For those looking to unleash their creativity, there are a number of unique and unusual venues across London in which sensational experiential events can be hosted.
From private exhibition viewings to after-hours theatrical performances, the possibilities are endless. These types of events are perfect for product launches, team building and “outside the box” parties. Held in the evenings once the venues are closed to the public, they make for a truly private and immersive experience. Alternatively, a certain number of spaces can be hired during the day for anything from a pop-up fashion show to a dynamic hackathon.
Here are six magical venues sure to intrigue and amaze your guests:
The Natural History Museum encourages event organisers to get creative and to use their imagination. There are a number of ways in which this can be achieved; at larger, historic venues like this one, making use of multiple spaces creates a sense of journey for guests and is a popular choice for experiential event bookings at the Museum. Using some of its galleries as breakout areas from the main event spaces adds value for all attendees and is perfect for separate activations to take place in.
Imagine treating your guests to a private exhibition viewing in Fossil or Dinosaur Way, before ending up in the superbly impressive Hintze Hall for a sustainable gala dinner before an after-party in Earth Hall? The Museum has previously hosted an intimate dinner in its Images of Nature gallery where a scientist gave a private talk and allowed guests to handle some of the specimens in the space. For a small charge, talks and tours can be added to an event at the Natural History Museum, adding further value to the guest experience.
The variety of spaces the venue holds – large and small, old and new, indoors and outside – lends itself extremely well to building immersive experiences for delegates. During seasonal months, for example, the Natural History Museum launches its summer packages, where the outdoor courtyard can be transformed into a lively street food market and relaxing summer oasis.
Museum of London is offering experiential events for organisers, including after-hours dinners in the museum galleries and the opportunity to hire actors for drinks receptions.
To create a truly memorable evening for attendees, the Museum is giving organisers the exciting opportunity to host both private and corporate functions with a twist, whereby guests will be able to experience London’s history from 450,000 BC right up to the present day as well as mingle with trained actors in a historical setting.
By day, the galleries are open for public viewings, but after hours, organisers can hire the spaces for their own private events. Guests can enjoy the mesmerising setting of the Pleasure Gardens, take a stroll through Victorian Walk along streets from 150 years ago, or be served dinner next to the original Art Deco lift from Selfridges.
If organisers wish to add an extra twist to their events, the Museum of London’s supplier, Spectrum Drama, can provide actors for guests to interact with throughout the evening. The actors can meet and greet, mingle with guests (providing an excellent ice-breaker!), introduce speakers or perform their own set pieces, depending on requirements. Spectrum Drama can provide characters such as Samuel Pepys, Florence Nightingale and Charles Dickens, to guarantee an evening guests won’t forget.
The experience is what you make it, but for many eventprofs, attending events can be slightly laborious and formulaic. Adding activations and stand out moments to an occasion can turn your event from functional to truly memorable.
Saatchi Gallery has many open plan spaces that can be developed and utilised to create outstanding exhibits and activities – whether it’s building an edible feast with foods hanging from the ceiling, or hosting a treasure hunt throughout the privacy of a closed gallery, there is so much a blank canvas arts venue like this one can accommodate.
Clients are encouraged to flex their imagination, and if the Gallery can host it, however “out there the idea”, it will do its best to bring it to life. Alternatively, Saatchi Gallery hosts some fantastic experiential exhibitions that can be added to events, such as its current display ‘Beyond The Road’, which takes guests on an immersive multi-sensory journey of sound and visual arts. Whether it’s a completely new concept or utilising a ready-made experience, it is the Gallery’s job and reputation to consistently push boundaries with events.
As an award-winning venue in the heart of London, Tower Bridge is a stunning setting to host experiential events, such as product launches, with landmark prestige, elegant style and exceptional food.
The venue’s expert events team will work with you to design attractive layouts, sophisticated production set-ups and mouth-watering food, whilst recommending fantastic entertainment, lighting and flower options that can easily be tailor-made to complement your product and event.
Spanning the North and South Towers, the award-winning high-level Walkways offer breathtaking panoramic views of London from 42 metres above the River Thames. The integrated branding opportunities make this space the perfect setting for product launches.
Housing the original and immaculately maintained coal driven engines that were once used to power the Bridge lifts, the impressive Victorian Engine Rooms provide you with one of the most unique venues in London and will be sure to have guests talking long after your event.
As a global landmark and the only bridge in the world that can host events within it, a product launch at Tower Bridge is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests.
The Science Museum houses several spectacular event spaces in the form of its galleries and IMAX theatre, which is certainly a draw in itself – yet it recognises the need for organisers to create the all-round experience and event journey for their guests.
Aside from decorating the venue and setting an appropriate dress code, there are many creative ways to subtly (or boldly!) reinforce the overarching theme of your event.
Launching a product? Utilise any unique features of the space, such as a gallery collection, to encourage guests to flow naturally around the room and really take notice of what is being displayed. Want to go all out? One 1940’s Theme Swing Party the Museum hosted in its Flight gallery saw guests in military costume, a swing band and full 1940’s table décor with vintage lamps on each – fully immersing everyone into the spirit of the theme.
The London Eye is a one-of-a-kind venue, and one could argue that every event hosted on the attraction is an experiential one. As the only moving view of London, nowhere else can up to 800 guests enjoy the same incredible experience.
One exciting event hosted recently on the Eye was a spectacular product launch for the Kensington Hotel, débuting their innovative new afternoon tea product featuring a number of iconic London landmarks creatively fashioned from food!
Members of the press and selected bloggers were specially invited to spend some rotations taste-testing the incredible new treats, including a glossy, rhubarb mouse telephone box and golden, lemon curd-filled Big Ben – all arranged on nothing less than a London Eye-inspired afternoon tea wheel. It was a fitting tribute to have the scones, sandwiches and sweets served over the same skyline that inspired them.