Whether you’re in denial about hitting that dirty thirty or elated about finally turning the big two-one, we’ve compiled a list of all the hottest things happening in the city, to help you celebrate your birthday. From cocktails to the very best cuisine, welcome to the holy grail of many happy returns. Here’s a rundown of some of the best birthday ideas in London:
Table Of Contents
🥂 Brunch
A true cornerstone in millennials’ lives nowadays, the weekend is rarely complete without a generous serving of Eggs Benedict and a spicy Bloody Mary. If you, like most people, are truly a loyal lover of brunch, then here are the best places to head on your big day.
1. Drag your friends to brunch
Bring it, queens and get ready to get the engines started! Every month, Salsa in Temple is the destination for the No.1 drag-day-out, presented by some of London’s leading drag queens Cara Melle, Kiki Snatch, Honey The Foxx and guest queens too. Together, they deliver their gag-worthy immersive performances & fierce lip syncs for your Saturday afternoon pleasure. Oh – and did we mention that you get bottomless bubbles here too? Cheers! You can grab your tickets here.
2. Get even more boozy at another bottomless brunch
Considering it’s your birthday, you can get completely sloshed pre 1pm and absolutely nobody can bat an eyelid – definitely a strong contender for being one of the best birthday ideas in London we say! Here to help you do just that is our whacking great list of the booziest brunches to be found in the capital. Enjoy getting your drink on!
3. Enjoy something different with a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese flavours
It may be the recent royal appearance of our favourite Peruvian bear, a niggling craving for some delicious sushi or simply a desire to catch up with friends over a boozy meal, whatever the case Ayllu’s Peruvian and Japanese brunch is the answer to all your brunch daydreams. You can enjoy 90-minutes of free-flowing bevvies, live samba and, of course, some mouthwatering dishes from both Peru and Japan. Taking place every Saturday from 12-4pm this is the perfect way to celebrate your birthday in real style. Cop your tickets here.
🍹 Cocktails
If knocking back a few fruity numbers and getting the perfect boomerang for your story are top priorities for your big day, step this way because we know where to find all of the best cocktails in the city. Go on, treat yourself. It is your birthday after all!
4. BYO cocktails and get immersed into the world of the Moonshine Saloon
Looking for something unique to do for your birthday in London? Look no further than a trip to the Moonshine Saloon. Come and discover the covert liquor operation led by the self-styled ‘King of the Moonshiners; Clyde Cassidy’. A world-class team of barkeeps will combine your illegally smuggled (BYOB) liquor to make bespoke cocktails for you and the gang. With the law previously coming close to catching Cassidy, the Saloon itself makes the perfect meet-point for new outlaws to join the gang. You’ll try your luck at cards or dice games or perhaps be trusted enough to receive a close-up inspection of Cassidy’s notorious Moonshine Distillery… cop your tickets here.
5. Get your sweet fix at London’s Chocolate Cocktail Club
Chocoholics – listen up! Nestled right in the heart of Farringdon, you’ll find The Chocolate Cocktail Club – a neat little spot that has verything from chocolate twists on classic cocktails to chocolate with creamy and caramel-filled supplementary flavours. You’ll be able to enjoy 90 minutes’ worth of chocolate heaven here, and can given in to the diverse delights of chocolate espresso martinis and aptly-named ‘chocotinis’. What more could you ask for from a birthday venue in London, hey?! Grab your tickets here.
6. Head to a lovely library bar
If you fancy something cosy and a little bit sophisticated for your birthday in London, then why not head to one of London’s rather lovely library bars? Luxurious, warm and endlessly inviting these places are perfect if you’re hoping to have a quiet one and just curl up with a glass of something delicious. Alternatively, head to one of the capital’s whisky bars for a nightcap or two.
🎶 Entertainment
If you’re looking for something to really help mark your birthday in London, then we’ve got you covered — entertainment is a strong point of ours.
7. Have a laugh on the Thames
If you’re looking for a laff or two on your birthday then you need to get yourself down to the Comedy on the Thames. With some seriously impressive comic talent on offer week on week, we can promise you a whole load of belly aches and beautiful riverside views on this comedy cruise. Book your tickets here.
8. Go and join the cabaret at the Kit Kat Club
In a time when the world is changing forever, there is one place where everyone can be free. Welcome to the Kit Kat Club in Berlin, home to an intimate and electrifying new production of ‘Cabaret’ starring Fra Fee and Amy Lennox. One of the most successful and electrifying musicals of all time, Cabaret features music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and is based on the play by John Van Druten. Expect to sing along to hits including Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Mein Herr and Maybe This Time. So get ready to loosen up and welcome to Berlin! Get a hold of your tickets here.
9. Celebrate by seeing one of your favourite bands or singers
Whether you’re keen for a classical candlelit concert or hearing the heroes of Hip Hop, our massive, monthly gig guide has you covered. Spend your birthday singing your heart out and watching some of the very best in the business. So, see who’s playing on your special day and get ready to get your sing-a-long on!
