Booking a Christmas Party Venue

Top 7 Questions to Ask When Booking a Christmas Party Venue in London

Bar crawls, karaoke and cheesy games are all fun ideas for a company Christmas party, but they’re also soo last season. If you want to stand out from the crowd this year, you need to think outside the box – and beyond the bar. There are plenty of alternative venues in London that can accommodate your lad's or ladies' night, but finding one that ticks all your boxes is easier said than done. If you’ve been planning your company party for months but haven’t booked a venue yet, don’t panic. We know it’s not easy to find the perfect location for your Christmas party when everything is booked up months in advance – even at this time of year. However, by following our top ten tips below, you can identify the essential questions to ask when booking a Christmas party venue in London in order to make sure you get the best deal possible.

1. Ask about the event capacity
If you’re planning to have an office party for a large group of people, you need to make sure the venue you choose can accommodate this. Some venues have specific capacity restrictions: you’ll need to be sure you hire a venue that can fit all your guests. The number of employees and the size of the company is all important factors to consider when choosing the right venue. If you hire a venue with a higher capacity than you need, you could end up paying a lot more than necessary. On the other hand, if you book a smaller venue than needed, you might not be able to accommodate all your guests, which could cause some serious problems: your guests might feel left out or spurned.
 
2. Ask about included services
If you are planning to have a Christmas party with your colleagues and clients, you have to make sure that your chosen venue comes with the services you need. For example, you might want to have a themed Christmas party and require a specific type of décor that’s exclusive to that event. You also might want to host an after-work drinks reception or an awards ceremony. You need to make sure that the venue you choose includes these services in the price. When it comes to the services the venue provides, less is more. You don’t want to end up booking a venue that includes a dozen different services you don’t need or can’t use. That’s just a waste of money.

3. Ask about food and beverage included
Whether you’re hosting an office party or a festive occasion for your loved ones, you need to make sure the venue you choose includes the buffet or meal you want. Some venues offer a wide range of food and beverage options for you to choose from, while others offer only a few, more basic selections. Make sure the venue you choose has the food and drink options you need to make your event a success. You also need to make sure the venue you choose has a kitchen or other area where your caterer or other food vendors can set up.
 
4. Ask about additional services
If you want to make your Christmas event even more memorable, you can ask the manager of your chosen venue if they provide any additional services. For example, you might want to hire a photographer or organise a team-building event. You also might want to book a Christmas tree or other festive decorations to make your venue or event space even more special. You might even want to hire a magician or other type of entertainer to add an extra special something to your event. You need to make sure that the venue you choose offers these types of extra services before booking.

5. Ask about sound/speaker capabilities
Part of creating a memorable event is making sure that your guests have a great experience, both socially and audibly. You need to make sure that your chosen venue has adequate sound capabilities so that everyone can hear clearly and comfortably. You also need to make sure that the venue has good soundproofing so that outside noise doesn’t interfere with your event. Sound and speaker capabilities are definitely important when choosing a venue for your event.

6. Ask about essential equipment
Depending on the nature of your event, you might need to make sure that the venue you choose has certain equipment. For example, you might want to book a venue with hostess services if you’re hosting a large event. You also might want to book a venue that has a stage or other area where you can set up a band or other entertainment for your event. You also might want to book a venue that has ample parking or other transportation services for your guests.

7. Ask about potential surprise costs
You need to make sure that the venue you choose is fully aware of what type of event you’re hosting and what your budget is. This will help you avoid any potential surprise costs or other problems that could cause your event to go over budget. You also need to inform your venue manager of any unique or special requirements your event might have. This will help ensure that your event goes smoothly.

Final Words
As you can see, choosing the right venue for your company's Christmas party is a very important decision. You need to carefully consider a wide range of factors before booking a venue, including price, capacity, services offered, food and drink options, sound/speaker capabilities and more. By following our top ten tips above, you can identify the essential questions to ask when booking a Christmas party venue in London in order to make sure you get the best deal possible.