Central London: Your top 10 budget-friendly meeting room alternatives
RobRob
8th Aug 2025
>10 minutes min read (2,445 words)
Balancing affordability, convenience, and a conducive environment for productive discussions can seem like an impossible task when looking for a suitable informal meeting space.
For managers looking to up their team's informal meeting game, or client facing professionals looking to put all parties at ease to secure the win at little to no cost, here are some of your very best meeting room booking alternatives around central London.
Hart Shoreditch Hotel, Shoreditch.
As most already know, hotels and hotel lobbies can be a fantastic option for those meeting scenarios that don’t quite make the cut for a paid for space, but still need to be 100% professional; The Hart Shoreditch Hotel is among the best for achieving this.
The Leanspace View
With a long desk extending through the centre, hosting people meeting and working from the venue you certainly won’t feel out of place here. Visit anytime before 4pm and you’ll likely find a calm sophisticated environment void of any café espresso squabbling. Wifi is easy to connect to, and power sockets are in abundance should you need them.
Online Review Synopsis
The Hart Shoreditch Hotel's lobby is an excellent meeting space, praised for its stylish and inviting decor, exceptional service staff and cleanliness throughout. Guests appreciate the comfortable seating, reliable WiFi, and available charging points. While the lobby can get busy in the evening, it generally offers a conducive environment for productive informal meetings.
Review from a Leanspace User
“Always pretty quiet and a lovely place to work or meet with a co-working table is located in the hotel lobby with WiFi and power. However the lighting gets dimmed and the volume from surrounding visitors and guests gets quite loud later in the day” - Matthew (Leanspace User).
Key features
Environment: 3/3
Wifi: 3/3
Power socket: Green (>50% of seats)
Location: 3/3
Service: 3/3
Price: ££
Connections:
- Old Street (Northern, Great Northern Rail) - 9 Min Walk
- Shoreditch High Street (Overground) - 9 Mins Walk
When to visit?
The earlier the better for your meeting, gets busy and the lights get dimmed after 4.
The Westin London City.
Online review synopsis
The Westin London City, provides a suitable venue for informal meetings due to its modern, clean, and comfortable environment, frequently praised by guests. The high-quality service provided by the attentive and accommodating staff is a significant asset, ensuring a professional atmosphere for hosting clients and partners. Additionally, the hotel’s central location and excellent connectivity to public transport make it easily accessible for attendees.
Review from a Leanspace User
“Mosaic restaurant offers great dining and meeting workspace as required, the hotel is a easy 5 minute walk from mansion house tube station and cannon street station, fantastic service 10 out of 10. it's also a great hotel to stay in if looking for a workspace and hotel.”
The Leanspace View
Abundance of seating options, the bar and lobby area provide a top space for a formal discussion if you are needing to keep costs low. Service here is rated 10/10.
Key Features
Wifi: 3/3
Power socket: 1/3
Location: 3/3
Environment: 3/3
Price: ££
Connections:
- Mansion House (Circle and District) - 5 min walk
- Cannon Street (Circle and District) - 5 min walk
- Bank (Central, Northern, Waterloo & City) - 8 min walk
When to visit?
Plenty of room here, so you should be fine any time of day, but for those that prefer very quiet space we always recommend a morning meeting.
Hoxton, Southwark
The Leanspace View
The Hoxton, Southwark is a fantastic place if you are looking for high end space to meet, partner or colleague without incurring any booking fees. With some hefty menu price tags we are hesitant to call it budget friendly, but if you order lite you can reap the rewards of the amazing roof terrace views, exceptional service and lovely decor all for a fraction of the price of a meeting room.
Online review synopsis
The Hoxton Southwark, appears to be is very suitable venue for professional meeting. Guests frequently praise its modern design, unique atmosphere, and clean, comfortable rooms. The service is highly rated, with many reviews highlighting the friendly and helpful staff, indicating a professional and welcoming atmosphere for clients and colleagues. The hotel's central location, with easy access to Southwark, London Waterloo and Blackfriars stations, makes it convenient for attendees travelling via public transport.
Review from a Leanspace User
“Lovely calm place, good availability of seats for a work meeting. Wifi was strong and there were charge points available for laptops and phones”.
Key Features
Wifi: 3/3
Power socket: 2/3
Location: 3/3
Environment: 3/3
Price: £££
Connections:
- Southwark (Jubilee) - 2 min walk
- London Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, Waterloo & City, National Rail)
- Blackfriars (Circle and District) - 15 min Walk
When to visit?
Weekday mornings and early afternoons will leave you the most space!
