Vintners' Hall
/ About
Vintners' Hall has stood on Upper Thames Street since 1671, when the Vintners' Company rebuilt it after the Great Fire. The Livery Hall is the room the building is known for: late-seventeenth-century carving that survived both the Blitz and the Victorians, a coffered ceiling installed in 1932-33 and modelled on the Old School Room at Winchester College, and crystal chandeliers hung over an E-shape table laid for 158. Taken as a standing reception it holds 250, and that is the largest figure the hall publishes for any configuration.
Hiring the Livery Hall brings the rooms around it. The Drawing Room, redecorated in 1899 and refurbished ninety years later, hangs the Company's charters on its walls and opens into a conservatory. The Gassiot and Swan Rooms both date from the 1990s redevelopment and take 25 and 24 for lunch or dinner. The Court Room keeps the greater part of its post-Fire carving and a Van Dyck copy of St Martin, though the Company reserves it for other livery companies. Across in Five Kings House, a panelled Boardroom seats 24 under a crystal chandelier, with a roof garden above it that looks over St Paul's and the City towers.
Catering is in-house and exclusive to the hall, and the licence does not run late. That makes this a room for a dinner with proper ceremony behind it rather than a night that goes on: the Company still keeps swans on the Thames and a charter from 1363, and the hall is unembarrassed about the fact.
/ Rooms Available
The Livery Hall
Exclusive HireThe hall rebuilt in 1671 after the Great Fire, keeping the majority of its late-seventeenth-century carving. The ceiling was replaced in 1932-33, designed by George Alexander Gale and modelled on the Old School Room at Winchester College. Laid E-shape it seats 158, on round tables 120, and as a reception it takes 250. Hire of the Livery Hall includes the Drawing Room, the Gassiot Room and the Swan Room.
The Drawing Room
PrivateRedecorated in its current style in 1899 and refurbished in 1989, with the ceiling reworked again in 2017. The Company's charters line the walls, above a Boulle cabinet hung with the first deed for the Hall, dated 1352. The Annexe and the Conservatory were both added in 1989. Seats 50 for lunch or dinner.
The Court Room
PrivateThe greater part of the carving dates from the rebuilding after the Great Fire, alongside a marquetry-cased clock given in 1704 and a copy after Van Dyck of St Martin dividing his cloak. Seats up to 60. The Company makes this room available to other livery companies only.
The Boardroom
PrivateOn the third floor of Five Kings House, next to the Hall, in a building put up in 1911. Neoclassical wood panelling with baroque carving, plaster mouldings and a crystal chandelier. Seats 24 for private dining or meetings, with the Roof Garden alongside for drinks.
The Gassiot Room
PrivateNamed for Charles Gassiot, Master in 1894, and built during the 1990s redevelopment on the site of the 1899 Smoking Room, one of whose fireplaces it keeps. Paintings of the Thames in the early nineteenth century hang above the hearths. Seats 25.
Roof Garden
Semi PrivateA planted roof terrace above Five Kings House, taken with the Boardroom for reception drinks. Views across St Paul's and the City towers. Holds 24 standing.
The Swan Room
PrivatePart of the same 1990s redevelopment, and given over to the Company's ancient right to keep swans on the Thames. The Swan Warden's banner hangs at the western end; three trompe l'oeil arches painted in 1996 show the south bank at different points in the Company's history. Seats 24.
Business Suite
PrivateA small meeting room in the City for up to five people, with Wi-Fi and refreshments on request.
/ Perfect For
/ Features
Catering
- – In-House Luxury Dining
- – Halal Available
- – Kosher Available
Licensing
- – Full Alcohol Licence
Venue Specs
- – Air Conditioned
- – Wheelchair Accessible
- – Wi-Fi
- – Outdoor Terrace
- – Dedicated Events Team
/ Getting Here
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