31 brilliant birthday ideas in London

Address: BAM Karaoke Box London, 74 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6SQ
Website: bam-karaokebox.com

3. Enjoy dinner with a view

If there’s ever a time to splash out on a London restaurant, it’s your birthday. As it’s a special occasion, look up towards London’s high-rise buildings. Generally, the better the view, the pricier the menu, but the splurge is so worth it on a clear night. Enjoy a steak dinner, delicious cocktails, and views across West London at Oblix at The Shard, or feast on Chinese specialities in Hutong, The Shard’s 33rd-floor restaurant. Elsewhere, Searcys at The Gherkin comes alive at night as the setting sun reflects off of the surrounding towers, while live music events and performances can be found in the Sky Garden’s buzzy dining spaces.

Address: Oblix, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY; Hutong, 33 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY; Searcys at The Gherkin, The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8BF; Sky Garden, 1, Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF
Website: oblixrestaurant.com; hutong.co.uk; searcys.co.uk; skygarden.london

4. Feel immersed in the cabaret

Dinner and a show might sound like one of the more traditional birthday ideas in London – but not so when it’s at The London Cabaret Club. Menus change seasonally according to the theme of the current show, which takes over the venue as skilled performers turn a restaurant visit into an immersive experience. Packages are tailored to a range of budgets; expect to pay around £50 for entry and after-party access or upwards of £100, including drinks and a three-course meal.

Address: London Cabaret Club, Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London WC1B 4DA
Website: thelondoncabaretclub.com

5. Visit a quirky restaurant

London has several quirky restaurants ideal for birthday visits. Best of all, they make great photo backdrops if you want to incite envy on social media. Among the prettiest (and tastiest) are some of the Big Mamma hideouts. Ave Mario in Covent Garden is a kaleidoscopic pleasure palace where couples, families, and large birthday parties gather in colourful nooks and crannies – book by the open kitchen downstairs to see all the action. A newer addition to the portfolio is Marylebone’s Carlotta, a deliciously authentic trattoria-style eatery designed for carb-loving aesthetes.

Address: Ave Mario, 15 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8QG; Carlotta, 77, 78 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 5JX
Website: bigmammagroup.com

6. Warm up in a floating hot tub

Skip traditional birthday ideas in London in favour of something a little eyebrow-raising. Partake in a Nordic tradition with Skuna Boats, navigating the city’s waterways on a heated hot tub within a boat. The water warms to a super-toasty 38 degrees Celsius, drinks can be bought for the journey (not you, designated driver), and there are waterproof pouches for phones. Alternatively, float around West India Quay Docks in Canary Wharf. Pack an eclectic goodie bag of treats ready to be flame-cooked and tuck into a hearty feast as you pass the area’s skyscrapers. Skuna also has BBQ boats – head to the boat via the butchers and watch the goods sizzle as you glide through the water.

Website: skunaboats.com

7. Escape for the afternoon

Revisit the golden era of rail travel aboard the British Pullman on a spectacular return journey from the capital. Sip Champagne and brunch like a royal in a carriage while chuffing through the English countryside toward Bath, Balfour Winery, Oxford or Highclere Castle. Occasionally, celebrated chefs take over the minuscule galley kitchens on board, cooking up a storm; culinary masters that have taken to the tracks include Sally Abé (The Pem), Angela Hartnett, and Anna Haugh (Myrtle Restaurant). For an incredibly immersive experience, travel back to 1951. As the British Pullman pulls out of London Victoria, actors from Private Drama Events roam the carriages to share news of a tragic passing – but is everyone as innocent as they appear?

Website: belmond.com

8. Go to jail

Getting locked up may be one of the more unusual birthday ideas in London, but armed with a bottle of contraband, you’ll have a surprisingly jolly time behind bars. Alcotraz is where that Orange is the New Black fantasy becomes a reality (yes, you’ll be dressing up) as the sneaky guards patrol, cocktails flow, and the wardens do their best to catch you out.

