Planning a glamorous gala dinner, but craving something more unique than the usual ballroom? We've got you covered! In this blog, we're diving into some of London's most extraordinary venues that promise to make your next gala dinner anything but ordinary. From historic halls to chic modern spaces, these venues offer that special something to make your event truly unforgettable. So, step away from the traditional and get ready to explore some of the most distinctive spots in town for your next big do. Happy planning!
1. Pan Pacific London
If "glamorous" is practically the vibe you're going for, look no further than Pan Pacific's Pacific Ballroom. With its 6.5m ceilings, jaw-dropping audio-visual features and sleek, modern design this hotel is the epitome of elegance - and I'm not just talking about in the Pacific Ballroom, where your event is going down! This sophisticated venue is the ultimate spot for a gala dinner that aims to impress, with a range of spaces to carry the celebrations through from pre to post-dinner entertainment.
Location: Liverpool Street, Shoreditch
Capacity: 250 Dining
2. The Mermaid London
The Mermaid London's Auditorium is where theatrical charm meets modern elegance, perfect for a gala dinner with flair. Imagine dining amidst a space once alive with plays and performances, now transformed into a venue that combines the best of its lively past with the sleek comforts of the present. With its tiered seating and atmospheric lighting, this space adds a dramatic touch to your event, making it feel like a scene straight out of a classic theatre production. It's a spot that turns a night into a story, complete with all the excitement and glamour you could wish for.
Location: Blackfriars
Capacity: 300 Dining
3. Plaisterers’ Hall
Celebrating your gala dinner at Plaisterers' Hall is like stepping into a world of grandeur and history, all rolled into one. Tucked away in the heart of London, this venue is a hidden gem with its elegant, neoclassical architecture and rich plasterwork that pays homage to the craftsmanship of yesteryears. It's the kind of place where every corner whispers stories of past soirées, making your event feel exclusive and steeped in tradition. Plus, its sumptuous interiors and state-of-the-art facilities ensure that your evening is as classy as it is comfortable, offering a timeless charm that's sure to impress every single guest.
Location: City of London
Capacity: 330 Dining
4. The Bloomsbury Ballroom
Step into The Bloomsbury Ballroom, a venue that’s as regal as its name suggests, and perfect for a glamorous gala dinner! This space is all about old-world elegance with a modern twist, featuring stunning Art Deco interiors that make you feel like you’ve travelled back to Gatsby’s era. Located in the heart of London, it's not just about the looks – The Ballroom is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to ensure your event goes off without a hitch. It’s a venue that promises opulence and sophistication, providing the perfect backdrop for a night of fine dining and dancing.
Location: Holborn
Capacity: 270 Dining
5. One Moorgate Place
One Moorgate Place in Moorgate is where historical grandeur meets modern versatility. This venue, with its blend of historic charm and contemporary facilities, offers a unique and distinguished setting for gala dinners. The magnificent Great Hall, with its historic features, provides an elegant backdrop for dining, while the venue's smaller rooms offer flexibility for more intimate gatherings. Its central location, along with a history and aesthetic that whispers elegance at every turn, makes One Moorgate Place a top choice for a gala dinner that’s both classic and cool.
Location: Moorgate Place
Capacity: 200 Dining
6. 116 Pall Mall
116 Pall Mall stands as a testament to Georgian elegance, offering a distinctive setting for gala dinners that transcend traditional ballroom experiences. Situated in the heart of London, this historic venue boasts five floors of versatile event spaces, each adorned with opulent décor and magnificent original features. The grand Nash Room, with its 20-foot ceilings and stunning chandelier, provides an awe-inspiring backdrop for large-scale events, accommodating up to 350 guests. For more intimate gatherings, the interlinking St James Rooms offer regal ambiance with grand sash windows overlooking Pall Mall. Beyond its visual grandeur, 116 Pall Mall is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring a seamless blend of historic charm and modern convenience for any glamorous affair.
Location: Piccadilly Circus
Capacity: 350 people
7. The Landmark London
In Marylebone, The Landmark London marries Victorian grandeur with five-star polish – ideal for gala dinners that need to impress. The Grand Ballroom sets a showstopping scene for up to 500 banqueting guests or 650 for a reception, with soaring ceilings, chandeliers and floods of natural daylight. A dedicated events team and white-glove service keeps the evening flowing from champagne canapés to petit fours.
