By Legends Sports & Pool Bar Editorial Team · Updated 3 September 2026
Corporate team building events in Essex can be enjoyable, purposeful and straightforward to organise when the venue, activities and schedule suit the people attending. Legends Sports & Pool Bar in Braintree offers a relaxed setting where colleagues can compete at pool, darts and shuffleboard before enjoying food, drinks or live sport together.
As a family-run, non-membership venue, Legends welcomes workplace groups without the atmosphere of a formal conference centre. Tailored corporate packages, private hire, informal meeting space and free on-site parking give organisers several ways to build an event around their team.
Key Takeaways
- Legends is a family-run sports and pool bar in Braintree, Essex.
- Corporate groups can choose from English pool, American pool, darts and a 14ft shuffleboard table.
- Events can be organised as tournaments, mixed-game rotations or relaxed company socials.
- Tailored food and drink packages are available for business groups.
- Private hire, informal meeting space and sports viewing parties can also be arranged.
- Walk-ins are welcome, but advance booking is recommended for corporate groups and busy periods.
- No membership is required to visit Legends.
Why Plan a Corporate Team-Building Event?
A company event gives colleagues a chance to interact outside their usual roles and working environment. It may be organised to welcome new employees, celebrate a successful project, bring different departments together or simply give the team an enjoyable break from its normal routine.
A social event alone cannot guarantee better workplace performance. However, thoughtful planning can create useful opportunities for conversation, shared decision-making and team reflection.
The CIPD’s evidence review of high-performing teams highlights team dynamics, cohesion, shared thinking, information sharing and reflection as factors that can help employees work together effectively. It also includes well-planned team-building activities among the interventions available to employers.
The key phrase is “well-planned”. The activity should match the group, and the day should have enough structure to feel organised without becoming another formal meeting.
What Should You Decide Before Choosing a Venue?
Before comparing corporate team building event ideas, define what the business wants from the occasion. A clear purpose makes it easier to choose the right format, schedule and venue.
Consider the following questions:
- Is the event intended to celebrate, socialise or encourage colleagues to mix?
- Would the group prefer a structured competition or casual play?
- How many people are expected to attend?
- Will food and drinks be required?
- Is informal meeting time needed?
- Would the group like to watch live sport?
- Is private hire important?
- What accessibility requirements should be discussed?
- Where will attendees be travelling from?
- What is the available budget?
You should also ask employees what type of event they would enjoy. Not every participant will want a highly physical or intensely competitive activity. Indoor games can provide an approachable alternative while still offering plenty of friendly competition.
What Corporate Event Activities Are Available at Legends?
Legends provides several games under one roof, allowing organisers to focus on one activity or create a mixed rotation.
| Activity | Facilities at Legends | Possible event format |
|---|---|---|
| English pool | 10 English pool tables | Singles, doubles, team league or knockout tournament |
| American pool | Two full-size American pool tables | Singles, doubles or team challenge |
| Darts | Five dartboards | Individual scoring, pairs or team competition |
| Shuffleboard | One 14ft shuffleboard table | Individual rounds or team points challenge |
Darts are free with any purchase. Pool and shuffleboard can be booked in advance, which is recommended when planning corporate events for team building.
No special tournament format is required. A workplace group may prefer casual access to the games, while another may enjoy organised rounds with scores and a final. The most suitable structure will depend on the number of participants and how competitive they want the event to feel.
More information about the venue’s cue-sports facilities is available on the Legends pool page.
Five Corporate Team-Building Event Ideas at Legends
Legends’ activities can be used in several ways without introducing complicated rules or transporting the group between different venues.
1. A Workplace Pool Tournament
Divide colleagues into singles or doubles and organise a knockout tournament. Doubles matches can give colleagues an opportunity to discuss shots and make decisions together.
For a less competitive version, award points for taking part rather than eliminating teams immediately. This keeps more people involved throughout the event.
