It’s time to rethink your annual Christmas party and swap the same old formula for something warmer, livelier, and far more memorable, a festive celebration in a pub. Here’s why pub venues are set to be the ultimate Christmas party game-changer this year.
Corporate Christmas parties often follow the same pattern: a set three-course meal, a few glasses of house wine, and a DJ spinning cheesy hits in a beige function suite. It’s fine… but hardly unforgettable.
Pubs are a cornerstone of British social life. Their cosy charm, craft beers, and friendly buzz make them an instant icebreaker, perfect for bringing colleagues together. Imagine greeting your guests with the aroma of hot mulled wine as they arrive, setting the tone for a night of relaxed, festive cheer.
A pub Christmas party doesn’t just win on atmosphere, it can also be much more cost-effective. Young’s pubs, for example, offer customisable festive menus from £35 per person, compared to the £100+ often charged by hotels. That means more of your budget can go towards drinks at your own private bar.
If you’re ready to ditch the ordinary, we’ve made things easy. Here are eight fantastic London pubs available for private hire this festive season, all perfect for hosting a Christmas party to remember.
This beautiful pub is close to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and features a number of inviting private hire spaces. Their impressive Garden Room comfortably accommodates up to 40 guests or 25 for a seated dinner. Alternatively they also have their Library and Lounge Space that has a slightly different vibe. Or, if you’re in need of a bit more room, you can exclusively hire out the entire venue to house 180 people.
Featuring two spaces perfect for Christmas parties, The Leather Bottle offers exclusive hire options on a minimum spend basis, holding up to 100 guests in total. Ideal for those of you on a slightly tighter budget, minimum spends ensure you won’t face any nasty surprises at the end of the night. Paying to hire a room isn’t necessary at most pubs – just spend enough in the bar! We’d recommend pre-booking a selection of food and drinks to ensure you’ll hit the spend so you won’t have anything to worry about.
This light and airy pub space will certainly brighten up your Christmas party. Forget stuffy beige function rooms, The Castle is a charming mix of quirky touches and colourful furnishings. Their Orangery space accommodates up to 90 people, and private hire starts from just £1000 minimum spend. Why not commission a special Christmas cocktail to mark the occasion? The Castle certainly know their Mojitos from their Moscow Mules.
Coin Laundry is a vibrant 70s-inspired venue in the heart of the city, just a short walk from Angel and Farringdon. With two bars and plenty of space, you can hire the basement for up to 80 guests, the restaurant for a seated meal, or take over the whole venue for 250. Whether you’re after a festive feast or a standing party with cocktails and nibbles, the events team will make planning easy so you can focus on celebrating.
Exposed original brickwork, metal ceiling beams, subway tiles, and fairy lights all combine at The Elgin to create a truly eclectic feel. Take over the whole venue to host up to 230 people standing or opt for something more intimate by hiring the first floor for a 60-person sit-down sharing meal. Their family-style feasting menu is perfect for encouraging conversations between previously unacquainted members of your team.
Set within the heart of the city, your guests can easily transition from office to out-out at this iconic Farringdon boozer. Their flexible event spaces are set across four floors and feature a contemporary design and friendly bar staff. Even offering cocktail masterclasses and butchery classes. There’s plenty to help your Christmas party stand out from the rest at Smiths of Smithfield.
Sitting on the edge of Wandsworth Common, the County Arms blends classic Victorian charm with contemporary interiors and open, sunlit spaces. Just a short walk from Wandsworth Common and Earlsfield stations, it offers a choice of hireable areas for events of any size, from intimate gatherings to parties of up to 140. With seasonal British menus, a beer garden, and warm, attentive service, it’s an ideal South West London spot for Christmas celebrations, weddings, and more.
Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings is a stylish multi-space venue in Clerkenwell, just off Exmouth Market, combining a restaurant, greenhouse, cocktail bar, and late-night basement. The private dining room seats guests around a long cedar table, surrounded by greenery, antique cabinets, and a feature fireplace. Plantation shutters can be closed for an intimate feel or opened to soak up the lively bar atmosphere, making it an elegant spot for festive celebrations.
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