Private bars in London average around £750 minimum spend per event, ranging from about £500 to £1,500, or roughly £17 to £70 per person. Take a semi-private area to keep costs down, or hire a whole bar exclusively for full privacy. Choose cocktail bars, pubs, rooftops, karaoke rooms or dedicated private rooms for birthdays, after-work drinks, corporate events or a date. Compare prices and pictures before booking your perfect venue.
Based on Tagvenue’s data, as of September 2026, here’s an overview of some of the best spaces you can book for your event in London:
Backstage at Eastcheap Records
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The Downstairs Cocktail Bar at LOCKES Bar Covent Garden
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Basement Bar at The Oxford Market
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| Space type | Bar | Bar in a Cocktail Bar | Bar in a Restaurant |
| Venue | 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. | Cocktail bar on Great Queen Street, just minutes from Covent Garden, with a split-level space featuring seasonal cocktails, over 30 wines, and delicious pizzas. Ideal for birthdays, team gatherings, or private parties, with a downstairs bar, dance floor, and options for DJs or custom music. | 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. |
| Booking costs | from £1500 minimum spend / per day | from £1000 minimum spend / per session | from £1500 minimum spend / per day |
| Capacity | 70 guests seating, 150 standing | 25 guests seating, 150 standing | 150 standing |
| Location | Tower Hill, London | Holborn, London | Fitzrovia, London |
| What users say | ‘A massive thank you to eastcheap records! Bar staff, management and bouncers were so friendly and helpful.’ | ‘Fantastic space for a private party with your own bar. Amazing bar staff who made the best cocktails.’ | ‘We loved that the venue had a private entrance, bar and cloakroom/toilet facilities.’ |
Booking costs of private bars 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 £200 | to £500 | hire fee per event |
| From £17 | to £120 | per person |
Based on the popularity and user ratings on Tagvenue (updated September 2026), the best options include:
Backstage at Eastcheap Records
in Tower Hill - rated 4.9/5
Our user said: ‘A massive thank you to eastcheap records! Bar staff, management and bouncers were so friendly and helpful.’
The Boudoir Bar at Bar Soho
in Soho - rated 4.9/5
Our user said: ‘Private Bar, our own sound system, away from the public and just a great space.’
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. Amazing bar staff who made the best cocktails.’
You'll find private bars 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 60 guests | prices average £700 minimum spend per event |
| Medium | between 80 and 100 guests | prices average £700 minimum spend per event |
| Large | over 150 guests | prices average £1500 minimum spend per event |
These are the venues within 1.2 mi from Central London, available to book on Tagvenue:
In London, private bars are most commonly booked for 30 to 85 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 £800 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 £1,900 and £5,000. |
User who booked Whole Venue at Prosecco House for 40 guests
said: ‘Service was amazing and so were the food and drinks. Great location.’ |
| 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 £650 and £2,500. |
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.’ |
Shoreditch remains a hotspot for unique vibes, offering hip venues like The JubJub at Callooh Callay Shoreditch near Old Street Station and the iconic, multi-level Queen of Hoxton. For those with a taste for vintage-style cocktail bars, head to Camden Town, where you'll find private spaces like the chic Studio48 Bar & Kitchen. Prefer a laid-back atmosphere with plenty of opportunities to dance. Brixton is your go-to destination. Whatever your party style, London has a quirky spot to match!
Yes, many bars with private spaces in London offer the option to bring your own alcohol (BYO) for your event. When browsing for the perfect venue on platforms like Tagvenue, you can easily filter your search to find bars that allow BYO alcohol. However, keep in mind that some venues may charge a corkage fee for bringing your own drinks, so it's a good idea to confirm any potential charges in advance. This way, you can plan your budget accordingly and avoid surprises on your event's day.
Many London bars have no upfront hire fee, instead they set a minimum spend, meaning you commit to spending a set amount on food and drinks. Ask what it includes (room, staff, basic AV, sometimes food and drink) and check for extras like security or late-night licensing.
It depends on the mood you want — a drinks-led night, a relaxed pub, a rooftop with a view, or somewhere hidden and intimate. Here is a quick guide to the main types, what to expect, and typical minimum spend. Select any type to explore that collection.
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Type |
Best for |
What to expect |
Min spend from / to |
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A drinks-led celebration, |
Expert mixology, semi-private areas or |
£500 to £1,500 |
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A relaxed, classic British |
Gastro pubs with private dining |
£250 to £1,300 |
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Views and a sense of occasion |
Terraces and skyline lounges; |
£1,500 to £8,000 |
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A fun, private group night |
Private karaoke dens with song |
£400 to £1,500 |
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Private parties, celebrations, |
Private rooms with own service bar |
£500 to £1,500 |
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Corporate and group events |
Food, drinks, and interactive |
£500 to £1,500 |
Each area has its own bar scene, and all are well served by the tube. Here are the top areas to consider:
Hidden bars are one of the most-searched types with secret entrances, password doors and underground rooms. Most are open to the public, and some, especially in Soho and Shoreditch, can be hired privately for a group. This is different from a members' club: no membership needed, just a booking.
Check out our top picks:
For more, see how to score the best deal at a London bar.
Page last updated in September 2026
To provide you with relevant information, our pages are refreshed using an algorithm that aggregates real-time data, including bookings, reviews, and venue updates.