Looking For A Christmas Party Venue In Spitalfields That Isn't Boring? Read This First.
Christmas party season creeps up faster than anyone's ready for, and if you're the one who got lumped with "sort the venue" this year, congratulations, you've got main character energy whether you asked for it or not.
Here's the good news: you don't need a banqueting hall the size of an aircraft hangar or a spreadsheet of caterers to pull off a party people actually talk about in January. You need somewhere with personality, somewhere flexible, and somewhere that isn't going to nickel-and-dime you before you've even booked the DJ. That's us.
68&SHANGHAI sits at 76 Commercial Street in Spitalfields, a five-minute wander from Liverpool Street and Aldgate East, and this Christmas we're doing things a little differently.
No Minimum Spend Is The Standard, Not The Perk
Let's get the boring-but-important bit out of the way first, because it's actually the best bit: no minimum spend is the standing policy for Christmas bookings at 68, not some limited-time gimmick.
That applies across the board, every day, all season.
What that means in practice: parties run as standing/reception-style events with canapés, think easy grazing, not a three-course sit-down.
If you want a full sit-down Christmas lunch or dinner menu, that's not what this format is (we don't do a lunch/dinner service for parties), so it's worth knowing that going in.
Want to bring in your own caterer instead? You can, for a hire fee; just flag it with the team when you enquire. And if you're after the whole venue rather than one room, full venue hire has its own minimum spend; get in touch for a quote.
A few exception dates carry a minimum spend during peak season; ask when you enquire so there are no surprises.
The Early Bird Deal (Book By 30 September)
Book your Christmas date before 30 September, and you unlock three things:
Free bubbles on arrival for groups of 30 or more
A comped DJ if you commit to a £3,000 minimum spend
£5 gift voucher for every £100 spent, redeemable in January and February, basically a reason to come back and do it all again once the tinsel's down.
Translation: the earlier you lock your date in, the more you get for free. Waiting until November means watching this deal disappear along with the good dates. Click here to book Christmas
Four Rooms, Zero "Generic Function Room" Energy
Spitalfields does a lot of Christmas parties that all blur into the same beige carpet and the same fairy lights. Ours don't, because every room at 68 has its own identity:
Wine Bar: up to 50, buzzy and social
Wine Cellar: up to 50, moodier and a bit more atmospheric
Shanghai Lounge: up to 35, home to the building's one fireplace, so this is the one to grab if "cosy" is the vibe
Bartender's Room: up to 20 (minimum 10), the most private and intimate space in the building, perfect for a smaller team do
Whichever room you land on, you'll get canapés, cocktails, and a space that actually looks like somewhere you chose on purpose.
Why Book Early?
Good Christmas dates in Spitalfields go fast, especially anything Thursday to Saturday.
Booking early means: first pick of rooms and dates, the Early Bird bubbles/DJ/voucher stack, and one less thing hanging over you in November when everyone else is scrambling.
FAQ’S
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Yes, no minimum spend is the standard policy for Christmas bookings, with a small number of exception dates during peak season. Ask when you enquire to check your date.
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Parties run standing/reception-style with canapés. There's no sit-down lunch or dinner menu for Christmas parties specifically.
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Yes, for a hire fee, mention it when you enquire and the team will talk you through it.
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Book by 30 September 2026 to get free bubbles for groups of 30+, a comped DJ at £3,000 minimum spend, and a £5 voucher per £100 spent, redeemable January–February.
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Across the four private spaces, group sizes range from 10 up to 50 per room. Full venue hire is available for larger parties, enquire for capacity and pricing.
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76 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, London E1 6LY, a short walk from Liverpool Street and Aldgate East stations.