15 Cool Office Christmas Party Ideas
HAVE A FESTIVE FEAST HERE: Soane’s Kitchen
The team behind top London caterers Social Pantry has launched a selection of feasting menus for the festive period. Ealing restaurant Soane’s Kitchen will be serving up three courses, complete with sharing platters for the table to share as a main course: guests can choose between sirloin steak, roasted duck or a Persian squash and pistachio roast with all the trimmings. Make sure to leave room for decadent dessert (we love its white chocolate and cranberry bread and butter pudding) and don’t miss out on its festive cocktails – make ours a ‘Bourbon Butter Beer’.
Walpole Park, Ealing, W5 5EQ
Visit SoanesKitchen.co.uk
WATCH A FILM HERE: Berkeley Winter Cinema
The Berkeley’s rooftop garden has been transformed into a forest cinema. Wrapped in blankets and armed with hot water bottles, guests will enjoy two cult festive classics daily: Home Alone followed by The Holiday. Dishes on offer throughout the screenings include truffle macaroni cheese; spiced beef hot dogs; cheese fondue and a truffle-topped potato rosti. Mulled wine will be served on arrival and the Laurent-Perrier team will be on hand to pour a trio of champagnes for a final flourish of festive glamour.
Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL
Visit The-Berkeley.co.uk
HAVE A FESTIVE FEAST HERE: Wright Bros
Seafood and oyster specialist Wright Brothers is offering a sit-down seafood feast or festive drinks and canapé reception for group get-togethers at its restaurants in Soho, Spitalfields, Battersea Power Station and South Kensington. With a variety of seasonal menus available, guests can enjoy a tempting selection of sharing-style dishes or an indulgent four-course menu in the restaurant’s individual private dining rooms.
Various locations
Visit TheWrightBrothers.co.uk
GET ON THE EXPRESSO MARTINIS HERE: Grind
Famed for its coffee and cocktails, Grind has launched two menus to suit different party styles: the classic Christmas menu, a sit-down affair serving the likes of chicken parfait with beetroot chutney and pickled onion; and a standing menu, which includes canapés such as salt and pepper squid with jalapeno mayo, and bowl food such as ox cheek with mashed potato. Make sure to leave space for plenty of expresso martinis.
Various locations
Visit Grind.co.uk
PRETEND YOU’RE ON THE SLOPES HERE: Coq d’Argent
French restaurant Coq d’Argent has launched an après-ski-inspired pop-up for the festive period. The two ‘Lodge d’Argent’ chalets have been transformed into cosy hideaways complete with modern white furniture, faux-fur blankets, Courchevel-themed ski décor and fairy lights. Guests will be served an array of warming cheesy dishes, plus a selection of cocktails, created in partnership with Hennessy. Moët & Chandon champagne will also be to hand.
1 Poultry, City, EC2R 8EJ
Visit CoqDArgent.com
GO BOWLING HERE: All Star Lanes Holborn
Hire out The Club House at All Star Lanes, Holborn, which has space for up to 80 people, unlimited bowling on two lanes and a bar staffed by expert cocktail makers. The place for a cool, if a little competitive, party.
Bloomsbury Place, Bloomsbury, WC1B 4DA
Visit AllStarLanes.co.uk
HAVE AFTERNOON TEA HERE: Biscuiteers
Biscuiteers has launched a Christmas afternoon tea, which will be available up until 31st December. The tea is a twist on its classic confectionery afternoon tea and includes a Christmas pudding macaron, mini frangipane mince pie and, of course, plenty of festive-themed iced biscuits. The perfect way to line the stomach.
13 Northcote Road, Clapham, SW11 1NG; 194 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill, W11 2ES
Visit Biscuiteers.com
PLAY TABLE TENNIS HERE: Bounce
Ping pong meets pizza at Bounce, which has two locations in the capital. Fun, social and totally engaging, challenge your colleagues to a game or two as they tuck into an innovative bar menu and, of course, the obligatory nibbles.