Practicalities are equally luxe: 300 bedrooms for VIPs and sponsors, seamless load-in at street level, dedicated kitchens servicing each space, and the freedom to work with your preferred AV partners. With Marylebone Station next door and swift links to Heathrow and King’s Cross, it’s as convenient as it is glamorous – perfect for awards, charity fundraisers and black‑tie celebrations.
Location: Marylebone
Capacity: 500 Dining
8. Leonardo Royal Hotel London St.Pauls
Moments from St Paul’s Cathedral, Leonardo Royal London St Paul’s brings City sparkle to black‑tie affairs. The Milton and Dickens Suites deliver a polished, flexible canvas for gala dinners, with layouts from cabaret to reception and the option to interlink adjoining rooms or form part of the expansive Wren Suite for a larger footprint. Expect seamless awards moments, elegant dinner dances and a central London backdrop your guests won’t forget.
Capacities hit the sweet spot for mid‑sized galas: seat around 140–150 for dinner dance, or welcome up to 200 for a sparkling reception. Logistics are as slick as the setting, with City Thameslink, Blackfriars, St Paul’s and Cannon Street all a short stroll away, keeping VIP arrivals painless and carriages uncomplicated.
Location: St Paul's
Capacity: 120 Cabaret
9. Convene Sancroft, St Pauls
Set in Paternoster Square, Convene Sancroft, St Paul’s delivers gala drama without a ballroom cliché. Spanning 45,000 square feet over two floors, it features seven versatile rooms including a 900‑guest plenary – the largest single above‑ground meetings room in the City of London. A refined nod to the Elizabethan era runs through the design, with rich hues, textured panelling and intricate ceilings, while nine‑foot floor‑to‑ceiling windows flood spaces with natural light for a suitably glamorous reveal.
Designed for experiential moments, the central galleries flow seamlessly for receptions, auctions and awards, scaling up to 1,200 standing, 900 dining or cabaret for 444. Flexible layouts, plentiful breakout options and multiple opportunities for custom branding make it ideal for sponsors and storytelling. All this in the heart of the Square Mile, moments from St Paul’s, for an effortless VIP arrival. Want a gala that feels bespoke and blockbuster? Our team can help you craft it here.
Location: City of London
Capacity: 900 Dining
10. Troxy
Swap the standard ballroom for Art Deco spectacle at Troxy, a 1930s cinema turned award‑winning events icon in East London. The Grand Hall serves up a glamorous backdrop for gala dinners, seating up to 780 or hosting 1,500 for a sparkling reception, with period features and a natural sense of theatre for awards moments. Crucially, the tech keeps pace with the look: state‑of‑the‑art in‑house AV delivers concert‑level sound and lighting, so speeches land, auction moments hit their mark, and headliners shine. Minutes from Limehouse and close to Shoreditch, it’s easy for VIPs and suppliers, while flexible layouts scale from 300 to 3,000. Experienced event managers keep service seamless from first flute to final encore.
Location: Tower Hamlets
Capacity: 780 Dining
11. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Swap chandeliers for pitch‑side drama at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a show‑stopping setting for black‑tie dinners with serious production values. East Quarter Level Three banquets up to 450 with clean sightlines for awards and entertainment, while The H Club brings a private‑members’ polish for 120 VIPs or sponsors. Expect stadium‑grade AV, premium bars and inventive in‑house catering to keep the night flowing. Fully accessible and sustainability‑certified, the venue offers slick logistics, strong branding opportunities and optional behind‑the‑scenes experiences — all moments from White Hart Lane — for a gala that feels modern, immersive and unmistakably London.
Location: Tottenham
Capacity: 450 Dining
There you have it, London's most unique venues for hosting glamorous gala dinners this year. From charming halls with world-class suppliers to vibrant hotels with cutting-edge AV and accommodation, London's range of unique gala dinner venues is sure to inspire a truly memorable event!
Author
Fiona Price
Fiona Price, Director of Event Production & Delivery at Hire Space, brings 20+ years of expertise in venue finding and event production. Seamless experiences are her speciality!
