It’s been a while – five years, in fact! – since I looked at the theatre venues in London in a series of posts. It’s something to return to in the New Year.
As the capital’s arts landscape continues to shift with new venues planned, others being renamed or repurposed, and an increase in site-specific spaces, I decided to look at 25 venues which should be on your radar.
Have you visited any of these? Planning to go?
1. Arches Lane Theatre – https://www.archeslanetheatre.com/
Formerly the Turbine Theatre, Arches Lane Theatre is the second London venue run by Kibo Productions, who also own Barons Court Theatre. It celebrated a year since opening last month and has become a key destination in the Battersea Power Station / Nine Dials arts, culture, and retail area off Chelsea Bridge.
2. British Airways Theatre
Leased and operated by the UK’s Trafalgar Entertainment and Broadway’s Shubert Organization, this is a 1,575 seat venue at Kensington Olympia. It will be called the British Airways Theatre and is expected to open in 2027.
3. Capital Theatre – https://capitaltheatre.co.uk/
Expected to open this year but delayed until Oct 2026 (opening with Dirty Dancing) this theatre will occupy an area of the Westfield London (Shepherd’s Bush) shopping centre’s ground floor.
4. Circle and Star Theatre – https://circleandstar.com/
Opening this month in Hampstead, the Circle and Star Theatre occupies the venue previously known as the Pentameters. It is billed as “a new creative home for Hampstead”.
5. Colab Tower – https://www.colabtheatre.co.uk/home
A group of immersive spaces in redeveloped offices on Southwark Bridge Road, London Bridge. The venue “redefines live performance by blurring the lines between audience and actor.”
6. Covent Garden Cabaret Comedy Club – https://cabaretcomedy.co.uk/
This space above the Prince of Wales pub in Drury Lane was previously the home of Stage Door Theatre. It presents cabaret, theatre, stand-up comedy, drag, burlesque and LGBTQ+ entertainment.
Note: this company announced in Jan 2026 it is leaving the venue
7. The Crown
The Crown can be found at 213-215 Tottenham Court Rd in a purpose-built underground space, and most recently played host to Oscar at the Crown. Upstairs you will currently find Monopoly Lifesized.
8. Cubic Theatre – https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on
Part of London Transport Museum’s building in Covent Garden, the Cubic Theatre offers screenings and meetings as well as theatre productions, Check the museum’s website to see what’s on.
9. Deptford Storehouse
Located off-New King Street in the old News of the World storehouse, this is a new immersive space comprising 9,000 square metres, 15 minutes walk from Deptford Station.
10. Emerald Theatre – https://www.emerald.london/
Previously known as Proud Embankment, The Emerald Theatre is “the capital’s newest cultural landmark – a bold fusion of heritage charm and cutting-edge design.” At 8 Victoria Embankment, under Waterloo Bridge.
11. Empress Museum
Located near West Brompton station, this venue has transformed the space previously home to Earl’s Court 2 in the Exhibition Centre complex.
12. Free Association – https://www.thefreeassociation.co.uk/
The “UK’s home for improv & alt comedy” can be found off Union Street, Southwark, in the former premises of the Cervantes Theatre.
13. Grand Junction – https://grandjunction.org.uk/
Based at St Mary Magdalene Church, Paddington, just off the Grand Union canal in Little Venice, Grand Junction “creates and presents an eclectic programme of music, arts, and heritage for young people, families, and adults.”
14. HERE at Outernet – https://hereldn.com/
Located outside Tottenham Court Road station, this is a “custom-built blank canvas … crafted to host creative and cultural events from end to end of the live events spectrum.”
15. ‘Marble Arts’
While the Arts Theatre closes for renovation next year, a temporary space is planned to open at Marble Arch.
16. NEON 194 – https://www.oneninetyfour.com/
A stunning space in a former ballroom on Piccadilly, underneath the BAFTA building.
17. Playhouse East – https://www.playhouseeast.com/
The new home for Actors East, and London’s newest new writing venue, can be found on Kingsland Road, a couple of minutes walk from Haggerston station.
18. Sadler’s Wells East – https://www.sadlerswells.com/
The hip younger sibling of Sadler’s Wells can be found in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s new East Bank. Definitely a venue to put on your list if you’re near Stratford.
19. Soho Theatre Walthamstow – https://sohotheatre.com/walthamstow/
Taking over the old Granada cinema a short walk from Walthamstow station, this beautifully renovated space “brings the best of Soho Theatre’s acclaimed programme to a bigger audience.”
20. Stone Nest – https://www.stonenest.org/
Hidden in London’s West End (in the old Charing Cross Chapel), Stone Nest is “an arts organisation and performance venue in the heart of London’s West End, bringing exceptional and experimental art to a wide audience.”
21. Tabernacle Theatre – https://www.thetabernaclew11.com/
Based in Portabello, “from live music, boxing, theatre shows and art exhibitions, there is always something happening at The Tabernacle.”
22. Tramshed – https://www.tramshed.org/our-venue
Tramshed is South-East London’s “home of participation” on Woolwich New Road, a few minutes walk from Woolwich Arsenal station.
23. Troubadour Canary Wharf – https://www.troubadourtheatres.com/canary-wharf-theatre
The newest purpose-built theatre in the Troubadour portfolio, Canary Wharf is currently host to The Hunger Games. Another venue, Troubadour Greenwich Peninsula, is planned for autumn 2026.
24. Underbelly Boulevard Soho – https://underbellyboulevard.com/
Based in Walker’s Court, this was previously known as the Boulevard Theatre and has now gained a reputation as “Soho’s hottest new venue” for theatre, cabaret, comedy, magic and burlesque.
25. Woolwich Works – https://www.woolwich.works/
Comprising a number of venues in the former historic Royal Arsenal munitions complex, Woolwich Works plays host to a number of arts and cultural events.
Header image by Carlos Ruiz via Pexels.