Pennethorne's Bar At Somerset House, Drawing Room
New Wing, Somerset House, London, WC2R 1LA -
Up to
45 guests
Offers
catering
In the New Wing of Somerset House, you will find Pennethorne’s Bar. Inspired by the New Wing’s 19th Century designer, Sir James Pennethorne and his travels around Europe, the venue have combined décor and recipe ideas from his travels to France and Italy to modern Britain. The venue is available for hire for breakfast meetings, lunches through to evening for private dinners or cocktails and sharing platters Monday to Saturday.
Think chic birthday party, trendy work board meeting or simply a night out with friends, the Drawing Room at Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar is sure to become a London favourite and charming hidden gem. An all-day-dining destination, the 120 cover Pennethorne’s Bar is the place to hang out, relax, unwind and enjoy delicious, simple and quality food and drinks in one of London’s most iconic settings.
Capacity & layout
Standing
up to 45
Theatre
up to 30
Boardroom
up to 22
Amenities
Disabled access
Air conditioning
Natural light
Tea
Audio & visual
Other
Minimum spend £250.00 per hour based on food & beverage up to 5pm and £350.00 per hour thereafter. Bespoke packages available on request.
Space rules
Cancellation policy
100% refundable 1 day before the event
Location
Reviews
I. Morgan
February 2025A few weeks ago, we spent a fantastic day exploring Somerset House and The Courtauld Gallery, and it was an experience well worth recommending. Somerset House, with its stunning neoclassical architecture, has a fascinating history. Originally built in the 16th century as a grand palace, it has served as a royal residence, government offices, and even a naval base. Today, it’s a vibrant cultural hub, hosting exhibitions, events, and creative studios. Walking through the courtyard, we could just imagine the history embedded in its walls. Inside, we visited The Courtauld Gallery, which is housed within the building. The collection is incredible—from Manet’s “A Bar at the Folies-Bergère” to Van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear”, there’s something breathtaking in every room. The current exhibition was particularly interesting, offering a deeper insight into Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. The gallery is a perfect size—big enough to be engaging but not overwhelming. It’s open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and a ticket costs £9 on weekdays and £11 on weekends. One great perk is that teachers get in free with valid ID! Whether you’re into art, history, or just looking for a peaceful place to wander, Somerset House and The Courtauld Gallery are well worth a visit. The combination of history, architecture, and world-class art makes for a memorable London experience.
Kate Nguyen
December 2024This was my first time ice skating, so I couldn’t skate properly - but I absolutely enjoyed the spectacular view at Somerset House! It’s simply stunning! This is hands down one of the most beautiful ice rinks I’ve ever seen in my life. Definitely worth adding to your bucket list!
Sofiia Diana
January 2025It’s an amazing place to spend your a day of your Christmas holidays in. It has a big ice ring, an amazing decorations and even a warm bar to stay for people who are not skating but unfortunately it has its own downs. We got the tickets almost a month before visiting (at least we thought tho) but turns out the card didn’t go through because they had some glitch on the website and our friends had to give us their ticket so at least one of us could skate. The other thing that I would say is they let WAYYYY to many people on at once people where crashing into each other cause there weren’t enough space But at all it’s a great place and very famous for being the original place of ice skating
Robert Brown
November 2024Ice skating - BEWARE that an adult must accompany children on the ice. The ticketing website lets you book just children’s tickets only!! (Apparently it’s in the terms and conditions somewhere….) I am not able to skate and had planned to take my kids into London on my own to skate here as a treat. Luckily my wife came at the last minute and we managed to buy her a ticket, otherwise I would have had two very upset children!
