Looking to keep a party entertained? London’s the host with the most. The city is packed with fun things to do, no matter your taste, age, or time preferences. Whether you’re seeking a birthday brunch with buddies, a family day out, an after-work bonding session, or an alternative stag/hen do, we’ve just the idea. Here’s our countdown to the best group activities in London to enjoy with the whole clan this autumn and beyond.

The best group activities in London

1. Be part of a TV game show with The Crystal Maze Live Experience

Crystal Maze London
Crystal Maze Live Experience

Ever wanted to be on the 90s TV game show, The Crystal Maze? Well, now you can. Bring a group and let your game master guide you through challenges of all sorts to win crystals. Of course, more crystals means more time in the giant Crystal Dome at the pinnacle.

Find out more about The Crystal Maze Live Experience

2. Experience racetrack thrill at F1 Arcade

F1 Arcade
F1 Arcade

Ever wanted to be a Formula 1 champion? F1 Arcade at St Paul’s (virtually) makes those racetrack dreams come true. Using bespoke full-motion racing simulators, you and your fellow drivers will take the wheel and immerse in the game…as if you’re in Monaco. Go head to head, or form teams for a thrilling race. The venue’s Octane Bar is perfect for a celebratory cocktail, Ferrari Brut bubbles, or the alco-free Pit Stop for designated drivers, and globally-inspired bites are also served. Whilst at F1, factor time to explore the awesome One New Change, and take in St Paul’s views from Madison on floor six.

Find out more about F1 Arcade

3. Shuffleboard with Electric Shuffle

Electric Shuffle London
Electric Shuffle

Challenge your mates to a supercharged version of shuffleboarding, complete with vision technology to total up your scores and shoot replay footage. Big pizzas, cocktails, and live DJ sounds turn up the competition. In summer, Canary Wharf’s outpost is transformed with a tropical terrace and excellent value lunch deals. You’ll want to stay beyond sundown.

Find out more about Electric Shuffle

4. Let loose at an indoor fairground with Fairgame

Fairgame London
Fairgame

British weather may be unpredictable, even in the summer, but you’re guaranteed a good (rain-free) time at Fairgame, Canary Wharf’s adult funfair. It features all the classics from basketball hoops to whack away, and for just £15, you can play them all within a 75-minute time frame. Stick around afterward to sample the street food or catch up with your mates at one of the three bars. This place is buzzing with a fun fair vibe that promises to bring the clan plenty of cheer.

Find out more about Fairgame

5. Play (and party) in a theme park wonderland with Gravity Max

Gravity Max go kart
Gravity Max

Gravity MAX isn’t just a games arcade, it’s an entire gaming theme park. The recent Westfield opening is spread over 67,000 square feet, with three floors packed with pure entertainment (and neon photo opps!). 

Players will find here everything from golf to VR to karaoke, but the must-try is their massive multi-track e-karting experience. A sports bar provides refuel in between the nostalgic and futuristic fun. Completely indoors, Gravity MAX will turn up the party rain or shine and is ideal for alternative hen/stag dos, office socials, birthdays, and even date nights.

Find out more about Gravity Max Westfield

6. Karaoke together with Lucky Voice

Lucky Voice Karaoke London
Lucky Voice

This one’s been around for yonks, and for good reason: Lucky Voice’s song list is extensive. Their collection spans over 13,000 tunes, including multiple languages, so K-Pop lovers can channel their inner Blackpink alongside the Spice Girls fanatics. There are now outposts in Soho, Islington, Holborn, Liverpool Street and a shiny new one in Waterloo, plus Brighton and even Dubai!

Find out more about Lucky Voice

7. Jump into a sitcom with The FRIENDS Experience: The One in London

The FRIENDS Experience: The One in London
The FRIENDS Experience: The One in London

It’s the 30th anniversary of Friends (where did the time go?), and we’re still obsessed. Round your besties together and jump right into an episode yourselves. At Excel in East London, The FRIENDS Experience has full-scale re-created sets, backdrops, costumes, and tonnes of props and memorabilia to play with. That includes the legendary orange couch. Themed food and drink, and a Friends gift shop, complete your group day out. 

Find out more about The FRIENDS Experience: The One in London

8. Have a house party at The Little Violet Door

Little Violet Door
Little Violet Door

Don’t rent in zone one? No problem. Y’all can still have a house party in Soho. The Little Violet Door just opened and it’s officially the hottest house in town. Expect kitchen discos, late-night catch-ups on the living room couch, and cocktails out on the terrace. There’s even a games room where you can Mario Kart together, and a very Instagrammble bathroom for further shenanigans (plus props!). The hours will fly by. Open from noon till late every day of the week.

