Messing About In Boats – Ideal Entertainment For Parties On The Water Awesome Event & Party Entertainment Inspiration

Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats

- Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

The London Boat Show opened this week, but you don't have to own a mega yacht to hold a party on the water! The UK has a great assortment of water-based venues for hire, from barges to battleships, and Alive Network has a wealth of entertainment to make your event something really special.

Here's just a few ideas of maritime venues and entertainment that seem just made for each other!

HMS Belfast, London

Yes, you can hire this iconic WWII battleship moored on the Thames. Hold an intimate drinks party in the Admiral's Quarters, or enjoy great views of London from the Quarterdeck with 450 of your closest friends for your wedding reception.

Appropriate acts: Greet your guests with the sounds of the 1940s with a Andrew Sisters style vocal group such as The Melodic Belles, The Sweet Arts or The Bugle Bells. Then, dance the night away to a 1940s style big band playing hits by Glenn Miller et al, such as The DCR Big Band, featuring female band leader Debbie Curtis & John Miller, late nephew of Glenn Miller.

Liverpool Luxury Yacht

Party like a Lottery winner for your hen night on your own private luxury yacht, sailing from the famous Albert Docks in Liverpool out into the Irish Sea to the iconic Anthony Gormley statues (weather permitting). Perfect for you and your very own Ocean's Twelve (i.e. 12 people max), available from www.stagandhenliverpool.co.uk/activities/luxury-yacht-charter-2/.

Appropriate acts: Save the dancing for your return to Albert Docks, where you can hire a variety of venues for an all-night, bop 'till you drop party. Save money by booking a Liverpool-based rock and pop function band, such as The Casuals, Ultraviolet, La Frontera and Tight Fit. (Yes, that Tight Fit, creators of that iconic 1980s hit Lion Sleeps Tonight - ah whim bah way!)

Manchester Party Barge

Manchester barge The Bohemia can whisk you and up to 60 guests along the hidden waterways of central Manchester for a birthday party or anniversary celebration with a difference. With space to enjoy live music on your travels, and a route that takes you past the iconic Old Trafford football ground, this is an evening to savour. (www.drybarge.com). Other iconic waterways offering party barges including the Tiverton Canal, Lancaster Canal and the city with more canals than Venice - Birmingham!

Appropriate acts: for smaller venues such as a barge, opt for a compact duo or trio that play all your favourite hits with the minimum of kit. For Manchester parties, check out jazz and swing duo The Wize-Guys, acoustic guitar duo Unplugged, and contemporary cool trio Academy. Or, use our Sort function to list our duos and trios "By artist location (A to Z)" to find those local to your location.

Packet Boat Trips, Bristol

Charter a boat to party on the River Avon as it flows through the Avon Gorge, under the Clifton Suspension Bridge and out to sea. The Bristol Packet Boat Company offer a choice of boats, including a traditional river steamer, an Amsterdam sightseeing boat, and an all weather cruiser made for parties. All boats have a full bar and food can be provided.

Appropriate acts: Although there may not be too much room for dancing, you can still pack your packet with your favourite tunes spun by Somerset-based DJ Andy Martin, or one of our experienced Southwest DJs.

Spitbank Fort, The Solent

OK, it's not a boat, but it is very much on the sea! Spitbank Fort is a Napoleonic gun emplacement just 30 minutes boat ride off the coast at Portsmouth. It's been converted into a luxurious party venue complete with roof top hot pool, sauna and fire pit. Start the fun with water sports during the day, then chill out in the pool before dinner with a drink from the bar, and dance the night away under the stars. No need for you and your best-ist friends to worry about a taxi home either; the fort has nine bedrooms and sleeps 18! 

Appropriate acts: Pretty much anything you like, as loud as you like - there are no neighbours to annoy! 

Got a marine venue in mind but not sure which entertainment to choose? Call us - we've got a boatload of suggestions for wonderful entertainment for your event. Leave your guests in oar.