
/ About
The National Gallery holds one of the world's great collections of European painting, and once the public galleries close each evening its rooms open for private hire. The range runs from an intimate terrace beneath a domed glass roof to a full-building buyout, with the newly reopened Sainsbury Wing adding a further tier of spaces overlooking Trafalgar Square.
The Barry Rooms, an octagonal gallery under a domed, marbled ceiling, is the Gallery's most requested space and has hosted everything from orchestral concerts to product launches. Room 32, refurbished in 2022 and the largest of the picture galleries, seats guests beneath Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentileschi; Central Hall sits at the centre of the collection, within easy reach of the Impressionist and Renaissance wings on either side. Annenberg Court, a contemporary space beneath Bridget Riley's installation Messengers, is the Gallery's own answer to a late room: its evening events brochure invites dancing and a DJ, a use worth confirming directly with the events team alongside any other policy in force on the night.
A dedicated events coordinator, in-house AV technicians and a list of accredited catering suppliers support every booking, whether an intimate dinner in the Yves Saint Laurent Room or a reception spanning the whole building.
/ Rooms Available
Whole Gallery (Full Building Buyout)
Exclusive HireAn exclusive-hire buyout of the entire Gallery, spanning both the Wilkins Building and the Sainsbury Wing for a single event.
Sainsbury Wing Foyer
Exclusive HireThe reworked entrance foyer to the Sainsbury Wing, reopened in May 2025 as part of the Gallery's bicentenary redevelopment. A blank-canvas space with a 10m by 3m digital wall, built for product launches and large receptions.
Room 32: The Julia and Hans Rausing Room
Exclusive HireThe largest of the picture galleries, refurbished in 2022 and hung with the finest of the Italian collection, including Caravaggio's The Supper at Emmaus. Gold-gilded alcoves and rich red walls make it the Gallery's grandest dining room.
The Wohl Room
Exclusive HireOne of the Gallery's largest galleries, hung with Venetian paintings by Veronese, Titian and Tintoretto, and linking the Wilkins Building to the newly refurbished Sainsbury Wing.
Room 34
Exclusive HireThe British collection's home, with soft blue walls and George Stubbs' Whistlejacket at its centre. Adjoins the Barry Rooms for a seamless flow between spaces.
Annenberg Court
Exclusive HireA contemporary, sleek space beneath Bridget Riley's monumental installation Messengers, reached down a dramatic marble staircase from the main galleries. The Gallery's own evening events brochure positions it as its after-hours space, distinct in character from the picture galleries above.
The Barry Rooms
Exclusive HireAn octagonal gallery beneath a domed, marbled ceiling, described by the Gallery as its most versatile space — it has hosted everything from orchestral concerts to product launches. The busts of Michelangelo, Turner and Rembrandt look down from the dome.
Locatelli
Exclusive HireThe newest reception space at the Gallery, a light-filled mezzanine within the Sainsbury Wing with direct views over Trafalgar Square, named for chef Giorgio Locatelli's neighbouring restaurant.
Central Hall
Exclusive HireThe Gallery's centre point, beneath a glass ceiling and deep red walls hung with Thomas Lawrence's The Red Boy. Venetian and early Renaissance galleries sit to one side, Impressionist and Baroque rooms to the other.
Supporters' House Lounge
PrivateA self-contained suite steps from Trafalgar Square, with its own private entrance — a homely, intimate contrast to the main picture galleries.
The Portico
Exclusive HireAn outdoor terrace overlooking Trafalgar Square with a classic black-and-white tiled floor and views of Nelson's Column. A wet-weather option is provided.
The Yves Saint Laurent Room
Exclusive HireAn intimate dining gallery with rich red fabric walls, hung with Rubens, and adjoining the Rembrandt self-portrait room.
Mosaic Terrace
Exclusive HireThe Gallery's most intimate event space, set beneath a domed glass ceiling on a mosaic floor custom-made for the Gallery by artist Boris Anrep, featuring personalities of 1930s Britain.
Supporters' House Private Dining Room
PrivateA beautifully intimate, self-contained private dining room within Supporters' House, suited to a business lunch or an intimate evening of celebration.
/ Perfect For
/ Features
Catering
- – External Catering Allowed
Venue Specs
- – Dedicated Events Team
- – Private Entrance
- – Air Conditioned
- – Wi-Fi
- – Cloakroom
/ Getting Here
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