City Varieties Music Hall - Visit
Getting here
Address: Swan St, Leeds LS1 6LW (please note, the walkway leading to The Varieties is cobbled and there is no vehicle drop-off point for patrons)
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Beauty’s on the inside
As we carry out essential roof and façade work at City Varieties Music Hall, our beautiful heritage building will be temporarily wrapped in scaffolding. It will not impact your visit, and all access remains the same.
As you can imagine, it takes significant funding, hard work, and a great deal of love to care for Leeds’ oldest theatre. If you’d like to support the ongoing upkeep of The Varieties, we’d be incredibly grateful: Click to donate here.
Parking
- Q-Park St Johns*
- Q-Park The Light*
- CitiPark Merrion Centre & First Direct Arena**
- Templar and Edward Street
- Victoria Gate Multi Storey
*Enjoy 20% discount when pre-booking at any Q-Park with the code GT20
**Enjoy 20% discount when pre-booking at any CitiPark with the code CITILHT25
Public Transport
City Varieties is around a 10 minutes’ walk from Leeds bus station and 15 minutes’ walk from Leeds train station. Buses to the centre also stop nearby on The Headrow, Vicar Lane and Boar Lane, all of which are within 5-10 minutes’ walk of the venue.
Blue Badge Parking
All the car parks listed have provision for Blue Badge holders. In addition, there are on-street parking bays for Blue Badge holders across Leeds city centre. For all Blue Badge parking in Leeds go to: City Centre Blue Badge Parking Map.
Access and toilets
We are working to make all Leeds Heritage Theatres’ venues as accessible as possible. If would you like to join our Access Membership Scheme, have questions about accessing City Varieties Music Hall, or would like to arrange a visit, please contact us on our dedicated access number 0113 205 3899. You can also view our seating plan here or more information can be found on our Access page.
Steps and seating
All seating areas have lift or step access as The Varieties is built over a pub; the lift goes to all levels of the auditorium.
The stairs in the building are very steep in places and the Circle and Upper Circle levels have steps down to the front rows.
Wheelchair spaces are available in the Stalls and Circle areas:
- Stalls: wheelchairs up to 30 inches/77cm wide
- Circle and Upper Circle: wheelchairs up to 49 inches/125cm wide
If you are an Access member you can book wheelchair spaces online by logging into your account, or you can call Box Office on 0113 243 0808. Please inform Box Office if you would prefer to transfer from a wheelchair into a seat as space to store wheelchairs is limited.
Hearing loop
An Audio Induction Loop is installed but reception is limited in some seating areas (Side Stalls, Upper Circle, Boxes). Following tests with Leeds Hard of Hearing Forum, we recommend the following areas:
- Stalls: Rows G – T (the middle seats are the best reception)
- Circle: Rows D – G
Toilets
- Male and female toilets at Stalls level
- A wheelchair accessible toilet at Stalls level, opposite the lift
- All-gender toilets in the Circle Bar at Circle level
- Baby changing facilities are available in the accessible toilet at Stalls level
We do not have a Changing Places toilet.
Security
There isn’t a cloakroom onsite to store coats or excess luggage (inc. shopping or suitcases) – please bring minimal belongings with you.
Bag searches will be carried out on entry by our attentive security team, who will be present across the venue throughout your visit to assist alongside our friendly Front of House staff.
Theatre for All – Accessible Performances Fund
We believe that the arts and culture can change lives, improve well-being, and remind us of what connects us as humans.
We would like to provide further Accessible shows across our venues, but we need your help. Your donation will help us reach new audiences who may otherwise never experience the shared connection of live performance.
Find out more
Food, drink and venue hire
Food and drink
Our bars open one hour before the performance, serving a good selection of draught and bottled beer, spirits, wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee, and snacks. Drinks can be taken into the auditorium to enjoy during the performance but must be decanted into plastic cups.
City Varieties Music Hall does not serve food but The White Swan (located next door) serves a wide range of hot and cold food throughout the day. Patrons receive 20% off food pre- and post-show (T&Cs apply).
Venue Hire
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, including our stunning auditoriums.
Find out more
Nut-free venues
Please note that all our venues are strictly nut-free; kindly refrain from consuming or bringing nuts onto the premises. Whilst we do not knowingly stock products containing nuts, please be aware that some items may have been produced in factories where cross-contamination with nuts could occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out some of our most frequently asked questions.
360-degree virtual tour
As part of Leeds 2023 Year of Culture, a 360 degree tour of City Varieties Music Hall was commissioned and can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
This virtual tour provides an excellent glimpse into The Varieties and allows first-time visitors, or audience members with access needs, a chance to familiarise yourself with the venue ahead of your visit.
City Varieties Music Hall Building Fund
The City Varieties Music Hall is the gem in Leeds’ crown. As the city’s oldest theatre, we want to ensure that Britain’s longest, continuously operating music hall is here for future generations, making it more accessible, sustainable, and comfortable. All donations will be fully invested in the building and equipment and will enhance your experience as a customer.
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