For some event planners, the river Thames can be a mental as well as a physical barrier. When I was working in the agency world, I recall having clients located in areas near to Temple and Embankment, a stones throw from the river, who would not cross it to hold an event on the southbank, citing distance from the office, yet would book venues significantly further north of their offices.
If you are located north of the river and can get beyond the geographical barrier of the Thames, then the eclectic, cultural and artsy southbank has much to offer in terms of events venues.
When Tate Modern opened at the turn of the millennium, it was an instant icon, transforming an obsolete power station into the world’s most visited gallery of modern and contemporary art. The launch of the new Tate Modern in June 2016 was the most significant moment for the gallery since it’s opening. A dramatic new building to the south boasts brand new gallery suites for the galleries' global collection. With its commanding location on the banks of the Thames opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, the new Tate Modern boasts ten floors of unique and varied spaces, plus the vast and versatile Turbine Hall and The Tanks. Tate Modern is the iconic London location for your event, big or small. And remember; all the revenue raised by events helps secure Tate’s collection for the nation.
Type | Min to Max |
Theatre Style | 50 to 800 |
Banquet Style | 50 to 800 |
Reception Style | 50 to 1,500 |
Cabaret Style | 100 to 400 |
Dinner Dance Style | 100 to 800 |
Theatre Style with Stage | 100 to 700 |
etc.venues County Hall will be the newest venue on the south bank when it opens in January 2017. etc.venues County Hall offers conference, meeting and event space situated on the 4th floor at County Hall, with an enviable location on the riverside overlooking The London Eye and opposite the iconic Houses of Parliament & Big Ben. The venue boasts large multi purpose interconnecting space including two suites for groups of up to 900, who can enjoy stunning views across The Thames towards Westminster.
Type | Min to Max |
Theatre Style | 6 to 400 |
Banquet Style | 20 to 400 |
Classroom Style | 4 to 180 |
Reception Style | 25 to 750 |
Cabaret Style | 4 to 252 |
Boardroom Style | 4 to 150 |
Seductive and striking, Mondrian London at Sea Containers has brought a bold new energy to London, blending the style and sophistication of the boutique Morgans brand with Southbank’s eclectic vibe.
Type | Min to Max |
Theatre Style | 10 to 275 |
Banquet Style | 10 to 40 |
Reception Style | 10 to 250 |
Cabaret Style | 14 to 34 |
Boardroom Style | 8 to 20 |
BFI IMAX has Britain’s largest cinema screen, and you can hire the entire auditorium to give your event the biggest possible fanfare. The huge screen and 500-capacity luxury auditorium is perfect for major film premieres, product launches and awards ceremonies. Upstairs, the first floor foyer is a brilliant space for receptions, photoshoots, product launches and other functions.
Type | Min to Max |
Theatre Style | 180 to 450 |
Banquet Style | 100 to 250 |
Reception Style | 180 to 450 |
The Royal Festival Hall Auditorium at the Southbank Centre is a fixed raked auditorium seating up to 2,500 delegates. The Royal Festival Hall is the centrepiece of Southbank Centre, hosting events from orchestral and pop concerts to conferences and graduation ceremonies. The hall benefits from a state-of-the-art stage and rig, a large number of back-of-house areas and many of the original 1950s features.
Type | Min to Max |
Theatre Style | 1,000 to 2,500 |