The 16 Best Bars with Private Rooms for Hire in London

Q: How much does it cost to book bars with function rooms in London?

Booking costs of bars with private rooms average £800 minimum spend per event. Costs vary depending on guest capacity, popularity, location, and amenities like sound systems or bar services. Extra charges may apply for custom catering, decor, or event planning services. Packages with add-ons, such as DJs, photo booths, or other entertainment services, can also increase the overall cost. Check out the typical price ranges in London, based on Tagvenue data: - From £500 to £1500 minimum spend per event - From £125 to £500 hire fee per event - From £100 to £400 hire fee per day

	Shanghai Lounge at 68&SHANGHAI	Basement Bar at The Oxford Market	Backstage at Eastcheap Records
Space type	Bar in a Cocktail Bar	Bar in a Restaurant	Bar
Venue	Speakeasy-style cocktail bar in Spitalfields, blending Oriental-inspired drinks with a cozy, intimate vibe. Perfect for birthday parties or small celebrations with BYO DJs and custom playlists.	A lively restaurant and bar near Oxford Circus, featuring a spacious beer garden, a basement bar with a dance floor, and flexibility for DJs and themed cocktails. Ideal for engagement parties, wedding receptions, and birthday celebrations with a fun and casual vibe.	Eastcheap Records is an industrial-chic bar in central London, known for live music, DJ sets, and excellent cocktails. Perfect for lively parties, with a dance floor, PA system, and flexible music options.
Booking costs	from £250 minimum spend / per session	from £1500 minimum spend / per day	from £1500 minimum spend / per day
Capacity	22 guests seating, 30 standing	150 standing	70 guests seating, 150 standing
Location	Spitalfields, London	Fitzrovia, London	Tower Hill, London
What users say	‘Private bathroom, private bar area, cocktails were brilliant. All guests had a lovely time...’	‘The basement is spacious and had everything you could need including a private toilet, cloakroom and bar.’	‘Great venue and DJ was awesome in the night. Would defo host another private party at the backstage...’

Bars with Private Rooms for Hire in London

FAQs about Top Bars with Function Rooms in London

How much does it cost to book bars with function rooms in London?

Booking costs of bars with private rooms average £800 minimum spend per event. Costs vary depending on guest capacity, popularity, location, and amenities like sound systems or bar services. Extra charges may apply for custom catering, decor, or event planning services. Packages with add-ons, such as DJs, photo booths, or other entertainment services, can also increase the overall cost. Check out the typical price ranges in London, based on Tagvenue data:

Prices of bars with private rooms in London as of September, 2026
From £500	to £1500	minimum spend per event
From £125	to £500	hire fee per event
From £100	to £400	hire fee per day

What are the top bars with private spaces available in London?

Based on the popularity and user ratings on Tagvenue (updated September 2026), the best options include:

The Downstairs Cocktail Bar at LOCKES Bar Covent Garden in Holborn - rated 4.9/5
Our user said: ‘Fantastic space for a private party with your own bar.’
The JubJub at Callooh Callay Shoreditch in Shoreditch - rated 4.8/5
Our user said: ‘Great Food, Great drinks, dedicated bar staff. really nice space for an intimate party...’
Shanghai Lounge at 68&SHANGHAI in Spitalfields - rated 4.8/5
Our user said: ‘The private room was amazing! The perfect size for the party.’

What are the typical capacities of bars with event rooms in London?

You'll find bars with private rooms in various sizes, from smaller spots to larger venues; keep in mind that the type of space and your chosen layout will affect the capacity! Below you can see the typical venue sizes in London, together with the standard prices in each size range, based on Tagvenue data (September 2026):

Small	up to 50 guests	prices average £600 minimum spend per event
Medium	between 80 and 100 guests	prices average £750 minimum spend per event
Large	over 135 guests	prices average £1000 minimum spend per event

What are some private bar rooms close to Central London?