Address: Alcotraz, Unit 3B, 127 Hackney Road, E2 8GY
Website: alcotraz.co.uk

9. Take a helicopter ride over london

Flights may take off in the green pastures of Surrey, but on a London Helicopter ride, the twists and turns of the Thames and the capital’s twinkling rooftops soon come into view. It’s not a cheap afternoon out (prices start from £750 for two passengers), but seeing London’s iconic attractions from above is a unique experience ideal as a birthday treat. A handful of routes and ride durations are on offer, including a 45-minute Olympic Tour that takes in all the key sights along the river before returning to Redhill.

Website: thelondonhelicopter.com

10. Climb an iconic venue

We all know North Greenwich’s O2 Arena as a world-class music venue – but did you know it’s a great place to get the adrenaline pumping on a unique climb? Get clipped in by instructors after a briefing and begin the climb, the historic buildings of North Greenwich coming into sight alongside the towering office blocks of Canary Wharf and beyond. Raise a toast at the top with a glass of Lanson Champagne on a celebration climb, designed for birthdays and celebrations, or keep an eye out for silent disco nights, where DJs scale the dome ahead of time, setting up the decks for what could be London’s most unique night out.

Address: The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX
Website: tickets.aegeurope.com

11. Check in on Nan

Little Nan’s House could cinch the title of London’s wackiest Bar – making it a perfect venue for a birthday bash. Sink into leopard-print sofas, perch on mismatched dining chairs, or take over an area akin to a crazy boudoir for the evening. Bartenders have mastered all the classic cocktails and some fittingly quirkier ones, and vodka candy shots go down a treat as a party starter. For a private soiree, hire out Grandad’s Shed, the 110-capacity arch decked in tropical kitsch, vintage designs.

Address: Little Nan's Bar, London SE8 3NU
Website: littlenans.co.uk

12. Hold a lavish dinner party

Nothing beats a delicious birthday dinner, and the occasion is often the best excuse to try out one of the best new openings in the city. However, the buzz and business of many restaurants aren’t for everyone. Look no further than the fabulous assortment of private dining rooms hidden within some of London’s tastiest spots and hold the dinner party of your dreams. The 24-cover Greenhouse at One Marylebone is one of the prettiest in the city, with flowers cascading over diners’ heads. Several rooms are available for private dinners and events at the NoMad; the Magistrates’ Ballroom is the most opulent and has space for up to 70 diners.

Address: The Greenhouses, 1 Marylebone Road, London NW1 4AQ; NoMad London, 28 Bow Street, London WC2E 7AW
Website: thegreenhouses.london; thenomadhotel.com

13. Take some ‘me’ time

If you can’t take some time to unwind in one of London’s best spas on your birthday, when can you? Aire Ancient Baths in Covent Garden offers one of the most unique spa experiences. The signature ancient ritual includes an ache-busting massage using essential oils and access to different temperature baths. Unsurprisingly, London’s best hotels house some of the trendiest spas around. The Retreat at The Londoner is one address to know, hidden under the hustle and bustle of Leicester Square. Feel the tension of city life ease during a targeted spa package, and try not to snooze off on the indoor pool daybeds.

Address: AIRE Ancient Baths London, 2-3 Robert Street, London WC2N 6BH; The Retreat at The Londoner, The Londoner Hotel, 38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX
Website: beaire.com; thelondoner.com

14. Design a signature fragrance

The only danger in attending a perfumery class on your birthday is that you may never be impressed by a scented gift again. Nonetheless, this is one of the most elegant ways to spend a birthday in the capital, blending essential oils to create a unique fragrance. Apprentice workshops at The Experimental Perfume Club last half a day and are the perfect introduction to perfumery. At the same time, full-day programmes held by experts provide a deeper understanding of the process.

Address: Experimental Perfume Club, 53 Monmouth Street, London WC2H 9DG
Website: experimentalperfumeclub.com

15. Ring for Champagne

There are only a few times a year when you can order an expensive bottle of Champagne without a second thought. A birthday is most definitely one of them – and there’s nowhere better to do it than Soho institution Bob Bob Ricard. This decadent English and Russian restaurant claims to pour more bottles of fizz than any other in London, and each table is equipped with a Ring for Champagne bell to make it dangerously easy.

