Book Seats Together: How to Plan Group Nights Out in London

When you’re planning a night out with friends in London, booking seats together, the act of reserving a group table or space in advance at a bar, club, or event venue. Also known as group seating, it’s the difference between having a great night and ending up scattered across three different rooms with no one you know. It’s not just about saving money—it’s about keeping the energy alive. If your group can’t find each other after the first round, the night starts falling apart before the music even kicks in.

London’s best venues—whether it’s a hidden speakeasy in Shoreditch, a rooftop bar in Covent Garden, or a queer dance floor at Freedom Bar Soho—don’t leave space for walk-ins when it’s busy. Most places now require you to book ahead, especially if you’re coming as a group of four or more. And no, just showing up with a big group and hoping for the best doesn’t work anymore. Venues have policies: minimum spends, curfews, and guest list rules. If you don’t book seats together, you risk getting split up, charged extra fees, or even turned away.

It’s not just about the venue, either. group bookings, reserved tables or areas for parties of four or more at nightlife venues. Also known as private bookings, they often come with perks like skip-the-line access, dedicated staff, or even custom drink packages. You’ll find these options at places like Coq d’Argent City for elegant dinners or The Jazz Cafe Camden for live music nights. Even karaoke bars in London—where you might want to belt out Beyoncé with your crew—require you to book the room in advance. Without it, you’re stuck waiting while someone else gets the last available booth.

And let’s talk about venue contracts, legal agreements between event planners and venues covering fees, cancellations, and guest limits. Also known as event agreements, they’re the fine print that saves you from surprise charges. A lot of girls’ nights out go sideways because someone didn’t read the small print. Minimum spends? Hidden service fees? A 10 p.m. curfew that kills the vibe? These aren’t myths—they’re real. Knowing how to read a contract before you book means you avoid being locked into a deal that doesn’t fit your group’s vibe.

Don’t forget the pre-game. Booking seats together doesn’t mean you’re stuck in one place all night. Many of London’s top party girls start at a cozy bar near Fabric or XOYO, then move on to a club after. That’s why knowing where the best pre-game spots are matters. You want your group to flow from one place to the next without losing momentum. Same goes for after-parties. If you’re hitting a themed venue like a vampire lounge or sci-fi club, you need to know which nearby bars stay open past 2 a.m. and let groups in without a reservation.

And yes, it’s still possible to have a great night without spending a fortune. Using a cost tracker template for your girls’ night out lets you plan ahead—so you know how much to spend on drinks, entry, and transport before you even leave the house. You don’t have to be rich to party smart. You just have to plan.

Whether you’re planning a wine walk through Islington, a rage room session with your squad, or a queer bar crawl across Soho, the key is simple: book seats together. Don’t wait until the last minute. Don’t assume you’ll find space. London’s nightlife moves fast, and the best nights aren’t luck—they’re scheduled.

Below, you’ll find real guides from London’s party girls—on how to book, where to go, what to avoid, and how to make sure your whole group stays together from first drink to last dance.