These are the venues within 1 mi from Central London, available to book on Tagvenue:

The Lower Deck at Tamesis Dock on Albert Embankmemt - 0.3 mi from centre.
Our user said: ‘Absolutely brilliant. Great space, sound, nice toilets, ace view and easy to get to.’
The Leopard Room at BBAR on 43 Buckingham Palace Road - 0.7 mi from centre.
Venue said: The room has natural daylight, air conditioning, a sound system, and a TV, making it easy to customize the ambience. It’s a great private event space in central London year-round.
Circe's Corner at Circe's Rooftop Waterloo on 117 Waterloo Road - 1 mi from centre.
Venue said: With multiple terraces and private hire options, our venue is designed to accommodate everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations. Whether you're hosting a corporate event, private party, or milestone...

What events can you host at private bar rooms in London?

In London, bars with private rooms are most commonly booked for 30 to 80 guests. Here are some popular kinds of events people have hosted at these spaces on Tagvenue, as of September 2026:

Party	Usually between £1,000 and £2,500.	User who booked The Games Room at Heist Bank for 30 guests said: ‘Great private space for an intimate party. The staff were fantastic from booking to end.’
Birthday Party	Usually between £750 and £2,500.	User who booked The Boudoir Bar at Bar Soho for 60 guests said: ‘Awesome location, amazing staff, very reasonable min spend. Was the perfect venue for my birthday party.’
Christmas Party	Usually between £1,500 and £4,700.	User who booked Whole Venue at Prosecco House for 40 guests said: ‘Perfect size for our group of around 40 people. It was a great Christmas Party, definitely recommend!’
Engagement Party	Usually between £1,500 and £3,000.	User who booked Basement Bar at The Oxford Market for 80 guests said: ‘Everyone had such an amazing time and I can’t wait to book for our next party...’
Drinks Reception	Usually between £550 and £2,300.	User who booked Cellar Bar at The King's Head Pub for 100 guests said: ‘Thanks to the friendly customer service, the event was a great success. We would use this Bar again.’

How early should I book a bar with a private room in London?

Book as soon as your date, group size and budget are confirmed, especially if you need a particular room or a Friday or Saturday. Availability varies by venue and date, so check live availability for your preferred spaces rather than relying on a fixed booking window.

What is the dress code for a private bar in London?

It varies by venue, so check when you book. A private room or whole-venue booking may still be subject to the bar's dress code or entry policy. If you want guests to follow a particular dress code for your event, confirm this with the venue in advance.

Where can I find private bar rooms near central London?

Look around Whitehall, Victoria Embankment and South Bank for private bar spaces close to central London. Current Tagvenue options include The Vault Bar at Walkers of Whitehall, 0.9 miles from the centre, the Entire Venue at Clipper Lounge on Victoria Embankment, 1 mile away, and The Drawing Room at BFI Southbank, 1.1 miles away.

Can I bring my own drinks to keep costs down?

Some bars allow BYO alcohol, though a corkage fee may apply. Use the BYO alcohol filter to find suitable spaces, then check the venue's corkage charge and drinks policy before booking. If your main goal is simply to spend less, also compare lower minimum-spend venues and different types of private space.

Tagvenue team

Your Guide to Hiring Bars with Private Rooms in London

Private area, private room or whole bar — which should you book?

It depends on how much privacy you need and how many people you are hosting. Tagvenue lets you filter by four area types, ranging from a reserved section of a shared bar to exclusive hire of the whole venue.

Area type	What you get	Best for	A verified example
Semi-private area	A reserved area within a shared bar, separated or set aside for your group but not completely private.	Casual drinks and groups that don't need complete privacy	Reserve an area rather than a whole room, such as a window area at LOCKES Bar Covent Garden – up to 20 people, from £20 per person
Private space (private room)	A separate room reserved exclusively for your group; facilities vary by venue.	Birthdays, work socials and parties that want privacy from the main bar	The Boudoir Bar at Bar Soho — up to 100 people, from £250 minimum spend
Whole venue	Exclusive use of the entire bar.	Larger groups or events where complete privacy matters	Louie's at Red Dog Saloon Hoxton — up to 180 people, from £1,000 minimum spend
Private outdoor space	A garden, terrace or rooftop section.	Outdoor drinks, summer parties and informal receptions	The Garden Room at TOLA, Peckham — up to 150 people, from £400 hire fee

The main trade-off is privacy versus how much space you need. A semi-private area keeps your group together while sharing the wider venue; a private room separates you from other customers; and whole-venue hire means the bar is exclusively yours. Check the individual venue page for facilities such as a private bar, toilets, music and outdoor access.

