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Event in Sir Ken Dodd Auditorium

Venue Hire

Follow in the footsteps of history

All our venues are steeped in history and bring a unique background to your event. Combining beautiful heritage features with 21st-century tech and facilities, there is nowhere quite like a Leeds Heritage Theatres venue to bring an additional wow factor to your audience.

Spaces are available to hire at both City Varieties Music Hall and Hyde Park Picture House – both are licensed for weddings.

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Find out more about our spaces below or submit an enquiry now and our team will get back to you (within four working days).

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Our spaces

City Varieties Music Hall

Two people in focus sat in a City Varieties Box looking over the auditorium with the rest of the auditorium half full blurred in the background.
People gathered in the Friends' Circle Bar at City Varieties in suits and dresses at a formal event.
Image of Deborah-Frances White from Leeds international Festival of Ideas being interviewed in the City Varieties Circle with the stage in the background.

A unique venue in the heart of Leeds, The City Varieties is a beautifully restored and maintained music hall. Opened in 1865 it hosted the likes of Harry Houdini and Lily Langtry then became famous as the venue for the BBC’s The Good Old Days from 1953 – 1983. Today the music hall lives up to its name through a variety of performances and film in what Dara O’Briain called “the best venue for stand-up in the country”.

A Grade II* listed building, The Varieties retains many of its original features including ornate plasterwork and painted ceiling. Following a major refurbishment in 2011 and improvements in lighting and sound capability over the last two years, the venue has 21st-century capabilities within its Victorian ambiance.

A perfect venue for a breakfast briefing, small day conference, launch event, wedding, or company meeting. By choosing City Varieties Music Hall for your event, you’re not only guaranteed a unique feel but you’re directly supporting our artistic work and Learning & Engagement programmes with young people.

Sir Ken Dodd Auditorium

This gem of an auditorium seats up to 467 people across three levels (all accessible by a lift), and is perfect for company briefings, away days, or weddings.

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The Friends’ Circle Bar

A warm, atmospheric, traditional bar for drinks and more casual networking. Holds up to 60 people with both standing room and seating.

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Hyde Park Picture House

Audience members smiling, chatting away in the Hyde Park Picture House auditorium. One is holding wine.
Hyde Park Picture House Screen Two with the green chairs and the screen visible.
A HPPH staff member pulling two pints at the Café Bar with a colleague smiling on.

The Hyde Park Picture House is one of the UK’s oldest cinemas.

Affectionately named the ‘cosiest in Leeds’ following the cinema’s opening in 1914, the Hyde Park Picture House has remained open to this day and now screens the very best new independent films, alongside family-friendly movies, classics, documentaries and artist films.

We also host a range of activities in our newly accessible heritage building – from panel discussions and Q&As, to live comedy and educational workshops – often in collaboration with organisations from across the city.

Screen One

Our recently refurbished main cinema auditorium with original gas lighting and state-of-the-art screening facilities as well as two 35mm projectors. Seats 250 across two levels, both of which are accessible.

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Screen Two

Our brand-new auditorium has its own dedicated top-of-the-range projection and sound. We also have the option of a 16mm projection for this screen. Seats 51 including two wheelchair positions.

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Weddings

Our heritage venues offer a unique backdrop to a day you’ll remember forever. You’ll also be adding to our rich history of celebration and community by choosing to share your special day with us.

Both City Varieties Music Hall and Hyde Park Picture House are fully licensed to hold wedding ceremonies and can host drinks receptions before or after the ceremony for your guests. The spaces are fully accessible, and you’ll have access to our lighting, projection and sound systems to make your wedding look and sound exactly as you want.

Please note that you will need to book and pay the registrar to officiate your wedding separately to any booking with us. Information on weddings at outside venues and prices can be found on the Leeds City Council website.

Photo taken from the stage at City Varieties Music Hall of Bride and Groom Briony and Fred sat at the front of the stalls smiling with wedding guests sat behind them with their arms in the air.

City Varieties Music Hall

Included in the price:

  • Exclusive use of the Music Hall up until 2pm* (including auditorium, dressing rooms and The Friends’ Circle Bar)
  • Members of our Technical and Customer Experience team on the day to ensure everything runs smoothly

* (This should include time for setting up and cleaning down)

Enquire now

Hyde Park Picture House

Included in the price:

  • Exclusive use of the entire cinema for up to five hours*
  • Front of House staff and an experienced projectionist to ensure your wedding runs smoothly
  • A kiosk with a wide range of delicious drinks and snacks, together with options for bundle deals and outside catering/celebratory drinks

* (This should include time for setting up and cleaning down)

Enquire now