Last (minute) Christmas: Five more ideas to consider for your agency’s Christmas party

Cliff Barns, Norfolk

So, you cannot get the date you want for your party in London. How about making a night of it, and taking the team outside the city for an overnight stay somewhere? That would create the opportunity to introduce business content. Leave London by train after work, dinner and drinks, business breakfast, morning of strategy and break-out sessions, a long lunch and then train back to London? The beyond wonderful Cliff Barns in Norfolk sleeps 20, offers roaring log fires, decked Christmas tree and everything you might wish for a festive team building or strategy event. Mid-week December availability is good. From £2.9k.

Bistrot de Luxe

Proving the point that a last minute Christmas need not be without a certain style, Le Cellar at Galvin Restaurant’s Bistrot de Luxe in Marylebone is an extremely chic choice, and has (currently) some very limited available dates between now and Christmas. Le Cellar is an entirely private space where up to 22 guests may be seated for lunch or dinner, or 30 for standing drinks and canapes receptions. Menus are created for each event from around £50pp. We need not even mention the cuisine – Bistrot de Luxe became an overnight institution when it first opened and has remained so for 10 years since, presenting a seasonally inspired multi-awarded French menu. Can’t be recommended highly enough.

City Social

If you really like to leave it until last minute, then the stunning private dining room at City Social is (currently) available for lunch on Christmas Eve. Seating 12-24 guests with floor to ceiling South to West views, it is an unforgettable setting not to mention a bit of a coup location wise. The food more than matches the view; this is one of superstar-chef Jason Atherton’s newest restaurants – so it’s a particularly smart choice for foodie teams or clients. The main, art deco-inspired restaurant includes a bar for social cocktails pre- or post-lunch. Book it now if you should be celebrating the end of the business year as Kings & Queens of the World. This is Christmas served at altitude. Menus from £65-110pp.

Merchant’s Tavern

Located on the single most important Shoreditch street in terms of art and design, Merchant’s Tavern has quickly become Shoreditch establishment. The food and service are impeccable, plus the Spiritland.club residency in the bar (until Jan 2015) adds many new layers of cred and cool to create probably the smartest Christmas agency-team-party venue in Shoreditch. You may not lick the wooden temple-to-sound speakers, but every designer in your party will want to. Take it downstairs to the private dining room where up to 22 guests may be seated, or 35 for standing receptions. Menus from £35 and of course you will be feasting on the incredible cooking of chef-patron Neil Borthwick. As you can tell, we absolutely love it here. Current availability is Monday 8th (dinner), Sunday 14th (lunch or dinner), Monday 15th (dinner) and Tuesday 23rd (dinner).

Bar Termini

OK, so either your boss is too tight or you are all genuinely just too busy to arrange a full-on dinner and drinks night out. How about the finest cocktails in Soho in that case? Well, in any case, everyone should know about Bar Termini. It has literally just opened at 7 Old Compton Street, owned by none other than the multi-awarded Tony Conigliaro of 69 Colebrook Row fame. The bar is small, therefore reservations are always recommended to avoid disappointment. If all you manage to do to celebrate the year with your team is have a few cocktails, well, this is where you should do it, if you are a small group seeking fabulous cocktails. Open also for great Italian coffee from 7.30am.

Follow Mr. Sykes Modern Concierge on Twitter @MrSYKES999