What size space do you need for your group?

Match the room to your headcount and planned layout. London bars offer everything from compact private rooms for smaller groups to larger function spaces and whole-bar hire for 150 guests or more.

Group size	Space to consider	Verified example
Up to 30 people	Compact private room or bar	Peony Bar at Opium Chinatown — up to 30 people, from £350 minimum spend
Around 30 - 50 people	Private room or basement bar	The Games Room at Heist Bank, Paddington — up to 50 people, from £550 minimum spend
Around 50-80 people	Larger private room or function space	Captain's Quarters at Rhum Tavern — up to 80 people, from £250 minimum spend
Around 80 to 120 people	Large private room or dedicated event space	The Boudoir Bar at Bar Soho — up to 100 people, from £250 minimum spend
150+ people	Large function space or whole-bar fire	The Vault Bar at Walkers of Whitehall — up to 300 people, from £1,500 minimum spend

Capacity alone does not determine the price. Compare the actual minimum spend or hire fee for suitable rooms rather than assuming a larger space will always cost more. Check the capacity for your planned layout too, as a venue may list different limits for seated and standing events.

Choose a bar that suits the occasion

Match the bar style to the occasion, then check the facilities and restrictions that matter for your event.

Occasion	Space type to look for	What to check	A verified example
Milestone birthday	Private room or basement bar	Private bar, music or DJ policy, space for dancing, decoration rules	Basement Bar at Coin Laundry, Clerkenwell — up to 60 people, from £500 minimum spend
After-work drinks	Semi-private area or cocktail bar near a convenient station	Travel connections, minimum spend, finish time	The Downstairs Cocktail Bar at LOCKES, Covent Garden — up to 150 people, from £1,500 minimum spend
Drinks reception or dinner	Private dining room or private bar space	Catering options, drinks packages, seated and standing capacity	Anise Bar at Cinnamon Kitchen, Spitalfields — up to 150 people, from £1,500 minimum spend
Lively party with music	Private party room or whole-bar hire	DJ/live music policy, sound system, dance space, finish time or curfew	Ninth Ward London, Farringdon — up to 140 people, from £2,500 minimum spend (whole venue)
Games or activity night	Games/activities included, equipment, group capacity and any extra charges	What's included, equipment, group capacity, extra charges	The Games Room at Heist Bank, Paddington — up to 50 people, from £550 minimum spend

What is included in a bar hire and what should you check before booking?

What comes with the room varies by venue, so confirm the essentials before you book:

Total cost and minimum spend: confirm the minimum spend or hire fee, and exactly what counts towards it — drinks only, or food as well.
Food and drinks: check whether the venue provides catering, allows external catering or permits BYO food or alcohol. If you plan to bring alcohol, ask whether corkage applies.
Private bar: if you want a bar inside the room rather than access to the venue's main bar, check whether the space has its own bar and whether it will be staffed throughout your booking.
Music and entertainment: check whether you can play your own music, bring a DJ, or use in-house karaoke or AV, and whether a sound system is provided.
Timings and curfew: confirm your access time, finish time and any noise curfew.
Accessibility: check step-free access, accessible toilets and lifts where needed, and confirm any essential requirements directly with the venue.
Deposit and cancellation: confirm whether a deposit is required, when payment is due and what happens if you cancel or change the booking.

Use Tagvenue's filters to narrow the search before you enquire, including options for BYO alcohol, playing your own music, venue catering and wheelchair accessibility. Then confirm any essential requirements directly with the venue.

Tips:

Decor and Atmosphere: Tailor the decor to immerse your guests fully in the theme. Use lighting, music, and visual elements to transform the space.
Custom Menus: Collaborate with the bar's mixologists to create bespoke cocktails that align with your theme. Similarly, themed food menus can add an extra layer of immersion.
Interactive Elements: Engage your guests with themed activities or entertainment that complements the theme. Whether it's a quiz, a live performance, or a dress-up competition, interactive elements can elevate the experience.
Local Partnerships: Partner with local artists, performers, and suppliers to add authenticity to your theme and support the community.

