By Victoria HaynesIn this story:
On the search for something a little bit different from the usual go-to pub meet-up? Whether you're planning a birthday, a special occasion or just a reason to get everyone together, we've got you covered with our unique experience gifts in London!
There are so many fun alternatives for friends in London that don't revolve around drinking, and more and more people are choosing alcohol-free socialising! If you're ready to swap a loud pub for something a bit more memorable, we've collated a masterlist of things you can do in the capital with your friends, from pottery to foodie adventures. Let's dive right in!
Creative workshops and crafty catch-ups
If your group loves the chance to try something new and creative, we've got just the thing! You don't need to be crafty experts – our passionate teachers will show you the ropes. These options are perfect for crafty celebrations with friends in London.
1. Wheel throwing pottery class – Nine Elms. Get hands-on with clay and have a go at making your own pottery on the wheel. A fun, slightly messy activity for friends who don't mind getting their hands dirty!
2. Textured silver ring making workshop – Woolwich. Learn the basics of silversmithing and create a sterling silver ring to wear long after your get-together. Who's down for matching rings?
3. Kintsugi class – Battersea. Discover the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with golden details. It's a calming, creative activity that's a little different from the usual group outing.
4. Woodcut printing workshop – Hackney. Design and carve your own printing block before creating a series of handmade prints. A great option for friends who enjoy illustration, design and getting creative.
5. Stained glass workshop – Harrow. Try your hand at a traditional craft and create a colourful glass piece to take home.
6. Real-plant terrarium making workshop – Battersea. Build a miniature indoor garden with plants, soil and decorative details. Perfect for a group of plant lovers!
7. Sip and paint experience – Hammersmith. Swap the pub for a colourful painting session, where you can experiment with paints and create your own artwork.
8. Lino block printing workshop – Deptford. Learn how to design, carve and print your own artwork using traditional lino printing techniques.
9. DIY plushie sewing class – Holloway. Make your own soft toy in a relaxed sewing workshop. A sweet and slightly quirky choice for a crafty catch-up!
10. Perfume making workshop – Crystal Palace. Experiment with different scents and create a fragrance that's completely your own.
11. BYOB candle making workshop – Stratford. Make your own candle while catching up with friends. A cosy alternative to meeting for drinks.
12. Soap making workshop – East Barnet. Get creative with scents and ingredients while making your own bath-time treats.
13. Natural make-up masterclass – Angel. Learn about making your own make-up and enjoy a hands-on activity with a useful takeaway.
14. Hand building pottery class – Harlesden. Shape your own projects with clay in a relaxed and social environment.
15. Graffiti and street art experience – Brick Lane. Explore London's street-art scene before having a go at spray painting yourselves!
16. Beginner watercolour workshop – Bank. Spend a few hours learning watercolour techniques and creating your own artwork, even if you're a complete beginner.
17. Rug tufting workshop – Wembley. Use a tufting gun to create your own colourful mini rug. A brilliant choice for friends who enjoy a more unusual craft.
18. Flower arranging workshop – Stratford. Learn how to arrange seasonal flowers into a hand-tied bouquet, with a beautiful creation to take home.
19. Mosaic making class – Hackney. Play with colour, shape and pattern as you make your own mosaic design.
20. Lampwork glassmaking workshop – Homerton. Try a fascinating glassmaking technique and discover how to shape molten glass into colourful flowers!
Food and drink experiences to enjoy together
A meal or cooking class can be a great way to bring everyone together, especially if your group always loves to get together and try new cuisines. These ideas range from hands-on cooking to foodie adventures for groups around London.
21. Churros and chocolate class on a boat – Canary Wharf. Get together on a cute canal boat and make and enjoy Spanish churros and chocolate!
22. Authentic Chinese hand-pulled noodle masterclass – Archway. Get stuck into the art of making Biang Biang noodles from scratch.
23. Jamaican beef patty class – Camden Town. Learn how to make a classic Jamaican snack, from preparing the filling to creating the pastry.
24. Korean bento box making class – Archway. Put together a Korean-inspired lunchbox and discover new ingredients and cooking techniques.
25. Chocolate truffle making workshop – Kentish Town. A sweet choice for friends with a love of chocolate, with the chance to make their own handmade treats.
26. Souffle pancake making class – Archway. Discover how to make the fluffiest Japanese souffle pancakes from scratch!
27. Fresh pasta class – Isle of Dogs. Make pasta from scratch and enjoy a sociable cooking session together.
28. Sushi making class – Soho. Learn how to prepare and roll your own sushi in a fun, hands-on session.
29. Dim sum dumplings and wontons class – Archway. Spend time learning how to make delicious Chinese dumplings and wontons. Yum!
30. Pizza masterclass – Hackney. Get together to make your own pizza, from working with the dough to adding your favourite toppings.
Games, challenges and competitive fun
If your friendship group thrives on a bit of friendly competition, London's social gaming venues are a lovely alternative to sitting around a pub table, struggling to hear each other.
31. Flight Club – Shoreditch, Victoria and Bloomsbury. Play social darts with automatic scoring and a choice of fast-paced games!
32. Electric Shuffle – London Bridge and Canary Wharf. Take on your friends in a modern, tech-enhanced version of shuffleboard.
33. Puttshack – Bank and White City. Enjoy a round of high-tech mini golf, perfect for groups who enjoy a bit of fun competition!