Find out more about The Little Violet Door

9. Play pétanque at Boulebar Spitalfields

Boulebar
Boulebar

Get your mates together on the gravel for a game of pétanque, the quintessential French boules experience that’s now open in Spitalfields as well as Southwark. There are two teams per court, and the simple goal is to get to 13 points first. Teams can be as competitive as they like, either with full focus or with cocktails in hand (we prefer the latter). Awesome bistro-style bites are also available for a victory dinner.

Find out more about Boulebar Spitalfields

10. Cheer the boys on at Forbidden Nights

Forbidden Nights
Forbidden Nights

For a girl’s (and gays) night out to remember, how about a Forbidden Night in Clapham? The long-running show, as seen on Britain’s Got Talent, parks at Infernos every Saturday. Tickets include the show starring the raunchy (and talented) all-male troupe, plus a photo opp with the cast. Upgrade with a stage pass and have your pal join the boys on stage, ideal for hen parties, birthdays, or any night out where cocktails and hunks are needed for a little tension release.

Find out more about Forbidden Nights

11. Play to win at Hijingo Bingo

Hijingo Bingo
Hijingo Bingo

Ready to experience the future of bingo? Hijingo is electric: you and your mates will partake in a fast-paced, futuristic, and exhilarating rollout of numbers to win actual prizes. These include cash prizes and holidays. It’s not just blobbing off paper either: all around you, an AI-fuelled show will keep the party entertained, as well as a range of floor fillers ranging from noughties to pumping drum & bass and chart-toppers, Dua Lipa to RAYE. Cocktails and a weekend bottomless brunch are available, and there’s a podium-style stage for winners to be showered with glory (i.e. an excellent photo opp).

Find out more about Hijingo Bingo

12. Ping pong with Bounce

Bounce
Bounce

Competitive crew? Whack the ball at Bounce, aka London’s official home of ping pong. Smart AI tech has the table automatically track and score the game for you, so there’s no losing focus. Or maybe you’re happy to let go of the win: in which case, opt for Beer Pong instead. The rules are simple: toss the ball, eliminate rival cups, and if you sink them you drink them! Outposts are in Farringdon, Battersea Power Station, and Old Street, all with food and drink served to fuel each pop.

Find out more about Bounce

13. Experience the Wild West with Moonshine Saloon 

Moonshine Saloon
Moonshine Saloon

Step into an immersive Wild West experience in East London. Moonshine Saloon is the opportunity to say ‘Howdy Y’all’ with a cowboy hat on, and drink cocktails which you ‘smuggle’ in (basically, BYOB booze, and they handle the mixers). Live actors create a fantasy atmosphere and you can even pay a little extra to look the part. It’s £10 to rent full-on sheriff, mayor, and brothel keeper gear, though everyone gets to borrow a hat for free.

Find out more about Moonshine Saloon

14. Or step into another dimension with Avora

Avora
Avora

Fans of films like Avatar, your dreams will come to life at this hot spot. Avora is an immersive new-world cocktail adventure in London, from the creators of ‘Alcotraz’ and ‘Moonshine Saloon’ (so you know it’s going to be good). Guests get three potion-style cocktails included (non-alcoholic options are available) and interact with a cast of actors playing botanists and local Avorians against a beautifully theatrical backdrop. Avora’s good for the environment too: a tree is planted for every ticket sold.

Find out more about Avora

15.  Escape a zombie room with Bunker 51

Bunker 51
Bunker 51

An escape game with a bite. You and up to seven friends are locked in a room and have an hour to unearth clues to a key out of there. Every few minutes, the zombie’s chain is released a little further, and you’ll need to work together to keep it at bay. A brilliant twist on the group activity that’s fun beyond just Halloween, with award-deserving acting from resident ‘professor’ and ‘zombie’.

Find out more about Bunker 51

16. Learn how to throw axes with Whistle Punks

group activities London axe throwing Whistle Punks
Whistle Punks

Always wanted to try axe throwing? This Oxford Circus setting is the place to learn the art of axe throwing in London. A highly skilled expert will take you through a selection of grips and you’ll have a chance to practice before battling it out for supremacy with your crew. Perfect for groups of two and up, we had a ball here with their new Quick Fling package that promises 40 minutes of fun at just £16 per person. We can vouch for the delicious pizzas and cocktails/mocktails too.

Discover more about Whistle Punks

17. Swing in the trees with Go Ape

go ape
Go Ape

You don’t have to venture far for that forest feeling. At Go Ape in Battersea Park (as well as multiple other UK locations) you and the crew can monkey around high up in the trees with their signature Tree Top Adventure. The experience combines rope bridges, zip wires, and Tarzan swings, and the two to three hours are both exhilarating and a great workout. Suitable for all ages if you’re up for a physical and mental challenge. 

