Unusual Meeting Venues In London: Consult The Experts

London offers a wide array of venues for business meetings. However many conferences, parties and networking events can be pretty samey, featuring the same decorations, food and – depending on your line of work – people. By booking a more unusual type of venue, you can rest assured that your guests will be left talking about your event for months after it has ended. In this article, we look at some of the most unconventional meeting venues in London.

1. The Science Museum

Situated in the heart of South Kensington, the Science Museum offers unique spaces where technology, history, and innovation meet. From the IMAX Theatre to interactive galleries, this venue adds an educational twist to any meeting. Holding an event in such a dynamic environment can fuel creativity and spark discussion.

2. Shoreditch Treehouse

For those looking for a cosy, informal atmosphere, the Shoreditch Treehouse is a hidden gem. A large, open-plan loft filled with plants, fairy lights, and musical instruments, this venue feels more like an artist’s studio than a typical meeting space. Suitable for smaller, intimate gatherings or brainstorming sessions, this venue allows participants to relax and engage on a more personal level.

3. The Postal Museum

Looking for a meeting with a historical twist? The Postal Museum, located near Farringdon, provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of London’s postal system. But the real highlight is the Mail Rail, a subterranean train network that once carried mail under the city. This space is not just a conversation starter—holding meetings in the museum’s Mail Rail depot offers a striking mix of history and novelty. It’s great for teams that need a change of pace – the venue is quirky but functional, providing ample space for presentations and team-building exercises.

4. Buffini Chao Deck

Located within the National Theatre on London’s South Bank, it offers an exceptional and unusual venue for meetings and events. Situated on the rooftop of this iconic cultural landmark, the Buffini Chao Deck boasts stunning panoramic views of the Thames, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the London skyline, creating a breathtaking backdrop for any gathering. The space itself is modern and versatile, with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the room with natural light, making it perfect for corporate meetings, networking events, or creative workshops.

5. Bounce – The Home of Ping Pong

Sometimes, all a meeting needs is a little playfulness to get the creative juices flowing. Bounce, located in Holborn and Old Street, offers a mix of meeting spaces and ping pong tables, allowing for both formal discussions and informal team bonding. This venue is ideal for companies looking to mix business with pleasure. Interactive elements like ping pong add a fun and relaxed dynamic to meetings and it helps break the ice and fosters team interaction, which can lead to more productive and meaningful conversations.

6. The Shard – Shangri-La Hotel

For those seeking breathtaking views to complement their high-level discussions, the Shangri-La Hotel in The Shard is an ideal choice. Located on the 34th to 52nd floors of the iconic London skyscraper, meeting spaces here come with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views of the city. While the venue is undeniably luxurious, the atmosphere remains professional and well-suited for important presentations or client meetings.

7. Wilton’s Music Hall

As one of the world’s oldest surviving music halls, Wilton’s Music Hall in East London offers a distinctive and historic setting for meetings. Its eclectic mix of Victorian charm and modern facilities makes it a popular choice for companies looking to infuse character into their events. The open, flexible space can be adapted for anything from presentations to informal discussions.

8. The London Transport Museum

Another fascinating and unusual meeting venue in London is the London Transport Museum, located in Covent Garden. Offering a range of event spaces amidst historical exhibits of the city’s iconic transport history, this venue provides a unique backdrop for meetings, presentations, and networking events. Guests can host their meetings in the museum’s galleries, surrounded by vintage buses, trams, and underground trains, or in the sleek Cubic Theatre, which offers state-of-the-art audiovisual facilities.

Why Choose an Unusual Venue?

Choosing an unconventional meeting venue can have a number of benefits beyond simply impressing clients or colleagues. According to experts in event planning, these spaces can:

• Stimulate Creativity: Changing the physical environment can help participants break out of routine thinking. A new setting encourages fresh ideas and perspectives.
• Improve Engagement: Attendees are more likely to be engaged and participative when the venue is exciting and different from the norm.
• Foster Collaboration: Unusual venues often promote a more relaxed atmosphere, which can break down barriers between team members and encourage collaboration.
• Create Lasting Memories: A meeting in an extraordinary venue is more likely to be remembered, which is particularly important when the goal is to leave an impression on clients or motivate employees.

Expert Tips for Choosing an Unusual Venue

• Understand Your Audience: Make sure the venue aligns with the company culture and the purpose of the meeting. For example, a creative brainstorming session might thrive in a casual, artsy venue, while a high-stakes client meeting might require a more professional atmosphere.
• Plan for Logistics: Consider the technical aspects, such as Wi-Fi, AV equipment, and accessibility. Just because a venue is unusual doesn’t mean it should sacrifice functionality.
• Think About the Experience: The venue should complement the message or theme of the meeting. If your goal is to encourage out-of-the-box thinking, choose a venue that reflects that mindset.

Unusual > Boring

To take advantage of our team’s extensive experience and knowledge of unusual meeting venues, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Whatever the type of unusual venue you’re looking for, we can pretty much guarantee we’ll have one available that’ll amaze both you and your guests.