Christmas Party Bookings for London Pubs, Bars and Restaurants: Posters and Foam Board Signs

Ask anyone who runs a busy venue in London and they’ll tell you the same thing. Christmas party bookings don’t wait for December. Diaries fill early, so it pays to be noticed early.

A clear sign by the door can do a lot of that talking for you. This guide looks at how posters and foam board from ExactPrint can help a venue in Hackney, Soho or Southwark say one simple thing. We’re taking bookings. No fuss, no jargon, just a message people can read in a few seconds.

Why Christmas Party Bookings Start Early

Here are some numbers worth a quick look. The NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker looked at Christmas week 2025. Like-for-like sales rose 4.8% at managed pubs, but fell 1.1% at managed restaurants and 15.5% at managed bars.

Same week, very different stories. Gaps like that help explain why many venues try to fill their diary early instead of leaving it to chance. A group booked in November is one less worry in December.

So where does print come in? People can’t book a venue they didn’t notice. A sign that says “Christmas bookings open” turns a passing glance into a phone call.

Christmas Party Posters That Do the Talking

Christmas party posters are the quickest way to tell people the diary is open. Pop one in the window and everyone walking past gets the message, even if your team is busy at the back.

Pick the Right Size

An A2 poster is 420 x 594mm. That’s big enough to read from across the road, so it suits a window or entrance. A smaller A3 poster is 297 x 420mm and fits a notice wall or counter, where people stand close and have time to read. The A2 poster page lists a same-day option at checkout.

Too many words and nobody reads it. Too few and nobody knows what to do. Somewhere in the middle is the sweet spot.

What to Put on It

Keep it simple. Four things is plenty:

1. A short headline people can read in two seconds.
2. The kind of groups you welcome, like office teams or friends.
3. One easy way to book, such as a phone number or web address.
4. Your venue name, so it looks like you and not a random flyer.

Leave the rest off. A poster is a nudge, not a leaflet.

Three Layout Habits Worth Keeping

• Put the main message big enough to read from a few steps away.
• Leave empty space around the words. Crowded signs get skipped.
• Pick two colours and stick to them, one for the headline and one for the rest.

Foam Board Signs for Doors, Walls and Counters

Foam board is a paper-faced foam core, made for indoor and short-term outdoor display. ExactPrint prints your artwork onto it, so the look is all yours. Foam board signs suit a Christmas message well, because that message has a short life anyway. Think of it as the sign people see on the way in, before anyone says hello.

Big and Small Options

An A1 foam board is 594 x 841mm, the statement piece. Put it where you want the message seen from a distance, like near the entrance. An A4 foam board is 210 x 297mm, small and tidy, handy for a counter or a quiet corner. ExactPrint’s A1 and A4 foam board pages both list same-day printing and mounting.

Need a sign to stay outside for longer? Foamex, a printed PVC board, is the tougher option for that.

Poster or Foam Board? Pick Your Spot

Still stuck? This table might help.

Tent Cards and a Pull Up Roller Banner

Not everything has to go on a wall. Tent cards are their own product, and they sit on tables where a group is already in the room, thinking about what’s next. A line like “Ask us about your team night” does the job.

Menus are another product of their own, and a printed menu can carry the same festive wording as your posters and tent cards. The tent cards page lists same-day delivery options in London, and the menus page lists same-day delivery across London.

For a bigger welcome, try a pull up roller banner at 800 x 2000mm. Call it a roller banner or a pull-up banner, the idea is the same: tall, narrow and hard to walk past. One big message, one clear way to book. That’s it. The banner page lists same-day delivery across London.

Use the same colours and wording across every piece. When the poster, the board and the card all look like family, people remember you.

One Quick Check Before You Print

For anything touching your licence, ask your premises licence holder or your local council licensing team before you print.

Get the Word Out Before the Diary Fills Up

Christmas party bookings are partly a race to be noticed. A bold poster in the window, a neat board on the counter and a few tent cards on the tables all say the same thing. They just say it in different places. Across London, from Islington to Southwark, a steady message adds up.

ExactPrint can print the artwork you send, so start with one clear message. Ready? Have a look at the A2 poster and get your design moving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size poster suits a pub window?

A2 at 420 x 594mm suits a window or entrance, where people read from outside. A3 at 297 x 420mm fits smaller spots such as a notice wall. Choose by reading distance.

Is foam board made of plastic?

No. Foam board is a paper-faced foam core, made for indoor and short-term outdoor display. For tougher or longer outdoor use, Foamex, a printed PVC board, is the better option.

What should a booking poster say?

Keep it short. Add a clear headline, the type of groups you welcome, and one simple way to book. Leave out anything you can’t back up, and ask your licence holder if you’re unsure.

Can I print tent cards for tables?

Yes. Tent cards are their own product, printed with the artwork you send. They work well on tables to remind groups that bookings are open. Check the product page for sizes and details.

How early should I promote bookings?

There is no single rule. Many venues start early, because diaries can fill before December. Plan your artwork first, then order your signs so they’re up when the first enquiries come in.