National Liberal Club
/ About
The National Liberal Club has stood on Whitehall Place since 1887, in a Grade II* listed clubhouse designed by Alfred Waterhouse. Gladstone laid the foundation stone, and the club's political lineage is a matter of record rather than a theme: portraits and busts of former members line the staircase, and the rooms carry the names of the figures who used them. Waterhouse's interiors survive largely intact, with glazed ceramic pillars, coffered ceilings and a marble spiral staircase, which is why the building is a regular stand-in for period drama; The Crown and Downton Abbey have both filmed in the Dining Room.
Eight spaces are let for private events. The David Lloyd George Room is the largest of the function rooms, holding 200 for a standing reception beneath tiled arches, with a grand piano once played by Rachmaninov still in the corner. The Dining Room seats 120 under gilded chandeliers, its arched windows looking out towards the river. The Smoking Room, the club's principal social room, takes 150 for a reception and converts in the evening to take a dance floor. Beyond them sit the Lady Violet, Naoroji and Lawrence Robson rooms for smaller dinners and boardroom sittings, and a full-size snooker table in the Billiards Room.
The terrace is the club's most distinctive asset: a long riverside run above Embankment Gardens looking across to the London Eye, and the largest private terrace in London. The club hires to members and non-members alike, either room by room or as a whole-clubhouse buyout, with catering from its own kitchen and an events office that handles AV and dance-floor hire. Rooms are enclosed, self-contained and set back from the street, which suits an evening built around music.
/ Rooms Available
David Lloyd George Room
PrivateThe largest of the club's function rooms, set beneath ornate high ceilings and glazed ceramic pillars, with a grand piano once played by Rachmaninov. Holds 200 for a standing reception and 100 for dinner on round tables. Fitted with a house speaker system, fixed and wireless microphones, a projector and a screen.
The Dining Room
Exclusive HireThe club's main dining room, with arched windows over Whitehall Place, gilded chandeliers and full-height oak panelling hung with portraits. Seats 120 for dinner and holds 200 for a reception. The interior has been used as a filming location for The Crown and Downton Abbey.
Smoking Room
PrivateThe club's principal social room: green damask walls, gilded ceramic columns, a coffered ceiling and deep leather club chairs. It works as two spaces, one end licensed for civil ceremonies and given over to entertainment in the evening, the other a fireside setting for daytime gatherings. Takes 150 for a drinks reception, and a dance floor can be laid.
The Terrace
Semi PrivateThe largest private terrace in London, running above Embankment Gardens with the river and the London Eye beyond. Mature trees give shade and screen the traffic; the furniture is wicker and parasols, with a gazebo at one end. Seats 100 and holds 150 standing, and works as a reception space before dinner indoors.
Lady Violet Room
PrivateAn ornate cross-shaped room with period detailing and good natural light, taking 40 for dinner on round tables and 70 for a reception. Equipped with a speaker system, microphones and a projector, and used for everything from private dinners to talks.
Lawrence Robson Room
PrivateThe club's boardroom, built around a solid wood table that seats twelve, with red leather chairs and a patterned carpet. Reconfigures for dining on round tables to 30, or a reception to 50, and has served as a green room for events in the larger spaces.
Naoroji Room
PrivateA tiled Victorian room reworked for business use, with a modular central table, a large digital screen and conference audio. Seats 24 for dinner on round tables and holds 50 for a reception.
Billiards Room
Exclusive HireA quiet ground-floor room in deep red, with honours boards on the walls and a full-size snooker table under its own lighting rig. Available for exclusive hire for up to 30, and it works as a break-out room alongside a larger event.
/ Perfect For
/ Features
AV Equipment
- – Sound System
- – Projector
- – Microphone
- – Wireless Microphone
Catering
- – In-House Luxury Dining
- – Bespoke Menus
- – Canape Service
Licensing
- – Full Alcohol Licence
Venue Specs
- – Dedicated Events Team
- – Outdoor Terrace
/ Getting Here
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