It’s about that time again: office summer party season. Which also means that it’s time to get cracking with planning yours. So, first things first: what kind of party is it going to be?
In this guide, we’ll lead you through some of our favourite themes and ideas for office summer parties—which, in our experience, all tend to land very well when done right.
Whether you’re interested in having a themed party or not, the setting and ambiance for your event is key in setting the tone. Our venue is a unique heritage space with modern interior design, lending a sophisticated and creative feel to any type of soirée. Whether you’re looking for an intimate, seated dinner or late-night dance party to remember, we’ve got you covered.
Plus, we’re in the heart of West London, just minutes’ walk from Hammersmith tube stop.
Here are our top 13 corporate summer party themes and ideas.
Garden party
This is a classic party theme for a reason: it’s elegant and versatile, and gives everyone a chance to enjoy the sunshine. Here, having British-weather proof outdoor seating is key. For example, our terrace can be covered and our heaters switched on. When it’s simply better to be indoors, head into the adjoining Cellar to continue the festivities.
Start off by having everyone enjoy fizz and nibbles on the terrace. Ours is framed by a green hedge and strings of fairy lights. There could be a musical guest if you like, too, or a playlist of your choosing. As the afternoon progresses, there’s also the option to head indoors for a meal and late-night music.
This is an option we’d suggest for larger groups of at least 60 people.
Wimbledon theme
Throw a garden party with a sophisticated twist. We’re talking Pimms, strawberries and cream, and an optional dress code of tennis whites. A photobooth is also a nice touch, if you’re so inclined.
You could have your guests lounge in an outdoor terrace until the sun goes down, with an array of canapés and grazing boards. Decorate with bunting and, if you fancy it, end the evening indoors with a smooth transition to a dance party. Again, this is best suited to larger groups.
Wine tasting (or cheese and wine pairing)
This is a popular option for companies who prefer parties with an activity. We can arrange a wine tasting for you and your colleagues, as well as a cheese pairing, in one of our private dining spaces. Our atmospheric Library can accommodate up to 40 guests when seated.
You’re most welcome to stay on for dinner or drinks, canapés, and late-night snacks as the evening stretches on.
Remember: not all summer parties need to be night-long affairs. Some are perfectly suited to an afternoon or early evening.
Cocktail and canapés soirée
Who doesn’t love a cocktail party? What about a personalised cocktail menu?
We’d be delighted to work with you and bring your summer party’s cocktail menu to life. We’ve got a special passion for drinks and are well known for our expertly-crafted, unique cocktails. But if you’ve got some people who prefer wine, beer, or mocktails, there are plenty of delicious tipples to choose from.
While your guests sip on their drinks, treat them to some canapés: truffled parmesan gougeres, broad bean panisse, salt cod croquette, or spiced raw beef with nori and little gem, anyone?
Pop in a photobooth and some live entertainment, and you’ve got all the makings of an office do to remember.
Jazz lounge
Live jazz, free-flowing cocktails, and plush sofas? Yes please. At Kindred, we’re well connected with some of our city’s top jazz musicians—our monthly jazz night is one of our most popular events.
Kick off the evening with a welcome drink and delicious bite in our airy Hall, before settling in to enjoy a live performance. And we should tell you that our jazz nights have been known to finish on the dancefloor.
For parties like these, a photobooth—or a 360 degree camera—is always a good idea.
Desserts and late-night dance party
For companies who love a good knees-up—almost as much as delicious desserts. While the evening might start off with standing snacks and welcome drinks, it could transition to a live performance by one of our city’s finest acts. Round out the night with a DJ to welcome in the wee hours.
And when it’s time to take a hard-earned break from dancing, your guests could enjoy a sweet treat. Dress code? Anything that makes your guests feel fabulous.
We’d be delighted to host up to 180 guests in our Hall. For larger parties, get in touch—you can hire multiple spaces or even the entire venue.
Summertime speakeasy
It might seem counterintuitive to celebrate summer in a speakeasy-style lounge. But upstairs in our Salon bar, it’s a real treat to watch the evening sun set through the arched windows of Bradmore House—all while sipping on a cocktail.
