Seizing a (Summer’s) Day at 5 Amazing Party Venues London!
Our very own Special Events specialist Laura Pearce recently took a day out of the office for a special visit to five of our most popular summer party venues. An internationally renowned zoo, a West End townhouse, a riverside club and a pair of grand livery halls – each one is unique but what they all have in common is the ability to host fabulous parties!
Over to Laura to explain why…
Stationers’ Hall
As soon as you enter Stationers’ Hall from the impressive private arched courtyard you find your mind can’t help up but conjure up images of amazing summer celebrations – it’s just made for them!
The stunning secluded garden, really gives you that magical “secret garden” feel but the venue is still large enough to host a party for up to 250 guests. You can have live music in the garden until 10pm, making it the perfect place to enjoy an amazing summer evening. The garden is sheltered and peaceful; I can’t believe we are only five minutes from St Paul’s. I love the enchanting tree which takes centre stage especially when lit up at dusk – not only is it beautiful, it’s also London’s oldest plane tree. The chef team also have their very own herb patch in the corner of the garden; it’s a nice touch and a great CSR message!
If you book a summer party here, you have the whole venue all to yourself so you can make the most of the entire venue (inside and out). What I like here is that the inside bad weather option is equally as impressive as the outside space; the delightful spiral staircase direct from the garden takes you straight inside into the Court Room. Why not plan to have indoor games as well as outdoors just in case those summer rays get too much?!
Haberdashers’ Hall
Haberdashers’ Hall is a very different offering to the more traditional Stationers’ Hall. Although similar is size this Hall is contemporary and spacious. The clean lines give the outdoor courtyard the wow factor; it is truly stunning when the orange brick work is lit at night. The grass areas are the best kept in London (!), it’s an immaculate space and the central water fountain brings it all together.
The adjoining inside Orangery dressed with simple, tasteful modern art is an exceptional bad weather option, you can choose to open all the glass doors directly onto the courtyard, the logistics of keeping all your guests together works a treat.
You can hire the whole venue, after 9pm the entertainment can then move inside to the Livery Hall or Reception Gallery where your guests can continue the party after the sun has set. I love the fact that wherever you are in the Hall everyone can see what is going on throughout the venue, the glass windows throughout and central water fountain feature make this Livery Hall truly unique; the style and energy work so nicely for easy breezy summer events.
The Little Ship Club
I “just happened” to arrive at the venue at lunch time, just in time for a tasty lunch (three ativan online courses no less). The Little Ship Club never disappoints, its riverside location near Southwark Bridge are second to none.
I’m obsessed with the views from this venue; of course the rivers ever changing water traffic set the scene but the view of the Shard and Southwark Bridge when lit up is a beautiful scene. The fantastic outside terrace which is directly on the tow path can be made exclusive for events allowing guests to take a VIP residence for the evening.
Nothing beams summer in London more than a location by the Thames, there is nothing like throwing open the doors of the Dining and Club Room so your party can spill straight onto the terrace – you can’t get closer to the Thames without a dinghy!
ZSL London Zoo
The Zoo is such an iconic place to celebrate summer – quirky, versatile and a whole lot of fun!
There is a great choice of event spaces both indoors and outdoors, catering to those who want a traditional or modern venue, as well as those who really want to embrace the location with a party in an animal house! My favourite has to be Penguin Beach; it’s not just that it’s amazing to entertain so close to the adorable little feathered colony but the space itself is such a great fit for al fresco dining, networking and receptions for up to 120 guests. The Mappin Pavilion, which offers 360° views and overlooks wallabies and emus in the “Australian Outback” is also a favourite, its private terrace area gives you seclusion and the perfect opportunity to tastefully theme your summer party should you choose!
I love the Korean style barbecue menu that ZSL London Zoo has this summer, it’s interesting, sensitive to the animals of course and so tasty. There is a twist on the classic summer BBQ menu; I plan to gate-crash the kitchen at some point this summer to sample the famous Kimchee burger! A unique venue for a summer party with animal magic in abundance.
The In & Out
I finished my whistle-stop day at the In & Out where I joined the team to support at a corporate summer event in the hidden gem that is the courtyard; I can’t believe there is this much outdoor space in the heart of St James’.
The courtyard lends itself perfectly to barbecues and cocktail receptions for up to 200 guests. The Club is one of the most renowned members clubs in the Capital and offers summer parties here a special feel of exclusivity and British nostalgia.
The inside decor is classic and links well to the courtyard and if our typical English weather doesn’t prevail, you have a beautiful glass canopy that will shelter your guests from the rain whilst remaining outdoors, this is what London is all about!
What a day, I feel privileged to work at such iconic London summer venues, if you want to see for yourself how amazing these venues truly are please give me a call or head on over to our Summer parties page!
