Are you in charge of the office party this year? Want to throw a big knees-up and watch as everyone lets their hair down? There are so many great venues in London which are perfect for an office party that you'll probably find it a bit tough to choose. From large bars with private rooms, to restaurant venues which offer competitive rates – there's plenty to browse on Zipcube.
An office party is a delicate thing. You want everyone to unwind and have fun, but you don't want things to get too out of control. Our dedicated party venues team are on hand to offer advice, so whatever it is that you're looking for – whatever atmosphere you'd like to capture – we can help to make it a reality.
So let the stiff office dress code be relaxed, invite your colleagues to bring their partners and family along and get ready for a great night out!
Office Party Venues in London: Tips and Ideas
Colleagues and co-workers need a chance to socialise, talk about the company and blow off some steam. As sure as night follows day, when a group of people spend time working together in close proximity, they will need to go to the pub together and gather for an occasional party. If it's your turn to organise it this year, here are a few helpful pointers:
- Setting up a bar tab or putting a company credit card behind the bar is an essential ingredient in the fun. After all, this is a chance for the company's employee's to feel valued and respected. However, if you have a certain limit in mind for what people should be spending per head, you might want to ask a member of senior management to keep an eye on the drinks orders as the party progresses.
- It might be the case that there are some staff who aren't big drinkers and may not drink at all. If that's the case then they might feel a little left out if the main emphasis goes on alcohol, so it's a good idea to have an equal focus on serving some nice food and snacks. That way, everyone gets to feel included in the generosity of the company.
- Games and entertainment are also an important part of the mix. Heading over to a bowling alley is never a bad idea, but there are other party games you could play which require less effort. A simple bit of limbo pole action is an easy way to unwind and so too playing charades is a fun group game which doesn't require too much preparation.
How Do I Organise A Work Party in London?
If this is your first time trying to arrange an office-wide get-together, then you'll realise it can be a bit daunting. There are lots of factors to consider and lots of people you need to try and please with the same decision. Choosing a venue is, of course, one of the most important things to get right, but since there are other choices you'll have to make, we've put together a list of important questions to ask:
- What Kind of Atmosphere Do Your Colleagues Want? No two parties are quite the same and you might be surprised how big a difference even small changes can make. If you want this to be a more mild-mannered, relaxed event, then arranging it during the daytime and having a party which is more activity driven will ensure it's less raucous than an evening event which is centered around a free bar. If you want a half-way house between family-friendly and boozy, then hosting the party in the early afternoon will give everyone the option of drinking elsewhere once the party's finished.
- What Catering Options Have You Considered? The question of whether to go for a sit-down meal or more of a buffet arrangement may well depend on how large your office is. Sometimes, staff will prefer to have a special meal or banquet which is separate to the party itself where drinking and dancing may be more important. Surveying or consulting the office in advance will help to guide you and give you a good chance of keeping everyone happy. (You can put things to a vote or use an online suggestions box to gather feedback about last year's event).
- Will You Need to Provide Transport? This may be a tricky or simple question, depending on where your office is based. If you enjoy a central location, then you'll have a good variety of venues and options on your doorstep. If your office is quite remote, however, then you may have to rent a coach (or pay for people's taxis) in the interest of booking a destination that's a bit more exciting than your local pub.
If you're looking to throw an office party with a bit of a difference, you can also take a look at our unusual space venues. If this is a summer party that needs arranging then our terrace venues and garden venues are a great place for some fun in the sun.