Organising a proper party or event in London for cheap may seem like a daunting task. If you think you won’t be able to find a venue that fits your budget, we’re happy to give you a helping hand. Thanks to Tagvenue, you can find the best space for you, contact venue managers directly, and pay online. If you need any tips on how to set yourself up for success with your venue hire, feel free to follow this guide.
How to find cheap venues in London
If you want to find yourself a great London venue on the cheap, you will have to think outside the box. There are many different tips and tricks on how to save money on venue hunting and we know all of them. Here are some of the approaches you can use when searching for your dream affordable venue in London:
- Go off the beaten path - Search the less popular districts and discover hidden gems. Not only are many of them one of a kind, they’re usually much cheaper. The rule of thumb is: the further you are from London’s centre, the less you will have to pay for your venue. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a deal so great that it’ll be worth the extra drive?
- Minimum spend - Which basically means free venue hire. Sounds too good to be true? Instead of paying a hire fee, you just have to spend a minimum amount on food and drinks at your event. Great option for all types of parties and celebrations.
- Focus on alternative venues - Looking for a budget wedding venue in London? Try thinking outside the box. More and more people are celebrating special occasions in pubs. Their owners are often more than happy to hire out their space for events, especially midweek. Depending on what you’re going for, you can also opt for meeting spaces, creative studios, or warehouses if you find something that interests you.
- Choose a smaller venue for hire - What’s the point of hiring a huge space for 300 people when you only expect 100 guests to show up? Usually, the more space you hire, the more you pay. Focus on something that’s not too big for your event if you’re working with a tight budget. To do that, you can ask the guests to RSVP to your event way in advance. That way you’ll get the maximum amount of seats you’re going to need. Remember to think about how many guests you can host before you send out the invitations.
- Decorate the venue yourself - This is a no-brainer, especially if you want to go for an unfurnished venue. Bring some basic furniture (or ask the venue if they could provide it), check out some DIY decoration ideas on Pinterest and see where your imagination is going to take you!
- Handle the food and drinks yourself - In-house catering can get quite expensive at times, so why not do it yourself? Preparing a feast for over 50 people may just be too difficult, but smaller dishes and hors d'oeuvres are perfectly approachable for you or people willing to help you.
Popular types of cheap venues for hire in London:
- Warehouses - If you need a unique location with a high ceiling and a cool, industrial vibe, warehouses are the ultimate choice. Converted factories, lofts and railway arches are usually an affordable option for private parties, wedding receptions and many other occasions.
- Halls - Another versatile and cheap venue hire option. And the best thing? There are plenty of cheap halls to choose from in every district of London. No matter which part of the city you live in, Tagvenue will help you find a location that meets both your needs and your budget.
- Blank canvases - These are truly spaces that can do it all. Weddings, meetings, or parties can be arranged in an appropriately sized blank canvas space. And they’re pretty cheap and common in central London.
- Art galleries - Feeling a little artsy? London is full of art galleries for hire. While they’re most commonly used for exhibitions or artist collaborations, you can ask them to set up for many different types of events or parties.
- Creative spaces - If you’re looking for an alternative to a typical photo or art venue, creative spaces offer just that. They are very versatile in their use cases and facilities, so you may be able to find something that fits your project or event.
When you manage to pick the best venue for your budget, closing the deal will be easy as pie. Just head on to the venue page on Tagvenue, fill out your event details and send the enquiry. Your venue manager will soon reach out to you and provide you with all the details. You can even pay off the hire fee online, with no additional costs!
Affordable Venues in London FAQ
Can I hire an affordable venue in London?
Even though London belongs to one of the most expensive cities in the world, you shouldn’t lose hope when it comes to hiring an affordable venue for any occasion. There are many smaller spaces for lower prices or you can opt for booking a minimum spend space. This means you only commit to spending a set amount of money on drinks and food, but don’t need to pay anything for the space itself!
How much should I expect to pay for an affordable venue in London?
The final prices of venues differ from spot to spot, but in general, the hire fee starts around £12 per hour. You can find a per person price as low as £25 per session, while minimum spend usually doesn’t get lower than £50 per session. (All data from Tagvenue.)
How can I save money on venue hire?
There are several ways to stay on a budget while hiring a venue in London. Make sure your guest list is as short as possible, because the smaller the place, the cheaper it will be. If your event requires catering, you can decide to hire a venue that allows you to bring your own alcohol and food, which will also help you save some money.
What’s the best time for booking affordable venues?
If you want to get a venue for cheap, you should consider hiring outside peak hours. Weekday evenings and weekends are usually the most saturated (and expensive) timeframes for venue hire. Weekday mornings (8:00-13:00) will usually be your best bet for short-term venue hire.