Faber & Faber

A wonderful spaceJANUARY, 2020

a wonderful space, unknown to most, with excellent party acoustics

David Longmuir


FAQs

Does The London Library offer disabled access?

Yes, the majority of spaces are accessible by wheelchair

Helpful? 0

When can I hire a space at The London Library?

Hire of The London Library is is available Wednesday - Saturday evenings from 5:30pm

Helpful? 0

Does The London Library have AV equipment available for events?

The Library has microphones, a PA system and projector available for use at events as part of the hire fee.

Helpful? 0

Can external caterers be used at The London Library?

Yes, our venue is dry hire so we have a list of recommended caterers to use for your event.

Helpful? 0

Does The London Library have accommodation on site?

No.

Helpful? 0

How late can events at The London Library go on to?

The latest we can hold events is until 11pm.

Helpful? 0
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