34. The Ludoquist – Croydon. Challenge each other at your favourite board games in a chill environment.
35. Rowans Tenpin Bowl – Finsbury Park. Head to this lively bowling venue for a classic group activity, with karaoke and other games available too.
36. clueQuest – King's Cross. Work together to solve puzzles, crack codes and escape before the clock runs out.
37. Escape London – Whitechapel, Shepherd's Bush and Islington. Choose a themed escape room and see how well your group works under pressure!
38. Enigma Quests – Holborn. Take on an immersive escape-room mission or try the Escape Arcade for a series of shorter challenges.
39. The Arcanist's Tavern – Hackney. Hanging out with fellow D&D players? You'll feel right at home in this fantasy gaming cafe!
40. The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience – West End. Take on a series of mental and physical challenges inspired by the classic TV show.
Runs regularly
Nine Elms
1 to 65 guests
6 years in business
Shows, unusual days out and shared experiences
For groups who'd rather watch, explore or simply do something out of the ordinary, these unique experiences you can do with friends might tick all the boxes.
41. The Comedy Store – Piccadilly Circus. Book tickets for a stand-up comedy night and enjoy a proper evening of laughs.
42. Top Secret Comedy Club – Covent Garden and Holborn. Catch a line-up of comedians in an intimate venue.
43. ABBA Voyage – Stratford. Sing along to the hits at this iconic concert experience featuring digital performances and a live band.
44. Frameless – Marble Arch. Wander through immersive digital art installations that bring famous artworks to life.
45. God's Own Junkyard – Walthamstow. Explore a wonderfully eccentric collection of neon signs and vintage lighting.
46. SPYSCAPE – Baker Street. Test your observation, problem-solving and code-breaking skills through interactive spy challenges!
47. Up at The O2 – Greenwich. Climb over the roof of the O2 Arena for a different perspective of London's skyline.
48. Thames Rockets – Westminster. Take a high-speed boat ride along the Thames for a sightseeing trip with an adrenaline rush.
49. AIRE Ancient Baths – Covent Garden. Enjoy a relaxing thermal bathing experience in a beautifully atmospheric setting.
50. Sky Garden – City of London. Take in panoramic views of the capital from this indoor garden, with free general admission bookings available!
Pub alternatives for friends in London: What to do instead
Sometimes a pub just isn't the right setting for gossiping and spending time with your friends. Maybe it's too noisy to have a proper conversation, you're trying to save money, or you'd rather spend your evening doing something you'll actually remember. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of ways to socialise and catch up with your favourite people!
|
The usual pub problem |
Why it can be a pain |
A better way to get together |
Alternative to try |
|---|---|---|---|
|
It's too loud to chat |
Yelling over loud music and trying to hear each other can make for a pretty tiring night out. |
Choose a creative activity in a more relaxed setting, where you can chat while getting stuck into something! |
Try a pottery wheel workshop or terrarium-making class. |
|
The cost keeps adding up |
Spontaneous cocktails, bar snacks and the uber home can turn a chill night into an expensive one! |
Pick an activity with a clear upfront cost, so everyone knows what they're spending before they arrive. |
Try a woodcut printing workshop, a chocolate truffle making workshop or plan an at-home games night. |
|
You don't fancy drinking |
Not drinking can sometimes bring unwanted questions, while many pub plans still revolve around alcohol. |
Choose something where the activity itself is the focus, rather than what's in everyone's glass. |
Book a stained glass workshop or a mosaic making class. |
|
Every pub night feels the same |
Meeting at the same table, ordering the same drinks and making the same conversation can get a little bit repetitive. |
Give everyone a shared experience to look forward to, with something new to talk about afterwards. |
Try a graffiti and street art experience or head to The Arcanist's Tavern for fantasy gaming fun! |
|
You feel sluggish the next day |
A late night, alcohol and a poor night's sleep can leave you feeling less than refreshed the next day. |
Swap the late-night drinks for an active daytime meet-up or an earlier creative experience. |
Try a pizza masterclass or head out to Frameless for an immersive artsy day out. |
|
Meeting new people feels awkward |
Sitting face-to-face with people you don't know very well can make conversation feel a bit forced. |
Choose an activity that gives everyone something to concentrate on, with natural opportunities to chat along the way. |
A sip and paint experience or silver ring making workshop offers a relaxed shared focus. |
|
You're bored of just sitting around |
Spending hours perched on a bar stool can leave you feeling restless, and might not fill your social cup up. |
Get everyone moving with a playful activity or hands-on experience! |
Try social darts at Flight Club or challenge your friends to a round of mini golf at Puttshack. |
|
You leave with nothing to show for it |
Apart from a few photos and maybe an embarrassing story or two, there's often very little to remember a night in the pub. |
Choose an experience where you can make something, learn a skill or create a shared memory. |
Make your own keepsake at a lampwork glassmaking workshop or perfume making workshop. |
Make your next get-together one to remember
No matter the occasion, there's no need to default back to the pub when you've got such an incredible range of things to do with your friends in the capital! From creative workshops and cooking classes to competitive games and unusual days out, there are so many alternatives for friends in London to explore.
So gather your favourite people, try something new and make your next catch-up a little more memorable. Explore our range of activities, drop a few in the group chat and find your perfect fit.
