Tired of the usual ‘dinner and drinks’ suggestions for the office Christmas party? Luckily, London has an array of new and inventive options for an alternative festive shindig. We’ve rounded up some of our favourites below.
Culinary Cabaret Beauty and The Feast
Dine with a difference this Christmas at an adventurous, culinary cabaret-like no other. Brought to you by immersive designers Darling and Edge, this gutsy, modern and a rather adult take on panto offers an indulgent evening of festive feasting, roaring performance, fancy cocktails and a beautiful set design. Expect the unexpected and be ready to get involved – Beauty and The Feast is not for the faint hearted!
Where: The Vaults Leake Street, London SE1 7NN
Christmas Karaoke with Lucky Voice
Does throwing on a celebratory wig (because, why not?), filling up on endless mince pies and having bubbles literally served by elves sound like your perfect Christmas party? Lucky Voice’s Christmas Karaoke covers every possible angle; think festive shaped pizzas, classic Christmas games and legendary Christmas karaoke tunes from the likes of Wham! and Mariah Carey, for you to shamelessly belt at the top of your voice. And, office Scrooge’s fear not! Each of Lucky Voice’s bars will offer one strictly private Bah Humbug room – which will remain resolutely untouched by the C-Word. This means no festive hits, no Santa Claus, no elves and absolutely no tinsel. It’s soundproofed so there will be no concern about hearing the likes of Slade drifting through – making it a safe-haven for anyone seeking respite from Christmas.
Where: Soho & Islington
Winter Lodge at The Hampshire Lounge Bar
Forget jetting off to St Moritz or Chamonix this festive season, as The Hampshire Lounge Bar’s usually stylish space transforms itself into a hidden mountain retreat. A Christmas do here will have you feeling like you’re in the heart of the Alps – without having to leave Leicester Square! Gather around barrel oaks, snuggle under soft duvets and indulge in the festivities in the comfort of rustic, yet extremely luxe, surroundings.
Where: The Hampshire Lounge Bar at the Radisson Blu Edwardian, Leicester Square, WC2H 7LH
http://www.atthehampshireloungebar.co.uk
Ice Skating at Somerset House
Get your skates on and take your team to Somerset House’s annual ice rink this Christmas. In partnership with Fortnum and Mason, the rink offers beautifully festive surroundings and, for the ice-phobic, a luxe Skate Lounge so you can comfortably watch your colleagues falling around on the ice. New for 2017 is Skate Lates, a specially curated programme of music nights throughout the festive season, which will feature some big DJ names.
Where: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
https://www.somersethouse.org.uk
Celebrate Elizabethan-style at Hampton Court
Soak up some history and enjoy an Elizabethan Christmas at Hampton Court Palace. Heart-warming and full of music, dancing and festive fun, this charming story is set at the court of Queen Elizabeth I and is performed all around the palace, from the Tudor Kitchens to the Great Hall. Courtiers, musicians and jesters fill the palace’s historical rooms with music, drama and laughter, taking you right back to a 16th century regal Christmas.
Where: Hampton Court Palace, KT8 9AU
https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/explore/elizabethan-christmas/#gs.uuS2tnA
Worlds Without End – The Winter Masked Ball
Take festivities to the next level with A Curious Invitation’s sci-fi classics inspired Winter Masked Ball. Hosted at The Vaults, this two-night winter extravaganza of debauchery and immersive adventure takes you on a journey through a subterranean fairy-tale labyrinth of deep, dark galleries to celebrate the ‘devout, the dissenter and the devilish’. Dance the night away whilst sipping on delicious cocktails and sampling sumptuous food in an underground space age colony with martian caves, glittering forests and lunar grottos designed by theatrical maestros Darling and Edge. For the two-night spectacular, over 100 performers will be taking part in the festivities curating a magical evening of music, theatre, opera and cabaret. Masks are an absolute must!
Where: The Vaults Leake Street, London SE1 7NN
https://www.designmynight.com/london/event-space/waterloo/the-vaults/winter-masked-ball
