Banqueting Halls for Hire in London

Banquet food should be mouth-watering not boring, so keep fantastic feasting at the forefront of your mind when choosing your banqueting house. When it comes to your magnificent meal you want to be spoilt for choice. Whether your guests are sitting down to a five-course degustation menu, sampling street food or enjoying bite-size banquet offerings, choosing the right menu for your event is key. 

Typically, your venue will provide catering. If your venue doesn't offer this service or you want to limit costs, alternative options to consider include non-traditional catering (like food trucks), sponsored catering or DIY catering.

When planning your banquet, remember to think carefully about what type of banquet service you’d like, such as a sit-down meal or food station, as each has its own pluses and minuses. Sit-down style is appropriate for formal events, including weddings, while more casual options, like buffet-style and table d'hôte, are great for bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and networking events.

Celebrating your big day with a sumptuous spread? Whether you’re dreaming of farm-to-table fare or a traditional Chinese wedding banquet, wedding feasts have come a long way from the chicken or fish options. Food trucks, specialty carts and bars, sharing plates and dessert tables are all bang on trend, with many couples opting for locally sourced, personalised menu offerings.

Banquet trends:

• Fusion menus that marry flavours from different cultures – this is a great option for a multicultural wedding
• Themed banquets that bring events to life – popular themes include The Great Gatsby, Downton Abbey and Thanksgiving
• Decorative and tasty creative desserts, like donut walls, macaron towers and crepe cakes
• Candlelit dinners that add a touch of magic to a festive feast, especially at Christmas

Most popular types of banquets:

• State banquets and functions
• Formal dinners
• Wedding banquets
• Themed banquets
• Conferences, meetings and training sessions
• Hawaiian luaus
• Gala dinners and charity events
• Christmas dinners and parties

Finding the perfect place for your banquet can seem daunting, as you'll need to balance your budget while booking a venue with the amenities that'll make your event sparkle. Luckily, we're here to make this task hassle-free. Our advanced venue search engine showcases the most sought-after banqueting houses right here in London, so you can focus on your main priority – making your event great.

Want to plan your banquet like a pro? Aim to secure your banqueting suite as soon as possible because the most popular locations sell out up to one year in advance. It's also helpful to have several workable dates in mind when you enquire about a banquet venue. 

Planning a banquet on a tight budget?

It's worth remembering that community centres, parish halls and function rooms are often much cheaper than a banquet hall, hotel or conference centre. Here at Tagvenue, we list a range of alternative event spaces for hire, so it's easy to find an affordable place for your celebration.

Some helpful hints for organising your banquet:

• Preparing your guest list is an important step toward establishing a budget
• Allocate the bulk of your budget to venue hire, catering and entertainment
• Check if your catering team provides hospitality staff
• Consider whether to provide a dress code, like black tie, formal or fancy dress
• Check whether you can get a discount from your venue by taking care of some of the details yourself, like catering, decorating or setting up, or by holding your banquet on a weekday
• Schedule presentations throughout the meal so guests don't have to sit for long periods without talking
• Send invitations six to eight weeks before your event
• Pay attention to details because it's those little touches that'll have your guests talking for years to come

Whether you hire a whole restaurant in Covent Garden, a banquet hall with a garden for a Muslim wedding ceremony, or an affordable function room in Greater London, Tagvenue can help you plan a banquet event that goes off with a bang.

