Courtyard Marquees at The Brewery

Hidden from the City’s streets by the surrounding buildings of The Brewery complex, an 18th-century cobbled courtyard transforms each summer into something quite different from the heritage event rooms inside. Two themed marquees appear from June to August — contemporary structures with front facades and transparent glass-like roofs, surrounded by railed decking and greenery — turning the historic courtyard into an outdoor event space that feels deliberately designed rather than improvised.

The Brewery’s Courtyard Marquees — Summer Format

The Retreat, as the summer setup is known, operates as two distinct marquees. The East marquee handles 30–150 guests, the West marquee takes 150–300, and combined they accommodate up to 800. Standing receptions reach 600, with seated dining working for around 110 in a single marquee configuration. The marquees aren’t temporary afterthoughts — they feature permanent-feeling facades and glass-like roofing that lets daylight flood in while keeping weather at bay. Railed decking and planting soften the transition between the cobbled courtyard and the contemporary structures. The overall effect sits somewhere between garden party and designed pavilion, with the 18th-century brewery walls providing an authentic backdrop that generic marquee venues can’t replicate. Summer party packages through The Retreat include street food stalls, sustainable wines, cocktails, and bespoke lager — a more relaxed, social format than the seated events running inside the main rooms. Outdoor bar capability and branding opportunities on the marquee structures make it work for corporate summer parties, team socials, and celebrations where the atmosphere should feel lighter than a formal dinner.

Winter and Christmas at The Brewery Courtyard

The courtyard doesn’t go quiet in December. Each winter, The Brewery produces immersive themed Christmas party experiences using the marquee and courtyard spaces — fully designed environments with set dressing, entertainment, and themed food and drink packages. Past productions have included elaborate concepts that transform the space entirely, making the Christmas offering a produced event rather than a standard venue booking.

Courtyard Connections at The Brewery

The courtyard’s position at the centre of the complex is its real advantage. Surrounded by the Porter Tun, King George III, Queen Charlotte, and other indoor rooms, it functions as a natural overflow and breakout zone during larger events. Guests flow between courtyard and indoor spaces without feeling like they’ve left the venue — arrivals, drinks breaks, and outdoor socialising all happen here organically. For events using the Porter Tun or King George III as the main room, the courtyard provides outdoor breathing space that enclosed City venues can’t offer. Wedding receptions that want both indoor grandeur and outdoor photographs find the combination particularly useful. In-house catering from The Brewery’s own kitchen covers the courtyard spaces, maintaining food and drink quality across indoor and outdoor settings. Five minutes from Liverpool Street, Moorgate, and Barbican stations.