Full Venue Hire at Strings Restaurant

Strings Restaurant occupies a ground-floor space within the County Hall building on Belvedere Road, directly behind the London Eye and opposite Big Ben. It is a family-run Italian and Spanish restaurant where owner Santy Masciaro — a professional classical guitarist — performs live for diners every evening from 7pm, playing Rodrigo, Tarrega, and Albeniz. That combination of live classical music, Mediterranean cooking, and one of the most recognisable addresses in London makes it a genuinely unusual private hire. The restaurant opened in 2021, founded by Santy and Elise Weber. It seats 80 for dinner or holds up to 130 standing, with a semi-private bar area for smaller groups of around 30 seated or 40 standing.

The Westminster Bridge Entrance

One of the strongest features for event hire is the private entrance on Westminster Bridge Road. This second entrance can be decorated for arrivals, creating a sense of occasion that a standard restaurant front door cannot deliver. For corporate dinners, milestone celebrations, or any event where the arrival experience matters, this is a significant differentiator. Guests arriving via the Westminster Bridge entrance step directly into the venue without navigating shared corridors or public areas — a practical advantage as much as an atmospheric one, particularly for events with VIP guests or a structured welcome.

Event Formats at Strings Restaurant

The full venue accommodates seated dinners for up to 80 guests, with the stage providing a focal point for speeches, toasts, or additional performances beyond Santy’s nightly sets. The PA system is in place, so speakers and performers can be heard clearly without bringing external sound equipment. Standing receptions for up to 130 work well for drinks events, networking evenings, and launch parties, with the bar area and main restaurant floor offering natural flow between zones. The semi-private bar area suits smaller corporate dinners, team celebrations, or pre-event drinks for around 30 seated. It provides a degree of separation from the main restaurant without requiring a full venue buyout — useful for events where budget or guest numbers don’t justify exclusive hire but privacy still matters. The nightly classical guitar creates a distinctive atmosphere for private events. For celebrations and dinners, the live music provides a built-in entertainment programme that guests experience as part of the venue rather than a hired act. For corporate events, the music during dinner service adds polish and atmosphere that an iPod playlist cannot replicate.

Catering and Practicalities at Strings

All catering is handled in-house — Italian and Spanish cuisine with a tapas sharing format that suits group dining. External catering is not permitted. The kitchen operates under the restaurant’s established menu, which can be discussed with the events team for tailored set menus appropriate to the occasion and group size. The sharing format keeps the dining experience sociable and gives events a Mediterranean warmth. The venue is licensed until midnight and closed on Mondays. Strings is located at Belvedere Road, London SE1 7GA. Waterloo station is a short walk away, and the surrounding South Bank area provides options for pre-event gathering or post-dinner walks along the Thames — a useful consideration for events where the wider setting is part of the experience.