The West End is undoubtedly the most Christmassy area of London. Here are 12 of the best venues for your end-of-year party there – one for each day of Christmas
Capacity 150
Best for Dinner
Ping Pong Soho stays close to the group’s successful formula throughout: in sleek interiors with some delicate Chinese touches, it serves traditional ‘yum cha’ – tea and dumplings – alongside a striking cocktail list. Throughout the Christmas party season, groups can take drinks in a balcony area, sit down at large tables within the main room, enjoy the exclusive downstairs space or go all out with a full takeover.
Capacity 80
Best for Dinner
Balthazar has promised to ‘deck the halls’ this December. Throughout the month, the French-style brasserie with the New York accent will host exclusive celebrations with some formidably festive vibes. As well as on-point cooking from the private kitchen team, flowers, candles, name cards and printed menus are all offered as standard. If you really want to turn the festivities up to 11, your playlists can be piped through the built-in speaker system.
Capacity 150
Best for Private dining
This high-end Mayfair Italian will make an indelible impression on Christmas party guests. Grand entrances are made via a spiral staircase leading down into a double-height space built around a wood-fired pizza oven. Upstairs, there’s a cosier space – with a larger capacity – that includes three semi-private alcoves where small groups can gather.
Capacity 120
Best for Immersive parties
Inamo Soho is using the power of technology to bring venerable old Wardour Street into the 21st century. For Christmas, its private-hire Games Room has a pair of wall projections for party games or straight-up Home Alone screenings. Our favourite? The Sushi Christmas Trees, with Inamo’s signature dragon rolls as the star on top. The restaurant’s main dining room offers the same fare to larger groups around its fabled interactive tabletops.
Capacity 200
Best for Fine dining
This fine-dining Chinese restaurant is a year-round wonderland that invites guests through its bright red doors and into 1930s Shanghai. Come Christmas, its opulent interiors and progressive menus lend themselves to some lavish festivities. The main spaces are different in style, but Salon de Chine and Club Chinois both glitter and both are designed for live entertainment. Smaller groups have a choice of private dining rooms, or there’s the Wave bar for drinks receptions.
Capacity 800
Best for Full-scale parties
Situated five floors above Oxford Circus on a huge 1,579 sq m site, Aqua’s two restaurants offer a choice of stylish Japanese at Aqua Kyoto or modern Spanish at Aqua Nueva. There are three private dining rooms in all, which are all available for hire during the Christmas season. Otherwise the venue can be taken wholesale for a blowout festive bash. Both offerings translate very well into festive party food, while cocktail bar Aqua Spirit is great spot for drinks receptions when you hire Kyoto or the entire venue.
Capacity 250
Best for Sit-down meal
For the upcoming 2018 season, Awesome Events is inviting Christmas party groups to go 'Through the Wardrobe' at the Hellenic Centre. Riffing on a certain Lewis Carroll classic, evenings begin with sparkling welcome receptions on the Manor House balcony, before guests head downstairs, through the wardrobe and into the Ice Palace dining hall. A DJ-powered disco will keep the party going late into the wintry night.
Capacity 300
Best for Receptions
Those keen on instilling some celeb-style glam into their Christmas party may wish to check out this swanky Mayfair nightclub. It quietly opened in the Hilton on Park Lane a few years ago and remains a magnet for A-listers keen to do that partying in private. A bold colour palate and provocative artwork speaks of the venue’s playful atmosphere, all of which is backed up by a top-drawer Funktion One sound system.
Capacity 300
Best for Fine dining
The Queen’s grocer is not just the place to pick up your best client’s Christmas hamper. It’s also a place for groups large and small to celebrate the season in regal style. The Boardroom has hosted monarchs and Hollywood royalty. While the Drawing Room showcases some statement interior design, medieval stoneware and decorative panelling create an intimate atmosphere in the Crypt. The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon Restaurant can be taken over whole, or neatly divided in two.
Capacity 400
Best for Dinner
Floor-to-ceiling windows, etched glass doors and carved stone pillars turn Christmas parties into stately occasions at the home of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Packages cover exclusive hire of its Florence Hall from 7pm to 11pm, fizz on arrival, unlimited drinks, a choice of food stalls or seated dinner, as well as a DJ and disco, and all the necessary production kit. Add-ons include musicians, photobooths, an espresso martini trike and a midnight extension.
Capacity 500
Best for Receptions
Grade II-listed London Transport Museum is a striking venue for Christmas parties. Located on Covent Garden piazza, the museum galleries provide an impressive backdrop, mixing old and new with displays of iconic posters, vintage public transport vehicles – among which guests can mingle – and exhibitions that look at London’s future transport system. If it’s a relaxed party you’re after, receptions that last until midnight can be held (including canapés and bowl food) and three-course dinners are also available.
Capacity 715
Best for Full-scale parties
Style comes easy to this place, while the necessary festive decor and all-important AV equipment will already be in place, meaning bookers can devote their entire budget to the drinks, food and entertainment. Up to 286 diners can be accommodated, or for a standing do, there’s room for 715 guests. Packages are put together on a bespoke basis by the in-house event team.