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Birthday Party Venues in London

Find a book the best birthday party venues in London

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Is there any better excuse for a party than a birthday? Here you will find our vast selection of venues to hire in London , ideal for bringing together friends and family to celebrate someone’s special day in style. Whether the party is for yourself or if you are planning a surprise for a loved one, make it an occasion to remember by hiring a stunning venue in a unique and unusual location, with all the convenience of the country’s vibrant and exciting capital city surrounding you. From spectacular roof gardens in Central London where you can take in the iconic skyline to unique flagship venues in the trendy east end, we proudly showcase great venues suitable for birthday events of any style and scale. Alongside those fit for any occasion, we have suitably brilliant venues which can also cater for specific landmark celebrations such as 21st, 30th and 40th birthday parties, where you are looking for that little extra something to impress.

6 Top Tips for Planning a Surprise Birthday Party

So, it’s someone’s special birthday, and you’ve decided that this is the year that they get the surprise of their life. Hosting a surprise birthday party is harder than it looks, what with all the secret WhatsApp messages and hiding the decorations! Particularly when you can’t ask the person their preference on anything, you have to go solely by what you know of them. We have 6 top tips for you to consider that will help you make the important decisions.


Keep it Appropriate


The age of the birthday boy or girl can decide your whole event. If they are turning 21, then there is likely to be a lot of loud music, and questionable drinking choices. For 30, perhaps a karaoke bar is the place to be. 50, and maybe this is they first time they have been out all year. 80, and maybe they want something more low-key. That being said, it all depends on someone’s personality. There are plenty of 18-year-olds who want nothing more than board games and pizza. Just like there are 40-year-olds who want to get dressed up and hit the town. Knowing the person that you are throwing the party for is going to decide what you do, so make sure you choose something that fits with their personality, not yours.


Do They Like Surprises?


Linked to this is knowing if a surprise party is actually best for them. Do you know the best people to invite, or can you get a group of people together who will know? If they have a lot of people in your life that you don’t know, or won’t be able to contact, then it might be a good idea to tell them that you are going to host a party and ask them for a list. Some people just really, really, don’t like surprises, and won’t appreciate something as big as a party being dropped on them. Not every party has to be a surprise one, they might be happy if you do all of the organising, so long as they know it’s happening.


Venue


Picking the venue is one of the most important things to get right when planning a surprise party, as it will set the tone for the whole evening. Are you looking a club? A VIP bar? Maybe something more casual so that you can really go to town on when it comes to decorating. It has to be accessible for all of the guests, and there also has to be a plausible excuse in place for why the birthday girl or boy is turning up there. There is a full array of birthday party venues for hire in London, from small rooms to truly unique and bespoke private areas that can fit all close friends and family. If you are having a theme, this will help you narrow the selection down a lot, but don’t pick somewhere that is out of sorts with the rest of the night.

 

Make Sure They’re the Last to Arrive


There is nothing worse than a surprise being ruined by someone turning up too late and meeting the person the party is being held for – before their grand entrance. No one is still going to be surprised at this stage. When sending everyone the information about when to be there, make sure that it is a minimum of half an hour before the scheduled surprise. Be strict about the time, as it’s the one thing that could ruin all of your careful planning. If anyone is running late, ensure that they text ahead so they know if it’s safe to come in or not. Make sure that you know how far away the birthday person is at all times, so that you can prepare everyone for their arrival.


Have A Theme


A theme is something fun to do that will add even more to the surprise. Getting everyone to dress up and decorating the venue can really add a sense of fun to your party. Having props for them to wear and hold when they arrive will mean that the party is instantly started, and all of the snacks, nibbles and drinks can be around a set theme as well. It even opens up lots of avenues to have party games. Make sure you know that it’s something your friend or relative will like and get enthusiastic about, and that all of the other guests are on board with being a little bit silly. If you’re not having a theme, make sure that you at least have a dress code similar to what the ‘surprise’ will be wearing. This means that they won’t look completely out of place when they arrive to their own party.


