73 Waterloo at St John's

Three distinct event spaces inside a beautifully restored Grade II* church, a minute from Waterloo station. The Nave holds 500 standing beneath soaring ceilings and flood-lit windows. The Old Crypt takes 140 in restored Victorian brickwork. The Forum seats 80 for more contained events. They work independently or combine for full-building hire — giving 73 Waterloo a flexibility that most heritage venues can't match.

The multi-million pound restoration by Eric Parry Architects was completed in 2022, and the quality shows. This isn't a heritage space where the event infrastructure feels bolted on. Contemporary AV, professional lighting, and step-free access sit within architecture that won Bronze for Best New/Refurbished Venue in 2023 and Best Unusual/Unique Venue in 2025.

Inside the Spaces at 73 Waterloo

The Nave is the centrepiece — approximately 8m ceilings, large windows flooding the space with natural light, an inbuilt raised stage beneath murals, and acoustics that musicians consistently praise. It handles gala dinners for 270, conferences for 400, and standing receptions for 500. The Old Crypt beneath offers a completely different atmosphere — intimate, characterful, ideal for late-night after-parties or self-contained drinks receptions. The Forum provides a mid-capacity option for meetings, presentations, or smaller celebrations.

A private churchyard garden accessible directly from the Nave gives outdoor drinks and canapé receptions a rare open-air dimension for a central London heritage venue.

Events and Versatility at 73 Waterloo

Weddings — both ceremonies and receptions — benefit from the ecclesiastical architecture without requiring religious elements. Awards ceremonies and gala dinners use the Nave's stage and lighting. Conferences and exhibitions take advantage of the scale and acoustics. Brand activations, concerts, and filming use the blank-canvas flexibility and natural light.

The venue is a pioneer in sustainable building management, incorporating solar technology with a net-zero ambition by 2030.

Catering and Practical Details

Bovingdons handles catering exclusively, bringing a Modern European and British menu to private hire events. Events run until 11pm. Three additional meeting rooms — Mendelssohn, Jubilee, and Octavia, each taking up to 35 — provide breakout space for conferences or green rooms for performers. Waterloo station is directly adjacent, with connections across London and the South East.