London's coolest party venues

Looking for a hidden treasure? One-time home of the great designer and activist, the eponymous gallery was awarded Museum of the Year in 2013 and has quickly become one of east London’s most popular arts destinations. Set among landscaped parkland, and within easy reach of bus and tube routes, the gallery is an effortlessly stylish and truly welcoming venue. 

Discover the bawdy, sepia-tone spirit of traditional music hall at Wilton’s – one of the East End’s last surviving music hall venues. Located in the lamp-lit alleys of Whitechapel, Wilton’s offers a selection of different settings, from shabby chic backstage spaces to the irresistible and evocative main theatre. Each room buzzes with the spirit of the venues’ great tradition… consider how to weave music or performance into your event to make the most of this spectacular environment.

Set in the lush green expanse of Clissold Park, this charming 18th century mansion offers a wonderful escape into the simple elegance of a different era. With many flexible spaces, perfectly suited for all kinds of corporate occasions, Clissold House combines historic charm with a modern sensibility – an excellent way to impress both colleagues and clients. 

Looking out across the water, this former filter house has been converted into a thoroughly modern and impressive events space, a short distance for some of east London’s most popular destinations. Retaining a number of its industrial features, this 1930s masterpiece is a unique, effective repurposing of a space to create an impactful yet tranquil setting – an atmosphere of total calm in the hustle and bustle of the capital.

This cavernous space beneath the arches of London Bridge station is a thoroughly attractive proposition for any big corporate event – as the name suggests, it’s a wine experience. But tipples aside, there’s a lot to be said for this wonderfully atmospheric venue. A network of interconnecting vaulted halls, smaller bars and studios offers flexibility and character by the bucketload, and the many delights of Borough Market are just outside.

Who doesn’t want to party in a crypt? OK, it might not be for everyone, but this surprisingly chic space sits at the heart of the City and is fondly regarded by many regulars in the Square Mile. The Café Below is beneath the famed Bow Bells of St. Mary Le Bow; there are few opportunities to wine and dine in a space designed by Christopher Wren, so this is the ideal setting for a party to savour.

Although many of Shoreditch’s secrets have now been discovered, a few remain. The Geffrye is tucked away within a striking set of 18th century Almshouses in Hoxton. A museum of the home, it charts the changing face of middle class living throughout the last 400 years. As well as its many exhibits, it also has a stylish modern extension housing a delightful glass-roofed café. Beautiful gardens, ornate rooms and adaptable spaces make this an excellent choice, with the bars and culture of Shoreditch just moments away.

Based in Clerkenwell's ancient St. John’s Gate, the Museum of the Order of St. John is bursting with history. While much of the modern gate is a Victorian recreation, the structure has existed here for more than 500 years, with close ties to both Samuel Johnson and William Hogarth. Offering a variety of decorative and atmospheric spaces, suitable for events for between 20 and 200 guests, the museum is a surprisingly flexible venue for somewhere with such totemic history.

If you’re looking for a historic venue of real status, consider celebrating at the Middle Temple Hall. This 16th century treasure is nestled away amongst the maze of Temple Inn, between Chancery Lane and the Victoria Embankment. Delightfully ornate high ceilings will enrapture your guests – the sheer weight of history makes the Middle Temple Hall an enchanting and unforgettable prospect for the ultimate dinner dance event.

If you’re looking for an impressive riverside venue, consider the Design Museum on the South Bank. Only a few minutes’ walk from Tower Bridge, the museum has both purpose-built and adaptable contemporary event spaces available to hire, all boasting incredible views across the Thames towards Tower Bridge and the City. The collections in residence are a fantastic novelty and provide an engaging conversation topic, with guided tours from gallery curators available on request.

Tucked away among the squares and alleyways off Fleet Street is the one-time residence of one of London’s most famous sons. Now a museum to his life, the house of Dr. Samuel Johnson on 17 Gough Square is a perfectly preserved corner of long-lost London. With space to host up to 80 people, or 40 for dinner, it’s an intimate and characterful location to enjoy with your guests.