2. A Mixed-Games League
Create small teams and rotate them between English pool, American pool, darts and shuffleboard. Each result can contribute to an overall points total.
A mixed format gives participants several activities to try. It also prevents the entire event from depending on experience in one game.
3. A Casual Games Social
Not every team wants a scoreboard. Organisers can reserve games and allow colleagues to choose what they would like to play while food and drinks are available.
This format can work well for an after-work gathering, company celebration or informal corporate outing.
4. Games Followed by Live Sport
A team activity can be planned around a major sporting event. Colleagues can play pool, darts or shuffleboard before watching the match together on the venue’s HD screens.
Legends shows football on Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime, alongside selected rugby, Formula 1, golf, boxing and women’s football. Check the current Legends events and sports listings before arranging the day.
5. An Informal Meeting and Team Social
Businesses can combine informal meeting time with games, food and drinks. This provides a change of setting without treating the entire visit as a formal conference.
Private hire of the games area is also available for networking events, celebrations and corporate groups that want an exclusive space. Availability and arrangements should be confirmed directly with Legends.
How Should You Structure the Event?
A clear schedule helps organisers manage activities, food and breaks. It does not need to account for every minute, but participants should know what is happening and when.
The following is an example rather than a fixed Legends package:
| Stage | Suggested plan |
|---|---|
| Arrival | Welcome the group, confirm teams and explain the format |
| Opening activity | Begin with a simple pool, darts or shuffleboard round |
| Main games block | Rotate teams or continue the chosen tournament |
| Food break | Serve the agreed food and allow time for informal conversation |
| Final activity | Complete the final rounds or overall points challenge |
| Social time | Continue with casual games, drinks or live sports viewing |
A shorter event might include one pool tournament followed by food. A longer event could involve a mixed-games league, a meal and live sport.
The schedule should be adjusted to the expected group size and confirmed with the venue before the booking is finalised.
How Can Organisers Keep Everyone Involved?
Corporate event team building activities work best when people understand the format and have a genuine opportunity to participate.
A few simple planning decisions can help:
- Keep the rules easy to understand.
- Mix departments if the aim is to encourage new conversations.
- Use pairs or small teams rather than relying only on individual contests.
- Avoid eliminating participants too early.
- Include breaks between structured rounds.
- Offer a casual option for people who do not want intense competition.
- Explain whether the event is social, competitive or a mixture of both.
- Ask about relevant requirements before confirming the plan.
Managers should avoid putting unnecessary pressure on colleagues to perform. The event should remain welcoming and enjoyable, regardless of experience.
What Venue Features Should Corporate Organisers Check?
Activities matter, but practical details can have just as much influence on the day. Before making a booking, ask the venue to confirm:
- Availability for the preferred date and time
- The expected number of attendees
- Which games can be reserved
- Whether private hire is required
- The proposed tournament or rotation format
- Food and drink choices
- Current kitchen times
- Live sports availability
- Parking arrangements
- Accessibility requirements
- The final price and payment terms
Legends provides free parking on site and does not require visitors to hold a membership. Walk-ins are welcome, although corporate groups should book ahead to discuss their plans and avoid disappointment.
Employers should also consider individual requirements when organising workplace recreation. The official GOV.UK guidance on reasonable adjustments explains employers’ responsibilities towards workers with disabilities or health conditions. Organisers should speak with employees and contact Legends directly to confirm whether their specific requirements can be accommodated.
Food and Drinks for Corporate Groups
A food break gives participants time to relax between games and can help separate different stages of the event.
Legends serves:
- Classic burgers with fries
- Stone-baked pizzas
- Hearty mains
- Sharing plates
- Bar snacks
- Soft drinks and other cold refreshments
- Teas, coffees and speciality hot drinks
- Drinks from a fully stocked bar
Tailored food and drink packages are available for business groups, including burger options. Menus and requirements should be discussed when booking because availability may vary.
