Listings for Liverpool Empire Theatre

Description

The Liverpool Empire is one of the most prominent theatres in Liverpool, hosting a range of different forms of entertainment including musicals, concerts, comedians and opera. In the early days, the Liverpool Empire hosted the iconic Beatles in 1962 and has also hosted the likes of Kylie Minogue, The Carpenters, Kate Bush, Elton John, Chuck Berry, Black Sabbath, The Osmonds, Tommy Steel, Frank Sinatra and many more. With regards to theatre productions, the Liverpool Empire regularly welcomes the Welsh National Opera as well as shows such as the Wiz (2008), Bugsy Malone (2009), Fame (2010), West Side story (2011), Annie (2012), Grease (2013), Cats (2014), Rent (2017) and Matthew Bourne’s the Red Shoes (2020).  

A designated Grade II listed building, the Liverpool Empire is boasts stunning architecture, which has the largest two-tier auditorium with its 2,350 seats in Britain. Currently managed by the Ambassador theatre group, who won more than 50 theatre venues across different UK locations, the Liverpool Empire has undergone many refurbishments and since being bought by ATG, it is about a quarter size bigger than it was originally.

Liverpool Empire Seating

The Liverpool Empire has a huge theatre capacity and can seat 2,381 people. Despite boasting an enormous auditorium, the theatre is only split into two sections: the Stalls and the Circle. It is the largest two tier auditorium in the UK.

Liverpool Empire theatre seating plan map 

Liverpool Empire theatre seating

Divided into only the Stalls and the Circle, the Liverpool Empire theatre has a huge amount of seats in each section of the theatre. 

The Stalls

As the section closest to the stage, the Stalls offers the most intimate theatrical experience in the Liverpool Empire Theatre. There are 1172 seats in the Stalls, meaning that it offers a range of seats. 

The Circle

A similar size to the Stalls, the Liverpool Empire's Circle section of the theatre has 1209 seats and given that it is higher up in the auditorium, you can enjoy excellent birds eye views of the stage.

Seats with the best visibility 

Considering that the Liverpool Empire Theatre is so huge, there are both premium and discounted seats in the auditorium with different visibility of the stage and especially towards the back of the auditorium. 

• Premium Seating: if you are looking for the best seats in the Liverpool Empire Theatre, then these can be found at the front of the Circle where you can enjoy excellent views of the stage. If you are after a more intimate theatrical experience, then sitting in the mid-front of the stalls has incredible seating.
• Good Value for Money seating: towards the back of the Circle there are some slightly cheaper tickets which do not have completely restricted viewing.
• Discounted Seats: if you are looking for cheaper tickets, then we recommend that you sit towards the ends of the rows at the back of each section of the theatre. You can also find discounted tickets right at the back of the Circle but there is some restricted viewing. 

Liverpool Empire Contact and Opening times

Contact Numbers

• Telephone Booking* : 0844 871 3017 
• Group Bookings** : 0333 009 5384 
• Access Bookings : 0800 912 6971 
• Stage Door/Admin : 0151 702 7320 

*Calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company's access charge.**Calls charged at local rate.

Opening Hours

Monday to Saturday: 12:00 - 16:00 

Sunday: closed 

On nights when there is a performance, the Box Office will be open until approximately 15 minutes after the show stars. On Sundays and Bank Holidays, if there is a show, the Box Office will open 2 hours before the performance stars, and will close 15 minutes after the show starts.

Useful information

Getting there

The Liverpool Empire is located in the very heart of Liverpool close to Liverpool Lime Street Station. You can find several amenities close to the theatre, such as museums, art galleries and the main shopping area is also nearby. You can reach the Liverpool Empire Theatre by either public transport or by car. The Liverpool Empire address is:  

Lime Street, Merseyside, Liverpool, L1 1JE

• Train: Liverpool Limestreet station is directly next to the theatre and has many national rail services if you are travelling from another city.
• Bus: if you are planning on taking the bus to the Liverpool Empire Theatre, then you can find a bus stop which serves many different bus routes such as 2A, 2E, 8, 9, 10, 10A, 10B, 12, 13, 14, 14A, 14B, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 25, 53, 58, 76, 78, 821 and 838.
• Car: you can also easily access the theatre by car, which is located near the St John’s Shopping Centre. If you validate your parking ticket with the theatre, patrons can enjoy discounted tickets. There are also other car parks close to the Liverpool Empire on Lord Nelson Street and Queen Square.

Access

If you have any access enquiries prior to you visit and need to book wheelchair spaces or transfers, please call 0800 912 6971 or email: natalieflynn@theambassadors.com. You can receive discounted tickets if you have access requirements so please call beforehand.  

The Liverpool Empire Theatre is located on Lime Street and it has step-free access to the entrance of the Box office.

Inside the theatre

The Liverpool Empire has a customer lift which means that you can access all sections of the theatre. There are also ramps and steps.

The Stalls has wheelchair spaces behind Row U and there is level access from the main foyer. It is therefore easier for wheelchair users to sit in the Stalls. There are also transfers available however it is recommended that you bring a companion and to let the theatre know when you book. However, the Circle is 15+ steps down but you can also access this section of the theatre using a customer lift.

Staff are also happy to help assist and navigate the theatre and use the customer lift. There is also an at seat service available for audience members with limited mobility.

Liverpool Empire History

The Liverpool Empire theatre has undergone several name changes and two different buildings. When it first opened on the 15th October 1866 and was initially named the New Prince of Wales Theatre and the Opera House. When it first opened it was the largest theatre in Liverpool. It then changed its name again to the Royal Alexandra Theatre and Opera House.” in 1896 the theatre was sold to Messrs. Moss and renamed the Empire. On the 16th February 1924, the theatre was completely demolished.

It was then replaced by the current larger building in 1925 and was still owned by Moss Empires until 1977. It was then acquired by the Merseyside County Council two years later. The Liverpool Empire famously welcomed the iconic Liverpool born band in the Beatles in 1962 and again in 1965, which was the last time. In 1999, the Liverpool Empire Theatre was refurbished and then in 2002 an extension was built on the North section of the theatre. The Liverpool Empire is now the huge, exquisite building that you can enjoy today. In 2007, when Liverpool was made the European Capital of culture, the theatre was used for the Royal Variety performance.

Photos of Liverpool Empire Theatre

Featured videos

Peter Pan - Liverpool Empire - ATG Tickets

The Beatles - Live At The Liverpool Empire Theatre - December 7th, 1963