Best Places for a Team Night Out on the SWR Network

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South Western Railway January 19, 2026 5 min read

In this article, you'll learn the following:

Ideas for a team night out in London
Ideas for a team night out in the South West
Plan a stress-free team night out using SWR

Best Places for a Team Night Out on the SWR Network

In this article, you'll learn the following:

- Ideas for a team night out in London

- Ideas for a team night out in the South West

- Plan a stress-free team night out using the SWR

There’s no pressure quite like being asked to plan your team night out at work. Whether it’s a casual catch-up, celebrating a milestone, a Christmas party or just good old team bonding, choosing the right venue that’s accessible by everyone makes all the difference. The best team nights out strike a balance between atmosphere, location and flexibility. You want to find somewhere that’s easy to get to and allows you to chat, eat good food, have a drink and unwind.

From large and lively food halls and pubs in London to relaxed pubs in the South West, this handy guide will be your key to finding the best places for after-work drinks, all easily reached by train on the SWR network.

Ideas for a team night out in London

The Tate Modern, as seen from the north bank of the Thames

London offers endless options for after-work socialising. From informal drinks to finger food for teams of all sizes, we have found the best locations to bookmark for your next team night out in London.

Mercato Metropolitano, Elephant & Castle

If your team can’t decide on one cuisine for an after-work night out, Mercato Metropolitano is perfect. As one of London’s largest sustainable community food markets, it’s home to more than 40 independent traders serving everything from award-winning fried chicken to traditional pudding and modern Nigerian food. There really is something to suit everyone’s taste. When you’re finished eating, the Cocktail Caravan or Beershack are great options for some drinks.

How to get there: Take an SWR service to London Waterloo, then the Bakerloo line to Elephant & Castle. The venue is a short walk from the station.

The BrewDog Waterloo Tap Room

If you have a smaller or mid-size team and you’re after a more laid-back after-work option, BrewDog Waterloo offers craft beer, casual seating and a sociable atmosphere. It’s a good choice if you want something informal without committing to a full dinner. A great option to have saved for impromptu team nights out in London.

How to get there: BrewDog Waterloo is around a 10-minute walk from Waterloo station.

Flat Iron Square, Southwark

If your team is into sports, Flat Iron Square is the perfect choice for after-work food and drinks in London. Featuring multiple HD screens, including one 16ft showstopper, this venue is great to catch a match with your teammates after a long day at work. The food-led venue has multiple food vendors on-site, meaning everyone can find what they need and reconvene to mingle throughout the night.

How to get there: From London Waterloo, Flat Iron Square is a short walk or you can take an Underground to Borough.

Ideas for a team night out in the South West

You don’t need to go to the capital for a good night out with your team. There are plenty of venues offering great food and drink that are accessible via the SWR network right across the South West. Here are a few of our favourites.

The Stable, Winchester

The Stable in Winchester is very popular for after-work drinks and team nights out in the South West. A big reason for this is the delicious pizza and cider on offer. The informal setting makes it easy for teams to book tables or you can often turn up without pre-booking and the team are very accommodating.

How to get there: From Winchester station, The Stable is a short 9-minute walk.

Brewhouse & Kitchen, Portsmouth

If craft beer and pub grub is what your team is craving, Brewhouse & Kitchen in Portsmouth is the one for you. It is a traditional pub with lots of space for groups of all sizes, making it ideal for teams who want that relaxed after-work night out in the pub without too much fuss or pre-planning.

How to get there: Hop off the train at Portsmouth & Southsea and the venue is only a short walk from outside the station.

The Botanist, Exeter

For those nights when you want to share cocktails and nibbles with your team after a long day at work or to celebrate a milestone, look no further than The Botanist in Exeter. This venue oozes style and sophistication but still remains comfortable and relaxed for groups. Think of this as the perfect place for a polished but not-too-formal after-work night out.

How to get there: The Botanist is well-serviced on the SWR networks. You can get off at Exeter Central or Exeter St David’s and the venue is a 10-15 minute walk from both.

Plan a stress-free team night out using SWR

Organising an after-work team night out is easier when everyone can travel by train. Taking the train removes the need to coordinate lifts or parking and makes it simpler for colleagues to join from different locations.

We have plenty of cheap train tickets, from advance tickets to Group Save. If you want extra flexibility in case plans change, our Sunday Out and Semi-Flex return tickets are the ideal choice. Don’t forget to check your eligibility for Railcards and discounts to save even more on your journey.

You can avail of special offers and deals on attractions in London and the South West with SWR Rewards. Check what’s on offer in your destination.

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