With the most wonderful time of the year fast approaching, planning your work’s Christmas party will be a top priority. Finding a London venue that’s commutable, has the right capacity and can be enjoyed by all is a real challenge. For inspiration, look no further than our office Christmas party ideas in London.
In this guide you’ll find:
The best London venues for work Christmas parties
The best places for festive work drinks in London
How to travel safely to and from London Christmas work events
How to celebrate Christmas with colleagues remotely
The best London venues for work Christmas parties
Is your team running thin on work Christmas party ideas? Not to worry. Whether it’s a sports bar or a classy venue, we’ve got you covered with our selection of office Christmas party ideas in London.
Located where the sport itself was created, Bounce is quite literally the home of ping pong. With a range of games on offer, amazing food and drinks and a resident DJ, Bounce is a fun-filled place to celebrate the festive season. The venue has a capacity of 400 guests, so can cater to even the biggest of parties.
How to get there: From London Waterloo, hop on the 341 bus for 10 minutes until you reach Fetter Lane. You’ll then have a short walk to Bounce.
As the former residence of famous adventurer Phileas J Fogg, Esq, this eccentric Mayfair venue is filled to the brim with weird and wonderful artefacts inspired by his travels. With a capacity of 20 to 150 guests, you can choose from an extensive canapé selection, along with beautifully crafted cocktails.
How to get there: A short journey on the Jubilee line will take you from London Waterloo to Green Park station. You’ll then only need to walk five minutes until you reach Mr Fogg’s Residence.
Crazy golf is a fantastic work Christmas party idea, one that can be enjoyed by all ages. Swingers boasts three crazy golf courses, along with five cocktail bars and street food vendors. With a capacity of 600 guests, this venue has four packages to choose from; Sprout, Parsnip, Stuffing and Turkey, the latter being the most lavish with a reserved area, Christmas cocktail, street food, unlimited deluxe drinks and more.
How to get there: From London Waterloo, take the Bakerloo line to Oxford Circus, which is only a minute’s walk from the venue.
The Victorian Bath House is a Grade II-listed building hidden below the bustling streets of the city. With a capacity of up to 150 guests, this is a more intimate venue, ideal for smaller parties. An innovative and creative three-course meal is on offer, along with equally delicious drinks.
How to get there: The quickest way to reach the venue from London Waterloo is to take the Waterloo & City line for four minutes to Bank. It’s then a 10-minute walk to the Victorian Bath House.
The best places for festive work drinks in London
Your Christmas party may be the pinnacle of the work calendar, but a spontaneous post-work festive drink is also a great way to spend time with colleagues. Here are some of the best bars to visit during Christmas.
16-22 Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3NN
For the ultimate winter terrace experience, head to Dalloway. The venue’s outdoor space is fully kitted out for Christmas, with plenty of cosy blankets and cushions to keep you warm and toasty.
How to get there: From London Waterloo, it’s just a 10-minute journey on the Northern line to Tottenham Court Road, where you can get to Dalloway Terrace by foot in three minutes.
A secret garden hidden in Chelsea, Stanley’s is an idyllic setting for Christmas work drinks. Enjoy a wine list curated alongside Lea & Sandeman and a mouth-watering cocktail menu.
How to get there: From Vauxhall, catch the Victoria line to Victoria Station, then hop on the District line to South Kensington. It’s then a 10-minute walk to the venue.
Theatre Walk, 120 Peckham Hill St, London SE15 5JT
Enjoy a spectacular London view with a festive cocktail in hand at Skylight. With a DJ or live music often on offer, there’s plenty of entertainment too. If you’re looking for some grub, why not try the Uno de Cada menu, meaning ‘one of everything’.
How to get there: You can reach Skylight by hopping on the Overground from Clapham Junction to Peckham Rye station, a seven-minute walk from the venue.
Level up your after-work drinks and visit The Perseverance Marylebone. This jazz bar is full of life and comes with a cosy low-light ambience. Thanks to SWR Rewards, you can get 15% off cocktails at The Perseverance Marylebone.
How to get there: From London Waterloo, hop on the Bakerloo line for 20 minutes, until you reach Marylebone. The Perseverance is then a three-minute walk away.
How to travel safely to and from London Christmas work events
It goes without saying that driving after boozy Christmas work event is out of the question. Luckily, London has a fantastic transport network, making it easy for you to get home safely. If you’re travelling home by train or tube after having a few festive drinks, take extra care, especially around the station and when boarding or disembarking the train.
The Night Tube
If your drinks have spilt into the night, or even early morning, you can utilise the Night Tube on Fridays and Saturdays to get home or reach your nearest train station. Here are the lines where the night tube is currently available:
Central
Jubilee
Northern
Piccadilly
Victoria
Catching the train
If home lies beyond the London boroughs, catching a train is among the best ways of getting home safely. It’s best to plan in advance to not only ensure there’s a journey running at your desired time, but to also make some fantastic savings on your train ticket.
Stay at a hotel
If you think you’ll be out late and travelling home doesn’t seem possible, booking a room at a hotel is a great way of staying safe after the evening comes to a close. Discover our recommendations of top business hotels in the South West.
No matter the venue’s location, you’re bound to find a nearby hotel. Make sure you take advantage of SWR Rewards to make savings on your hotel room. You’ll find a host of deals, including 10% off Best Western Victoria Palace.
How to celebrate Christmas with colleagues remotely
Our work patterns have changed dramatically in recent years. Although in-person Christmas parties have the green light this year, you may have employees across the country, making remote parties a handy solution.
Remote parties don’t have to be a boring Christmas quiz. Take a look at our top three ways of mixing up this year’s virtual celebrations:
Cocktail masterclass
Bring the party to your home with a cocktail masterclass, allowing you to craft your very own drinks with the guidance of a professional mixologist! A box will be delivered to everyone’s door, featuring all the ingredients needed, so all that’s left to do is mix it all together during the virtual masterclass.
Secret Santa
A festive favourite, Secret Santa is not only a fun Christmas activity to do at work, but also helps your team get to know each other better. Opt for the traditional route of picking a name out of a hat, or use a Secret Santa website, which will email each team member with their lucky recipient.
Looking for some Secret Santa ideas for work colleagues? Gifting ideas include your colleague’s favourite bottle of fizz, beautiful homeware or a delicious scented candle.
Gingerbread man decorating
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition, so why not host one virtually? Similar to cocktail masterclass packages, each team member will receive a gingerbread man decorating kit, and you can challenge everyone to put forward their best efforts.
Once you’ve agreed on your work Christmas party idea, it’s time to book your train tickets. Remember to use SWR Business Direct or purchase a season ticket to take the stress out of travelling for work and save money on every journey.
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