City Varieties Music Hall image

City Varieties Music Hall

Bar Event venue Live music venue Performing arts theater Comedy club

One of the Best Places To Visits in Leeds


Address

Swan St, Leeds LS1 6LW, United Kingdom

Website

leedsheritagetheatres.com

Contact

+44 113 243 0808

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (1.5K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 10am to 6pm
  • Wednesday: 10am to 6pm
  • Thursday: 10am to 6pm
  • Friday: 10am to 6pm
  • Saturday: 10am to 6pm
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: venue (16) theatre (11) good (9) show (9) staff (8) friendly (7) great (7) Leeds (7) visit (6) Great (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Claire N. 2 years ago on Google
    The most amazing theatre, with wonderful, most helpful staff. We have just got back from watching the fabulous Beauty and the Beast Rock n Roll Panto. My sides hurt from laughing and my son said its the best thing he has ever seen. So good to be back in the theatre.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Antony O. 2 years ago on Google
    The City Varieties has all been refurbished since my last visit. It was returned to its Victorian splendour in 2012. Who would believe sudden a hidden gem could be found down that little street? It's a lovely intimate theatre and now has a lift for accessibility across all the tiers. The staff are very friendly and there is a good food and beverage offer. The toilets are clean and again there are accessible toilets. Well done City Varieties 👏
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Richard S. 1 year ago on Google
    We went to see a Jessica Fostekew stand up comedy show: She was absolutely HYSTERICAL! The theatre is just lovely.. cheap prices, very friendly staff, quick service at the bar, beautiful interior and great acoustics.. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jerry L. 11 months ago on Google
    A terrific venue, steeped in theatrical history including hosting BBC's, 'The Good Old Days' some years ago. Seats are better upstairs because the rake of the seats in the stalls is not very marked. Easy to see from most angles and good prices for acts like Tim Vine (£28) and other comedy greats. Plenty of parking within 10-15 minutes or 5 minutes from Leeds Train station. The pictures show the place beginning to fill when Tim Vine's show was on in late April 2023 and are taken from a side view, left tier.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 JENNIFER W. 10 months ago on Google
    Surprised. Not been here since I was a kid. Can't believe it was built in 1865 and still going. Looked after while maintaining the old theatre charm. Staff were very friendly. As its a listed building its not good for those with mobility issues. We planned this though and got there early. Lots of steps to get to Circle and steep too. Very clean and nice bar area. Pleased as not stung on bar prices for soft drinks like what I find in other venues.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elvis B. 4 months ago on Google
    My partner and I recently went here to see a show called "Robin Hood: The Rock 'n' Roll Panto" which one of our personal friends was starring in. The venue itself had quite a classic feel, a given since it is the Guinness World Record holder of the UK's longest running music hall. With that, it felt clean and the facilities were nice. There's a lovely bar at the top for you to get drinks before, during intermission, and after the show. There's also concessions for when you have the munchies or for treats for the little ones. The staff there were also quite friendly and helpfully gave us directions to our seats as it was our first time there. My partner and I had the box seats, facing stage right which were great. I'd wholely recommend this place as a great venue!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Helena D. 2 years ago on Google
    Not been to this theatre for a number of years! And it's just as good as I remember it. Went to see beauty and the beast,what a fantastic show. Definitely recommend 😆😂. It costs a good bit to see these shows but I feel it's very important to support them especially with covid ,you've just got to dress right 👍. The hours they put in and when you think of everything else that's involved it's definitely worth every penny. Would love to see this show again , fabulous ❤️
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark 1 year ago on Google
    Great little venue for a much more intimate gig…I went here to see John Illsley talk about his life as the bass player in Dire Straits and play some of there biggest hits, lucky enough to be in the second row but given the compact nature of the hall I think wherever you sit you wouldn’t feel far away from the action, sound and acoustics were excellent and the staff there were very friendly and helpful
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dave B. 2 years ago on Google
    Great venue with some super little bars. Went to see John Illsley for a question and answer and an evening of Dire Straits classics - brilliant guitar playing. Go and see him if you get the chance. Definitely make a visit to this venue...
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marcus a. 2 years ago on Google
    Been here many times and I always visit when I come to Leeds and go and have coffee lunch or breakfast at the Swan Public House beneath it. I love music hall and it brings back many memories for me. Tours are always available and information always on hand about it probably the only un messed about music hall you will find outside of areas of London where most have been converted to cinamas or bingo halls as my uncle malcolm Ross of Whitbys were the Whitby empire and the coliseum after the great war. It has, a, wonderfull atmosphere and regular performances of plays drama and thought provoking drama are still produced here sadly the days of the good old days old time music hall are not now but it is perhaps one of the most beautiful ones I've regularly gone to and one my family went to over the last 100 years well worth a visit even out of performance time it opens at 2 o'clock and has some wonderful staff who are only too willing to show you things and around for all those with a, love of drama and arts its a must as is Leeds grand theatre sadly Leeds empire theatre briggate no longer exists this is a rare survivor and a pleasure to see it being looked after.