121 Holborn, Farringdon, EC1N 2TD; and 241 Old Street, Shoreditch, EC1V 9EY
Visit BouncePingPong.com
GO ICE-SKATING HERE: Somerset House
Somerset House’s Edmond J Safra Fountain Court is the backdrop to one of London’s most beautiful ice rinks. This year’s Skate Lates will feature an extra-special series of music nights throughout the season, including sets from DJ Yoda and Joe Goddard. Après-skate, guests can treat themselves at Fortnum’s Lodge with a ‘Skate Extra’. All designed for two to share, these include the likes of chocolate fondue and champagne.
Somerset House, Strand, Covent Garden, WC2R 1LA
Visit SomersetHouse.org.uk
HEAD TO A WINE CLUB HERE: Hawksmoor
Known for serving up the best steak in town, Hawksmoor also caters to the BYO crowd with its Monday Wine Club. For a £5 corkage charge no matter what value your plonk is, your work crew can visit any one of the Hawksmoor restaurants, dotted across London, at any point during the day with a bottle (or two) in arm to accompany their meal.
Various locations
Visit TheHawksmoor.com
GET SINGING HERE: Lucky Voice
Looking to shake things up at this year’s party? Lucky Voice is throwing cocktail masterclasses as part of its karaoke experiences. Guests will learn how to make a number of festive twists on classic and modern cocktails, with plenty of sampling throughout. Groups can choose from one of three packages – and Santa hats are provided.
173-174 Upper Street, Islington, N1 1RG; and 52 Poland Street, Soho, W1F 7NQ
Visit LuckyVoice.com
SIP IN STYLE HERE: Opium Den & Dim Sum Parlour
Decadent multi-storey drinking den Opium transports guests to a bygone Chinese era via expertly mixed tipples, dim sum and elegant surroundings. Opium’s intimate hidden bar, Peony, features a menu of ten cocktails – each one named after and taking inspiration from a Chinese city. Even better news: Opium is open until 3am from Thursday to Saturday.
15-16 Gerrard Street, Soho, W1D 6JE
Visit OpiumChinaTown.com
PLAY CRAZY GOLF HERE: Swingers
Both Swingers sites in the West End and City are ideal settings for a boozy game of crazy golf. With Christmas cocktails, street food – including on-theme dishes such as confit duck tacos and chocolate orange gelato – and nightly DJs playing brilliantly cheesy 80s and 90s classics, you’ll be guaranteed a night of festive fun.
15 John Prince’s Street, Marylebone, W1G 0AB; and 8 Brown’s Buildings, Aldgate, EC3A 8AL
Visit Swingers.club
UNLOCK A MYSTERY HERE: Sherlock: The Game
The official Sherlock live experience is a 90-minute escape game for teams of four to six. This cinematic adventure combines the life of the world’s most famous detective with the very best of escape games. Explore some of Sherlock’s most iconic sets as you solve puzzles and clues with help from original cast members, including Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, in specially recorded video and audio sequences.
W12 Shopping Centre, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 8PP
Visit TheGameIsNow.com
STAY OUT LATE HERE: Ichibar
Chinatown favourite Ichibuns has launched Ichibar, a late-night drinking and dining destination. Open until 2am and serving up an extensive list of Japanese whisky, gin, craft ale and sake alongside an innovative cocktail menu, it brings a slice of old Tokyo flavours to the very centre of London. Expect a programme of house DJs, playing music live and (most importantly) late into the night.
22 Wardour Street, Soho, W1D 6QH
Visit Ichibuns.com
GO ON A TREASURE HUNT HERE: Hidden City
Hunt through London’s concealed streets, uncover quirky shops and stop by tucked-away taverns. Hidden City texts you a trail of clues and you hunt together as a group – or rival ones – across the city. We like the look of the ‘Bright Lights Evening Trail’, which shows off all the capital’s best bits at the most twinkling time of the year.
Various locations, trail begins on the South Bank
Visit InTheHiddenCity.com
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