Here are some notes from my experiences finding venues in London for various events from parties to presentations to practice groups. It's not intended to be any kind of comprehensive venue-finding solution; for that you should talk to a professional, some of whom I've listed below. I hope it may just help out and give you some ideas.

Types of venues

With any venue, the question to ask yourself is "how are these people going to make money?" Keeping this question in your mind will help you select a venue and understand the venue operator. Also consider what times or day and the week people spend money on drinks. Monday nights say or any other "school night" bar spend is much lower. On the flipside, having some paying public in the joint is attractive to owners rather than tumble-weed blowing through... Usually income is from drinks sales, and sometimes food. For hotel conference rooms: coffee & biscuits, flipcharts, projectors, etc.

Pubs

For "functions" these are a good choice as typically they're quite cheap, and often under-utilized so sometimes even free. Food often and drinks always are available, and ensuring that your group buys lunch and beer can be a point towards lower costs.

• Miller of Mansfield - Jim(?), 020 7407 2690, 96-101 Snowfields, Bermondsey, London SE1 3SS. We've had this room for free on a weekend! It's under new, distinctly surlier management now.
• Crown and Anchor pub on the corner of Shelton Street and Neal Street has an upstairs room - 020 7836 5649

Bars

For parties generally. Many places will have smaller presentation rooms too which can be locked or closed off from the public. Often unless you can guarantee a certain bar tab or group of people you might have to share with the public.

• Davy's Wine Bars. These are a chain, and often provide free space.
  • Crown Passage, Pall Mall map
  • Heeltap & Bumper, 2-6 Cannon Street, London EC4M 6XX - speak to Fion 020 7248 3371

As you wander around town keep a note of places and just go in and ask if they would reserve a spot for a party or whatever you're after. Your initiative could be rewarded with a great night out!

Hotels

Hotels are generally quite expensive, between one and three hundred pounds a day. They're good if you want to impress your audience and have cash to spare. For example,

• Regent's Marriott, 4-star - 020 7591 1594. Room for thirty people £175/day on the weekend. £3/person for coffee & biscuits.

Others

• Royal Opera House -- lots of different spaces to rent. Talk to Ian Sparrow: ian.sparrow(at)roh.org.uk
• Neals Yard Meeting Rooms - London WC2 - 020 7379 0141. Smoke and alcohol free!
• Quaker meeting house -- substantial variety of capacities a couple of dozen to over a thousand people! Not cheap.
• Rockingham Community Center, Elephant & Castle: 020 7403 7475
• St Brides Institute, Blackfriars, 020 7353 3331
• Maiden Lane Community Center, Camden, 020 7267 9586
• St Matthews at the Elephant, Elephant & Castle, 020 7357 8532
• Beormund Center, London Bridge, 020 7237 9313
• Central YMCA Club, Tottenham Ct Road, 020 7343 1844 , e.g. a room for 10 people for 3 hours for £30.

You could even try a local church.

This thread on ecademy had some more suggestions specifically for low volume central London venues.

This page has come out entirely from the suggestions, efforts, and knowledge of a whole bunch of folks. Many thanks to them all! Nick Saalfeld, Hetty Browne, Michal Kahn, Elizabeth Varley, Jan Robertson (Party Experts), Sam Fyson, Helen Keegan, Tony Brennand, James Haddocks, Magnus Huckvale.

Any suggestions or ideas gratefully received: drop me a line.