Summer boat parties on the Thames

Why a boat

A boat gives a party a fixed start, a fixed end and a view that changes as you go. Everyone is in one place for the whole evening. It works well for a team that is spread across offices, because the river is a neutral meeting point.

Cruising boats

The Dutchmaster (375) is set up for DJs and live bands. Silver Sturgeon (550) has an open top deck and cruises between Westminster and Greenwich. Dixie Queen also takes 550. Glass Room Boat (400) has large windows and a roof deck. For a smaller group, Elizabethan (200) has a large upper deck and Edwardian (70) an open one. London Party Boats runs a fleet of boats, usually for 50 to 600 guests.

Moored boats

Tattershall Castle (900) is moored by Embankment with views of the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament. Its Aft Deck (200) is partly covered. Bar&Co (130) is a bar and nightclub at Temple Pier. The whole of HMS Belfast (250) can be hired for a minimum of 175 guests.

Boarding, piers and departure

A cruising boat leaves at a set time and cannot wait for late guests. Give your team a boarding time a little before departure. Several boats offer a choice of piers, so pick one that suits where most of your people travel from. Check which pier you return to, because it may not be the one you left from. A moored boat works like any other venue, and guests can come and go.

Related pages

For a smaller team, the shared and ticketed parties page includes a shared boat party. Five of these boats are listed under London Bridge & Bankside. For a river view on dry land, see venues with a view. Send us your numbers and we will check which boats are free.