Find your Summer Party Venue in London

Want to make the most of the English summer by soaking up the sun outdoors and creating fun memories with family and friends? Don’t sweat it! This year, you can beat the heat with our top tips and tricks for a summer party that steals the show. From laid-back movie nights under the stars to outdoor team-building activities, we have plenty of ideas for warm-weather entertaining and events.

Celebrating the sunshine and blue-sky days by hosting a chic summer party? You’re in the right place – #tagvenue can’t wait to help you plan your ultimate outdoor fiesta. Whether you’re looking to hire a boat for an unforgettable cruise along the Thames or you need to find a pop-up space for a summer food truck festival, we’re here to lend a helping hand.

The summer is short, so you may as well take advantage of the season while you can. When it comes to choosing a venue, make sure to pick an outdoor space or somewhere with picture-perfect views that’ll provide a pretty backdrop for your event. And remember, the great British summer is a little unpredictable, so always make sure you have a plan B for wet weather.

Planning to take the party outside but aren’t quite sure where to start? Al fresco entertaining is a whole lot easier with our smart venue search engine. Just let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll do the legwork for you. From stylish sky bars in central London where you can enjoy cocktails in the clouds, to laid-back beer gardens in Camden where the closing time is always late, we can recommend something to fit your individual requirements.

Perhaps you’re after a venue with indoor and outdoor spaces so guests can continue to celebrate well into the evening, even as the temperature outside begins to drop. Or maybe you’re on the hunt for an effortlessly glam rooftop space for the best sunset views the city has to offer. No matter what you’ve got in mind, getting your friends together for a no-stress summer shindig is a snap with #tagvenue’s expert venue recommendations.

When it comes to turning an outdoor space into a stylish spot for entertaining, don’t stress. Gorgeous scenery and beautiful natural landscapes mean that you can embrace a less-is-more approach when it comes to decorating. That being said, there’s a considerable amount of legwork and orchestration that goes into planning an al fresco celebration.

Planning ahead is a must whether you're organising a street party, stylish soiree or laid-back BBQ with mates, so book your summer party venue ahead of time, make sure the drinks are on ice and don’t forget your sunscreen. You can relax and soak up the sun while #tagvenue does the hard work for you.

Tips and tricks for an effortless summer party:

• send out your save-the-dates ASAP as summer is the height of the travel season and many of your guests will be going away

• consider whether to provide a dress code (like smart casual, cocktail attire or shorts and flip-flops encouraged)

• think about whether you’d like your event to be informal, as parties held in summer are usually more relaxed than events held at other times of the year

• decide whether you’d like to host a fun, themed event (fiesta, luau, beach party, pool party and Wimbledon tennis party are all popular options)

• mix up your drink offerings by serving sangria, punch or boozy ice pops, or by filling colourful buckets with ice and assorted bottled drinks, so people can help themselves (and remember to take care of designated drivers and non-drinkers by serving some tasty non-alcoholic juices or mocktails as well)

• on warm days, opt for simple fare – refreshing summer cocktails and bite-size appetisers, like smoked salmon crostini and mini sliders, are ideal (don’t forget that lighter, non-creamy food and drinks reduce the risk of spoilage)

• an umbrella provides shade and helps to define an outdoor dining area

• don’t use tablecloths if you think there’s going to be a breeze

• encourage guests to mingle by setting up drinks and dessert tables in separate areas

• beat the bugs by covering appetisers with pretty glass domes and cake stand covers, and by having mosquito repellent on hand for your guests

When hiring a summer party venue, make sure to consider:

• your budget (know where you can splash out and where you can make savings)

• the venue’s location (north, south, east or west London) and accessibility (on-site parking, public transport connections)

• time of the event (do you need to plan it after the hottest part of the day so the sun won’t be so strong for your guests?)

• lighting (decorative paper lanterns, solar-powered lights or strings of fairy lights all work well)

• air-conditioning (if you’re planning an indoor event, be sure to consider your guests’ comfort)

• the sound system (prepare a playlist in advance (check out a summer party mix on YouTube if you’re short on ideas) and make sure the volume’s not too loud on the day)

• entertainment options (don’t forget to speak to the venue manager about what you have in mind, whether it’s hiring a band or setting up a photo booth)

• the best time to set up (check whether it’s possible to set up in the morning or the night before when it’s cooler – the process will be faster and you won’t have to worry about heat exhaustion)

• any cancellation fees

Summer party mistakes to avoid:

• leaving food out in the sun (food safety should be a key consideration when the weather is warm)

• not providing enough shade

• serving more alcohol than water (be sure to offer water and other non-alcoholic beverages throughout the event, so guests don’t get dehydrated)

• leaving flowers in the sun for too long (if you’re worried about wilting centrepieces, choose hardy summer flowers that will last for the duration of the event)

• not having a contingency plan for bad weather