Mimis Hotel Soho
The Leanspace View
The Mimis hotel is perfect if you are looking for a free space away from the hustle free in a very well connected area. Only 30 or so seats in the lobby but they are rarely filled and in our experience the staff are always happy to accommodate meetings in the space.
Online review synopsis
The Mimis presents itself as a potential venue for professional meetings. The hotel's prime location in the heart of Soho offers excellent connectivity, making it easily accessible. Reviews frequently mention the hotel's stylish and cosy environment, which provides a comfortable and clean setting. The service is generally well-regarded, with many guests praising the friendly and helpful staff, although there are occasional mentions of subpar experiences. The bar area is noted as a nice spot for working or relaxing.
Review from a Leanspace User
“This place is a hidden gem in the Soho area for a work meeting as it is accessing a hotel lobby that is hardly crowded for affordable prices”
Key Features
Wifi: 3/3
Power socket: 3/3
Location: 3/3
Environment: 2/3
Price: ££
Connections:
- Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth, Central, Northern) - 4 minute walk
- Leicester square (Northern, Piccadilly) - 7 min walk
- Piccadilly circus (Bakerloo, Piccadilly) - 8 min walk
When to visit?
Only 30 or so seats, but very often free… (mornings are still always better though!)
The Soho Hotel
The Leanspace View
The Soho Hotel offers a homely interior, with great service. Wifi and some seats with power sockets go a long way if you are in need of devices. Only a two minute walk from Mimi’s The Soho Hotel can be a great option for a meeting. The two go perfectly hand in hand as each others backs up with the limited seats of Mimi’s and the occasionally bustling Soho Hotel.
Online review synopsis
The Soho Hotel appears to be an excellent venue for professional meetings. The hotel’s central location in the heart of Soho offers convenient access to public transport, making it easily accessible for attendees. Guests frequently praise the hotel's stylish decor, comfortable rooms, and unique atmosphere, which suggest it provides a conducive environment for professional gatherings. The service is highly rated, with many reviews highlighting the attentive, friendly, and professional staff, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for clients and colleagues. Several reviews also mention the hotel’s bar and lounge areas as great spots for meetings, complemented by a pleasant ambiance.
Review from a Leanspace User
“Great central location for a formal meeting with ample space for confidential conversation. Plenty of seats and chargers to use the laptop.”
“A busy hotel offering different spaces to meet, including dedicated meeting rooms for hire, bar, restaurant and lobby for more casual meet ups. A clean venue with a buzzy vibe, a mix of tourists staying at the hotel and business people meeting for lunch / coffee / drink. Friendly staff, free WiFi and lots of space but tables are sometimes hard to find as it is very busy. Although tucked away, it is easy to get to via local tube.”
Key Features
Wifi: 3/3
Power socket: 3/3
Location: 3/3
Environment: 3/3
Price: £££
Connections:
- Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth, Central, Northern) - 4 minute walk
- Leicester square (Northern, Piccadilly) - 7 min walk
- Piccadilly circus (Bakerloo, Piccadilly) - 8 min walk
When to visit?
Can get busy. Be sure to visit in the early morning guarantee a seat.
155 Bishopsgate (Office Lobby)
The Leanspace View
The 155 Bishopsgate lobby is perhaps one of the most professional locations you can meet at before booking a paid for meeting space. Seating is built for privacy with high back chairs and plenty of space between them. You can maintain low costs on refreshments with an affordable café in the space. Wifi readily available, power socket availability the only limitation with few seats near an outlet.
Review from a Leanspace User
“Nice open area on the ground floor of 155 Bishopsgate before going up the escalator. Coffee shop right next door and sometimes on-site. Good place to meet as usually quite empty.”
Key Features
Wifi: 3/3
Power socket: 1/3
Location: 3/3
Environment: 3/3
Price: £
Connections:
- Liverpool street station (Elizabeth, Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Overground, Stansted Express, c2c, Greateranglia) - 4 minute walk
When to visit?
Finding space has never been an issue here, but visiting mid morning should eliminate all chances of not finding a seat.
Aldgate Tower (Office Lobby)
The Leanspace View
Much like 155 Bishopsgate the Aldgate Tower ground floor hosts readily available seating, well suited for a meeting. Free wifi and an abundance of power sockets relieve stress about device malfunctions. The space itself is a very pleasant, clean, professional environment, having everything you need to tell your counterpart you are taking their time seriously.
Review from a Leanspace User
“Large open area with WiFi and plugs easily accessible on the table. The area is a little tucked away so you can have private meetings. Can't stay too long there, but good enough for an hour or so meeting/work”.
