Heading into the artsy West End to ring in your 40th trip around the sun? How about the historic Kentish Town? Or waterfront Paddington Basin? No matter where you find yourself on this milestone birthday, you deserve nothing less than perfection.
Once you've settled on a totally-you party theme, you'll have some bigger fish to fry—choosing a venue being among the most important. Whether you want a friendly neighbourhood pub with rustic charm and good craft beer or a trendy local restaurant with signature cocktails, a vibrant atmosphere, and live entertainment, we've got you covered.
Remember, huge parties don't have to mean limitless budgets. Especially if you're celebrating abroad, you might be carefully budgeting every day of your itinerary. Thankfully, our wallet-friendly properties will fit right in and leave plenty of room for souvenir splurges and hotel upgrades.
Are you tired of sorting through the same list of 40th birthday party venues in London? The Giggster app is here to save the day and connect you with an unforgettable private hire.
London 40th Birthday Party Venues Curated by Giggster
The Giggster app is home to some incredible party venues. Wondering what our personal touch could look like when paired with your birthday celebrations? Here’s a glimpse to give you some inspiration:
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Toast goodbye to your 30s at a classy cocktail bar. From exclusive underground speakeasies to posh lounges amidst upscale boutiques, there’s a happy hour spot for every personality and style.
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For a venue with a very London vibe, check out the local art galleries. From a modern collection with bright white walls and bold pops of colour to classical masterpieces (think oil works and sculpture), what could make a more beautiful party backdrop?
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Why not host a house party at one of London’s hottest flats? Break out the bottles of fine wine and supplement with board games, a murder mystery, canapes, or that one friend who can never resist tickling the ivories with an old piano around.
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Rent out a salon and spend the day getting blowouts, manicures, pedicures, you name it! You could even pair this with dinner and dancing later so everyone can feel their best when they hit the town.
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Industrial warehouses offer lots of space and a bit more spunk than your standard wedding and event hall. Turn it into a pop-up club with a DJ and dancing (because clubbing in your 40s is the new 20s) or keep it simple with refreshments, lounge seating, and a giant dessert display.
Incredible 40th Birthday Party Venues in London Start at £17/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Your birthday deserves only the best! With 1172 hidden gem properties to choose from, we know you’ll find it here.
Hassle-Free Booking: We believe that life begins when you’re surrounded by your closest friends and family—that’s why we’ve made it our mission to connect you with venue hire and fantastic hosts as quickly and simply as possible. Booking affordable birthday venues in central London (starting at just £17/hour) has never been this easy!
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Don’t let a messy schedule get you down! If a blunder is causing you stress, simply cancel within 24 hours of your reservation and get your money back (so long as your reservation is over 48 hours away, of course!)
Platform Protections: Your 40th is a big one! We want you to remember it fondly. By adding one of our optional protection plans to your package, you can celebrate at top London venues like It’s a space to be whatever you want!! without disruptions, damage, and liability concerns getting in the way.
Things to Consider for a 40th Birthday Party in London
Are you a Londoner, born and raised? A traveller passing through on a birthday vacation? Either way, a little insider knowledge on navigating the city will go a long way. Here are some things we think you need to consider before planning an evening for you and your guests to enjoy:
Advantages
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London has a thriving nightlife scene with plenty to do (and drink) after dark.
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On weekends, the Tube (AKA public transit) runs 24 hours to make sure every partygoer has a safe ride home.
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London is beautiful, with loads of historic architecture and green spaces to enjoy.
Disadvantages
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Expect a crowd nearly everywhere you go. Unfortunately, London is tourist central which means a lot of people, and sometimes, higher prices.
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Air quality is subpar and smog can be irritating in built-up, high-traffic areas, especially on summer days.
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Weather is highly unpredictable. While you can expect a fair amount of grey skies and rain, it’s not always easy to predict when. An umbrella and a backup plan for outdoor activities are a must.
What Kind of Venue Can I Rent for 40th Birthday Parties in London?
