Dining

What are the venue hire costs and minimum spend requirements for private dining events?

The City Garden Bar on the 36th floor has a venue hire fee of £15,000 + VAT with a minimum catering spend of £12,000 + VAT that must be met. For smaller private dining groups, the Viñoly Room (seating up to 16 people) is available within Fenchurch Restaurant, though specific pricing for this space is not detailed in the available information.

What are the capacity limits and minimum guest requirements for dining events?

The City Garden Bar accommodates a minimum of 60 guests for dinner events, even if fewer attend (you'll be charged for 60). The space can handle larger groups with exclusive hire arrangements. The Viñoly Room seats up to 16 people for intimate private dining experiences.

What are the event timing restrictions and access hours for dining events?

Access to the event floor is only permitted from 6pm, with earliest guest arrival at 6:30pm. Pre-dinner drinks reception takes place on Level 37 (Fenchurch Terrace) until 8pm, then guests move to Level 36 (City Garden Bar) for dinner until 11pm when all guests must exit. Setup time for Level 36 is limited to 6pm-8pm only.

What catering packages are available and what do they include?

Three-course catering packages start from £200 + VAT per person. The Platinum Package costs £195.60 + VAT per person and includes 6 canapés, 3 bowls, 1 glass of Champagne, 1/2 bottle of house wine, 1 beer, 1 soft drink, and 1 still or sparkling water. All catering must be provided by the venue - outside catering is not permitted.

Are there restrictions on when private dining events can be held?

Sky Garden has limited availability for full or half-day private events, with only 26 closures permitted per year. Once this annual limit is reached, no additional full or half-day closures can be accommodated. Evening events that don't conflict with daytime tourist hours (10am-6pm weekdays, 11am-9pm weekends) have better availability.

What are the setup limitations and production restrictions for dining events?

Setup time is extremely limited - only 2 hours (6pm-8pm) for the main dining space on Level 36. Large LED screens or extensive production setups cannot be accommodated due to time constraints and space limitations. The venue can provide 75" TV screens as an alternative to large LED displays.

Can the venue accommodate special dietary requirements or themed dining experiences?

The venue provides all catering in-house and outside catering is strictly prohibited. While specific dietary accommodations aren't detailed in the available information, the venue offers multiple catering packages. For unique dining experiences like supper clubs requiring cooking or reheating, this would not be possible due to the venue's catering restrictions.

What is the booking process and how far in advance can dates be secured?

Dates can be held on "2nd option" initially, but cannot be confirmed on "1st option" until 8 weeks before the event date. The venue requires guest lists prior to events, and attendees are fast-tracked to lifts on the right side of reception. Booking enquiries require detailed event information including format, guest numbers, and specific timing requirements.

Are there any additional mandatory costs or fees beyond venue hire and catering?

Beyond the venue hire fee and minimum catering spend, all prices are subject to 20% VAT. Additional costs may apply for specific AV requirements, extended setup time, or special production needs, though exact figures for these services are not specified in the available information.

What happens if my event requirements don't fit the venue's standard offerings?

If Sky Garden cannot accommodate your specific requirements due to timing, capacity, or format restrictions, they will actively help find alternative venues. The venue has a sister location at 8 Bishopsgate (5-minute walk away) which may offer more suitable spaces for events that don't fit Sky Garden's parameters.