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Up to 265standing
Up to 190seated
Temple/Embankment nearest station
Drinks Receptionbest for
About this space
360-degree glass pavilion design
Thames cruising between Westminster and Greenwich
Tower Bridge Quay embarkation
Curated event packages
In-house catering and bar service
DJ and entertainment options
4-7 hour charter flexibility
All-weather covered space
Driftwoods is the casual, younger sibling of Woods’ Silver Fleet, a company who have been creating luxe events on the Thames for over 75 years. A new concept for entertaining on the River Thames. Reimagining a simple river boat design, with the spacious, rectangular footprint of a pavilion framing the cinematic London riverbank, 360 in glass.
The beauty of Driftwoods is the curated events packages which make your planning effortless and your bill surprisingly affordable.
Features
Wifi
Bar
Dancefloor
Furniture
Outside Space
WiFi
Food & Drink
Professional Kitchen
Halal Catering
Space
Disabled Access
Storage Space
Outdoor Space
Ceiling Height 2.8m (9ft)
Licenses
Licensed Until 2am
Capacities
190Dinner Dance
265Standing
150Theatre
Guide prices
Indicative pricing based on standard rates. Request an instant quote for your exact brief.
What is the full cost breakdown for a 250-person evening event at Woods Quay?
For 250 guests, expect approximately £52,183 + VAT total. This includes full day room hire at £24,500 + VAT, mandatory security (3 guards) at £495 + VAT for up to 6 hours, required F&B minimum spend of £65 + VAT per person (£16,250 + VAT for 250 guests), and staffing at £10,938 + VAT for a 5-hour live event from 7pm-midnight. All components are mandatory for events of this size.
What are the access hours and setup restrictions for Woods Quay events?
Setup access begins at 8am on event day, with all suppliers required to clear by 2am the following day. This gives you 18 hours total access time for setup, event, and breakdown. The venue can accommodate filming from 6am with advance arrangement, and offers 50% discount on room hire for March events that include filming components.
What security requirements are mandatory and what do they cost?
Security is mandatory for events with 250 guests, requiring 3 guards at £495 + VAT for up to 6 hours. This is a fixed requirement and cannot be reduced or waived. Additional security hours beyond 6 would incur extra charges at the same hourly rate.
What is the minimum F&B spend requirement and how does it work?
There is a mandatory F&B minimum spend of £65 + VAT per person. For 250 guests, this totals £16,250 + VAT that must be spent on food and beverages. This can be met through arrival drinks, substantial food from the Ofyr fire pit and East Wing kitchen, and additional bar service throughout the evening.
What spaces are included in the Woods Quay hire and how can they be configured?
Woods Quay includes three distinct areas: West Wing (main bar area), Cormorant Deck (suitable for dance floor and DJ stage), and East Wing (secondary bar or VIP area). The venue offers river views from Waterloo Bridge to the London Eye and Big Ben, with contemporary styling throughout all spaces.
What staffing is included and what does it cost?
Staffing provided by Woods Silver Fleet costs £10,938 + VAT for a 5-hour live event (typically 7pm-midnight). This covers all necessary service staff for the venue during your event. Additional hours beyond the 5-hour package would incur extra charges.
Can I bring my own caterers or must I use venue catering?
Woods Quay operates with in-house catering from their impressive Ofyr fire pit and East Wing kitchen counter, with waiter service included. The venue provides substantial and varied food options, and you must meet the £65 + VAT per person F&B minimum through their offerings rather than external caterers.
What bar arrangements are available and how do they work?
The venue can provide arrival drinks to help meet your F&B minimum spend, then operate a cash bar throughout the evening if suitable for your event. They offer wine lists and bar tariffs, with the West Wing serving as the main bar and East Wing available as a secondary bar area.
Are there any day-of-week restrictions or seasonal pricing differences?
Based on availability patterns, certain September dates may be unavailable (21st and 28th September were mentioned as unavailable). The venue offers a 50% discount on room hire for March events, suggesting seasonal pricing variations. Specific day restrictions aren't detailed, but availability should be confirmed early.
What happens if my event requirements don't match the standard package?
For events that don't align with the standard 250-person format, Woods Silver Fleet may recommend alternative venues from their fleet, such as Driftwoods for smaller groups. They appear to have a policy of finding alternative venues rather than accommodating significantly different requirements at Woods Quay.
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