Organisers should ask attendees about dietary requirements in advance and provide the details to the venue for confirmation.
How Much Does a Team-Building Event Cost?
The total cost will depend on the games, food, drinks, event length and whether private hire is required. Legends does not publish one fixed price for every corporate event, so organisers should request details based on their group and plans.
For ordinary pool bookings, standard table hire is £10 per hour for a maximum of two hours. Players Club Card holders pay £8 per hour.
The Players Club Card costs £10 per year and is available from the venue. It provides 20% off pool and shuffleboard hire, weekly cardholder offers, priority access to selected events and instant discounts on games. It is a discount card rather than a requirement for entry.
Corporate package and private-hire prices may be different from standard table bookings. Confirm the complete cost before making arrangements with the wider team.
Common Corporate Event Planning Mistakes
Even a simple company outing benefits from preparation. Common mistakes include:
- Choosing an activity without asking the team
- Leaving the booking until the last minute
- Failing to confirm the expected number of participants
- Creating rules that are too complicated
- Making the event excessively competitive
- Forgetting to plan breaks, food and drinks
- Assuming accessibility requirements without checking
- Overfilling the schedule
- Failing to confirm the final price
- Not checking live sports schedules in advance
Another mistake is choosing activities because they are fashionable rather than because they suit the group. The most elaborate option is not automatically the right one. A few familiar games in a relaxed venue may be a better fit for colleagues who want time to talk and enjoy themselves.
Why Consider Legends for Team Building and Events?
Legends brings several useful corporate event features together in one Braintree venue:
- 10 English pool tables
- Two full-size American pool tables
- Five dartboards
- One 14ft shuffleboard table
- Multiple HD screens showing live sport
- Tailored corporate food and drink packages
- Private hire of the games area
- Informal meeting and event space
- Sports viewing parties
- Free on-site parking
- A family-run atmosphere
- No membership requirement
The indoor setting also means the event is not dependent on dry weather. Organisers can build the occasion around one tournament, a rotation of games, an informal meeting, food and drinks, live sport or a combination agreed with the venue.
Details about organising a group visit are available on the Legends group bookings page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What team-building activities does Legends offer?
Legends offers English pool, American pool, darts and table shuffleboard. These can be arranged as casual games, individual contests, doubles matches, team competitions or mixed-game rotations.
How many pool tables are available?
The venue has 10 English pool tables and two full-size American pool tables.
Can Legends provide food and drinks for a corporate event?
Yes. Tailored food and drink packages are available for business groups. Organisers should discuss current menu choices and requirements when enquiring.
Can we arrange private hire?
Legends offers private hire of its games area with dedicated service for corporate events, networking and celebrations. Availability must be confirmed for the preferred date and time.
Can a team event include live sport?
Yes. Sports viewing parties can be organised for staff and clients. The available broadcast will depend on the live sporting schedule.
Is membership required?
No. Legends is a non-membership venue, and walk-ins are welcome. The optional Players Club Card provides discounts and offers for regular visitors.
Should corporate groups book in advance?
Yes. Advance booking is recommended for corporate groups, private hire and busy periods. This gives organisers time to discuss activities, food, drinks and the expected number of attendees.
Where is Legends located?
Legends Sports & Pool Bar is located at 14 Silks Way, Braintree, Essex. Free parking is available on site.
Plan Your Corporate Team-Building Event in Essex
Legends Sports & Pool Bar offers businesses a lively but relaxed setting for corporate team building events in Essex. Pool, darts and shuffleboard provide flexible options for tournaments, mixed-game challenges and informal company socials, while food, drinks and live sport can extend the occasion beyond the activities.
The venue also offers tailored corporate packages, private hire, informal meeting space and free on-site parking. No membership is required, and the family-run team welcomes both experienced players and complete beginners.
To discuss availability and build an event around your group, contact Legends Sports & Pool Bar with your preferred date, expected number of attendees and ideas for the day.