Dining at Royal Institution Venue

From: £2300 per person

Capacity: Up to 200 guests

Business at No.11 Cavendish Square

Modern, airy conference theatre in a Georgian townhouse. Ideal for hybrid events and receptions.

From: £105 per person

Capacity: Up to 140 guests

Business at Auditorium - Level 6 Foyles

A versatile, central event space atop Foyles bookstore. Ideal for conferences, parties, and receptions.

From: £1350 per person

Capacity: Up to 220 guests

Weddings at Hotel Cafe Royal

A grand, ornate ballroom in a luxury hotel, ideal for weddings and special events in Central London.

From: £2500 per person

Capacity: Up to 250 guests

Dining at Carousel London

A stylish, flexible event space with a bar in Georgian townhouses. Ideal for large parties and events.

From: £3950 per person

Capacity: Up to 150 guests

Business at Courthouse Hotel

From: £1100 per person

Capacity: Up to 100 guests

Events at Sofitel London St James

A stylish large event space in a luxury hotel, ideal for corporate functions and banquets.

From: £1000 per person

Capacity: Up to 180 guests

Events at Dominion Theatre

A spacious, private 4th-floor venue ideal for corporate training, workshops, and meetings.

From: £380 per person

Capacity: Up to 150 guests

How early should I book a venue for a 50-person event?

For peak days (Fri–Sat), book 3–6 months in advance; for midweek slots, aim for 4–8 weeks lead time. Secure your date with a signed contract and 25% deposit, then confirm final guest numbers and catering choices 4 weeks prior.

What is the ideal room layout for 50 seated guests?

For banquet dining, plan 6–7 round tables (1.5 m diameter) within 60–70 sq m. Cabaret style fits five 1.2 m tables seating eight guests each in 70–80 sq m. For theatre style, arrange rows 0.6 m apart across an 8 m × 6 m space.

What security measures are recommended for a private Soho event?

Arrange a minimum of one SIA-licensed security guard per 50 guests for crowd control and emergency response. Brief staff on fire-exit routes, ensure clear signage, and confirm CCTV coverage or hire a mobile CCTV unit if the venue’s system is limited.

What questions should I ask when booking a venue for 50 guests?

Confirm maximum capacity with your preferred layout, review detailed floor plans, clarify AV specs (Wi-Fi speed, projector, sound), check catering menus and service charges, agree deposit and cancellation terms, and verify delivery/loading-zone access and timings.

What is the average cost to hire a 50-person venue in Soho?

Expect a minimum spend of £5,000–£15,000 for a 50-person gathering in Soho. This equates to roughly £100–£150 per head, depending on day of week, package (standing reception vs seated dinner) and inclusion of basic AV, furniture and staffing.

How accessible is Soho for event attendees?

Soho is in Zone 1 and linked by Tottenham Court Road (Central & Elizabeth lines), Leicester Square (Northern & Piccadilly), Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly & Bakerloo) and Oxford Circus (Victoria, Bakerloo, Central). Over 90% of Greater London attendees reach Soho within 30 minutes by Tube.

What is the minimum food and drink spend for a 50-person hire in Soho?

Most venues require a food and drink minimum spend of £5,000–£8,000 for a basic buffet or hot fork-style service, rising to £12,000–£15,000 for a three-course seated dinner plus open bar. Weekends command the higher end of these ranges.

What licences are required to serve alcohol at a private Soho event?

Most Soho venues hold a premises licence covering private hires. Confirm details with your venue: ensure the sale and consumption of alcohol is included, check last-orders times (commonly 11pm–midnight) and verify any noise-curfew restrictions imposed by the licence.

What AV facilities are recommended for a 50-person event?

Specify a 4-channel PA system with two main speakers, a wireless lavalier mic and at least a 55" LED screen or 4K projector. Ensure HDMI and click-share compatibility. Schedule a soundcheck 48 hours before to troubleshoot connectivity and speaker placement.

How much space is required for 50 people?

Allocate 1.2 sq m per person for banquet-style dining (≈60 sq m) and 0.5 sq m per person for a standing reception (≈25 sq m). For a mixed layout (dining, lounge, presentation), plan 80–100 sq m to ensure comfortable flow and AV zones.