Looking for an outdoor "function room"...

Hello all,

My 30th birthday is approaching and I am seeking a venue for an informal (and reasonably quiet) party for, ooh, 30-40 people, on Saturday 5th July. SE1 is the natural choice as I don't live far away and most of my family and friends have easy journeys into Waterloo and London Bridge.

Am looking for somewhere which serves real ale and buffet nibbles, with some outside drinking space that's either bookable or accessible from a bookable function room.

I thought about Brew Wharf, or the George. Would they take bookings for part of their outside space on a Saturday night? Any good/bad experiences with either of these?

Any other suggestions?

This has sort of crept up on me and I really feel as if I need to get it sorted this week or I won't get any guests, never mind a venue!

All reasonable suggestions gratefully taken on board.

I have seen outdoor space reserved for parties at All Bar One on Butlers Wharf.

Bit further but Doggets Coat and Badge at Blackfrairs used to have a bar and terrace you could hire but was some years ago i last went there.

Doggetts sounds like a good plan, actually! I might give them a call or drop in today after work...

Thanks for suggestions so far...

There is a pub on the corner of Colombo Street and Paris Gardens which has a garden at the back. Can't remember the name, I think it is A Shepherd Neame pub if they still exist.

I think that's the Rose and Crown...? There are two pubs round there and I can't remember which is which.

It's the Rose & Crown (or Rose and something). Generally shut weekends, but I suppose that might make it a good venue for a private party.

Ruth Elleson wrote:

My 30th birthday is approaching <snip>
.....
This has sort of crept up on me
<snip>

Major birthdays have a habit of doing that - just wait for 40 ..... or 50 .... They seem to come even faster!

Hmm, I tried Doggetts (by far my favourite of the above suggestions) and the Terrace Bar isn't available that night :-(

I might go and make some enquiries at the other suggested venues... though to be honest, since I started trying to set this up I've begun to realise it might be a lot easier and less stressful to scrap the idea of a proper party and just take my close family out to a decent restaurant instead...

I haven't actually made that decision yet though, so we shall see!

Hi Ruth,

Try Ruse Too, Law Street I've had a few parties there and it's great. They close the whole pub for you. You can have it until about 2am. £50 deposit, which you get back if you spend a certain amount, I managed to get them down to £300 but even if you don't reach that you've still only paid £50 for the hire. They have a beer garden, and you can have use of their BBQ or do you own food, also they let me move the tables from one half of the beer garden before so that I could have a bouncy castle.

The person to talk to is Tony his email is [email protected]
and the telephone no is: 020 7403 4484