The 2024 Guide to Sustainable Commuting – Team building nights out

If you’re worried about the environmental impact of commuting to London, The 2024 Guide to Sustainable Commuting does the hard work for you, by researching planet-friendly options for everything involved with going to the office.  From recommending the most ethically produced work clothes and kit to the most sustainable (and hopefully independent)  places to buy coffee, snacks and lunch close to your London office locations.

This month  we’re looking at the environmental impact of those fun afterwork team building activities. There are many options which are super popular in London.  But, can you plan a great night out and still be mindful of your environmental impact, or are the DIY alternatives a more planet-friendly choice?  Let’s take a look:

Crazy golf – Swingers!

Swingers (West End and City locations) promises cocktails, street food and crazy golf all in a really fun environment.  The décor and atmosphere are really fun, each hole is individually designed and its designed for teams to compete against each other.  Whilst their website does not display a sustainability policy, Swingers offers  environmentally conscious food options, bringing in external brands. So, for example Pizza Pilgrims is a BCorp and Patty & Bun offer plant based, vegan options and share their suppliers list on their website.  Draft beer is available (a greener option than bottles or cans).

Curling – The Curling Club

Every winter (November to February) The Curling Club opens its doors on The South Bank (and this year also at Vinegar Yard, near London Bridge).  The Swiss chalet vibe of this pop up is fun, with a DJ, karaoke from the waiting staff. mountain food and the usual bar drinks. The curling itself is a fun team competition and altogether it’s a great night out.  However, a review of their website offers no sustainability policy and the standard menu does not offer vegan options but they are available on request. Draft beer is available (a greener option than bottles or cans).

Darts – Flightclub

Flightclub (Bloomsbury, Victoria, Shoreditch and Islington) offers a variety of team darts games in brilliantly designed pub spaces, with drinks and food. So, it’s a great, competitive one stop shop team night out. A review of their website shows no sustainability policy, the drinks menu offers one English wine (lower food miles), they  also include vegan food on their menu’s. Draft beer is available (a greener option than bottles or cans).

A picnic

A picnic is only suitable for the warner months of course but, London has many greenspaces to enjoy – there are the eight Royal Parks including Regents, Hyde  and St. James.  They all offer sporting facilities, so you could play tennis, or take out a pedalo or rowing boat ahead of your picnic. They also have a clear sustainability policy.  And, don’t forget the smaller garden squares, such as  Berkeley, Ladbroke or St. James, perfect for a smaller gathering. By bringing your own picnic and choosing the food and drinks carefully you can really minimise the impact of a team gathering (not to mention bringing down costs).  Just remember to recycle any packaging in the bins provided!

Quiz night

Second of the DIY options is a quiz night.  If your office has a central breakout space or lounge, why not stay in (no-one has an excuse to leave!) Assign one of the team as quiz master, split everyone else into teams and buy some fun (and sustainable) prizes.  Again, sourcing sustainable, ethically produced food and drinks is relatively easy and costs will be lower than going out!

In summary, whilst London has many fun venues for a great team night out, it is tricky to assess whether they align with your company approach to sustainability.  However, DIY events  – whilst a little more effort – are more likely to be planet friendly.

If you’re looking for a new London office, get in touch with our Sales team at LentaSpace.  With 13 London locations – all in walking distance of mainline or underground stations – we are sure to be able to help you make a sustainable commuting choice.