A function room with dark wood floors, large windows, metal chairs, and a stage with a star backdrop at Star by Hackney Downs.
A function room in a pub with long tables set for a party, pink chairs, bunting, and a light-up star at Star by Hackney Downs.
A function room with wooden floors, mismatched chairs, and a large illuminated star on stage at Star by Hackney Downs.
A function room in a pub with turquoise drink tubs filled with bottled beers and champagne on ice at Star by Hackney Downs.

The Big Top at Star by Hackney Downs

Function Room in a Pub
·
Private space
85 Queensdown Road, London, E5 8NN –
Hackney Downs Station (0.3 mi)
Up to 30
seats
Up to 70
standing
Venue offers catering
External catering not allowed

About this space

The Big Top is a Function Room in the Star by Hackney Downs pub, defined by high ceilings and large sash windows that fill the space with natural light.

Design: The room has dark-painted walls, exposed white ceiling beams and wide, worn wooden floorboards that give a robust, informal character. The layout is tall and open, and a disco ball and tall windows provide daylight and evening ambience.

Features: A built-in PA system and speaker setup supports DJs and playlists. Wi‑Fi is available and the room permits guests to supply their own DJ or music. Movable tables, benches and metal folding chairs allow layouts for seated dining or an open floor for dancing, and mobile bar carts can be positioned for drinks service.

Ideal for: Friends and local groups seeking a relaxed, social gathering for a seated meal or a DJ-led reception.

What sets it apart: A small raised performance area is framed by an oversized illuminated star backdrop and stage-style lighting.

What guests say: The space is eclectic and visually distinctive, reflecting the pub's fairground-inspired décor. The atmosphere is friendly and social.

Usually booked for

Birthday Party

Typically for 55-65 guests and costs about £1,000.

"Staff on the night and in the lead up to the event we're friendly and helpful."

- Emma E. Jul 2026

Offers and packages

Menu

 Main menu
Main menu

Prices

Monday
16:00 – 23:00
from £100 hire fee per day
Per day
16:00 – 23:00
from £100 hire fee per day
Per day
16:00 – 23:00
from £500 min. spend
Alcohol licence until 1:00. All prices include VAT.
Tuesday
16:00 – 23:00
from £100 hire fee per day
Per day
16:00 – 23:00
from £100 hire fee per day
Per day
16:00 – 23:00
from £500 min. spend
Alcohol licence until 1:00. All prices include VAT.
Wednesday
16:00 – 23:00
from £100 hire fee per day
Per day
16:00 – 23:00
from £100 hire fee per day
Per day
16:00 – 23:00
from £500 min. spend
Alcohol licence until 1:00. All prices include VAT.
Thursday
16:00 – 23:00
from £100 hire fee per day
Per day
16:00 – 23:00
from £100 hire fee per day
Per day
16:00 – 23:00
from £500 min. spend
Alcohol licence until 1:00. All prices include VAT.
Friday
16:00 – 23:00
from £150 hire fee per day
Per day
16:00 – 23:00
from £150 hire fee per day
Per day
16:00 – 23:00
from £500 min. spend
Alcohol licence until 1:00. All prices include VAT.
Saturday
18:00 – 1:00
from £250 hire fee per day
Per day
18:00 – 1:00
from £250 hire fee per day
Per day
18:00 – 1:00
from £500 min. spend
Alcohol licence until 1:00. All prices include VAT.
Sunday
12:00 – 16:00
from £100 hire fee per day
Per day
12:00 – 16:00
from £100 hire fee per day
Per day
12:00 – 16:00
from £500 min. spend
Alcohol licence until 1:00. All prices include VAT.
Best price guarantee

Capacity

Standing
up to 70
Dining
up to 30

Catering and drinks

In-house catering available Venue can organise food and drink
American cuisine
No external catering allowed
Venue provides alcohol Venue can supply alcoholic beverages
No BYO alcohol allowed

Facilities

Wi-Fi available
Projector
PA system / speakers Venue provides a sound system for music and announcements
Natural light Room has windows or a skylight, so daylight comes in
Lighting equipment Professional lighting equipment for photography and filming
Restroom
Bar games
Unavailable: Flatscreen TV
Unavailable: Whiteboard
Unavailable: Flipchart
Unavailable: Conference call facilities
Unavailable: Air conditioner
Unavailable: Storage space
Unavailable: Quiet space
Unavailable: Accommodation is available on-site
Unavailable: Parking available