  • 5/5 Dean H. 2 years ago on Google
    Great venue hence 5 stars. Went to see Mark "Billy" Billingham and left a bit disappointed with the show. Seemed a bit of an old mates club acknowledging known people in the crowd and comments lost on the majority. Nice bloke but lacked polish.

  • 5/5 katie w. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely evening excellent seating went to see high Kings with my partner. Just loads of steps. They do have a lift to cater for wheelchair access.

  • 5/5 Philip Watson (. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful venue in the heart of Leeds. Modern external appearance conceals the original 'Good old days' theatre complete with original, vintage features.

  • 5/5 John B. 1 year ago on Google
    Just seen Fairport Convention again this month. A birthday present from a very good friend. I love this venue. So much old architecture and history. This time we were downstairs. The view was just perfect. But the seats, oh dear! After an hour they became very uncomfortable. Perhaps a bit more padding would help. This venue is an absolute treasure in the wonderful city of Leeds. All the staff were very friendly and accommodating. Bar prices acceptable. Well worth a visit. Highly recommended.

  • 5/5 Chris N. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely little theatre in the centre of Leeds, and probably the best venue for live comedy as it's pretty intimate. Staff very friendly, and the bars are very nice with pictures of some of the many famous performers who have played here.

  • 5/5 Sarah H. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place for shows, Seating is tight fit but its older than my nan in there so its lovely to go back in time and enjoy somewhere from back in the day thats not been demolished. Bar for drinks reasonably priced and lovely staff.

  • 5/5 Lisa F. 5 months ago on Google
    Went to see the rat pack orchestra and blues brothers both really fantastic never stopped toe tapping and dancing with blue brothers fabulous 2 great nights

  • 4/5 Jewels C. 7 months ago on Google
    The venue was great. You pretty much get a good view from any seat. There is a lift for those who can't make the stairs. They have some top quality acts, well worth a visit.

  • 4/5 Martin L. 1 year ago on Google
    Stunning venue. Great views and sound, even from the upper circle. I’m docking a star for the loud hum of the air con units which were easily audible over the music in quieter parts of songs and the fact that the bar ran completely out of beer less than halfway through the interval, not just the beer I like, all beer! In 40 years of concert going I’ve never known that!

  • 5/5 Mark R. 11 months ago on Google
    City Varieties Music Hall is a historic venue, established in 1865, and Leeds's oldest working theatre. It's atmospheric and full of history. It's a great venue for live performances, especially stand-up comedy (Dara O’Briain says it's “still regarded as the best venue for stand-up in the nation"). These photos and videos are from The Tiger Lillies gig, on their From The Circus To The Cemetery Tour tour, including the view from the Circle front row.

  • 5/5 Susan 4 months ago on Google
    Amazing Rocknroll panto again. Robin Hood this year. Simon was fantastic as usual, as the dame. So funny. Great range of songs from The Clash, Bob Marley to Springsteen. Brilliant part of build up to Christmas. Looking forward to next year already.


Call +44 113 243 0808 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Assistive hearing loop
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible lift
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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