Tired of same-old conference rooms? We’ve curated London’s quirkiest venues where standout design meets serious capability—think inspiring plenaries, agile breakouts and slick hybrid tech—to give your delegates something to talk about long after the closing slide.
Whether you’re planning an intimate strategy day or a large-scale showcase, these spaces bring story, style and substance; dive in for ideas, or ask our venue experts to match you with the perfect fit.
1. Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn
Where better to spark ideas than a modern conference hub tucked beneath a Tudor-revival Great Hall? Lincoln’s Inn pairs centuries of character with contemporary clout: the Ashworth Centre offers a 158-seat lecture theatre with retractable seating, natural daylight and integrated AV, plus ten flexible breakout rooms for workshops and press interviews.
With award-winning catering and Holborn Station moments away, it’s a standout, story-rich setting that keeps content—and delegates—flowing.
Location: High Holborn
Capacity: 158 Theatre
2. ISH Venues
Blending period charm with crisp, contemporary spaces and leafy views over Park Crescent Gardens, ISH Venues gives conferences a quirky, campus-meets-clubhouse vibe. With eight flexible rooms to play with, you can stage an inspiring plenary and spin up agile breakouts without losing the flow.
Think 300-seat theatre in Venue 1, slick hybrid capability in The Portland’s triple screens, and energising on-site catering. Set moments from Great Portland Street, it’s as practical as it is characterful – and every booking supports International Students House’s student programmes, a feel-good CSR win.
Location: 229 Great Portland Street
Capacity: 300 Theatre
3. Kia Oval
Swap blank walls for iconic cricket heritage. The Kia Oval’s light-filled suites overlook the famous wicket, bringing instant buzz to keynotes and AGMs. Pick the vast England Room for up to 700 theatre, or go focused in the John Major Room, complete with private terrace for breezy coffee breaks.
Just 4 minutes from Vauxhall (and close to Oval), logistics are effortless. The industrial-chic Jardine Suite’s 5m ceilings suit bold production, while rare free parking and sharp onsite support make this a quirky, high-impact base for your next conference.
Location: Vauxhall
Capacity: 700 Theatre
4. Business Design Centre
Housed in a former Royal Agricultural Hall, the Business Design Centre in Islington marries striking ironwork and daylight with serious conference clout—delivering quirky style without compromising on production. Stage a 500-delegate plenary in the Auditorium/Events" target="_blank">Auditorium, with retractable seating and a motorised ceiling rig for slick sound and lighting, then fan out to nearby rooms for agile breakouts and catering.
With 6,000m2 of flexible space, the Gallery Hall and Atrium scale effortlessly for exhibitions or dining, while the Angel location—10 minutes from King's Cross—keeps travel painless.
Location: Islington
Capacity: 3500 people
5. Barbican Centre
Set inside a brutalist cultural landmark, the Barbican brings serious conference firepower with standout personality. Host blockbuster keynotes for up to 1,943 in Barbican Hall, or choose Frobisher Auditorium for 245 plus adjacent syndicate rooms, pro AV, hybrid links and simultaneous translation.
For a delightfully quirky twist, trade corridor coffee for networking among tropical palms in the Conservatory. With expert on-site tech, superb acoustics and City transport on the doorstep (Barbican and Moorgate), this venue makes content shine and logistics simple.
Location: City of London
Capacity: 1943 Theatre
6. Dockside Vaults
Carved into the atmospheric arches of St Katharine Docks, Dockside Vaults gives conferences a quirky, characterful edge. Run a 200-seat plenary in the main space, then spin out to ten brick-lined alcoves—each with built-in seating, screens and speakers—for focused breakouts and interviews. With high-speed Wi-Fi, a quality PA and ample room for catering and exhibitions, it’s a distinctive, central London base a short stroll from Tower Hill and the Thames.
Location: St Katharine Docks
Capacity: 200 Theatre
7. Curzon Bloomsbury
Put your conference in the spotlight at Curzon Bloomsbury, a design-led arthouse cinema in The Brunswick near Russell Square. The 150-seat Renoir screen pairs Sony 4K projection with Dolby Atmos and a built-in lectern, mics and spotlights, giving crystal-clear keynotes and punchy product reveals.
Break out to intimate 28-30 seat screens for workshops, then keep conversations flowing across three stylish bars. Central, distinctive and brilliantly production-ready.
Location: Bloomsbury
Capacity: 147 Theatre
8. The National Gallery
Give your conference a gallery of ideas at The National Gallery: an art-rich, quirky backdrop with modern meeting muscle. Run impactful keynotes in the 300-seat Pigott Theatre, complete with built-in AV, a step-free stage and hybrid capability, then break away to the Whitcomb Meeting Room for board-level strategy and press interviews.
Annenberg Court provides a striking space for catering, networking or an artful after-party, and that Trafalgar Square address, moments from Charing Cross, keeps delegates flowing.
Location: Trafalgar Square
Capacity: 300 Theatre
From historic halls and industrial icons to tropical conservatories and art-filled cinemas, London’s quirkiest conference venues prove you don’t have to trade personality for performance. Want a tailored shortlist that hits your brief, budget and brand? Ask our venue experts to curate the perfect options and make your next conference unforgettable.
Author
Lily Mohsen
Lily Mohsen is a Senior Account Executive at Hire Space, specialising in venue finding and events. With a diverse background in sales, she excels in driving growth and fostering client relationships.