Address: Bob Bob Ricard, 1 Upper James Street, London W1F
Website: bobbobricard.com

16. Dress up and dance

If you’re looking for an excuse to glam up, this Twenties prohibition party is the perfect occasion. Dig out your finest Flapper-esque glad rags and head to the secret candlelit location for a night of live jazz, cocktails, cabaret performances and plenty of dancing. Make it extra special by booking a table to rest your feet while sipping Champagne. There’s also the option to have supper.

Tickets: From £25; tables from £65
Website: thecandlelightclub.com

17. Escape for drinks in a forest

There’s a bucolic oasis just a stone’s throw from Regent Street if you know where to look. The Glade, a bar and dining room in eccentric hangout Sketch, is a lovely spot for a birthday breakfast, lunch or evening cocktails. The opulent interior, designed by artists Carolyn Quartermaine and Didier Mahieu, has découpage woodland wallpaper, which makes the velvet furnishings a treat. Don’t forget to look down to appreciate the spongey, grass-like carpet – an interactive sculpture by artist Alexandra Kehayoglou.

Address: 9 Conduit Street, London W1S
Website: sketch.london

18. Indulge in a feast

Why should you choose between lobster, oysters, brunch or a roast on your birthday? Book a table at The Ned on a Sunday afternoon for the legendary feast, and you can have it all and much more. The lavish marble counters of The Ned’s central bar are stacked high with all kinds of deliciousness every weekend, and you can eat your way through it for £90 per person – £155 per person with free-flowing Champagne. Be sure to swing by the Bloody Mary corner and the Mimosa trolley to complete the festivities.

Address: 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
Website: thened.com

19. Find your favourite punch

The drinks served in the cosy, wood-panelled Punch Room, tucked away in the back of Fitzrovia’s fabulous Edition Hotel, are a far cry from the sickly fruit concoctions you may have made at house parties in your youth. Tables are reservation-only, and there is a selection of 20 speciality punches that can be served as individual drinks or shared by a group. As it’s open until 1am on Monday to Saturday, it’s a lovely spot for a birthday nightcap. For ultimate hygge vibes, ask for the table by the roaring open fire.

Address: 10 Berners Street, London W1T
Website: editionhotels.com

20. Set sail on a seafood cruise

A delicious seafood dinner with a glass or two of chilled white wine is a wonderful way to spend your birthday, but what about if you add in the element of a cruise through the centre of town? London Shell Co does just that, taking diners on a gentle journey to enjoy the views along the Regent’s Canal from Paddington to Camden and back while they tuck into a five-course set menu of seasonal British seafood. Book a table for your best friends, or splash out and hire the whole boat.

Address: London Shell Co, The Prince Regent, Sheldon Square, London W2
Website: londonshellco.com

21. Tour London’s breweries

Calling all craft beer fans: this is the birthday treat for you. Bermondsey is known for its cosy brewery bars and bottle shops, so it’s the ideal spot for a classy beer crawl. Round up some beer-loving pals and check out the different artisan boozers on Saturday afternoon. However, we recommend starting at Maltby Street food market to stock up on tasty stomach-lining delights first. Alternatively, head to Camden Down Brewery for a tour of the site, taste beer from the tanks, and learn about the history of the hoppy venue.

Website: bermondsey-beer-mile.co.uk; camdentownbrewery.com

22. Have lunch in a glasshouse

There’s nowhere better for an exceptional leafy birthday lunch than Petersham Nurseries Café. One of the best outdoor restaurants in London, the elegant glasshouse in the chic Richmond Garden Centre is packed with verdant plants, fragrant flowers and beautiful antiques, making it an idyllic backdrop for a divine feast. Reserve one of the long tables and enjoy a lazy lunch of seasonal Italian-inspired food and cocktails infused with homegrown botanicals.

Address: Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10
Website: petershamnurseries.com

23. Experience an immersive supper club

A traditional birthday meal is all well and good, but if you want to push the boat out and do something different, nab a spot at the next Gingerline supper club. Each of its secret immersive dining experiences is unique, bonkers and brilliant fun. You won’t know where you’re going or what you’ll be eating until the day, but just be ready to be transported to a different universe where dressing up is mandatory, and audience participation is encouraged. Be brave and book.