🚂 Travel
Ok, so we know this is an article about birthday ideas in London, but sometimes, you may actually just want to hot-foot it outta town – right?! For those of you who have caught the travelling bug and never quite managed to recover, here are some suggestions for your birthday celebrations.
10. Head to the seaside for a breezy birthday getaway
Looking for a sunny getaway for your birthday, but can’t afford the flight to Greece, Italy or Spain? Beach, please! There are plenty of stunning beaches within two hours of London – and further afield too – and we think why the hell not make the most of that? So grab your flip flops and sunnies for a day trip to one of these beauties. If the sun is shining – don’t forget to slap on the suncream!
11. Slink off to Sweden for a birthday treat
If meatballs alone aren’t enough to entice you to Sweden for your big bday bash, then how about this gorgeous floating spa hotel? Sitting under the Northern Lights and providing guests with a ridiculously indulgent experience, we wouldn’t exactly say this is ‘getting back to nature.‘ But what the heck, it’s your birthday — might as well treat yourself!
12. Pop off to a picture-perfect village
These picturesque villages may seem like they’ve been snatched from the very books of a fairytale, but they’re actually much closer to London than you might think. Less than two hours away, you can have a leisurely bday lie in and still get there in time for a celebratory lunch! Now you can’t argue with that one…
💫 Immersive Experiences
Some strong contenders for the best birthday ideas in London here. Some people like to go all out, and their birthday is an excuse to do just that. If you’re hoping for the biggest and the best, the bizarre and the brilliant, then you’ve come to the right place.
13. Get lost in the world of VR
Ever dreamed about stepping through the frame into the idyllic masterpieces of Monet? At Monet: The Immersive Experience you can do just that, embarking on a mesmerising multi-sensory journey that plunges you in the painted world of the French impressionist artist. This is possible thanks to a cutting-edge combination of 360-degree digital projections, atmospheric sounds and, a fascinating VR experience – all in the incredible venue The Boiler House off Brick Lane. Get a hold of your tickets here.
14. Work your brain at one of London’s most puzzling escape rooms
If you love nothing more than to train your brain, then we are gifting you with a range of rather tricky escape rooms for your birthday. Try your hand at solving murder mysteries, escaping psycho-killers, unlocking the secrets of the Churchill War Rooms or casting spells, and find out if you really do get wiser with age. Choose from our favourites here.
15. Experience the bar behind bars
If you’re known for getting into trouble on your birthday, then Alcotraz might be the place for you. This theatrical prison-themed cocktail bar has everything from the orange jumpsuits to the real metallic cells. Smuggle liquor past the guards to create your birthday concoction and tell your friends you spent your birthday behind bars. And why the hell not? You can get your tickets here.
16. Get lost in the magical world of Avora
If you’re looking to get transported to a new world with you and your mates on your birthday, then you really should look no further than Avora: New World Cocktail Experience. As the story here goes, you’ll rock up at ‘Roscorp Laboratories’, owned by a greedy CEO, and be briefed on a mission before you enter the magical world of Avora.
Donning a custom jumpsuit, you’ll head on in to this unique space and source ‘magical buds and secret elixir’s for three unique cocktails, all the while admiring the gorgeous greenery, and other-worldly attributes dotted about. As you get acclimatised, a moral dilemma will present itself: do you continue to support the plans of the billionaire, or rebel and protect this new planet? The choice is yours… cop your tickets for this Hackney-based experience here.
🧁 Afternoon Tea
Considering birthdays are basically all about cake anyway, afternoon tea seems like a very appropriate choice when it comes to finding the perfect way to celebrate in the city – and good reason for adding it to this roundup of the best birthday ideas in London we say.
17. Try and solve a puzzle with a boozy afternoon tea
“Elementary, my dear Watson!” Dive head-first into your own mini-mystery for your birthday as you enjoy freshly made savoury delights and sweet treats in this Sherlock Holmes-inspired hideaway in West London! Just like the detective and his accomplice, you’ll need to work together as a team to crack a puzzle and solve a mystery – all whilst indulging in Sherlock’s boozy afternoon tea of course. You’ll get to indulge in sandwiches, scones, sweet treats and tea or coffee, as well as 90 minutes’ worth of bottomless prosecco. The game is afoot… get a hold of your tickets here.
18. Dig into tasty sushi and more at Inamo
If you’re more fond of a savoury meal, this non-traditional afternoon tea is for you: Head to Inamo for delicious sushi and Asian tapas, and enjoy everything from fresh sashimi and maki rolls to gyoza and futomaki. If you’re feeling thirsty, you can add one hour of bottomless fizz, making it a boozy, Asian-inspired afternoon tea experience like no other. Cop your tickets here.
🎨 Masterclasses
For both the talented and the utterly useless, here are a load of amazing activities to try. See if you can master a skill on your special day!
19. Create a masterpiece – or try
Even if you failed GCSE Art, this class is an opportunity to embrace your creative side and frankly have total laugh. Take your pals, get stuck in, and probably receive a bunch of really bad paintings – inspired by none other than Van Gogh – as birthday gifts. Book here.
