The Whitechapel Gallery

Neighbouring London’s financial centre and at the heart of Europe’s largest cultural quarter, the Whitechapel Gallery offers a world class venue for private and corporate entertaining.

When this Grade I-listed building opened its doors in 1901 it was the first purpose-built contemporary art gallery in Britain. The gallery has maintained its cutting edge international reputation over the past century. It staged the only show of Pablo Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica to Britain in 1937, introduced Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko to London in the late 1950s and early 1960s and staged a famous retrospective of Lucian Freud in 1993. It has been described by The Times ‘the finest arena for contemporary art anywhere in London’.

The newly expanded Grade II* building provides a range of contemporary spaces to host your meeting, conference, screening, dinner or drinks reception.

Entertain guests in the unique context of a critically acclaimed and innovative programme of modern and contemporary art: the ideal vehicle for hospitality, marketing and client liaison. The Whitechapel Gallery can arrange exclusive curator-led tours for guests.

Cult architect Charles Harrison Townsend designed the Whitechapel Gallery as one of Britain’s rare examples of Art Nouveau. Beyond the extraordinary castellated façade is an architecturally sophisticated space with a thoroughly contemporary feel that complements the modernity of much of the artwork on display.

With 9 Galleries, 2 studios, a purpose built auditorium, a Café/Bar and fine dining restaurant, there are several spaces available to hire for events.

Gallery 1 is a well of light and space with a ceiling 6 metres high supported by elegant but sturdy columns. Natural light pours through skylights onto the varnished wood floor. It makes a spectacular setting for receptions, dinners, award ceremonies and location filming. Accommodates up to 250 guests.

Gallery 2 is home to an annual commission. As the central reading room of the former Whitechapel Library, the space is steeped in history and has original Victorian brickwork walls and a beautiful Grade II listed ceiling. Ideal for a standing reception for 150 guests.

Also on the ground level is the well-equipped auditorium that can seat 104 and can provide for any audio-visual requirement your event might demand.

Galleries 8 and 9 are also well lit by natural light and feature varnished wood flooring; ideal for a large reception or talk for up to 250 guests.

The mezzanine level offers two spaces for hire: the Café/Bar and Gallery 3. Gallery 3 can seat up to 25 and is ideal for a talk or seminar being temperature-controlled and equipped with a screen for projections. Again, the white walls display artwork from the gallery’s archives such as editions or special projects.

The Café/Bar is a specially designed and wonderfully flexible art space by Turner-prize nominee Liam Gillick. A red banquette and matching red wires linking the globe ceiling lights contrast vividly with the grey walls and ceiling; a visually arresting space for a formal dinner (50 seated) or an informal event (standing room for 100).

In January 2011 Smart Hospitality took over the Whitechapel Gallery Dining Room, Cafe/Bar and event catering at Whitechapel Gallery. There is be a daily changing menu with the emphasis on homely cooking using the very best British ingredients. the intention is to offer great flexibility to guests of the restaurant; whether they want a quick bite or a leisurely lunch. Starters include dishes such as peperonata on toast and whipped goats curd with roasted garlic, mains will feature rabbit pie with tarragon and cote de boeuf with caramelised chicory, and puddings will range from a warm Agen prune tart to a pomegranate blood orange salad with hand made shortbread. There is a concise but considered wine list with many options available by the glass and service will combine warmth with attention to detail.

Event Types

Awards Ceremony, Conference, Corporate Hospitality, Dinner, Exhibition, Meeting, Party, Reception, Showcase Event.