London offers a vast choice of unique places to entertain clients. For many businesses, this is an essential aspect of company spending. If employees are expected to cover their business entertainment expenses, it usually leaves them out of pocket until the end of the month.

However, with a prepaid business card, like Soldo, business owners can take control of company expenses and load funds ready for instant use by employees. With Soldo, processing your staff entertainment VAT or Client entertainment VATis taken care of for you.  Soldo gives employees the power to spend company money without having to worry about waiting for reimbursement.

The following is a list of some of the best places to entertain clients, whether its eating, drinking, art or theatre, we’ve got you covered!

Take a tour of the City of London Gin Distillery

Gin has been distilled in London since the 1600s. However, it was absent from the Square Mile for 200 years until the City of London Gin Distillery opened in 2012. This award-winning distillery offers excellent experiences for you and your clients, including a distillery tour and gin tasting, in addition to the opportunity to distil and design your very own bottle.

Enjoy the Japanese Landscape at Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is the perfect place to wander while discussing important business topics with clients. It’s a breath of fresh air and a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Highlights include the Japanese Garden complete with the Great Pagoda and Garden of Peace.

Sample some Theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe

Shakespeare’s Globe is one of London’s most enchanting experiences. Built as a replica of the original Globe, treat clients to an authentic 17th century Shakespeare experience by booking tickets for the standing ‘Yard’ area. Alternatively, opt for seats in the Gallery for a more comfortable experience for your guests, just remember to snap a picture of your receipt for more accurate expense reporting.

Have Drinks at Sky Garden

If you don’t have time for a full or half-day experience but still want to showcase the best of London to your clients, take them for drinks at the iconic Sky Bar. Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden and is a unique experience for those clients who want to enjoy sky-high drinking.

Go up to the Viewing Gallery at The Shard

Offer clients a unique perspective of London with a viewing gallery experience at The Shard. With a height of 800ft, The Shard provides the best 360-degree panoramic view of London. Views include skyscrapers, Canary Wharf, the Gherkin and the Walkie Talkie, as well as historic landmark structures such as Tower Bridge and St. Pauls Cathedral.

Enjoy Afternoon tea at Claridges

There are plenty of hotels in London where one can enjoy afternoon tea, but none have quite the same luxurious experience as afternoon tea at Claridge’s. This is an excellent option for international clients hoping for a quintessentially British experience. Booking in advance is highly recommended.

Take a tour of Hampton Court Palace

One of London’s most significant historical buildings, Hampton Court Place in Southwest London was the home of Henry VIII. It holds the oldest surviving hedge mazes, a great way to share your problem-solving skills, and a bit of fun! A visit to Hampton Court Palace is a wise choice when client entertaining.

Go to the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall

Arguably London’s most famous music venue, the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington was built in 1867 and named by Queen Victoria in honour of her late husband. Concerts take place daily, so you can be sure to catch a fantastic show with your client.

Play a Round of Crazy Golf at Swingers

Take clients for a fun afternoon at London’s most stunning crazy golf courses. There are two Swingers venues, one in the heart of London and one in the West End. The meticulously designed indoor golf ranges incorporate glamorous Art Deco and lush botanicals with stark industrial trends. A wide variety of food, drink and golf packages can make for a truly memorable day with clients.

Have a Cocktail on the Tube at Cahoots

Soho’s highly stylised 1940s speakeasy-inspired cocktail bar built into a defunct tube station is cocktail drinking with a difference. It’s easy to get carried away in a bar like Cahoots. Clients will enjoy feeling whisked back in time and a world away from the usual London bar scene.

See some Live Jazz at Ronnie Scotts

Showcase clients your artistic side with a visit to London’s oldest and most famous jazz club, Ronnie Scotts. This iconic bar in London’s vibrant Soho is an important venue on London’s music landscape. Be sure to book a table for an early dinner as there are daily shows with main acts starting from 7:30 pm. If you’re paying for dinner and drinks with a business credit card or prepaid card, don’t forget to ask for a receipt!

Visit London’s most eccentric British pub, The Churchill Arms

Showcase both a slice of London eccentricity together with a little history at one of Winston Churchill’s favourite haunts, now aptly named The Churchill Arms. The pub is bursting with Churchill memorabilia and also boasts one of the most impressive pub flower displays in the Thai restaurant. The restaurant serves delicious Thai meals from 12-noon daily, making it an excellent option for lunch in West London.

Experience a Gin Safari at Mr Fogg’s

Inspired by the travels of Sir Phileas Fogg, these London drinking venues are a charming and unique place to take clients. The small chain’s famous Gin Safari experience is available at Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour in Covent Garden. This ultimate gin-tasting experience is available for private groups, for more exclusive clients and includes an explanation on how to make the perfect G&T.

Sail Away on a London Craft Beer Cruise

Brewing beer in London began at the dawn of the city, and today it is one of the world’s craft beer centres. There are several themed boat cruises available in London. However, the London Craft Beer Cruise is not to be missed by beer lovers. This is a unique way to share London’s food and drink scene with clients.

As the name suggests, this is an alcohol-related activity. If you’re looking to entertain client’s who don’t drink, there are plenty of alternative cruises that can offer an alcohol-free experience.

A round of darts at Flight Club

One of London’s most engaging ways to entertain corporate clients is a round of social darts at the Fight Club. This is an unforgettable experience and a great way to build bonds and create shared memories. Enjoy a darts, dining and cocktail package at one of three London locations; Shoreditch, Bloomsbury or Victoria. Dart enthusiasts love this venue and a request for the second round of darts is almost always guaranteed!

Grab lunch on the canal at Daisy Green

The brightly decorated barge boat, the Daisy Green, is permanently moored on the Grand Union Canal at Paddington. It’s the perfect place to showcase London’s quirky food scene to clients from a new perspective. Lunch choices include a choice of fine BBQ meats and steak for meat lovers, and they also supply vegan options for those who prefer a plant-based diet.

If you’re looking for more places to take clients or would like to have a better understanding as to why entertaining clients is so essential, you can check out our entertainment expenses guide here.