Business

Dining

Events

What are the room hire fees and minimum spend requirements for the private dining rooms?

Single private dining room hire is £500 + VAT with a minimum spend of £2,000 + VAT for afternoon events (12:00-16:00) or £2,500 + VAT for evening events (18:30-23:00). Double private dining room hire is £2,500 + VAT with a minimum spend of £4,500 + VAT for evening events. A discretionary 12.5% service charge is added to the bill by default unless you request otherwise.

What are the capacity limits and seating arrangements for the dining rooms?

Single private dining rooms accommodate up to 18 guests with oval table setup, or maximum 2 round tables of 10 people each. Double private dining rooms can host up to 60 guests standing or 50 guests for intimate dining celebrations. The rooms are situated on level 38 with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic London views.

What are the standard event timings and access arrangements?

Afternoon events run 12:00-16:00 with organizer access from 11:30. Evening events run 18:30-23:00 with organizer access from 18:00. Guests can arrive from the official start time onwards. Setup time is included in the access period before guest arrival.

What menu options are available and how much do they cost?

Three-course menus start from £75 + VAT per person (whole party must have same starter, main, and dessert). Working lunch menus are £40 + VAT per person. Continental breakfast with baps is £81.75 + VAT per person. All catering orders including special dietary requirements must be pre-ordered 10 working days prior, with final numbers required 5 working days before the event.

What payment terms and booking requirements apply?

100% deposit is required to confirm booking, with remaining balance due 3 months prior to the event. Payment can be made via bank transfer or credit card (AMEX incurs a surcharge). Bookings operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so rooms cannot be held without confirmed booking.

What audio-visual equipment is included and what are the costs for additional AV?

Built-in speakers for background music are included in all private dining rooms. Additional AV requirements are provided by preferred supplier Prelude Entertainment. If you bring your own AV supplier, a supplement of £350 + VAT applies.

Are there any restrictions on decorations or special arrangements?

You can enter the room early for setup including banners, balloons, and flowers. The venue has specific policies on outside suppliers and decorations, though exact restrictions are not detailed. All arrangements should be discussed during the booking process.

What information is needed to generate a contract and secure the booking?

You must provide: event name and date, name of person signing contract, their telephone number and email address, billing address including company name, and preferred payment method (bank transfer or credit card). The service charge inclusion preference should also be specified when booking.

Can external caterers be used instead of Searcys catering?

External caterers can be arranged through dry hire at £18,000 + VAT with 4 hours of kitchen access. Venue hire runs 2pm-10pm for dry hire arrangements. You must provide details of the external catering company for approval before the event.

What are the guest entry and security requirements?

All guests must be pre-booked only - no walk-ins are permitted. Valid ID is required upon arrival for all guests. The venue operates strict security protocols given its location in the iconic Gherkin building.