Find us

The Criterion is on Piccadilly Circus south-east side, by The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain (Eros). The theatre entrance faces the statue.

Piccadilly Circus tube station, exit 4, brings you to the front of the theatre.

Getting here

Arriving by Tube

  • Piccadilly Circus (1 minute walk) - Piccadilly Line and Bakerloo Line
  • Leicester Square (Approx 10 minute walk) - Piccadilly Line and Northern Line
  • Green Park (Approx 10 minute walk) - Piccadilly Line and Victoria Line. This station has step free access to street level.

Arriving by bus

Regent street/St James - outside Tesco
12, 88, 94, 453, N3, N15

Regent Street/ St James  - outside Tesco
6, 9, 139, 159, N9, N18, N97, N109, N136

Haymarket/ Jermyn Street R - outside TigerTiger
6, 9, 139, N9, N15, N13

Driving

There is limited street parking around the area with pay and display charges.  Please note that resident parking bays are not available for visitor parking.  The Congestion Charge is currently operational Monday to Sunday 7am - 10pm, including Bank Holidays.

The nearest car park is:

Q-Park Leicester Square
Whitcomb Street
London WC2H 7DT

The Society of London Theatres and Q-Park offer a discounted Theatreland  parking scheme offering 50% discount.  Details of participating car parks and how to obtain the discount are available via the website:

Society of London Theatre (q-park.co.uk)

Please note: book your parking in advance of your visit to qualify for the discounted rate.

 

 

Accessibility

Our staff are available to assist you during your visit.  If you cannot find the information you require here or if you would like help in planning your visit, please contact our box office team on 0207 839 8811 or via email to [email protected] 

Read more about access

Groups

Please contact our box office team for information and rates for group bookings: 020 7839 8811 [email protected]

Facilities

If you have any queries which are not answered here please contact us by email to [email protected] or on 020 7839 8811.

Security

Please note that bag checks are carried out for all patrons prior to their entry into the Foyer/Box Office. We would advise patrons to arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the performance start time to allow for the extra security checks.  

If you are bringing a group with you please ensure that all members of your group are aware of the bag check procedure and the recommended time to arrive to the theatre.

We very much appreciate patrons having their bags open as they reach our bag check staff member as it significantly speeds up the process for everyone involved.

We are not able to accommodate large bags or suitcases and advise patrons to bring with them only essential, handbag size, bags.

Only valid ticket holders will be admitted to the theatre.

Please note that we do not allow any hot food or alcohol purchased outside of the venue into the theatre. If you have alcohol with you these items can be kept at the Box Office for the duration of the performance and collected as you leave. Please make the staff member conducting the bag checks aware.

 

Late comers

Specific points where we can admit latecomers to the auditorium are determined for each production on when there is a suitable break which will minimise disruption to both the performers and the seated patrons.  Information on latecomers policy is available on the specific production page on this website.  We cannot guarantee admittance to latecomers who arrive after the official late comers point, you may be asked to wait until the interval or be taken to alternative seats at the back of the auditorium, if they are available, to avoid disturbing other patrons.
 

Parking discount

If you’re driving into the West End to see a show, take advantage of Q-Park’s Theatreland Parking Scheme saving 50% off off-street car parking charges.

Details of participating car parks and how to obtain the discount are available via the website:

Society of London Theatre (q-park.co.uk)

Please note: book your parking in advance of your visit to qualify for the discounted rate.

Cloakroom

We have very limited cloakroom space at the theatre, consequently we are unable to accommodate large bags or suitcases and advise patrons to bring with them only essential, handbag size, bags.  The charge for depositing small items is £1.00 per item.  

If you have a bag larger than a small rucksack, even carry on sized suitcase, you will need to use one of the local storage companies.  There are numerous places close to the theatre.  Look here: Luggage Piccadilly Circus

 

Lost & found

If you believe you have accidentally left something at the theatre, please contact Stage Door on 0207 839 8811 or email [email protected]. A log is kept of any item found at the end of each performance and it is stored in the theatre for 6 weeks. If you are unable to collect the item from the theatre after contacting Stage Door, postage of the item can be arranged. This may be subject to a postage fee.

 

Hospitality

We do not currently run any hospitality package offers.  If you have any requests or enquiries please contact our Theatre Managers at [email protected]

  

Food and Drink

 

 

Click & Collect Service. 

We offer a Click & Collect service for bar orders.  Customers may pick up their orders from the CLOAKROOM on the Dress Circle Level. 

You can pre-order for Click& Collect via our CrowdEngage pre-show text sent out on the day of the performance.

Please note that the click & collect order window closes 45 minutes before the performance starts

Please ask a member of staff if you require assistance.

Bar Service

There are two bars in our front of house areas:

The Lord Attenborough Bar on the dress circle level, where you can also find the coffee bar and merchandise kiosk, and the Bourne Bar by the entrance to the stalls level. 

Alcoholic drinks and hot food purchased outside of the venue are not permitted to be consumed on the premises.

All drinks are served in reusable plastic glasses, including champagne.  Please do not throw the glasses in the bin or take them home after use so that we can reuse and recycle .

  

Merchandise & Programmes

Merchandise can be purchased via the bars or click & collect service.  If ordering via click & collect please speak to a member of staff for collection.   

Seating & Views & Ticketing

The auditorium was built in 1874 and consequently has a number of pillars.

The extent of restriction or view limitation will vary depending on a production’s direction and set design. For specific ticket banding, prices and information on restricted view seats please refer to the individual production booking page.

In consultation with the producer and creative team, we check the view from all seats for each new production and set ticket prices accordingly.

Ticketing:   We operate with digital tickets

A confirmation email will be sent once your purchase is completed.  Your eTicket will be emailed a week prior to the performance (or immediately if you have booked within a week).  We will send a reminder eTicket by text to your mobile phone on the morning of the booked performance.

If you do not have access to email or a smart phone please contact the box office on 0207 839 8811

Booking is available 24 hours a day via our website or: 

In Person:  Tuesday - Saturday 12 noon to 8pm, Sundays 12 noon to 7.30pm

By Telephone: Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sundays 11.30am to 7.30pm

 

 

Local offers

Offers

Hard Rock Café

Enjoy a 3 course meal at the European Flagship Hard Rock Café Piccadilly Circus, book with your tickets to see the show.

See the menu here.

“It's just beautiful”

“An interior to be admired”

“Any seat in the house is a comfy one”

“I laughed so much my jaws ached”

“Less than a minute walk from Piccadilly Circus”

“Great place to see a show!”

“A lovely, intimate atmosphere”

“An utter delight”

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“It's just beautiful”

“An interior to be admired”

“Any seat in the house is a comfy one”

“I laughed so much my jaws ached”

“Less than a minute walk from Piccadilly Circus”

“Great place to see a show!”

“A lovely, intimate atmosphere”

“An utter delight”