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Verified Reviews of Bars with Private Rooms in London

Rikesh N.

Verified review

Booked Sunset Area at Sugar Cane

5.0

I was looking for an affordable venue in London to celebrate my 30th birthday. This was a challenge as all of the venues I looked at and was interested in had a minimum spend of £1,500 and up, which was very out of budget. However I am so happy I found Sugar Cane as it was in a good location with transport links for my guests. I had an area that accommodated for around 50 guests seated and standing. Myself and my guests had an incredible time. The drinks were great quality and with a range of flavors. Though i didn’t eat, my guests enjoyed the food available. The staff in the venue were exceptionally friendly which added to the vibe of the night. I would highly recommend this venue if you are looking to have a space for an event that isn’t excluded from the rest of the venue. I paid a deposit of £50, which i was able to use to buy myself drinks. Great value for money!

Kavitha L.

Verified review

Booked The Downstairs Cocktail Bar at LOCKES Bar Covent Garden

5.0

The venue was perfect for my event. Staff were absolutely amazing, flexible and kind. Staff were so helpful throughout and I didn't worry about a thing. Having your own bar staff is such a benefit and the bartender at the end of the night really made sure we didn't waste a drop of wine! The air conditioning made the experience really enjoyable as well. I would highly recommend this venue to anyone looking to plan a party.

Jessica T.

Verified review

Booked The Underground Speakeasy at Apples & Pears

5.0

Wow what an amazing venue! Kim was phenomenal in the lead up to the party. The bar staff (Mo and Julia I believe) were stand out! We had a themed party and both bartenders were fully engaged and excited about the theme. Every guest said how amazing the bartenders were throughout the night - friendly, engaged, and made some of the best cocktails! I could not recommend this venue enough. I am so happy we decided to choose Apples & Pears - it was the best birthday yet!

Kitty T.

Verified review

Booked The KingPin Suite at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes & The Kingpin Suite

5.0

Absolutely fantastic place to hold your event! I love that there are different sections for people to interact. All of the games were included in the price which is so good! The service was impeccable from start to finish - Natalie was great putting together a package for me and making sure all details were sent to the venue in advance. The manager on the night along with all his staff were so friendly and attentive. They have a ton of experience with events which made me feel really relaxed! We will definitely be booking again next year for this event.

Ann-Marie

Verified review

Booked The Downstairs Cocktail Bar at LOCKES Bar Covent Garden

4.6

Held my 40th birthday on the ground floor, reserving the area by the window. It was a bit of a tight squeeze for 20 people, but the bar, drinks and food were great. I booked 2 weeks before the date and Steve was really responsive and did a video tour of the bar and the area I could reserve. As I’d never been to the bar before this was really really helpful. Lots of positive comments from my friends on the bar, atmosphere and food. Cocktails were delicious!

Ella M.

Verified review

Booked Main Bar Room at Ninth Ward London

5.0

Rus was amazing in helping me organise everything as I booked for my birthday with about 20 people, especially when I was asking lots of questions. The venue was absolutely perfect and an amazing location. Very chill music and the bathrooms are also really clean and spacious. All my friends loved the bar and one even said it was his new favourite place in London because it was such a relaxed environment.

Calvin H.

Verified review

Booked Whole Venue at 28West

4.8

Thank you to all at Bar 28West. We had the most amazing wedding reception and your staff were brilliantly attentive to our needs. I wouldn’t hesitate to have another party at this fantastally situated venue. Calvin.

Natasha

Verified review

Booked Drawing Room at Pennethorne's Bar at Somerset House

5.0

Everything about this experience was great - from negotiating the package of food and drinks to order, to responsive communication, accommodating question before hand, to the actual evening event. The space is stylish, intimate and the staff were lovely and attentive. All our guests were blown away by such a central, culturally interesting location (and we were surprised how reasonable the evening and costs were). Can't recommend the space enough.

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Page last updated in September 2026

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