The Venue Party Guide: Tate

We have been catering at Tate for over a decade, and in that time have hosted many awesome and memorable events including one of our own Private View parties for David Hockney back in 2017. So with the Andy Warhol exhibition opening this month, we decided to ask Sarah Barrett (New Business Manager for Corporate Membership and Events at Tate) to share with you her top tips for throwing an event at one of the galleries from inquiring to planning.

When Tate Modern opened at the turn of the millennium, it was an instant icon, transforming an obsolete power station into the world’s most visited gallery of modern and contemporary art. With its commanding location on the banks of the Thames opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern has ten floors of unique and varied spaces, plus the vast and versatile Turbine Hall and The Tanks.

Tate Britain is home to the largest collection of British art from 1500 to present day. Minutes away from the heart of Westminster, this beautiful Grade-II listed building offers a range of formal and relaxed spaces to host a variety of events. Choose from venues including Gallery 9, displaying mid-nineteenth century artworks from Tate’s collection, and the Sackler Octagon with a grand porticoed entrance way and domed ceiling.

… we would always recommend giving us a call.
While we endeavour to respond to emails within 24 hours, it’s amazing how much more information we can gather in a quick conversation, allowing us to understand your requirements better, and offer you the best possible options and help.

… keep in mind that Tate is open late to the public on a Friday and Saturday.
So we have fewer options available – but do always check in with us first. The Tanks are generally only open from Oct – Dec and for two weeks in September and February.

… ask us if there are any exhibitions at Tate that share common ideas with your event theming or company goals.
We are always willing to dig that bit deeper to find a connection with your event and Tate, making your event all the more special.

… there are more than 20 different spaces available over the two galleries.
From small meeting rooms to the huge Turbine Hall where we have held awards ceremonies and premiere events. Tate also has two state of the art cinemas, conference spaces and reception areas. We have even hosted fashion shows at Tate!

The Tanks are an amazing place to throw a party, dinner, product launch or presentation – these concrete, industrial underground spaces are the perfect setting for a private party – we have projections mapped onto the concrete walls, patterns washed across the ceilings and the rooms filled with lights of every colour. I’d also recommend the top floor spaces at night – both the Level 10 Viewing Terrace and East Room have spectacular views of the city and river. When the sun sets and the lights are twinkling, there is nowhere better to be.

We offer ‘blank canvas’ spaces for you to make your own – but also to entertain around Tate’s world-class exhibitions, by artists like Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama, is an opportunity not to be missed!

… Tate works with an accredited list of suppliers such as Rocket who are trained and trusted to operate around priceless artworks and who know the Tate buildings very well. Based on your requirements we will be able to recommend the best suppliers for you and make introductions.

… come in and see us. There is nothing like seeing our unique spaces for yourself and our wonderful exhibitions. Even if you are unfamiliar with art, we like to think there is something for everyone!

All profits raised by events at Tate are returned to the gallery to help further our mission to promote public understanding and enjoyment of British, modern and contemporary art.