Looking for a 40th birthday party venue in London? These days 40 is the new 30, so don't tuck yourself away when that big birthday gets near. Get out there and see what London has to offer for those fortunate enough to still be partying at 40. Whether you want a sophisticated evening with a few friends or a riotous evening to make you feel 20 something again, then London's bars and clubs have something to offer. We pick out the best bars in London for your 40th birthday.
Last updated on 19th November 2018
For a relaxed, easy-going 40th birthday celebration, head to The Crown pub on Lavender Hill in Battersea. The pub is beautifully decorated, with its walls all covered in vintage photographs, green coloured leather sofas and an elegant bar stocked full of exquisite craft beer. To make sure the night doesn't end too early, their compelling menu of mouth-watering, condiment filled burgers will leave you well-fuelled for the night's festivities, whatever they may be.
Patch St. Paul's is an affordable haven by St. Paul's which has a good reputation for providing great evenings for large groups. Set over two floors with a restaurant, cocktail bar and modern club, Patch St. Paul's offers the full package evening with dinner, drinks and dancing. With great service this would make an excellent London bar to hold that 40th birthday party you've been planning.
The East Hill pubs is a quaint, characterful venue that's ideal for an intimate 40th birthday celebration with your closest family members and friends. The team behind this venue will cater for your every need and have years of experience in hosting intimate dinners. Armed by the freshest ingredients and the finest cuts of meat, the chefs at this homely pub have skillfully curated a menu of hearty British dishes. To help wash it down, there's a fantastic line up of locally brewed craft beers and real ales to sink deep into.
The team behind this intriguing venture have produced a truly wonderful venue for London's live music enthusiasts. Based in a listed Victorian basement, The Piano Works somehow manages to combine the historic, charismatic vibes of the venue with the excitement and splendour associated with contemporary piano bars. All the songs played are requested by the audience on the evening, so your experience will be personal and unique. Sip your way through their compelling cocktail list or simply dine a range of delectable dishes at this lively House of Song.
The perfect spot to celebrate your 40th birthday, The Chelsea Pensioner offers quality beers, an eclectic entertainment programme, tasty snacks and secret beer garden. All this and more, it is a great place for the family to get together to celebrate your big day, and any claims that you can't get a high quality yet affordable drink in Chelsea quickly go out the window here!
With their swilling of Champagne, traditional interiors and bustling selection of gastro inspired plates, it's no wonder that Champagne Charlie's has become such a bespoke birthday joint. With their exposed brickwork and barrel theme, this special plot near Embankment is primed for any and all 40th birthday parties in London.
Your 40th birthday celebrations in London should be spent fuss free and in a venue that can cater to the decent group of friends you've acquired over the years, which is exactly what KuPP does. Sitting pretty in Paddington along the canal-side, you can dabble in a bit of Scandi-style alfresco drinking and dining to really take advantage of whatever the weather come your birthday.
Looking for a special place in London to celebrate your 40th birthday? The Soda Room is a cool cocktail haunt hidden beneath the Botanist Broadgate, promising cool interiors, blinding cocktails and a great atmosphere, all throughout the week. Expect great drinks, great music and an unprentious crowd.
This circus haunt with its acrobatic instruments dangling from the ceiling, its multi-coloured booth seats and its checkered floor is a vibrant and unique venue in Hoxton to chase all other quirky venues right off the map. Settle in for a raucous night in a bar whose very interior is an entertainment in itself.
If you're looking for a refined but all the more fun 40th birthday celebration in London, let the Oddbins team bring you one of their specialist tasting packages to any venue of your choosing. They'll take the ropes and tailor the tasting to whatever you fancy, be it wine, beer, spirits or even whisky and chocolate!
Seeking out that perfect prohibition party? Look no further than the Candlelight Club, an elusive evening out in a secret location lit exclusively by candles. In authentic speakeasy style, these guys like to keep their cards close to their chest, but we can tell you that there will be bespoke cocktails, live jazz bands and a bloody handsome crowd in their roaring twenties best.
The London Marriot's former luggage storage facility has been remade into this decadent 1920's style secret bar. You'll have to find the unassuming door and speak your name through a sliding hatch to the person behind it to get in. However, once inside you'll be able to enjoy premium cocktails and jazz music to make for a cracking 40th birthday.
This versatile venue is good for any event you like - whether it's painting Lionel Richie onto Rich Tea biscuits or getting your boogy on over cocktails. Book out the whole place for your very own private shindig if that floats your boat or party with the common people on the downstairs dance floor.