Find out more about Go Ape

18. Try (virtual) clay shooting with Clays Bar

Clays Bar London
Clays Bar

This bar brings clay target shooting out of the countryside and right into the City. Check in to a shooting peg that features interactive screens for a thrilling selection of games fuelled by cocktails and delicious sharing platters. You can leave your phones in your pockets too: moments, photos, and game results from your session are emailed out afterward.

Find out more about Clays Bar

19. Attend wizard school with Wands & Wizard Exploratorium

Wands & Wizard Exploratorium London
Wands & Wizard Exploratorium

Potter fans, are you ready to become a wizard? The Wands & Wizard Exploratorium in Soho gives fans the opportunity to don a cape and partake in their own wand-building session. Afterward, choose to enjoy a spellbinding wizard-themed afternoon tea, or adults can sign up to make cocktails in the style of potions.

Find out more about Wands & Wizard Exploratorium

20. Get bargain tickets for a show at Shakespeare’s Globe 

Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare's Globe
Much Ado About Nothing

If you’re seeking culture on a budget, we recommend snagging £5 standing tickets for a show at Shakespeare’s Globe, especially now that the weather’s picked up (although seating seats with cushions are available if you’re feeling fancy). The world-famous theatre and Thameside landmark is a realistic and true-to-history reconstruction of the 1599 Globe Theatre, a playhouse for which William Shakespeare wrote his plays. 

Find out more about  Shakespeare’s Globe

21. Jump into a painting with Frameless

Frameless immersive art in London
Frameless

This permanent exhibit in Marble Arch has four multi-sensory galleries showcasing the world’s greatest art works. If your kids or spouse find traditional art galleries a snooze, this will perk them up. Plus, there are excellent photo opps for the gram.

Find out more about Frameless

22. Learn about wine with Humble Grape

Humble Grape Wine Tasting London
Humble Grape

Love wine? At Humble Grape you and your pals can sign up for a variety of wine-tasting experiences, ranging from beginner masterclasses to a supper club hosted by wine producers. The company only works with the world’s best independent winemakers, who are 100% sustainable, so it’s quality you can taste. Life’s too short to drink bad wine. Stick around for nibbles, which are just as scrumptious.

Find out more about Humble Grape

23. Go behind the scenes of the London Underground with Hidden Tours

Hidden Tours London
Hidden Tours London

To discover a whole new world that is the tube system (which, literally is a world of its own), sign up for one of London Transport Museum’s Hidden London tours. They run throughout the year, exploring the most storied of stations. 

Our pick for 2024 is the Access All Areas to Charing Cross, where you’re taken to disused parts of the station that were used in films such as Skyfall and Paddington Bear. Pair that with an afternoon tea package at The Clermont for only £80 per adult to complete the day out.

Find out more about Hidden London

24. Become a bubble tea barista with ClassBento

ClassBento bubble tea class London
ClassBento

Learn to make boba tea with a hands-on lesson at this Camden bubble tea cafe, BOBA & More. Baristas will run through the drink’s history, show you how to create multiple types of teas (there are tastings to help you decide) including the tapioca, and you’ll whip up three of your favourites to take home; that’s assuming you didn’t drink them all on the spot.  BOBA & More also innovates with boba ice creams. Classes are available to book on ClassBento.

Find out more about ClassBento

25. Dance in NYC with Guys and Dolls

Guys & Dolls London theatre
Guys & Dolls

To have a boogie with your pals, without the late night, snag tickets to London’s top immersive production, Guys & Dolls. Seating is wrapped around the action but standing patrons in the middle join the cast in the streets of Manhattan and the bars of Havana in an unlikely love story. Currently playing at the Bridge Theatre.

Find out more about Guys & Dolls

26. Compete in multi-games with Boom Battle Bar

Boom Battle Axe Throwing London
Boom Battle

Competitive streak? Boom’s your battle haven. Participate in games spanning axe-throwing, augmented reality darts, American pool, and crazier golf, and see who in your party comes out on top. 

There are venues dotted throughout the city including Oxford Circus, Ealing, and The O2, but no matter where the challenge is set, it’s an epic occasion. 

Find out more about Boom Battle Bar

27. Draw nudes in the dark with Neon Naked

Neon Naked London art class
Neon Naked

Life drawing with a twist. Neon Naked dives you into psychedelic neons for the most unique art class. Models are beautifully painted, and supplies are all included. Who knew highlighters could be so fun?

Find out more about Neon Naked

But wait, there’s more…