The Best Drinks Reception Venues in London

Hosting a drinks reception is a great way to bring together clients, colleagues and friends to celebrate or network in style. Though the format is generally more casual than a sit-down dinner, you still have to choose carefully when it comes to where you're going to hold it. 

So we've done the hard work for you by putting together a collection of the best venues in London for hosting your next drinks reception, from trendy hangout bars ideal for post-work events to show-stopping spaces that will wow your guests. Have a browse and pick your favourites!

Why you should host your next drinks reception in London

London is one of the most iconic cities in the world. It’s a truly breathtaking place to host an event. The British capital has a unique atmosphere and is home to a wide variety of venues that are perfect for all types of events, especially drinks receptions.

There are plenty of reasons why you should consider hosting your next drinks reception in London. As well as famous landmarks such as Big Ben and The London Eye, the city has excellent transport links and plenty of accommodation options, which makes it a great destination for all types of events, particularly those with delegates travelling from outside the city.

Whether you’re looking to host an intimate gathering or a grand party, there are many options to choose from in terms of the venue location, capacity and style. For example, you can host a reception in a picturesque outdoor space with incredible views over the River Thames in one of the many pubs along the river. On the other hand, if you’re hoping for something more unusual and quirky there are plenty of great and unusual venues in this vibrant city.

London is also home to some stunning historic buildings that have been converted into event spaces and many fantastic hotels. If you want something classic yet contemporary then this might be the option for you.

The best drinks reception venues in London

When choosing your drinks reception venue, location is key. With the right drinks venue in a central London location, it’s easy for guests to pop over after work or combine your event with other activities.

With this in mind, here are our top three London venues for hosting a drinks reception.

Rolling Stock London – Located in Shoreditch, Rolling Stock London is an ideal setting for a drinks reception in an urban atmosphere. It’s situated in the railway arches under the overground, making it a truly unique venue. The space also has a garden available for hire if you’re hosting a summer event.

PANTECHNICON – A 30,000 sq ft warehouse over two floors that can take up to 1,500 guests for standing receptions or 600 seated for dinner. The space has been used for parties as well as exhibitions, so your guests will be following in the footsteps of some spectacular events. The food here is some of the best in London, inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese cuisine, creating a ground-breaking fusion. 

Knowhere Special – Situated in hip Islington, Knowhere Special is a unique bar, art gallery, and restaurant. A hybrid venue that’s perfect for hosting any type of event. They even have a garden available for hire. The décor of this venue has been inspired by the 60s Americana style with cool original features.

Booking a venue with VenueScanner

When looking for a venue it’s super simple to save the ones you’d like to consider by clicking the heart icon. When you’ve saved a decent range of venues it’s time to start sending out enquiries, which you do from your shortlist. There you’ll find all your favourites saved and can enquire about all of them at the same time. Now you’ll start getting responses from all the venues so you can compare the best price and set-up before booking. Easy!

If you need more help

Don’t worry, we know what a jungle it can be to find a perfect venue, that’s why our venue and event experts are here to help you along the way. Reach out to our concierge and they’ll be sure to give you all the help you need to plan the perfect drinks reception and find the venue that’s a great match for it. You can also narrow down your search by checking out drinks reception venues in Shoreditch, Soho, or Clapham. Good luck!