When it comes to event planning, finding an innovative and original space is often no mean feat.
Regardless of whether you’re organising a corporate meeting, an exhibition or a networking reception, sourcing the right venue that will inspire your guests has many benefits. Fortunately for Bankside, there are a number of venues in the area which provide the perfect setting to get those creative juices flowing and bring people together.
Frequented by Charles Dickens and the very place where William Shakespeare wrote some of his most famous plays, Bankside is renowned for its cultural offering in London. With Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern and the Menier Chocolate Factory only a stone’s throw away from one another, it’s not surprising that the area alone has inspired a variety of venues to embrace Bankside’s creative edge.
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The Africa Centre
Located in a modern railway arch in the newly redeveloped Union Yard Arches, the Africa Centre is a vibrant, cultural hub which exists to promote African creativity and entrepreneurship. The centre also has a variety of unique spaces available for hire, offering a creative setting for corporate and private events.
Split across ground and mezzanine floors, the Arch is a bright and spacious venue which is ideal for photo shoots, along with press and product launch events. Both areas are available for dry hire – the mezzanine space can accommodate 70 seated and 110 standing, whereas the ground floor can host 200 standing and 130 seated. A cocoon for intimate and elegant events, their gallery space is perfect for art exhibitions, film screenings to corporate meetings.
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Omeara
Omeara is a brand new live music venue owned by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons and co-founder of Communion Records. Inspired by the old, derelict buildings of Havana, Omeara is not your typical venue. As well as being a 320 capacity gig venue, the venue aims to host indie club nights, talks, comedy and as well as private events.
With vintage lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system, the space is a warren of three large interconnected railway arches, set in Flat Iron Square. In addition to the performance area, the venue has a main bar and mezzanine space with a 250 capacity, as well as an outdoor terrace that accommodate 120 people.
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Menier Gallery
Situated within the historic Menier Chocolate Factory, a former five-story factory and warehouse, the Menier Gallery offers a dramatic space to view and exhibit works of contemporary art and design.
Their two gallery spaces can be hired out separately or together. The Ground Floor Gallery has a capacity of up to 200 people, whereas the Lower Ground Floor Gallery can accommodate up to 150 people. What’s more, the venue is managed by the registered charity Paintings in Hospitals and all the money raised from the hire of the gallery supports the charity’s work.
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citizenM Bankside
One of Bankside’s most design-led hotels, citizenM offers inspiring but practical meeting spaces that break from tradition. Perfect for brainstorming sessions, their seven meeting rooms all feature wipe-clean walls ideal for creating large mind-maps.
All rooms have been furnished with plush Vitra furniture and progressive art, which make you feel like you’re walking into a contemporary living room, rather than your standard, functional meeting space. Eureka!