A weekend get-together deserves more than a hurried catch-up. At The Running Horse, just a stone’s throw from Aldgate East station, you can gather friends, family or colleagues in a semi-private corner of the pub, or make the whole place yours. There’s room for different kinds of plans, from a sit-down meal to drinks and a standing reception, with the pub’s fire-roasted food and proper drinks part of the occasion.
Find your corner of the pub
The Running Horse’s semi-private spaces let your group have a place of its own while staying connected to the atmosphere of the pub. For an elevated view across the room, The Stables is fully cornered off from the main floor. It seats 20 or holds 40 standing, making it a flexible choice for a birthday, team drinks or a celebration with a little separation from the bustle.
The Yard sits by the main bar, with high tables and bench seating at the heart of the pub. It can seat 45 or hold 80 standing, and can be broken up to suit smaller groups. Choose it for a weekend gathering that wants easy access to the bar and the lively feel of the room.
Make food part of the plan
If a shared meal is central to your get-together, The Paddock puts the open kitchen, rotisserie and grill in view. Tucked into the lower seating area, it seats 40 or holds 50 standing. That makes it suited to a sit-down meal with your group, as well as a standing reception with sharing platters doing the rounds.
The kitchen’s fire-roasted menu brings plenty to gather around: free-range chicken is brined for 12 hours before being cooked over hot coals, while the smash burgers and buttermilk chicken strips bring their own bold flavours. For sharing, there’s a Running Horse Sharing Platter with padrón peppers, popcorn calamari, mini chorizo in hot honey, and cheese whip with tortilla chips. Flexible menus can be shaped around your event, so let the team know what kind of meal you have in mind.
A smaller gathering or the whole pub
For a more intimate meal, The Grandstand is elevated above The Paddock and looks out across the venue. It seats 12 or holds 20 standing, with a close-knit feel for a team lunch, birthday dinner or another occasion built around good conversation.
If your guest list calls for more space, full venue hire gives you the run of The Running Horse, with capacity for up to 200 guests. It’s an option for larger celebrations and corporate gatherings, with the bar, kitchen and pub spaces all part of the occasion. Whether you’re planning a private corner or a full takeover, the events team can discuss a tailored proposal for your group.
Good drinks and a proper Aldgate gathering
A weekend booking can be as relaxed or organised as you like: settle in for food, catch up over craft beer from the rotating taps, or raise a glass with a well-made cocktail. The pub’s Sunday roasts bring another reason to make a meal of it, with dry-aged beef rib, Cotswold white chicken or Old Spot pork belly, served with roasties, Yorkies and gravy.
From the semi-private spaces to the full venue, The Running Horse offers options for bringing people together in the heart of the City. To talk through your weekend plans, group size and menu, enquire with the events team through the website.