@ The Rivoli Ballroom on Saturday 15th December 2018 and 11 other Saturdays
The team behind the iconic Rivoli Ballroom in London will transport their guests back to the 1920s, hosting a night revolving around jive music. This monthly event will be signposted by the great swing bands on display - such as Juke Joint Jump, The Cadillac Kings and Miss Annie & The Midnight Shift. There are few better ways to celebrate your 40th birthday in London.
How better to celebrate your 40th birthday than a night dancing to all of your favourite 70s and 80s tracks? Rouges in South London offers the city's late-night revellers a frivolous evening of laughter, outrageous dance moves and stunning performances. The amazing aerialist performance by Kellie Sky will undoubtedly be a highlight, but DJ Kobayashi's sets will keep the fun vibes going all night.
A rum lovers paradise - the London Cocktail Club Shaftesbury Avenue is an intricate and smart venue perfect for a sophisticated 40th birthday event. With top quality cocktails on offer as well as innovative food this place hits the nail on the head; the naval decor will also captivate the eyes and add to the cool feel of this London bar.
Bid farewell to the days of sweaty clubs, busy bars and too much time spent without a drink in hand - The Comedy Cafe in Shoreditch is a stage dominated by some of the UKs best comedic talent in the industry. You can expect an intimate loft style space, perfect for settling down with your guys and gals for a few cheeky birthday laughs.
Whoever said that you had to get wild on your 40th birthday in London had obviously never tried Balls Brothers Mayfair Exchange on for size. Perfect for those looking for a sit down dinner with drinks in London, this classic British getaway promises stunning seasonal plates alongside a noted and enviable wine menu.
This luxurious lounge with its soft hues and even softer seats is an indulgent hug of velvet sofas, cushions and alcoholic taste bud snugglers. Settle back in elegant surrounds with a cocktail in hand and if the mood takes you, head down to the mystical Apres-Ski Lounge downstairs for some move busting in this Alpine paradise.
For an elegant 40th birthday venue in Central London that's sure to leave you feeling like royalty, head to Blind Spot in Soho and lose yourself in the sultry, sleek atmosphere on offer. The team behind this venue is composed of talented bartenders and impressive resident DJs. With the air full of heavy bass and trembling melodies, the bartenders have really pushed boundaries, creating a quirky list of concoctions that perfectly complements the venue's sophisticated, vibrant atmosphere.
A lively all-round-venue located just off Regent Street, The Warwick offers a friendly atmosphere and wallet-friendly prices in the heart of the West End. Coming for dinner? Perfect, because there's a range of seasonal dishes, comfort foods and sharing platters to suit all tastes, as well as a clutch of signature cocktails and a lovely range of G&Ts to help get the party started. Happy hour lasts from 5-8pm which offers up to 50% off on selected drinks!
If you're planning your 40th Birthday party, and are looking for a venue with that something special, be sure to pay the Ivory Vault a visit. Located in between the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, this private hire venue oozes tradition and is based in the cellar of a grade II listed Victorian building. Specialising in themed events, why not turn your wild birthday celebration into an idyllic masquerade ball or elegant baroque banquet.
The Jones Family Project has all the bases when it comes to throwing a 40th birthday party. This versatile venue comes complete with a whole host of stylish areas available for private hire, so whether you are looking to celebrate with an intimate group of friends or hoping to throw a memorable shindig for up to 200, this Shoreditch retreat has your party sorted.
This sophisticated little haunt is a members only club, but squeeze your way in and hire out the private dining area for a spot of classy munching from an impressive menu. Add the tastiest of tipples, from the classics to the delightfully innovative spiced pear mojito, and you have a glam birthday topped off with quality.
Festive sharing menu with an Amalfi lemon and grapefruit Bellini: £45 pp
Enjoy a 40th birthday celebration at the May Fair Kitchen and you can enjoy a delicious array of Mexican and Peruvian sharing plates, paired with amazing cocktails and fine wines together. Or, if you fancy a more secluded affair, you can opt for their lavish Private Dining Room instead.
Northbank Restaurant is a sophisticated venue to host a 40th birthday celebration. Serving up delicious modern British dishes and unique cocktails as well as an extensive drink list there is something everyone can enjoy. If it's nice out then the riverside terrace is a beautiful spot for alfresco drinking and taking in the beautiful views.
Brunch + Bottomless Bubbles / Bellinis (£18pp) and 3 other offers
This sophisticated hang out in Balham is the perfect spot for a topnotch great quality meal at rustic tables in a stylish, modern interior, with the prospect of balcony seating for sunny summer nights. Stick around for a screening in the cushy cinema after, complete with sofa seats, cushions and free bags of popcorn - a real birthday treat!