Details to keep in mind when booking a space for your banquet:

• Your budget
• Whether the venue can accommodate the number of guests you expect
• The best seating arrangement for your needs (banquet, U-shape, cabaret, etc.)
• What style of venue do you require (a fine dining restaurant with silver service, a semi-formal banquet hall with a dance floor, etc.)
• If the location is convenient (whether it has good public transport connections, on-site parking, a valet service, etc.)
• Any facilities you require, like lighting, disability access, a sound system, a slide show projector, a kitchen or a grand staircase for pictures
• The venue's cancellation policy
• Catering options and licences, like whether the venue has an alcohol licence or can cater to special dietary requirements (halal, kosher, gluten-free, vegan, etc.)
• What type of food you’d like (modern British, Afghan, Chinese, Indian, etc.)
• What type of bar you’d like (open bar, limited bar, white bar, etc.)
• The type of banquet service that will work best (silver service, sit-down service, buffet service, station service, passed-tray service, etc.)
• Entertainment options, like a DJ, live music, stand-up comedy, circus acts, magicians, fortune tellers, etc.
• Whether there are any vendor restrictions in terms of decorations, noise or photography
• Event insurance
• Whether you need a wet weather plan – this is a must for banquets held outdoors or in a marquee

Banqueting has hit the mainstream once again. Whether you're planning an award event, wedding reception or foodie feast, Tagvenue is here to help make your big night a success. Want to find out why food and the capital are a perfect pairing? Organise your next banquet event with Tagvenue.

Banquet Halls in London FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a banquet hall in London?

Large banquet halls in London frequently have a minimum spend requirement. The cost of the minimum spend varies and depends on the venue's size and the time of day or the day of the week you intend to hire the banquet hall. Typically, a daytime event costs more than a nighttime one. You should budget at least £1,000 and up to £4,500 or higher for a daytime hire. Expect to pay anything from £3,000 to £25,000 or more for an evening function. There can be a minimum spend requirement per session, with prices ranging from £500 to £6,000 or more. The hire fees might vary depending on your venue and are determined differently at each location. Hiring costs can be billed at hourly, half-day, full-day, or evening rates. The hire fees per session might be anywhere between £700 to £6,000 or higher. The hourly rates range from roughly £50 to £600, while the daily rates range from £500 to £5,000. The cost per person per session at banquet hall venues in London ranges from about £80 to £120 or more. (All data from Tagvenue.)

What are the best banquet halls in London?

• The Lakeview Suite at Regents Lake is a spectacular and spacious venue that is ideal for banquets and sizable events. At your next function, your guests will be blown away by this venue's stunning chandeliers, lofty ceilings, and balcony overlooking the ground level. A true show-stopper of a venue!

• Plaisterer's Hall is as opulent and impressive as venues get. When it comes to seating configurations and decorations, this gorgeous location is incredibly adaptable. The space has floor-length windows that let natural light in for daily events, and magnificent gold chandeliers that truly make the space shine at nightfall. The neighbouring rooms of the Great Hall can be incorporated in the banquet’s sitting arrangements, which may be of use if you are dealing with larger events.

• The Handley Page Room can be the ideal choice for you if you want a smaller banquet hall venue that nevertheless exudes luxury and style. Considering its size, the location is incredibly intimate and radiates natural and traditional charm. This stunning setting overlooking Hyde Park can accommodate up to 40 seated guests.

• Check out The Carisbrooke Hall if you're looking for a banquet hall for your upcoming event that provides a totally unique ambience and seating arrangement for your guests. This stunning venue can accommodate a variety of large-scale events and exudes vintage charm. In addition to offering a variety of entertainment options, this exclusive space also has a dance floor and a big panoramic screen, so your guests can dance the night away in addition to enjoying an exquisite meal at your upcoming banquet.

• If you really want to pick a special, one-of-a-kind location, you may consider something unconventional like Movies at Madame Tussauds. For your upcoming banquet, this event venue, which is a part of Madame Tussauds in London, offers an immersive Star Wars themed dining space. No venue in London compares to it. In this unusual setting, up to 200 people may feast like Jedis.

What are the advantages of banquet halls?

In general, banquet halls are well-kept, spacious, and they come equipped with amenities like bathrooms and parking spaces. Banquet halls in London offer elegant and contemporary ambiance in comparison to smaller venues or any outside arrangement. They have staff that have been properly trained to help you with a variety of tasks. They already have beautiful furnishings, lighting and entertainment options, and seating arrangements, which reduces the planning process for your event.