Key Features
Wifi: 3/3
Power socket 3/3
Location: 3/3
Environment: 3/3
Price: £
Connections:
- Aldgate East (Circle, District, Hammersmith & City) - < 1 min walk
- Aldgate (Circle, Metropolitan) - 4 min walk
When to visit?
Only 10 - 20 seats but all day should be relatively quiet here.
Copper Coffee, Aldgate
The Leanspace View
Sitting right between Aldgate and Aldgate East, Copper Coffee provides an excellently located casual meeting space. Only around 20 seats in total but the privacy and confidentiality are unlike most other coffee shops with tables on different levels throughout. A clean environment with good service and yummy pastries are the cherry on top for casual meetings. Make sure to bring a phone for hotspot if your laptop, where the corners and levels bring privacy they also cause wifi troubles.
Online review synopsis
Copper Coffee presents a charming and convenient venue for casual professional meetings due to its cosy and stylish environment, friendly staff, and accessible location. However, the inconsistent Wi-Fi quality could be a significant drawback for business-related activities that depend on stable internet connectivity. The availability of power outlets is a positive aspect, ensuring that devices can be charged during meetings. It is recommended to directly confirm the Wi-Fi quality before planning any professional meetings requiring internet use.
Review from a Leanspace User
“Coffee shop on many levels making cosy spaces on each floor to meet and work from. Was easy to have a conversation and I couldn't hear anyone else. Food and drink also very reasonably priced”
Key Features
Wifi: 2/3
Power socket: 3/3
Location: 3/3
Environment: 3/3
Price: £
Connections:
- Aldgate East (Circle, District, Hammersmith & City) - 2 min walk
- Aldgate (Circle, Metropolitan) - 3 min walk
When to visit?
Mondays are usually pretty busy, Tuesdays can be very free. Midday visits often get you a seat.
Notes Coffee Roasters & Bar, Trafalgar Square
The Leanspace View
Just one of the many Notes Coffees suitable for a casual meeting. Open all day for coffee and bites to eat and in the evening for drinks, notes offer something for most casual catch-ups. Wifi is easy to log onto and seats are readily available. Consistent and reliable, Notes locations across central london are an institution for a casual business meeting.
Online review synopsis
Notes Coffee Roasters and Bar presents a cosy and convenient venue for casual professional meetings due to its pleasant environment, central location, and generally friendly staff. Some mixed reviews regarding service quality, but generally a fun vibrant environment.
Review from a Leanspace User
“Convenient location and great coffee and pastries. Gets busy but never have to wait long for a seat. Quite a homely informal feel. Turns into a bar later.”
Key Features
Wifi: 3/3
Power socket 2/3
Location: 3/3
Environment: 3/3
Price: ££
Connections:
- Charing Cross (Northern Line) - 4 min walk
- Leicester Square (Northern, piccadilly) - 4 min walk
When to visit?
Most locations offer lots of seating. Generally weekdays around 1pm are going to get you the quietest settings.
Fitzroy Tavern, Fitzrovia
The Leanspace View
A fantastic pub in a very pleasant area of London can make a venue as appropriate as it gets with the right client! Here you’ll find booths fitted for private conversations and even some charging ports! The Fitzroy tavern's traditional but clean aesthetic forges deals with charm.
Online review synopsis
The Fitzroy Tavern is a charming and historically rich venue for casual professional meetings due to its cosy environment and central location. The positive reviews about the friendly and attentive staff further enhance its suitability.
Review from a Leanspace User
“Great pub for a quiet, spacious meeting to take place can entertain multiple people as there are booths. Not very loud so I can maintain conversations and also can plug in.”
Key Features
Wifi: 1/3
Power socket: 3/3
Location: 3/3
Environment: 3/3
Price: ££
Connections:
- Goodge Street (Northern) - 5 min Walk
When to visit?
The later it gets, the busier it gets! Lunchtime meetings are great here, as are early afternoon meets, don’t leave it too late though or you’ll be fighting for bar space let alone a seat!
Discover more
Leanspace is always adding to this list! Connect or follow us on LinkedIn for more hidden (and affordable) London meeting spaces.
For a comprehensive overview of informal meeting venues and how these alternatives fit into the wider London context, see The Leanspace Informal Meeting Space Series (Explained) .
For broader meeting room costs, sizes, and availability around London’s key transport hubs, refer to our detailed guide on Meeting Rooms: Costs, Sizes and Availability in Key London Locations .
To understand what café chains work best for informal meetings and which to avoid, consider Coffee Chains & Meetings: Which Ones to Avoid and the Select Few That Fit the Bill .