You're all grown up, so have a sophisticated sojourn in King Cross's swankiest bar. Grab some great Gastro grub and line those stomachs before you hit those classy cocktails, fine wines or boozy beers. Don't miss the heated, picturesque rooftop terrace and celebrate your birthday in style with your nearest and dearest.
This unusual venue is an event space for private hire only, so book your space now and plunge the depths of this secret den. With an arched textured ceiling, suave vintage furniture and an Alice in Wonderland feel chequered floor, this place is a magical escape from those London streets and a great place for some confidential capers.
The team at All Bar One on Villiers Street are no strangers to hosting fun nights out in London. Armed with a fully stocked bar and having created a number of signature and classic cocktails, the venue's many seating areas are ideal for anyone looking for a spot to celebrate their 40th birthday with their nearest and dearest.
Looking for somewhere with a bit of character for your 40th? Topolski is a gallery, bar, cafe and late-night venue set in the rail arches near Waterloo station that's guaranteed to offer something different to the usual. Both arches are available for private hire, or you could just come for cocktails and dancing at this fun, alternative central London venue.
A versatile spot that suits any and all 40th birthday celebration in London, Blues Kitchen ticks every box of cool. Try something from their extensive collection of Bourbons and catch a live performance from some of the most talked about musicians at one of London's most famous live music venues. Then, stick around and party on at one of their regular vintage rock and roll club nights.
Unique, delicious and charming, one of London's finest afternoon tea experiences is enjoyed aboard this vintage Routemaster bus. Take in Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Royal Albert Hall with a selection of sandwiches, pastries, cakes and macaroons to hand. Grab a group your nearest and dearest, and BYO bubbly for that extra touch of sparkle.
If you're looking for a sophisticated birthday celebration for your 40th then Devonshire Terrace is just what you need. This classy restaurant bar has a stunning interior, an outdoor atrium and a terrace perfect for enjoying drinks any time of the year. With a magnificent wine selection and a modern European menu it is sure to make any night feel really special.
What better way to celebrate the big 4-0 than with dinner and a show? Agree? Then head down to The London Cabaret Club in Holborn. Combining a quintessentially British fine-dining experience and an innovative live cabaret show, this promises a cracking birthday experience. The menu here boasts a list of delicious dishes whilst the cabaret show comes courtesy of some of the West End's biggest stars.
Jamie's Wine Bar Ludgate Hill is minutes away from St. Paul's and is tailor-made for parties and functions. With a private function room downstairs available and the whole venue available at weekends with no hire fee, Jamie's Wine Bar Ludgate Hill is very popular when it comes to 40th birthday parties and there is no doubt why. An extensive wine selection only adds to this London wine bar and makes it even better for a fun yet sophisticated party.
An exciting new wine and cocktail bar owned by three big players in the industry, discover 68 & Boston ahead of the crowds to celebrate your 40th this year. Be sure to spend some time in the '68' wine bar, where quality bottles from around the world are served at affordable rates. Bar food is available too, and 'Boston' is the low-lit, intimate cocktail bar upstairs specialising in a mix of the classics and originals.
A modern city pub and bar, The Tokenhouse is a great city escape. With a great Cellar Bar which is perfect for private hire events this speakeasy party venue wouldn't look out place in Mad Men, it's that cool. With a wide range of beers, ales and craft lagers on offer, this venue is a down-to-earth and casual party haven where your guests will feel instantly comfortable and at ease.
Celebrate your big day with your closest friends and family at a cozy restaurant like Coin Laundry. This venue has the comfort and appeal of your own home so you won't feel too out of place celebrating out of the house. With a perfectly articulated menu, Coin Laundry has you and guests covered to have a plate everyone will love.
Effortlessly cool, East London bar The Strongroom is a perfect London birthday location. With huge beer selection, great food and plenty of spaces to hire or just hang out in, there's no better place to hit the big 4-0.
Delve into this charming little rabbit hole of Alice in Wonderland inspired goodies. Wonderland Ceramics present the ultimate in feel good, fun activites - painting pottery and supping on cocktails (alternatively you can bring your own booze to glug on). Jazz up your kitchen wares with some playful mug, bowl, tea pot or even picture frame decorating.
Creative, vibrant and bursting with colour, Christabel's are renowned for their striking pop-up experiences. Coming at us from a secret location overlooking the Regent's Canal, past immersive drinking and dining experiences have included anything from Mad Hatters brunches to edible playgrounds and botanical speakeasies.
A well-rounded, homely and personal local in Maida Vale, The Elgin offers top quality across the board. Their first floor private room – with its own fully functioning bar – suits gatherings for up to 120 guests, and the vast choice of locally-sourced food, craft beers and wines offers a little something for all tastes.