Music & sound equipment

Play your own music Venue allows playing your own music
Bring your own DJ Venue allows bringing your own DJ instead
No noise restrictions

Accessibility

Unavailable: Accessible toilets
Unavailable: Ground level
Unavailable: Accessible parking spot available
Unavailable: Lift to all floors
Unavailable: Cargo lift
Unavailable: Wheelchair accessible

Rules of the space

Allowed events

Promoted and ticketed events Events that you’re promoting or selling tickets for
No wedding licence
No Temporary Event Notices (TENs) available

Age policy

Guests under 18 are not allowed after 20:00

Host rules

No glitter or confetti
No outside catering
No external alcohol
No smoking in the building
Under 18s are allowed in venue until 8pm
Dog Friendly
Dogs allowed

Cancellation policy: Custom

Show cancellation details

Reviews and ratings

(12 reviews and ratings - )

Verified reviews come from Tagvenue users. All reviews are checked by our team to uphold our trust and safety standards.
EE
Emma E.
Verified review
Birthday Party · 60 guests · July 2026
Staff on the night and in the lead up to the event we're friendly and helpful. On the evening staff were responsive, relaxed and easy to communicate with.
Nothing, everything was as expected for a good knees up in the pub
4.4
ED
Efthymia-Mari D.
Verified review
50th Birthday Party · 40 guests · October 2025
Everyone was very friendly and helpful. I had a great 50 th celebration it felt like I was at home.
No complaints
4.8
BT
Barry T.
Verified review
Pub · 50 guests · January 2025
Great venue, great karaoke room, all round great experience!
5.0
JZ
Jessica Z.
Verified review
Excellent communication
5.0

FAQ

No, clients would not have control over the music in the Games Room, but the Pink Room is available and is a private space.

The space comes equipped with a private bar, toilets, small stage, projector and a sound system you can plug into.

Yes, you would need to bring your DJ equipment, but it plugs straight into the speakers.

No, I don't have a video, I'm afraid. There are lots of pics on our website, though.

About Star by Hackney Downs

Star by Hackney Downs is a Trusted Tagvenue Partner, validated by the Tagvenue team with a record of successful bookings on the platform.

Location

Location map

Meet your host

Lilli Harris
Member of Tagvenue since August 2023
12 Reviews
4.7 Rating
4h Response time
99% Response rate

Contact venue managers directly on Tagvenue. Keep all event communication on the platform for a secure, seamless booking.

UK > London > East London > Hackney Borough > Star by Hackney Downs > The Big Top

Similar spaces

The Back Room
from £200
minimum spend / per afternoon
Function Room in a Pub
Private space
30
60
The Three Johns
(21)
Angel Station
Angel, London
Tasting room
from £350
minimum spend / per day
Event Space in a Railway Arch
Private space
40
50
Hiver Taproom
(47)
Bermondsey Station
Bermondsey, London
Supervenue badge #Supervenue
Private Bar & Dining Room
from £350
minimum spend / per afternoon
Dining Room in a Restaurant
Private space
42
65
Si Hombre! Was…BLACK PIG WITH WHITE PEARLS
(13)
Rectory Road Station
Stoke Newington, London
Function Room
from £250
hire fee / per session
Function Room in a Pub
Semi-private area
15
50
Watson's Telegraph
(3)
Dulwich, London
The Flat
from £150
hire fee / per session
Bar in a Pub
Private space
70
70
The Old Blue Last
(6)
Old Street Station
Shoreditch, London
La Saletta
from £300
minimum spend / per session
Function Room in a Pub
Private space
35
70
The Pembroke Castle, Primrose Hill
(15)
Chalk Farm Station
Primrose Hill, London
Supervenue badge #Supervenue
Full Venue Hire
from £1000
hire fee / per day
Cocktail Bar
Whole venue
25
75
The Last Tuesday Society
Bethnal Green Station
Hackney, London
The Speakeasy Indoor
from £150
hire fee / per hour
Bar
Private space
60
100
The Speakeasy
Dalston Kingsland Station
Dalston, London
Gloucester Room
from £250
hire fee / per morning
Function Room in a Pub
Private space
40
70
The Lansdowne Pub & Dining Room
(15)
Chalk Farm Station
Primrose Hill, London
Supervenue badge #Supervenue
The Den
from £300
minimum spend / per session
Cocktail Bar in a Bar
Private space
20
60
Ballie Ballerson
(47)
Old Street Station
Shoreditch, London