Whether your top priority is good food, live music, or a relaxed atmosphere, we’ve got a private hire that’s well-suited to every birthday boy and girl. Take our word for it, some of the best venues on our site fall into one of the following fan-favourite categories:
Gardens and Conservatories – Bubbles and Blooms. Looking for a venue to take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city? A summertime soiree is the perfect time to get outside and smell the roses by hosting tea parties and garden brunches. Brilliant botanicals beautify the space without even trying, so you can focus on the little details rather than statement decor. Worried about rain? Greenhouses and historic conservatories are also available and they are undeniably breathtaking.
Theatres and Cinemas – Your Red Carpet Experience. From private movie theatres with fancy leather armchairs and dining service to historic theatres with velvet curtains and black box stages, these venues will bring dinner and a show to a whole new level.
Banquet Halls – Ball Gowns and Ballrooms. These event venues have room for up to hundreds of guests and are simply stunning. Dripping in crystal chandeliers and historic character, they’d be perfect for a Bridgerton-esque ball in your honour or a five-course meal accented by extravagant flower arrangements and candelabras.
Rooftops – Urban Escapes. Rooftops are the next big thing on the London party scene, and we’ve got lots of them up for grabs. Naturally, they give off steampunk kind of vibes but they can easily be all dressed up for a more sophisticated event. With panoramic views of the London skyline, you can even see major landmarks around the city from your party perch.
How to Plan a 40th Birthday Party in London
Whether you’ve been a host many times throughout the years or this is your first crack at throwing a big birthday party, there are always ways to step up your game. Here are some of our best planning tips to impress all your friends, coworkers, and even the harshest critic:
Invite Everyone Early – These days, everyone has busy lives and hectic schedules, especially when work and families are involved. If you want to get all your favourite people in the same room, you should probably choose a date and time sooner rather than later and let everyone know ASAP so they can work it into their plans.
Start Prepping – Try to take as much of the prep work off the guest of honour’s plate as possible. Send them off for some pampering or to get a pint with a good bud and share the take amongst other volunteers so they can arrive feeling refreshed and valued.
Surprise or No Surprise? – Decide whether you will throw this party with your birthday boy/girl’s input or if you want to catch them off guard with a celebration in their honour. Regardless of your own preference, consider what they would like best—some people have always dreamed of surprise parties while others hate being caught unaware. Whatever you choose, be sure this is also clearly communicated to guests so no one accidentally spills the beans.
Order a Brilliant Birthday Cake that Suits Your Theme/Event Concept – If there’s ever a time to invest in a sophisticated dessert from a fancy bakery, this is it. So go ahead and splurge on the two-tier with fondant decor, edible glitter, and fancy piping if that’s what your heart desires. You deserve it!
How to Save Money on Your 40th Birthday Party in London
We think we’ve already proven that the ideal spot doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, but how will you keep costs at bay for the rest of your big day? Here are some of our favourite money-saving tips when throwing a birthday bash:
Keep it local.
There can be a bit of pressure to do something wild and adventurous for a milestone birthday. While it may be tempting to fly your entire friend circle out for a destination celebration, there are so many incredible party options right here in London. By cutting back on transportation and hotel costs, you’ll have more room in the budget for little luxuries like a fancy bottle of wine or a stunning floral arrangement.
It takes a village.
Remember that you don’t need to act as the sole host of the party. Make it a collaborative effort where the entire friend group pitches in, alleviating stress and financial costs. You could go the potluck route and have everyone prepare a dish or make each guest responsible for a creative cocktail throughout the evening.
Stretch your concept of “entertaining hours”.
Go with a boozy brunch or a party late into the night, starting well after dinner has come and gone. You’ll save a pretty penny on catering!
London 40th Birthday Party Venues with Giggster
The secret to exceptional private events is renting out an entire venue from the Giggster app that will set you apart from the London crowd. From underground speakeasies where you can have access to your own bar for the night to a private dining area in a garden oasis, we've got the inside scoop on every hidden gem across the city.