Website: gingerline.co.uk

24. Take a gin journey

If gin is your tipple of choice, don’t let another birthday pass without embarking on the Gin Journey. You and your fellow Mother’s Ruin fans will be whisked around five London bars and distilleries to try five gin-based cocktails and five samples from different brands and learn everything you need to know about the delicious juniper spirit. Be warned: you might need to book the next day off – these drinks are pretty damn strong.

Website: ginjourney.com

25. Play crazy golf

Make sure your birthday celebrations are above par with a round of crazy golf for you and your friends. There are plenty of places to putt yourself silly in London: for a game with a side of street food and cocktails, try Swingers in the West End and the City; for an even crazier element, go for Junkyard Golf on Brick Lane, where there are slides, UV lights and jungle bathtubs; or for an impressive view, head to Birdies at Roof East, London’s only rooftop golf course, where you can also play a game of shuffleboard or try your hand at curling.

Address: Swingers City, 8 Brown's Buildings, EC3A; Junkyard Golf, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, Spitalfields, E1; Birdies, Level 8 Car Park Roof East Stratford Center Great Eastern Way, E15
Website: swingersldn.com; junkyardgolfclub.co.uk; sfgclub.com

26. Go bowling

Bowling might previously have been associated with children’s parties, but a night on the lanes is now more than acceptable for a fun grown-up birthday bash. Make an evening of it at the lovely Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes and strike it lucky for a few games before moving into a karaoke booth or heading straight onto the dancefloor, where there are club nights most Fridays and Saturdays.

Address: Bloomsbury Lanes, Basement of Tavistock Hotel, Bedford Way, London WC1H
Website: bloomsburybowling.com

27. Play ping pong

London got a severe case of ping pong fever a few years ago, and it doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. For the ultimate game of wiff waff, head to Bounce, which has the best table tennis in town and great cocktails, food and beer pong – but a fancy digital version. It also offers bottomless brunch on Sundays, with two hours of endless prosecco, pizza and ping pong. Don’t blame us if your game isn’t as good after all that fizz.

Address: Bounce Old Street, 241 Old Street, London EC1V; Bounce Farringdon, 121 Holborn, London EC1N
Website: bouncepingpong.com

28. See a film in an interesting place

Forget your average trip to the movies; instead, check out Backyard Cinema’s immersive venues for a cinematic birthday to remember. Cinema spaces change each season, so you could watch Barbie in a tropical beach-themed pop-up in the summer or a wholesome Christmas movie on a beanbag as the temperature drops.

Website: backyardcinema.co.uk

29. Explore London's live music scene

From slow jams to immersive shows and head-banging rock sets, there’s something to suit every music taste in London’s live music bars. For birthdays, make a night of it and secure a table or seat in one of the city’s larger venues; many pubs serve food before a certain time to combine a birthday meal with a lively night on the town. Islington, Camden, and Shoreditch are some of our favourite neighbourhoods to hop between and discover new talent.

30. Take a pottery class

Why not start your new year by learning a new skill? As well as hosting 12-week courses, boutique East London pottery studio Skandihus organises lovely one-off private parties where you and up to nine friends can spend a chilled couple of hours getting creative with clay by learning the basic techniques and building ceramic pieces to take home. They will look great on the mantlepiece – even if they are a bit wonky. For more options, see our pick of the best pottery classes in London.

Address: Skandihus, 90 De Beauvoir Road, London N1 4EN
Website: skandihus.co.uk

31. Party at the Royal Academy

Swanning around the Royal Academy dressed in a ballgown with a cocktail in hand would be met with funny looks most days. But you’d look out of place at the epic RA Lates if you weren’t in full costume. Themed around the exhibition at the time, the whole gallery becomes one big party, full of workshops, talks, DJs, performances and pop-up bars. And yes, dressing up is very much encouraged.

Address: Royal Academy, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J
Website: royalacademy.org.uk