Keep the Surprises Coming


To make it a night to really remember, keep the surprises coming. Maybe have a friend fly in from overseas to add some more shock value. You can also have surprise gifts and even a ‘surprise’ cake. This is a cake that seems plain on the outside but has a themed centre. The more the birthday person is kept on their toes, the better. Make sure that the surprises do stop at some point however, otherwise they’re likely to become too overwhelmed. They’ll also want time to actually mingle and chat with all of the friends that you have invited to celebrate with them.


A well-planned surprise party can be one of the best nights you’ve ever had. Not only will the person have no idea, but other people have gone to the bother of planning it all for them. It’s a really sweet and caring thing to do for someone special in your life, and they are sure to be thanking you for years to come. You’ll also have lots of other people looking to get on board and help out, so you’ll never need to do all of the planning by yourself.

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FAQs Birthday Party Venues in London

The first thing you need to ascertain is whether you need to hire a private venue, or whether you’re happy to share a space with the general public. Getting a private venue is a real treat, and if you can’t treat yourself on your birthday, when can you? But if you’re looking to keep the price down, opting for a private space in a public venue can be the next best thing. The cost will then depend on where the venue is, whether or not you have an open bar and if you’d like to provide catering.
If a venue offers a “minimum spend” package – normally they’ll be a bar or restaurant – there’s normally no venue hire fee, and you just have to commit to spending a minimum amount of money on food and drink to secure the space. So when you’re asking about minimum spend, it’s useful to do some numbers on how many guests you’re expecting, and how much you think they’ll eat and drink. At the end of the day, it’ll be down to you to foot the rest of the bill if they don’t spend as much as you were expecting!
Depending on the venue and type of birthday party you’re organising, you might be able to bring your own food. A restaurant or bar that normally provides food is unlikely to be able to accommodate your own catering. So if it’s important to you (or your budget!) that you bring your own food, you might want to look for a dry hire venue. Even then, some dry hire venues want you to use their own caterers or food suppliers, so make sure you ask up front whether you can provide your own food before you make the booking for your birthday party venue.
London is an amazing city for venues, especially if you have a special milestone to celebrate! Everyone’s dream 30th birthday party will be different, so have a think about what sort of occasion you have in mind. Do you want a big bash at a private venue? Or would you prefer an intimate dinner party with close friends? Once you’ve decided what sort of party you’re going to throw, it’s time to get together the guest list and decide on a day. That’s the most important information you’ll need when finding a venue for your 30th birthday party in London – and then your 40th, 50th and 60th!
Kids’ birthday parties are a really special occasion, and one thing is for sure: if you’ve got lots of young children, you’ll need some space for running around. Church halls are a really popular option for just this reason, and they’re normally very experienced in throwing a birthday bash. If your child is a bit older, they might enjoy an activity or experience such as pizza making, mini golf or karaoke. When you’re looking for a venue on Canvas, make sure you use the filter so all the results will be perfect options for your little one’s special day.
To throw a successful birthday party in London, start by selecting a venue that suits your birthday celebration needs. Depending on the number of guests and the desired atmosphere, you may choose to hire out an entire venue or choose a more intimate setting for smaller family reunions and intimate gatherings or a casual gathering. To add a special touch, you can include a selection of classic cocktails and craft beers to cater to diverse tastes.
For an elegant birthday party, consider renting the whole venue at the Century Club in Soho, which offers a stylish setting and the opportunity for a private party. Covent Garden and Leicester Square both provide vibrant atmospheres with numerous venues that can cater to different sizes of gatherings, whereas for a venue with a more relaxed vibe, South London and East London offer charming spots with private bars. For those looking for a unique setting, venues along the Thames offer stunning views and an ideal spot for enjoying cocktails or a glass of champagne in a sophisticated environment.

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