How to host a Christmas party to remember at Senate House

Work Christmas parties are back in a big way. After three years of Covid-19 restrictions, December 2022 saw the return of in-person celebrations, with many events companies reporting record-breaking demand for their services. And as a growing number of employers embrace hybrid working, the Christmas party is more important than ever, representing a vital opportunity for staff to get to know one another in person.

As well as helping your employees to feel engaged and connected, a Christmas party is a chance to show your appreciation for their hard work. So, why not make this year’s a special experience? There’s no shortage of venue options in London, but if you’re looking for something truly memorable, it’s hard to beat a grade-II listed skyscraper in the heart of historic Bloomsbury.

An iconic London venue

Senate House is an iconic Art Deco landmark which has even played host to a long list of film sets. A selection of its impressive spaces is available to host your event – all with original features and tastefully decked out for the festive season. Your guests won’t need to worry about getting there, either: the area has excellent Tube and rail links, and coach bays around the perimeter of the venue allow for coach parking and taxi drop offs.

Best-in-class hospitality

Of course, hosting a Christmas party to remember is about more than just the space; it’s about the food and drink too. Fortunately, our experienced in-house hospitality team – headed up by an award-winning chef – offers bespoke catering options to suit all requirements, from canapés to banquets. So, whether you’re looking to hold a champagne reception or a whole evening of dining, drinking and dancing, Senate House has the package for you. When you book Beveridge or Macmillan Hall for your event – together or individually – our beautiful reception space, Crush Hall, is included. To get your party off to a flying start, choose from our reception drinks and food packages served in this impressive marble foyer that’s the perfect space to welcome your guests. The Art Deco features and sweeping staircase, complete with magnificent Christmas tree, make for a festive setting to remember.

Dinner, drinks and dancing

Once your guests have enjoyed the canapés and champagne, dinner is served in Beveridge Hall. The spacious wood-panelled room can host 200 for a sit-down meal – with a choice of our three-course ‘chef’s choice’ menu or a seated buffet – or 170 for a fine dining experience. Whichever option you go for, you can count on a high-quality experience with an emphasis on sustainability: all of our ingredients are locally sourced, and menus are devised with a commitment to minimising food waste in mind.

After dinner, it’s over to Macmillan Hall, located just across the foyer, for drinks and dancing. Keep the party going with our cocktail bar or tailored drinks packages, which all include use of our DJ equipment. This beautiful marble-walled space is also ideal for a more intimate dining experience, or a large reception. Your event can start at whichever time you choose and can go on until midnight, with our licensed bar available until 11pm.

Dedicated support at every step

Whichever kind of party you’re planning, Senate House provides a dedicated Event Manager to help you coordinate it, including liaising with a range of recommended support services and suppliers. All of our packages include the essentials, like cloakroom and security, and we offer a range of optional add-ons to make your event even more special.

Take a look at our Christmas party packages for full details and pricing.