Full Venue Hire at Haberdasher’s Hall

Designed by Sir Michael Hopkins and opened in 2002, Haberdashers’ Hall is the livery hall that doesn’t look like a livery hall. Modern architecture built with traditional materials — oak panelling, stone, handcrafted detail — creates a 21st-century venue with the warmth and character of somewhere far older. The result is a City events space near Smithfield that works equally well for conferences, awards dinners, and weddings without requiring heavy theming or dressing. The building is organised around a secluded courtyard with a cascading fountain and manicured lawn — a genuine surprise in the middle of the City. This courtyard anchors the venue’s identity and gives events an outdoor element that most corporate spaces in the Square Mile simply don’t have.

The Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Hall at Haberdashers’

The Livery Hall — formally the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Hall — is the primary event space: 200 theatre, 130 cabaret, 174 seated for dinner, or 350 standing. High vaulted ceilings with oak panelling create a room that feels grand without being intimidating. The proportions work for conferences with a full AV setup during the day and formal dining under warm lighting in the evening, giving organisers the option of day-to-night events without a venue change.

Haberdashers’ Hall — Court Room, Drawing Room, and Breakout Spaces

The Court Room brings its own character: a dramatic semi-circular design, bright and airy, with a woven carpet centrepiece. At 90 theatre, 42 cabaret, or 72 seated, it handles mid-size events independently or serves as a substantial breakout space for larger conferences. The Drawing Room is the venue’s most distinctive room — hand-painted Chinese silk floral wallpaper in pastel colours, creating a setting for 48 cabaret that feels closer to a country house than a City livery hall. The Committee Room (16 guests) and Luncheon Room (16 guests) complete the first-floor offering.

Orangery, Courtyard, and Reception Gallery

Ground-floor events centre on the Orangery — citrus trees, sculptures, and direct views into the courtyard — which opens onto the outdoor space for summer receptions of up to 350 standing. A stone spiral staircase connects the Orangery to the first-floor Reception Gallery, where vast windows overlook the courtyard. Together, these spaces create a natural arrival sequence: courtyard to Orangery to Gallery to Livery Hall, a flow that builds atmosphere as guests move through the building.

Catering by Graysons at Haberdashers’ Hall

Graysons manage the in-house catering, preparing contemporary dishes on-site with locally sourced produce. Menus range from traditional British to creative seasonal, with bespoke options available. The emphasis is on food that matches the venue’s ethos — refined without being rigid, and adapted to each event rather than cycled through a fixed rotation.

Practical Details for Haberdashers’ Hall Events

Free parking is available — unusual for a City livery hall. Barbican, Farringdon, and St Paul’s stations are all within walking distance, with City Thameslink close to the Old Bailey also nearby. The venue has a specialist in-house technical team for AV, full accessibility throughout, and is available for exclusive hire. Alcohol licence runs until 23:00 with late extensions available. For events from intimate meetings to 350-guest receptions, Haberdashers’ Hall brings modern architectural distinction to a City venue category that often defaults to period character alone.