Last (minute) Christmas: Five London private dining rooms to consider for your agency's Christmas party
Maybe you have just hit the end of year magic figure, maybe you just closed a major account win, maybe you have just been too busy to even think about it... either way, you have not yet booked your end of year team celebration and by now everywhere good is fully booked, right? Wrong.
A smart way of circumventing full dining rooms is to head for the private dining rooms. At London’s leading venues you will still, with some luck, find suitable dates for your team festivities and over the next few weeks we are teaming up with Mr. Sykes Modern Concierge to bring you The Drum’s Late Christmas List, in association with Mr. Sykes Modern Concierge. Now you know.
Pop-Up at Pitfield London
Those in Tech City have the option of your very own pop-up within Pitfield London, the retail concept store on Pitfield Street N1. Part of the Shaun Clarkson design empire, Pitfield is on standby with available dates for Christmas pop-up lunches in the Pitfield Cafe, which so far this year has hosted Jade Jagger, Daisuke and Mini Adventures. With menus starting from just £20 per person the space can take up to 30 for lunch or dinner, or the entire store is available for exclusive evening party use. For smaller groups, Pitfield also host shared Supper Clubs on 4 and 11 December, at £50 per person.
Balthazar
A Mr. Sykes favourite since opening, the private dining room at Balthazar is more like a mini-Balthazar than just a private room with table. The room holds up to 60 with flexible configuration from one long table (30) or separate rounds plus the read leather banquettes and a fully serviced private bar and cloakroom. The room is available a few dates early December (w/c Monday 1st). Mondays & Tuesdays may not be preferred days to party, but changing the date away from a Thursday and Friday is a good strategy to access the best restaurants. Saturday 13 and 20 are currently available for lunch too.
Menus start from £50 per person
Scott’s
London legend Scott’s has one of the most wonderful private rooms in, well, London. You’ll feel far from last minute when greeted by the liveried doormen as guests arrive to dine in one of the finest establishments in the world. This beautiful art deco private dining room can seat 12-40 for a festive feast. Scott’s can accommodate numbers up to 50 for standing drinks and canapes receptions, Again, switching to early week opens availability however the room is currently available on Friday 12 December for lunch. For those seeking a very Christmassy date - Tuesday 23 December is currently also available.
Menus start from £52 per person
34
Located just off Grosvenor Square, in the heart of Mayfair, 34 is renowned for excellent beef, game and seafood. The incredible private dining space - The Emin Room - houses specially commissioned art by Tracey Emin and can accommodate up to 35 at a single table, up to 60 seated at separate tables or 80 for a standing reception. Enjoy the artist's bronzes, tapestries and neons for a particularly artistic festive get together. Early December availability (w/c 1 Dec) is best, but weekend availability offers an option for those who just can make the Monday to Friday December dates.
Menus start from £52 per person
L’Escargot
For those who have forgotten all about this nineties power-lunch destination, it has been quietly coming back to the fore with the rather secret opening of Upstairs - one of the newest private member clubs to open in Soho of late. Expect to hear much more about L’Escargot in the coming months, but this month it has dates available in the opulent Salon Vert private dining room. Membership is available which includes access to the Laurent Perrier inspired Salon Noir for extremely exclusive Soho drinks.
Menus start from £48 per person
Next week, we’ll publish a further selection of recommended venues across London with Christmas availability.