You could suggest that your guests dress in a 1920s style, or in any sort of cocktail attire they feel fabulous in. As well as enjoying delicious nibbles and your own private bar, you could arrange a live musical performance that’ll get toes tapping.
Should you wish to amp up the entertainment, we can also accommodate specialty performances such as tarot card reading, burlesque dances, and more.
Festival theme
Summertime is festival season, after all. Opt for a larger space with plenty of room for activities: we can accommodate tarot reading, a pop-up nail salon, rum tasting, and more. Let us know what sort of festival suits your people and we’ll work with you to bring it to life.
You could have your guests dress in their best festival attire, from sequins to bright colours. Only there’s no need to pack wellies.
And what festival isn’t complete without phenomenal music? We can work with you to curate a lineup tailored to your tastes, whether that’s soul, RnB, pop, a DJ, or classic dancefloor anthems. At Kindred, we pride ourselves on being able to fill up a dancefloor, so you’re in excellent hands.
Treat your guests with a selection of late night food: mac and cheese, blood mary spiced fries, pizza boards, burgers, and more. And, of course, your choice of cocktails, wine, beer, or softs.
Private seated dinner
A popular choice for smaller companies who’d like a more intimate affair. Up to 40 guests can be seated in our atmospheric Library.
Choose a traditional, plated menu or opt for more rustic sharing plates. And when it comes to decor, you can be as creative as you wish: extra candles, floristry, special table linens, and seasonal decorations are all available. The perfect ambiance for your summer work party really does make all the difference when showing your colleagues how much you appreciate their hard work.
Should you need to make speeches or run through any presentations, we can cover all your AV needs, too.
Retro theme: 70s, 80s, 90s
Another classic party theme that’s always a solid go-to. There’s usually a dress code for retro parties, and we can match that energy with a curated playlist or live performance.
These sorts of events tend to be more suited to larger spaces with a dance floor. We can arrange live music for your guests plus plenty of snacks and late-night bites. And if there’s any team building exercises, talks or presentations to open the event with, we can support your AV needs and ensure a seamless transition to the late night festivities.
With everyone dressed up, we’d suggest having a photobooth with props. A 360 degree camera is also a popular choice.
Karaoke
Any time of year is a good time for karaoke. We can accommodate karaoke machines in our private upstairs spaces, so you’re free to belt out your favourite tunes and enjoy each other’s company.
Have a selection of bites sent up to your guests throughout the night and grab drinks from your own private bar. Should you want a photobooth, we can sort that out, too.
Pub quiz
Everyone loves a pub quiz. And sometimes, a simpler activity like this is what does the trick in bringing people together.
Gather in our downstairs restaurant, Cellar, as your quizmaster gets the game going. We can arrange for food and drink to be served throughout so no-one’s left wanting. Afterwards, the evening could transition into a live-music-and-dancing affair, with plenty of late night snacks on offer.
Masterclass
Sometimes, the best sort of office party is one centred around an activity. Treat your team to a masterclass led by an expert, where they could learn anything from cocktail making to cheese tasting, and more.
We’ve hosted a wide range of masterclasses in our time: arts, crafts, cooking, writing, floristry, and more. Have your office come for an afternoon session followed by dinner and drinks, or simply for the class. This is an option that’s best suited to small and medium-sized companies.
Plan your perfect work summer party
Feeling inspired? Now that you’ve got a sense of what sort of party you’re going to throw, you can get on with your planning. There’s the menu, decor, music, and invitations all still to think about—and we’re here to make the process as smooth as possible.
Kindred is located in Bradmore House, a three-storey, Grade-II listed mansion in the heart of Hammersmith. We don’t mind telling you that we throw a tremendous party. We know how to look after our guests and pride ourselves on hosting unique and impactful events for parties of all sizes.
So, whether you’re a burgeoning startup or larger office, there’s something here for you at Kindred. Get in touch with our team here to learn more.
And here’s how we can help you with your office summer party.