‘Twelve Ways Of Christmas’ – London’s Best Venues For Work Parties

The Christmas party season is here again. Obviously here at privatediningrooms, it’s our favourite time of year as we love a good Christmas party and some kind of event that has the added bonus of allowing us to let our hair down and enjoy a do in privacy (just don’t get carried away and snog the boss!). London’s full of fabulous spaces and places, from frivolous or formal to fancy or funky, the Capital has it all.

Need to keep your workmates busy? Why not try a wine-tasting – give them something to talk about and loosen up the atmosphere. Hold a modern affair for up to 40 in the Sussex Rooms at Berry Bros & Rudd or go for the full ancient cellar in their Napoleon suite for up to 70. Tutorings can be arranged, while their seasonal menus feature such gorgeously warming dishes as coq au vin and seafood pot au feu as well as plenty of game. Prices start at £65 per person.

For a guaranteed smashing time The Elysee is the place. The two stunning private dining rooms hold up to 30 seated guests but the whole floor including bar and heated outdoor terrace can be taken over for larger events. It’s perfect for a sit down dinner followed by mingle and dance and some genuine plate smashing can be arranged downstairs for groups who really want to throw it all away. 2016 Christmas menus tbc but rough spend per head is £30.

Dance & sing the night away in The Vaults at Home House. This fabulous subterranean mixes a bar, with DJ booth, dance floor and ‘cells’ that can be used as chill out zones or karaoke booths. With capacity for up to 80 and a 5am license, fun is a sure thing. Six Christmas packages range from £60 – £85 per person for three courses, including coffee and petit fours.

For a touch of old-school City tradition, without the old-school menus, Herbert Berger at The Master Innholders Hall is sure to deliver. With capacity for 94 in the Great Hall and two smaller private rooms, menus range from £64 per person to £88 for a four course dinner, wine and all the trimmings.

Always a crowd pleaser, Knightsbridge’s elite Buddha Bar has a downstairs private room for 60 guests and offers a Shukai Christmas menu for three courses, a glass of champagne on arrival and half a bottle of wine per person for just £68.

Nearby, Kensington’s Roof Gardens and Babylon restaurant have a fabulously unique offer. Babylon’s private room is ideal for intimate events of 12 or semiprivate for 30, with amazing skyline views – a three course Christmas lunch menu is just £39.50 or £57 for dinner. The Roof Gardens’ Christmas package starts at £95 per person (for champagne on arrival, three course meal, drinks and entertainment)–and it’s worth noting that shared Christmas parties are also possible and sometimes preferable – depending on how well you get on with your workmates.

Mayfair’s Playboy Club offers a fabulous French baroque style room for up to 375 guests when combined with the Tale Bar. Something to behold, decked out in gold and red swagging with dance floor, champagne bar and stage, it’s a unique venue – especially if you like bunnies. Three course Christmas menu costs £50 per person, while canape menus are £2.50 per bite and bowl food ranges from £5-8.

With gorgeous views over the Thames towards The City, OXO2 has private dining space for 180 guests seated or 350 standing but we love it because it’s a blank canvas – so creatives can get really festive here. Managed by events company, Ultimate Experience, the theme is Artic Circle to give a base of white, Scandi style winter chic.

Staying riverside, The Yacht may well float your boat – although you don’t have worry about anyone’s sea legs as this is a permanently moored vessel. With a restaurant for up to 100, similar capacity top deck and cocktail lounge, the spaces can be hired individually or together. Menu packages are bespoke but buffet or bowl food starts from £80 per person, three courses from £110 per person.

At Christmas who doesn’t love a luncheon – well at One Great George Street, this stunning domed Edwardian façade has six private dining rooms ranging from 14 in the boardroom to 260 in the Great Hall. So why not indulge your colleagues with their two and three course lunches from just £24.50pp, including crackers, poppers and a seasonal shot of port & vodka. There are of course further festive options for their private dining rooms ranging from canape & drinks from £46pp to Fine dining menus for £88pp.

If your team is foodie-mad, we think the recently refurbished Underground Cookery School is a really fun venue to hold a Christmas party with a twist. Designed for groups between 10 and 60, at £135 per person the whole event is catered for – including champagne & canapes on arrival, cookery lesson, three course meal and all drinks.

And finally, if you REALLY need to keep everyone in order, Browns Courtrooms in St. Martin’s Lane have four private dining rooms available for Christmas lunches and dinners, the largest of which – The Judge’s Court – caters for 100. Good for early birds, their Christmas menus are available from 14 November and start from £39.95 for three courses, rising to just £49.95 for six courses.