Arts

Events

Film and Photo

What are the room hire costs for different spaces and durations?

Room hire varies by space and duration: Ground Floor (Otto Room alone) accommodates up to 20 standing, Ground Floor combined (Otto + Morrell) holds up to 75 standing, First Floor (Woolf + Evelyn Rooms) costs £2,200+VAT for 10-hour hire, and Exclusive Hire of all four rooms costs £4,400+VAT per day (10-hour hire) with discounts available for multi-day bookings. Weekly rates are £30,800+VAT with potential 15% discount for 4+ week bookings.

What mandatory additional costs should I budget for beyond room hire?

Mandatory additional costs include post-event cleaning fee of £250+VAT per clean, and furniture wear & tear fee of £200+VAT. Security is required for Saturday hires starting at £5,000+VAT plus cleaning and security costs. Extra hours beyond the standard 10-hour hire incur £150+VAT per hour, and late night licence costs £120+VAT if applicable.

What furniture and equipment is included with each room?

The Otto and Morrell Rooms are offered unfurnished as blank canvas spaces. The Woolf Room includes boardroom furniture, and the Evelyn Room has lounge-style furniture. All rooms include complimentary Wi-Fi and built-in SONOS sound system. A fee applies if you need existing furniture removed and reinstalled.

What are the capacity limits for different event formats?

Capacities vary by room and setup: Otto Room holds up to 20 standing, Ground Floor combined (Otto + Morrell) accommodates 75 standing, conference-style seating maximum is 50 people, and exclusive hire allows maximum 110 guests at any one time. The venue cannot accommodate events requiring more than 110 people simultaneously.

Does the venue provide catering services or do I need external suppliers?

34 Bloomsbury operates as a dry hire venue and does not provide in-house catering services. They will connect you with their preferred suppliers list, including recently partnered Pomelo. Exclusive hire includes access to a back-of-house room in the basement for catering preparation and storage.

What are the standard hire durations and timing options?

Standard hire options include 10-hour day rate and 5-hour day rate depending on your needs. Events typically run during daytime hours, with evening events possible but may require late night licence (£120+VAT). Setup and de-rig time should be factored into your hire duration.

What are the minimum spend requirements and budget considerations?

Saturday hire has a minimum starting price of £5,000+VAT plus mandatory cleaning and security costs. The venue indicated they cannot accommodate very low budgets (they declined events with £200-400 budgets). For exclusive hire, expect minimum £4,400+VAT per day plus mandatory additional costs.

Are there restrictions on event types, decorations, or production requirements?

The venue accommodates various event types including conferences, private dining, exhibitions, and celebrations. As a Georgian townhouse, there may be restrictions on nailing into walls or major structural changes. Production and AV equipment can be brought in, though fees may apply for external production setup.

What spaces are available for different parts of my event?

The venue offers four distinct rooms across two floors: Ground Floor has Otto Room (unfurnished, 20 standing) and Morrell Room (unfurnished), First Floor has Woolf Room (boardroom furniture) and Evelyn Room (lounge furniture). There's also an urban garden and basement back-of-house room for storage/catering with exclusive hire.

How far in advance do I need to book and what is the booking process?

Booking availability varies significantly by date, with some dates unavailable even weeks in advance. The venue requires checking specific dates for availability rather than holding tentative bookings. Contact the venue directly to confirm availability for your preferred dates before proceeding with detailed planning.