Aug 19, 2019
London Dinner and Dance Venues
When we talk about dinner-dances, it conjures up a traditional black tie do in ornate historical surrounds and London is one of the best places in the world to host this type of event. However, the Capital has so much more to offer from fabulous yachts on the Thames to glamorous restaurants and quirky venues, wherever you and your guests want to strut your stuff, there’s a space for it. When we talk about dinner-dances, it conjures up a traditional black tie do in ornate historical surrounds and London is one of the best places in the world to host this type of event. However, the Capital has so much more to offer from fabulous yachts on the Thames to glamorous restaurants and quirky venues, wherever you and your guests want to strut your stuff, there’s a space for it.
Hotel dinner and dance venues
Hotels are often the first go-to source if you’re looking to host a dinner dance and many can accommodate this style of event – including:
The Royal Horseguards hotel and One Whitehall Place
Overlooking The Thames Embankment, this stunning venue has a variety of options: The Whitehall Suite – a grand ballroom on the lower ground floor but still with beautiful high ceilings and natural daylight – works for 150 guests, while on the second floor The Gladstone Library and Reading & Writing Room can be interconnected, one room can host 150 but if interconnected with dancing in the Reading & Writing Room it can host 250 guests. Dinner packages start at £110 per person for a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, three courses, tea/coffee & petit fours, half a bottle of wine and water per person, centrepieces and cloakroom.
The May Fair
In the heart of Mayfair, this thoroughly modern hotel venue is able to cater for sumptuous dinner dances for up to 220 in the Crystal Room, while the Danziger Suite has capacity for around 150 guests. A range of menus are offered from its traditional Mediterranean roots to Asian and Gourmet menus tat star at around £70 per person.
The Corinthia
This hotel offers the full glory of a classic Victorian Ballroom complete with chandeliers, antique mirrors and oodles of other ornate original features guaranteed to impress. With the ability to host up to 150 for a dinner dance, it’s a great size for weddings too. See profile.
The Andaz
While equally steeped in history, this hotel also has a more modern and eclectic feel in parts. With an uber-convenient location next to Liverpool Street station, it can host dinner dances in a few of its rooms including the stunning 1901 and Great Eastern Room for around 150 guests. See profile.
Dining and dancing in houses & clubs
The Caledonian Club
Dating back to 1891, this listed building and club is the essence of everything Scottish in the heart of Belgravia. With the members’ dining room – aka ballroom – for up to 120 – it boasts a sprung dance floor underneath the carpet for extra bounce and frequently hosts Ceilidhs. Three course menus are charged per dish and include iconic Scottish dishes like Cullen Skink or ‘haggis & neeps’ as well as classic mains featuring beef, lamb, chicken, duck and halibut and delicious international desserts. As a guide, menus cost around £70 per head for three courses, room hire, ½ bottle of wine, coffee and service charge.
Beaufort House
With three stylishly modern and chic floors that can be hired separately or as an exclusive hire together for up to 190 guests, this glamorous cocktail bar and private members club on the iconic King’s Road in the heart of Chelsea can cater for dinner dances for smaller groups from 30 in their Champagne Bar to 60 in the Club Room. Their modern European menu starts at a very reasonable £45 a head. Minimum spend starts from £2,000 plus 13.5% service but depends on time and date of event (rising to £10,000 for peak times).
Dartmouth House
In the heart of Mayfair, this beautiful Georgian mansion accommodates dinner dances of up to 165, across the Long and Small Drawing Rooms, with drinks receptions taking place in the Churchill Room. Three course seated meals start from £57.50 + VAT per person, while typical evening packages, inclusive of room hire, start from £110 + VAT per person. The hire fee for the first floor is £3,800 + VAT with additional minimum catering spend dependent on time and date of the year!
4 Hamilton Place
Another Mayfair gem, this stunning former Edwardian house offers six private rooms within its venue but the most popular room is the Argyll, which is complemented by a stunning roof terrace that looks out over Hyde Park and can cater for dinner dances up to 100 guests. A three course meal with house wine, beer and soft drinks costs around £99 +VAT per person with room hire charges included. Bespoke menus can also be created as well as summer BBQs or Christmas themed menus.
Boat ad yacht dinner & dancing
Hosting a dinner dance in the wonderful setting of a boat on the Thames is second to none and guaranteed to provide guests with a unique evening of fun and entertainment. Two wonderful options include:
The RS Hispaniola moored at Victoria Embankment which can host dinner dances with a DJ or live band for up to 180 on the whole ship or around 150 on the Main Deck
The Sunborn by Excel with space for up to 200 guests in the Sky Lounge, up to 120 in the Main Restaurant and 130 in the Sunborn Lounge for seated events… and worth noting they also have 132 rooms so guests don’t have to worry about getting home!
