Corporate Reception Venues in London

The typical vision of the ‘corporate world’ can lack a bit of glitz and glamour. But sometimes, it’s quite called for. Not everything is about boardrooms and pie charts in the corporate world, you know. Every now and again, there is call for a corporate reception.

No matter the reason for your corporate reception, make sure it goes smoothly and check out our dazzling corporate reception venues.

Corporate Reception Ideas

With some of the best corporate event venues for hire in London up for grabs, you’ve got a lot of flexibility when it comes to planning what you want to do. We’ve got some awesome suggestions just for you!

Cocktail party

We’re yet to meet a sane human being who doesn’t enjoy a good cocktail party. A tried and tested corporate reception option, the cocktail party is easy to plan, low-key and gets everyone mingling. They’re perfect for networking events, Christmas parties or just as a celebratory treat. And we’ve got the perfect cocktail venues for you.

Corporate dinner

Another popular option for a corporate party is a formal sit-down dinner. Everyone loves food and feeling a little bit fancy, so the dinner option is a timeless classic for all kinds of companies and businesses. Corporate dinners are an ideal option for award ceremonies or at the end of training days… or hey, just for the sake of it.

Corporate party

Just because it’s corporate in nature doesn’t mean it has to be all formal and serious. Why not break out the glitter ball (metaphorically, of course… or perhaps not), hire a DJ, rent out a buzzing nightclub and get the party started! A wonderful choice for Christmas parties, product launches and just to celebrate anything.

Something unique

We have loads of unique corporate reception venues London-wide – venues that are a little different to what you’d normally expect for a corporate event. So, why not have something set in a fascinating, engaging setting like no other? Somewhere that will have your guests in awe from the moment they walk in. It’s a great way to impress without you having to put in the effort. Plus, it will get people talking, which is exactly what you want at any event.

Bar social

With several cosy-looking venues with in-house bars, tables and grand décor, you could go a bit more casual than cocktail party with a bar social. Whether you go for exclusive hire or you hire out private rooms in bars or pubs, bar venues are places where people feel at ease and in their element. They’re places that give people a change to connect, chat, drink and be merry in a less formal way.

How To Plan Your Corporate Reception

We know event planning can be hard – it takes experience, plus a lot of time and effort to get corporate reception plans together. Sometimes it’s hard to even know where to start. Not to worry though, we’re always here to help!

Step 1: Purpose

Before you do any planning, you’ll need to have a clear idea as to what the reception is for. Is it a networking event? A leaving party? Maybe even an awards ceremony or product launch? Knowing what your event is for leads nicely into our next point…

Step 2: Format

Okay, so you know why you’re having a corporate reception, but what exactly do you want to do? Sit-down dinners, bar social, cocktail parties, or even a mix of several events, perhaps? Figuring out this party is essential to finding yourself the perfect venue to cater for all of that, as well as what you’ll choose for refreshments and entertainment too. That’s why it’s important to tick it off the To Do list as soon as possible. Take your guests into consideration when you’re thinking about what to do – what do you think they’d enjoy the most?

Step 3: Date

Now it’s time to set the all-important date. It might be easier for some, depending on the reason for the event. Make sure the date makes sense – no one ever threw a successful Christmas party in July, and a ‘sorry you’re leaving’ do won’t work too well 6 weeks after the person has already left. It’s also important to make sure nothing else big in the industry is going on at the time, so you know you’ll get a good turnout.

Step 4: Budget

Counting pennies and balancing books is pretty important in the corporate world, so ensure you know exactly what you budget is before you start planning anything that might cost money. It can be easy to get swept up in caterers and venues, only to find out your budget won’t cover the magical wonderland event you had pictured in your mind. We want to make sure your event dreams come true, not watch them get shattered.

Step 5: Venue

You can’t have an event without a venue. No really – you can’t. Your guests would just be wandering around the streets, shivering with confusion. No one wants that, hey. We can’t stress enough how important it is to find the right venue for what you want – which is exactly why we’re here! Set some parameters, including size, facilities and anything else you have in mind, to grab the best corporate reception venue in London for your event.

Step 6: Guests

You know who you want there, so now it’s time to let them know that. Invite all the guests with an email, a formal invitation or mention it at a meeting. No matter how you do it, make sure everyone knows they’re invited. There is very little point in planning an epic event if no one is there to enjoy it, right?

Step 7: Refreshments

If you’ll be offering refreshments such as food and drinks, now is the time to get that organised. Book your caterers (if the venue doesn’t do it in-house) and decide whether you’ll be circulating drinks, having an open bar, or if the guests will buy their own drinks.

Step 8: Entertainment

This may or may not be relevant, it rather depends on the type of corporate reception you’re having. But, if live music or entertainment does sound like something you want to plan into your event, then it’s time to book it! A band, DJ, or even a magician… don’t let them get booked up before you’ve got the chance.

How much does it cost to hire a venue for a corporate reception?

The cost of hire for a corporate reception venue will differ depending on the time of year you’re hosting your event, the day of the week, the number of guests and the location of the venue – as well as a hundred tiny things you’d never think of! Having a budget before you start planning your event is always helpful but can be difficult. If you’re looking to host an affordable event, you can consider whether it will be a ticketed reception or whether to have an open bar.

Where are the best corporate reception venues in London?

It’s not easy to find the best venues for corporate events, so that’s why we built the advanced search function on Canvas. Whatever amenities and facilities you need, you’ll be able to find them on the Canvas platform and if you find multiple venues that are right for you, you can use the Wishlist button to create a shortlist of all of your favourite spaces. It will save you time and stress, and the answers will come straight to your inbox or phone.

Should I do a site visit before hiring a venue for a corporate reception?

If you have the time to do a site visit, it’s always worth it. It will give you a good opportunity to get to know the venue and the venue manager, and it’s easier to get a feel for the ambiance when you’re actually there. As you walk around you will also probably notice lots of little details, and it will be really easy to ask all the questions you need to. Just make sure you get any deals or offers on paper so both you and the venue manager are on the same page later when you come to creating a contract for your corporate reception venue hire.

What capacity do I need for a corporate reception in London?

Corporate reception venues in London range from cosy creative spaces to large conference venues. Corporate receptions tend to be smaller and more intimate, so it’s worth looking for something unique. Because of the shorter guest list, you can also splash out a bit more on a luxury venue, with classy catering and an open bar. However many people you decide to invite, have a think about whether your event will be mainly standing or seated, as this will impact the size of the venue you need to hire.

Where is a good location for a corporate reception event in London?

The best location for your corporate reception would depend entirely on what you're looking for. Search for popular areas with good accessibility for a party venue where attendees can easily travel or stay in a hotel (for example, London Bridge), or a quieter east London location for a more chill company party, or Shoreditch, Clapham Junction, or Canary Wharf, depending on the vibe. You might consider Bloomsbury, or north west London, or anywhere in the city which has a space to perfectly match your event tone. From there, think about which colleagues you may invite, what the attendance would likely look like, which function rooms are available, and if you would hire the entire venue. The ideal venue depends on you!

Where can I host a small corporate reception in London?

When planning a small corporate event in London, there are numerous potential venues across the city, from north London to south London, offering flexible arrangements to suit your needs. Whether you're hosting a business event, workshop, or celebratory event (perhaps you're looking for wedding venues), corner spaces in boutique hotels or restaurants provide intimate settings perfect for such occasions.