Christmas party venues in London: seven options compared

Booking a Christmas party venue in London is often more time-sensitive than organisers expect. By late September, many of the best Thursday and Friday dates in December have already been booked.

Choosing the right venue is also about more than finding somewhere with a bar. The Health Survey for England 2024 found that 23% of adults in England had not drunk alcohol in the previous 12 months, up from 19% in 2022. A successful work party therefore needs something that keeps drinkers and non-drinkers involved.

Full disclosure: we run The Curling Club, and we believe it deserves a place on your shortlist. However, different venues suit different occasions. This guide explains what to look for and compares seven popular types of Christmas party venue in London.

How to choose a Christmas party venue in London

A good Christmas party venue should offer built-in entertainment, clear pricing, enough space for your group, suitable food and a convenient location.

Entertainment is particularly important for mixed teams. The same survey found that 39% of men and 31% of women aged 16 to 24 had not consumed alcohol in the previous year, so an activity gives everyone something to enjoy regardless of whether they are drinking.

Clear per-person pricing also makes budgeting easier. Venues that only provide prices on application can make it difficult to obtain internal approval or compare packages accurately.

Check that the venue can accommodate your final guest list, including late additions and plus-ones. You should also consider how the food will shape the event. Street food and sharing plates encourage guests to mingle, while a formal seated dinner creates a more structured evening.

Location matters too. A central venue close to major public transport links will usually attract better attendance and make it easier for guests to travel home.

1. The Curling Club

The Curling Club combines ice-free curling with street food, seasonal drinks and DJs. Events take place at Vinegar Yard near London Bridge and at Chelsea Winter Illuminations.

Groups of 6 to 400+ can play, eat and celebrate in one booking, with exclusive venue hire available for larger celebrations.

Ice-free curling uses a purpose-built floor rather than ice, but retains the stones, ends and tactics of traditional curling. There are no skates, no cold conditions and no previous experience required.

Because most guests have never tried curling before, everyone begins on a similar level. The activity encourages friendly competition and gives colleagues an easy way to interact beyond standing around with a drink.

The Curling Club runs two Christmas party packages for groups of 6 or more: The House, a three-hour reserved area with a drink, a small plate and an hour of curling, and Curls of Wisdom, a four-hour reserved area with drinks, a main meal and an hour of curling. A Pay and Play option is also available for smaller, casual groups.

The Curling Club is also an Official Partner of the Team GB Foundation and works with Olympic curling champion Eve Muirhead, now in her fourth year as ambassador. It hosted the inaugural UK Floor Curling Championships in February 2026, in partnership with World Curling.

However, it is not designed for formal, silver-service dining. Companies looking for a seated three-course meal, place cards and lengthy speeches may be better suited to a traditional event venue. Peak December dates can also sell out several months in advance.

2. Activity bars

London’s activity bars combine food and drink with games such as shuffleboard, darts, crazy golf and ping pong. They are a good option for teams that want more than a conventional drinks reception.

Competitive activities can help colleagues relax and begin conversations naturally. They are particularly suitable for smaller teams that are happy to organise their evening around a fixed playing session.

The main limitation is that many venues sell game time in slots lasting around 60 to 90 minutes. Larger groups may also be divided between separate lanes, booths or tables. A team of 40 can quickly become five smaller groups that barely interact.

Activity bars are therefore strongest for smaller parties or as the first part of a longer evening. Larger groups should check how long the activity lasts, whether everyone can play together and what happens after the booked session ends.

3. Traditional dinner venues and livery halls

London’s livery halls, Georgian townhouses and historic event spaces provide an impressive setting for a formal Christmas party.

This category is ideal for companies planning a three-course dinner for senior colleagues, clients or important stakeholders. The surroundings, service and food are often more refined than those available at activity-led venues.

The trade-off is that pricing is frequently only available on application. Organisers may need to request several proposals before they can compare costs.

Entertainment can also become limited once dinner has finished. Unless additional activities are arranged, the remainder of the evening may consist mainly of a DJ, dancing and a bar. This can work well for some teams but may be less inclusive for guests who do not drink or dance.

4. Ice rinks and skating pop-ups

London’s seasonal ice rinks offer one of the most recognisably festive Christmas party experiences. Skating beneath Christmas lights at a landmark venue can create excellent photographs and a memorable start to the evening.

However, skating ability varies significantly. Confident skaters may enjoy the experience, while beginners can spend much of the session holding the barrier. Guests who cannot or do not want to skate may be left watching from the side.

Sessions are also usually short and many rinks are outdoors. Ice skating can therefore work well as the first activity of the night, but may be less suitable as the main event for a large team with mixed abilities.