20. Master the art of doughnut making
I mean, really, what better way to celebrate your birthday than with all you can eat doughnuts? In this two hour hands-on class, you will be making your very own miniature doughnuts and be able to munch as many as you like in the process. Sounds pretty jammy to us. You can get your hands on some tickets here.
21. Become a dab hand in the kitchen and whip up some Mexican food
What could be better than cooking up some delicious Mexican cuisine and drinking bottomless wine for your birthday? Another cooking class at the acclaimed Avenue Cookery School, this the perfect way for you to enjoy both. In this class, you’ll get to make some of the best ever fish tacos, all the while learning various tips on how to easily cook up a variety of other authentic dishes and street food too. You’ll get hands-on experience in the kitchen while learning tips from experienced chefs. You can book onto the course here.
22. Put your skills to the test at a naked drawing class
Join Neon Naked for a unique life drawing class, with options taking place all across London! Expect an evening of vibrant, artistic fun like no other, where reactive art materials and colourful life models are utilised to create experimental and radiant works on paper. Move away from the perfectionist teachings of traditional life drawing and come and try out different mark-making techniques, from continuous line drawing to pointillism. Watch as your drawings come to life with neon pastels under blacklight and take home your glowing masterpieces. Get your tickets now for Neon Naked Life Drawing in London! Get your tickets here.
🤪 Thrilling Experiences
Because, quite frankly, it’s your birthday and why the hell not up the ante?
23. Scream to your heart’s content aboard a rollercoaster
London is a pretty thrilling place to live already, but if you want even more thrills and spills for a birthday experience in London, then you’re in luck! From towering roller coasters and horror-themed mazes to beachside merry-go-rounds, we’re not exactly short of choice with our selection of theme parks near the city. Strap yourself in!
24. Climb your way to the top of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
If you’re looking for something memorable for your birthday, then look no further than this one. Called ‘The Dare Skywalk’ – yep, really – it gives you the chance to climb to the top of the world-famous Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and enjoy panoramic views of the capital as well as the stadium bowl below. You’ll get to see many of London’s signature sights – including The Shard and the Sky Garden – and you’ll also be able to survey the footie pitch 46.8 metres below you. Not adrenaline-fuelled enough for you? Why not add on ‘The Edge’ – a thrilling abseil backwards (or forwards!) down to terra firma below. Now that’s something you ain’t gonna forget in a hurry…
25. Charter your own boat down the waterways of London Town
Ahoy there matey! This next addition to this roundup of birthday ideas in London will have you raising anchor and setting sail aboard your own private boat down some of London’s most famous waterways. Each GoBoat seats up to eight people, and the best part of all is that you can bring your own picnic with you, so pack as many beers and G&T tinnies as you can carry! Opt to sail down the Regent’s Canal from Paddington (alas this one is alcohol-free), through leafy Kingston, or past the impressive skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. Anchors away!
26. Go clay pigeon shooting right in the heart of the city
Show up at Clays and you’ll be taken to your group’s semi-private ‘peg.’ Arguably one of the best birthday ideas in London, it’s like a clay-shooting bowling lane, but with a massive 4K screen on which the experience takes place. There the competition gets underway, with plenty of action across multiple games. Got lots of friends who want to join in? The more the merrier at Clays, where up to 22 people can game together in each peg. Add in an incredible array of different drinks, which can be ordered via touchscreen, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a birthday plan here. Happy shooting!
🍴 Dinner
If you’re a bit of a foodie and, to you, nothing says celebrating like a plate of really good grub, then we are coming in hard and fast with the answer to all of your birthday party planning prayers.
27. Hit up one of London’s top rooftop restaurants and rooftop bars
Our beloved capital has one of the most recognisable skylines anywhere on the planet, and there’s nowhere better to view it than from one of our esteemed culinary icons which are all high in the sky. New ones are popping up all the time, and there’s no better way to celebrate your birthday in London than by raising a toast or two while you gaze out at the cityscape below. We’ll cheers to that!
28. Have a raucous birthday dinner at Bagatelle
Club restaurants or ‘clubstaurants’ have been on the rise in the London restaurant scene and Bagatelle is top of the list for indulging in birthday revelry. Bagatelle captures the festive spirit of the South of France and its delicious cuisine to serve up flavours of the French Riviera, all whilst the waiters party the night away with you. The welcome shot on arrival kicks the night off on a high note and means your celebrations start right as you get to your table. As the night goes, the lights are dimmed, the sparklers come out, the music gets louder, and the staff get you into the spirit of debauchery and all around birthday fun. It’s Mayfair’s party palace so don’t be surprised if you end up dancing on top of your chairs. Certainly a contender for being one of the best birthday ideas in London we feel…
So there you have it – a rundown of 28 of the most brilliant birthday ideas in London. Our beloved capital has everything from clay pigeon shooting to VR experiences, so you certainly will be able to have a day to remember!