Wild and Wacky Spaces – for a different Christmas party

If idle hands are the devil’s work & idle lips are his mouthpiece at your workplace, then you really need to keep your team busy and well fed to avoid any awkward Christmas party shenanigans!  – or maybe your well-behaved workforce just wants to have some fun and try something a little bit different.

We love the legendary Icebar which allows guests to break the ice (groan) & get creative with ice sculpting, huskie hugs, vodka luges and mixology masterclasses, as well as enjoying drinks in the frozen bar.

At King’s Place it’s a little warmer, with diners in the newly launched Gallery Room allowed entrance to the on-site gallery before or after dinner – try their dinner package (from £99pp) for 4 or 5 courses with wine & water prepared by the award-winning in-house caterers.

If your workmates are footie mad then consider Arsenal FC Stadium– their private spaces overlook the hallowed grounds & can accommodate from 5 to 500 people seated (1,200 standing in the Royal Oak). It’s the perfect spot for Dinner Dances – always a festive favourite for showing off some fancy footwork!

Now here’s an odd one – let’s talk basements, cellars, underground spaces and the like.  It may not sound that festive, but in the depths of winter these can not only be unique spaces, but be cosy and provide a totally amazing wow factor. Try the magnificent Medieval Crypt at the Bleeding Heart, which dates back to the 12^th Century and must be the most magical venue in London for a festive banquet (120 seated).

From the same owners, The Don & Sign of the Don also have stunning vaults and medieval tasting rooms for hire, while Mark Hix’s City offer, Hixter, features Mark’s Bar- a basement room for up to 60 that’s a tribute to 70’s chic and comes complete with pinball machine.

Meanwhile, in the heart of Soho, Bar Americain and Crazy Croqs both within the Brasserie Zedel site also provide stylish below ground ambience but Art Deco in feel – here in particular the lighting has been cleverly designed to give a warm glow and feel as if sunset is coming through shaded windows. Crazy Croqs also has a stage that’s perfect for speeches, entertainment or impromptu piano performances.

And finally, if you’re bored of everything on dry land try The Yacht. Permanently moored, its full restoration, 3 decks, 3 bars and 3am license are only part of its allure. Serving everything from canapes to bowl food or fine dining, the Yacht can cater for parties from dinner for 25 to receptions for 300.