5. Après-ski bars and alpine pop-ups

Après-ski venues use alpine decorations, warming drinks, shared tables and seasonal music to create a lively winter atmosphere.

These venues are visually appealing and can accommodate large standing groups. The decorations also mean organisers need to do very little to make the event feel festive.

At many alpine pop-ups, however, the theme is the main attraction. Once guests have taken photographs and ordered their first drinks, the experience can become similar to a conventional standing-room bar.

This format is best for sociable teams that prioritise music, drinks and atmosphere. Organisers seeking a more inclusive evening should look for an alpine venue that also offers a genuine group activity.

6. Shared Christmas party nights

Shared party nights bring several companies together for one large themed event. Tickets commonly include dinner, entertainment and dancing.

They are particularly useful for small teams that want the atmosphere of a major production without paying to hire an entire venue. The organiser benefits from a straightforward package and does not need to coordinate separate suppliers.

The disadvantage is that the company shares the venue with strangers and must follow fixed menus, seating plans and timings. The event cannot usually be adapted significantly around one team.

Prices can also exceed £100 per person plus VAT once drinks and additional charges are included. Shared party nights can deliver an impressive spectacle, but companies should review the complete package price before booking.

7. Private pub or bar hire

Hiring a pub, private room or roped-off bar area is one of the simplest ways to organise a London Christmas party.

This option is familiar, flexible and often cheaper than a formal event package. It can work perfectly well for close-knit teams that mainly want an informal opportunity to talk and celebrate.

The weakness is that the bar often becomes the only entertainment. Guests who do not drink may have little reason to remain once the initial conversations finish.

A private pub or bar is therefore best for teams that already socialise comfortably together. Adding a quiz, tasting session, live performance or another activity can make the evening more inclusive.

Which Christmas party venue is best?

The Curling Club is a strong choice for mixed teams that want everyone involved in the same activity. Traditional dinner venues are better suited to formal, client-facing occasions, while shared party nights offer smaller teams access to a large-scale production.

Activity bars work well for smaller groups on timed sessions, and ice rinks are ideal for a short, photogenic opening activity. Après-ski venues prioritise atmosphere, while pub and bar hire remains one of the quickest and most affordable options.

The right choice depends on what your colleagues will actually enjoy. Consider whether the entertainment includes everyone, whether the price is clear and whether the format works for your full group.

When to book a Christmas party venue in London

Aim to book your London Christmas party venue by early October at the latest. Research and enquiries generally increase during August and September, with the most popular Thursday and Friday dates disappearing first.

Begin by confirming your approximate budget and creating a shortlist in August. During early September, poll the team for suitable dates and confirm expected attendance. The venue and deposit should ideally be finalised by late September or early October.

The Curling Club returns to London in November 2026, with bookings open now for the 2026/27 season. Large groups and companies seeking peak Friday dates should enquire as early as possible.

Final advice

Choose a venue where the entertainment gives everyone a reason to participate, whether they drink alcohol or not. You should then confirm the total per-person price, group capacity, food arrangements and transport links before paying a deposit.

Book a livery hall when the priority is formal dining and polished service. Choose an activity-led venue when you want colleagues playing, laughing and spending the evening together.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Christmas party venue in London cost?

Prices vary widely, from affordable activity-led experiences to over £100 per person plus VAT for large shared productions or formal dinners. Many traditional venues only provide prices after receiving an enquiry.

The Curling Club offers Christmas party packages for groups of 6 or more, from a casual Pay and Play session through to fuller packages with food and drinks included. Check the Curling Club Christmas parties page for current pricing.

When should I book a Christmas party venue in London?

Book by early October at the latest, although earlier is advisable for Thursday and Friday dates in December. Popular venues can begin taking Christmas bookings during the spring or early summer.

What are good Christmas party ideas for a work team?

Activity-led options are usually effective for mixed office groups because they give guests something to do beyond drinking. Curling, activity bars, skating, quizzes and shared party productions can all encourage colleagues to interact.

What is ice-free curling?

Ice-free curling is played on a purpose-built floor sheet rather than ice. It uses similar stones, ends and tactics to traditional curling, but does not require skates or previous experience. This makes it accessible to a wide range of ages and abilities.

Do Christmas party venues cater for non-drinkers and dietary requirements?

Most reputable venues provide alcohol-free drinks and can accommodate common dietary requirements when told in advance. Before booking, ask what non-drinking guests can participate in and how the venue manages allergies, vegetarian meals, vegan meals and other dietary needs.

At The Curling Club, non-drinkers take part in the same curling experience as everyone else, and the kitchen can cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requirements with advance notice.