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Empire Theatre, Liverpool – Contact Information
Postal Address: Lime Street, Liverpool L1 1JE
Telephone Number: 0844 871 3017
Email Address: boxoffice@theambassadors.com
Website: https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/
About
If you are coming to Liverpool to see a theatre show live, then you simply have to come to the Empire Theatre. It is a rich element in the city’s cultural heritage, on par with its two Cathedrals, two football stadiums and range of modern shopping complexes. Its origins go back to October 1866 with the opening of a theatre on the same site, but under the name of The New Prince Of Wales Theatre And Opera House, with its first show being an opera production titled Faust. This was demolished in 1924 and replaced the following year by the current Empire Theatre. Under its new name, the Empire became a platform for the who’s who of entertainment, with stars of all walks of life and nationalities gracing its great stage. If you do visit the Empire, a plaque showcases some of the most famous performers to have appeared at the Empire down the years. A huge refurbishment in 1999 and a subsequent extension in 2002 (which provided the familiar glass exterior that we know today) helped to bring the Empire Theatre into the modern age, and just a few years away from its 100th anniversary, the Empire Theatre is as strong a part of Liverpool’s identity as it has ever been. Simply put, if you’re coming to Liverpool, you must sample a live show at one of the most well-known entertainment venues in the whole of the United Kingdom.
Read our latest review for Empire Theatre: Club Tropicana
Productions & Events
As one of the national theatres owned by the parent company ATG (Ambassadors Theatre Group), the Empire Theatre brings with it prestige and credibility, and as such, it plays host to the biggest theatre shows that come to Liverpool. This ranges from huge touring musicals such as Jersey Boys, Blood Brothers and Dirty Dancing to spectacular one-off musical tribute shows, gigs and stand-up comedy events. It also plays host to an annual Christmas pantomime which is regarded as one of the very best in the city.
Audience
Liverpool Empire covers a wide range of demographics. The majority of its largest productions are aimed at an older audience, generally aged between 18 and 35 and covering both genders, but there are also plenty of family shows with matinee performances that cater to children of all ages. In addition, there are a plethora of one-off productions, ranging from pre-school performances to adult-only live shows.
Seating
Empire Liverpool is the largest theatre in the city when it comes to capacity. It can seat over 2,000 attendees, with a complete capacity of 2,381. More than a thousand of these are on the ground floor within the Stalls, and the remainder are situated as part of the Circles which look over the stage from high above the floor. The auditorium is designed in a circular shape, meaning that side views have a very unique perspective of the stage.
Box Office & Facilities
The Empire itself includes four bars, one of those being the Piano Bar where you may spot the occasional famous face! There is disabled access at the front and right-side of the venue, as well as lifts, hospitality and a cloakroom. The theatre has a bistro for you to enjoy fine food and drink during the day, and its box office is open from 12.00-16.00 from Monday-Saturday, as well as being open for ticket collections prior to and just after the beginning of a show. There is also the opportunity to pre-order interval snacks and beverages from your seat.
Location
Empire Theatre Liverpool is situated on Lime Street facing St Georges Hall and related buildings in the area covered by William Brown Street. London Road is to the left of the theatre, and to the right is Lime Street Station, the biggest train station in Liverpool, as well as local pubs, restaurants, hotels and B&Bs. It is also a short walk from the city centre of no more than five minutes.
Read our latest preview for Empire Theatre: War Horse
Parking Near Liverpool Empire
Liverpool Empire Theatre does not have its own car park, but it is close by to a number of major parking areas. The APCOA car park on the left side of Lime Street Station is the closest in terms of walking distance, whilst there is also a car park situated within the nearby St John’s Precinct Shopping Centre. Another that is near to the venue is the car park at The Liner Hotel.
Transport
As noted, Lime Street Station is just yards away for those requiring a train back home, or for those travelling up from outside the city. Taxi ranks in front of and at the side of the theatre will assist those who need a cab home, and there are also bus stops very close by, with one situated in front of the station and another just across the road facing the theatre itself. Queens Square is a short walk away, from which you can catch any of the vast majority of major city buses that pass through there.
Restaurants
In 2016, Wetherspoon’s opened a branch named The North Western within the Lime Street Station complex, and given its close proximity to the Empire, it is the ideal stop-off for a pre-show meal. On London Road, which is just off the corner from the Empire, you will find several multicultural restaurants such as Lazeez Grill House, Kurdish Restaurant and Shiraz Palace.
Bars, Pubs & Clubs
At the back of the Empire, you can find Ma Egerton’s Stage Door, a delightful old-school pub which is ideally situated for pre- and post-show drinks, as well as offering its own live entertainment throughout the week. Paddy’s Bar is also just across the street from the theatre on London Road. Other establishments nearby include The Ship & Mitre, Yates & Dr. Duncan’s.
Hotels
Liverpool’s Empire Theatre is a few hundred yards away from The Liner Hotel, as well as the more old-school Lord Nelson Hotel. If you walk across Lime Street station, you will also find the Adelphi Hotel, one of the more notable hotels in the city. Within walking distance, you also have the Marriott Hotel, which is across the road from the St John’s Precinct shopping complex. There are a variety of other hotels in the surrounding areas of the city centre, such as the DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel and the Hotel Ibis Styles.
Other Local Services
Across the road from the theatre are major cultural landmarks including St. George’s Hall and Walker Art Gallery. The theatre is a short walk away from St. John’s Precinct Shopping Centre, and on the subject of retail, London Road offers a number of shops, in particular the well-known TJ Hughes department store. It is also a ten-minute walk from the Anglican Cathedral, another major element of the city.
Ticket Links
Telephone Number: 0844 871 3017
Email Address: atgcustomer@theambassadors.com
Website: https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/
Social Media Links
Twitter: @LiverpoolEmpire
Facebook: Liverpool Empire
Instagram: @liverpool_empire
