If you want to host an event that really stands out from the crowd, a run-of-the-mill venue simply won’t do. Instead, take a look at blank canvas venues. These event spaces essentially provide an empty shell that you ‘dry hire’, giving you the freedom and creativity to customise, personalise and really make the space your own.
A blank canvas venue is perfect if full creative reign is important to you. Whether you’re organising an important product launch, a pop-up event, a big gala dinner or branded event, you get to choose the décor and the styling, the caterers, the entertainment, the stage, lighting installations and whatever else you need.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to dry hire venues in London. From industrial chic warehouses to stripped back photo studios, we have some truly fabulous blank canvas venues on the Best Venues London database, and offer a free and friendly venue finding service to make sure you find the perfect spot for your next event.
Hackney Showroom, E8
Based at Hackney Down Studios in East London and designed by award winning architects Citizen Design Bureau, Hackney Showroom is an ideal dry hire venue for hosting a party, wedding or corporate event for 10-400 guests. From meetings and presentations to workshops and conferences, rehearsals and filming, photo shoots and fashion shows, children’s parties or drinks receptions, this versatile venue totally delivers.
Situated within the 4,000 sq ft multipurpose flexible warehouse space you’ll find the generously sized Showroom Big Space and more intimate Showroom Studio, alongside the Showroom Bar and Box Office with gorgeous neon lighting.
Nine Adam Street, W1
Designed by Robert Adams and centrally located on The Strand just minutes from Trafalgar Square, Nine Adam Street is a contemporary blank canvas event space that would work wonderfully for meetings and product launches, press days and experiential activities, parties and after parties, Christmas events and wedding receptions, to mention a few.
With beautifully exposed brickwork and luxury finishing throughout, the space comprises 2 generous floors’ worth of event space for up to 250 standing guests. There’s a separate VIP area (and dedicated VIP entrance), meeting room space, a reception area, breakout space, kitchen with full facilities and bar with late night licence.
Carousel London, W1
With 3 beautifully designed floors in the heart of Marylebone, Carousel is a fully equipped flexible venue available to hire for all kinds of events. The light and airy, Scandinavian inspired upstairs section with polished concrete floor can accommodate around 90 standing guests and has access to a south facing suntrap. From exhibitions to creative workshops, yoga brunches to mindfulness classes, it’s an inspiring venue with a calming vibe.
Downstairs, you’ll find a vast industrial style blank canvas space with a versatile layout that can be customised for large scale events. The room can cater for approx. 180 standing guests and has its own professional kitchen and pop-up bar – ideal for press event and brand activations, private parties, film screenings and acoustic gigs.
Oui 2 Rooms, W1
Just 5 minutes’ walk from Oxford Circus tube station, this stunning 2,500 sq ft blank canvas venue has high ceilings, white walls, dark wood resin flooring and rendered brickwork. Oui 2 Rooms is a multi-award winning showroom available for dry hire from 7am-9pm.
With a stunning interior and plenty of space available, the venue offers flexible air-conditioned event space providing Wi-Fi, iPod connectivity and dedicated kitchen space that would be suitable for press shows and product launches, photo shoots and sample sales, and all kinds of business meetings. For added convenience, there’s ground floor loading/unloading access.
Kachette, EC1
Situated in two beautifully restored historic railways arches in the heart of Shoreditch, this popular party and events venue is a great space for small conferences and pop-up retail events to large scale product launches, weddings and parties up to 330 guests.
The historic setting comes with exposed Victorian brickwork, open rigging, a stunning black gated entrance and the trademark train station clock situated in the foyer. It’s a fabulous, unique backdrop for a wide range of private and corporate events.
RIDA East Studio, E1
Situated in the heart of Shoreditch, RIDA East is a bright and airy, contemporary styled photography studio with high ceilings, white walls and shuttered doors (providing handy drive-in access if required). If you’re looking for a flexible dry hire venue for a product launch or fashion show, a business meeting or brand awareness event, or for corporate entertaining with a difference, RIDA offers huge potential.
There are two studio spaces – Studio A (3,000 sq ft) and Studio B (1,200 sq ft) – together providing 4,200 sq ft of industrial event space. For extra convenience, the venue also has kitchen, WC and shower facilities, as well as a hair & makeup room with a backwash sink.
