Contact Details:
Show on map
-
Accessibility & Facilities
- Aa covid confident
- Accessible toilet
- Audio tours
- Baby changing facilities
- Family friendly venue
- Guide dogs welcome
- Hearing aid loop
- Orientation visits
- Relaxed
- Toilets
- Wheelchair accessible
-
Travelling by Car
City Varieties is located on Swan Street, a pedestrianised, cobbled alley linking Briggate with Lands Lane in Leeds city centre. Parking is available at several city centre car parks near the venue. There is no vehicle access to the building for customers, including Q-Park St Johns, Q-Park The Light, NCP The Core, Q-Park Albion Street, Templar and Edward Street, and Victoria Gate Multi Storey. All the car parks listed above have provision for Blue Badge holders. In addition, there are on-street parking bays for Blue Badge holders across Leeds city centre.
-
Travelling by Train
City Varieties is around a 15 minutes’ walk from Leeds train station.
City Varieties Music Hall
Established in 1865 as a room above a pub for the working class, the Varieties is Leeds’ hidden gem and the Guinness World Record holder for the nation’s longest running music hall.
Despite numerous ownership and name changes, the City Varieties has remained virtually unchanged since the late 19th Century; she is a living, breathing homage to the music hall era. You can feel it, hear it, even smell it. If you stop, take a breath and listen, she’ll tell you the story of the stars who have performed on her stage, from Houdini to Russell Crowe; the prince who hid in her balcony to secretly court a music hall queen; the baby born during pantomime and gifted free admission for life; the schoolchildren who would fire pea-shooters at the striptease acts; the renditions of Down at the Old Bull and Bush to close the BBC’s The Good Old Days; the funny man from Liverpool with his tickling stick; and the army of volunteers who have welcomed the people of Leeds through her front doors for over 155 years.
Barring a much-needed facelift in 2009-11, and the pandemic in 2020-21, the Varieties has never closed her doors. Audiences from far and wide still flock to see the brightest stars from comedy, music, variety and pantomime perform on her stage.
This venue is a part of the Visit Leeds Culture Around Every Corner Campaign, celebrating the diverse and vibrant culture of Leeds. Find out more at https://www.visitleeds.co.uk/culture-around-every-corner/
Events at this Venue
Explore The Neighbourhood
Niladri Kumar & Yashwant Vaishnav
What is the heart of Indian music? What is the power of melody? Celebrated Sitar maestro and ‘maverick musician’ Niladri Kumar joins us in Leeds…
Learn MoreLibrary Libations: Peepal Tree Poets Call to Power
An unmissable reading from two Leeds-based poets with debut collections from the mighty Peepal Tree Press. Emily Zobel Marshall’s Bath of Herbs explores the complexity…
Learn MoreFrau, That’s What I Call Music!
Dietrich, Lemper, La Voix…The cabaret has given rise to some of the most boundary- pushing female performers of the 20th & 21st Centuries. Yet the…
Learn MoreSacred Music: Celebrate the Spirit
This concert is part of the Sound Out Leeds 2023/24 series. At Leeds International Concert Season, it’s not often we have the opportunity to be…
Learn MoreWines of Coastal Spain Tasting Experience
Wines of Coastal Spain with Rafa Martin 5 course wine-paired tasting menu Journey through the sun-kissed coastal regions of Spain with our exclusive five course…
Learn MoreAfrican Tales
This concert is part of the Sound Out Leeds 2023/24 series. Samantha Ege – piano Castle of Our Skins – string quartet Undine Smith Moore Soweto…
Learn MoreAmbiente Tapas Leeds
A stylish restaurant is inspired by Spain’s tabancos and hidden gems, perfect for enjoying a modern take on some of Spain’s classics. Glimpse into the…
Learn MoreBar Delta
Bar Delta is a cocktail bar with a difference. We aim to offer an individual experience, whether your preference is something new or one of…
Learn MoreStuzzi Leeds
Stuzzi is a fashionable restaurant offering classic Italian cuisine, including pasta & seafood plates.
Learn MoreSALT Leeds
Salt is a micro-brewery on a mission to unify heritage and modern brewing located in the UNESCO World Heritage village of Saltaire.
Learn MoreBanyan Leeds
Bar & restaurant in a stately old post office offering global fare, weekend brunch & outdoor tables.
Learn MoreLittle Tokyo Restaurant
Little Tokyo is a Japanese restaurant in Leeds featuring cushions in the ground for diners to sit on while eating.
Learn MoreSCREW Gallery
SCREW Gallery is an artist-led exhibition space in Leeds, UK. Founded by Sam Hutchinson, Allan Gardner, Jack Kennedy, Edd Carr, Harley Roberts, Fern Lucia, and…
Learn MoreThe Henry Moore Institute
Henry Moore Institute welcomes everyone to visit their Galleries, Research Library and Archive of Sculptors’ Papers for free, to experience, study and enjoy sculpture from…
Learn MoreNorthern Ballet & Phoenix Dance Theatre
To inspire and entertain through dance, and to develop new audiences for dance, whilst enriching and embodying the spirit of a multicultural Britain.
Learn MoreNi Studios – Artist Studio & Gallery
Ni Studios is an Art Studio & Gallery situated in The Corn Exchange in Leeds. Home to resident artist Mimi, you can expect to see…
Learn MoreWhitewall Galleries
A New Experience in Fine Art. Whitewall brings the finest artwork from around the world to a discerning audience of art lovers. Placing the emphasis…
Learn MoreThe Great Escape Game Leeds
The Great Escape Game is a live escape room experience, combining immersiveness and innovation. Our rooms blur the lines between the reality of everyday life…
Learn MoreNi Studios – Artist Studio & Gallery
Ni Studios is an Art Studio & Gallery situated in The Corn Exchange in Leeds. Home to resident artist Mimi, you can expect to see…
Learn MoreWhitewall Galleries
A New Experience in Fine Art. Whitewall brings the finest artwork from around the world to a discerning audience of art lovers. Placing the emphasis…
Learn MoreThe Henry Moore Institute
Henry Moore Institute welcomes everyone to visit their Galleries, Research Library and Archive of Sculptors’ Papers for free, to experience, study and enjoy sculpture from…
Learn MoreQueens Court
Running almost the entire length of the historic street of the same name, Queens Court occupies a large and spacious area of this ancient warehousing…
Learn MoreSCREW Gallery
SCREW Gallery is an artist-led exhibition space in Leeds, UK. Founded by Sam Hutchinson, Allan Gardner, Jack Kennedy, Edd Carr, Harley Roberts, Fern Lucia, and…
Learn MoreThe Great Escape Game Leeds
The Great Escape Game is a live escape room experience, combining immersiveness and innovation. Our rooms blur the lines between the reality of everyday life…
Learn More