The Draft House has brought something new to the Old Street picture, with an excellent range of beer served up in an interesting and eye-catching space just down from the roundabout. Ideal for any beer enthusiast celebrating the big 4-0, the staff are friendly and there's sharing plates, classic British comfort food, burgers and hot dogs all included on the food menus.
CHAMPAGNE BAR PARTY PACKAGES - AB fab package and 2 other offers
A hidden gem in the heart of London's finest train station, Searcys in St Pancras promise the ultimate in birthday indulgence. Perfect for any 40th birthday bash in the city, head on down for oysters, press for champagne buttons and bottles aplenty.
Get comfy in a private booth and celebrate your big day in style. There's a spectacular range of BBQ'd treats if you fancy eating, as well as an equally rich list of bourbons, beers, spirits and cocktails to keep you topped up throughout. Once the plates are cleared away, live bands and DJs take to the stage long into the night.
Apples & Pears cocktail bar is the perfect stage for a memorable birthday bash on Brick Lane. There's wood fired pizzas if your party is peckish, a whole host of cocktails, beers and wines to cater for all tastes and an atmosphere packed with east London energy. You can book smaller spaces or the whole venue, with no hire fee involved.
If you're feeling like a bit of demure drinking and charm for your birthday celebrations then get Little Nan over with her sensational mobile bar concept bringing vintage tinkerings, antique decanters and home brewed liquor infusions straight to your door for the ultimate elegant Afternoon High Tea & Cocktails experience.
This Spanish-themed bar in Bloomsbury is a gorgeous little hideaway, with passionate red booth seats, ornate lantern lights and walls smothered in framed pictures and quirky trinkets. With tasty tapas treats and entertainment every week, enjoy a bit of Spanish guitar alongside your authentic cuisine.
Styled around the illicit, underground activity of a roaring twenties speakeasy, Proud Cabaret delivers a night of glamour and intrigue below the streets of the city. Experience a dazzling night of food, drink and dazzling entertainment in one of the city's very best venues for burlesque performance.
From light and scrumptious finger sandwiches through to chunky fruit scones, Scoff and Banter on Oxford Street are the perfect place for a fancy 40th birthday celebration in London.
Celebrate your forties in style at this fabulous Provence inspired London cocktail bar. With an impressive list of Pastis and Absinthe inspired cocktails on offer, as well as the UK's only indoor petanque courts, this is a good choice of venue to host your 40th birthday party in London. Be sure to book in advance though, as Baranis is only open for private hire over the weekend.
As the primary venture of seasoned pub group Geronimo Inns, you can be sure that The Chelsea Ram sets the tone just right. Pervaded with humour in the form of eccentric features and loyal to a shabby elegance that sets its guests at ease immediately, you couldn't hope for a better place to celebrate your fortieth.
For something a little different, head down to The Chelsea Prayer Room for your 40th birthday party. This secret speakeasy style bar is as exclusive as it is mysterious, serving only unbranded spirits. This is a members only bar, but booking your 40th birthday party through DesignMyNight will get you all in, no problem!
Davy's is one fine looking wine bar on Fisherman's Walk. With a history of delivering the finest wines dating way back to 1870, the Canary Wharf outpost of this prestigious wine bar chain serves a unique, hand-picked list of wines from all over. Interiors are classy yet comfy, and there's a large seated area right next to the water for al fresco drinking in the warmer months.
So the Top Secret Comedy Club are probably going to be quite mad that we're shouting about them from the rooftops. But when a comedy show this funny pops on to our radar, we felt like we had no option. Come for a rib-tickling birthday celebration, with cheap drinks and an amazing end of the week atmosphere to boot.
Take to this cosy pub for your 40th birthday celebrations and hire out the whole space for your family and friends. The Vineyard is all about laid-back drinking and delicious gastro grub to keep the punters happy. With its fun and funky interior design and covered beer garden it's perfect for some birthday drinking escapades.
Celebrate your 40th Birthday in style – and with lots of wine - at Monty's Wine & Restaurant bar in Fitzrovia. With two private rooms, it caters well for parties and special events, and guests can choose from a wine list of over 150 varieties while tucking into a hearty Italian cuisine rich in fresh ingredients and flavour. A plush setting and chilled backstreet vibe, you'll have a fantastic time.
If you're hitting 40, then excuses to go and watch a group of young, fit men take their clothes off are running slim. Enter The Dreamboys. As London's only fully licensed strip show, the boys will be taking to the stage with their baby oiled bodies, flexing muscles and sweet dance moves to show you a darn good time for your 40th birthday.
