Hosting a huge variety of theatre and music, the Playhouse always offers an entertaining evening out.
Opening its doors as a cinema in 1929, the Edinburgh Playhouse was refurbished and became a theatre in 1980. Its first event was a charity gala in aid of the Variety Club of Great Britain, but since then it’s hosted everything from musicals to major music artists. With room for over 3,000 in the audience, the Playhouse is the UK's largest working non-sporting theatre.
Edinburgh Playhouse
Edinburgh Playhouse
Edinburgh Playhouse
Essential Information
Whether you prefer theatre or concerts, you’ll find a great show at the Playhouse. Over the years, the world's biggest musicals have graced the stage, including Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Grease, Cats, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia, Starlight Express, Mary Poppins and We Will Rock You. The venue has also hosted lots of legendary bands and artists, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Waits, BB King, Runrig, The Who, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, U2 and Johnny Cash.
Facilities
As you’d expect with the UK's largest non-sporting theatre, the Playhouse has great facilities.
With a choice of seats across three levels: stalls, circle and balcony, the Playhouse offers a great view. You can pick your own seats on the theatre’s website to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the action.
Accessability
The Playhouse provides full access to the theatre and bar, as well as offering wheelchair storage and type talk. If you let the box office know about your needs in advance, they’ll do everything they can to make the show a great experience.
Top tip
If you don’t fancy parking in Edinburgh centre, the city has a park and ride available at six locations: Sheriffhall, Ingliston, Riccarton, Inverkeithing, Newcraighall and Straiton.
Eating and drinking
Want to have a meal before the show or a drink after the curtain has come down? There are plenty of restaurants and cafés for you to choose from.
Situated within the Playhouse, Greenside Lane Bistro is a stylish restaurant with plenty of choice on its menu. Whether you want to have a drink, grab a quick bite from the express menu or sit down to three courses before the show, the Bistro will have something for you.
Located right in the heart of Edinburgh, you’ll find no shortage of places to eat and drink near the Playhouse. Have a quick drink at the Theatre Royal Bar before heading out to choose from high street chains, like Frankie & Benny’s and Nando’s, or international cuisine, from Turkish delights at Ada’s to Italian home cooking at Mama Roma.
Getting to Edinburgh Playhouse
Situated on Greenside Place, at the top of Leith Walk and close to Princes Street, it’s easy to get to the Edinburgh Playhouse.
By car
Located right next door to the Playhouse and opened 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Q-Park OMNI car park is a convenient parking spot for theatre goers.
By bus
The Playhouse is located near Princes Street, which most of the city’s bus routes run along. Get on the 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 16, 19, 22, 25, 26, 34, 44 or 49 and hop off right outside the theatre.
By train
Waverley station is a quick eight minute walk from the Playhouse. So, whether you’re arriving from Glasgow or London, you’ll be enjoying the show in no time.
Whether you prefer theatre or concerts, you’ll find a great show at the Playhouse. Over the years, the world's biggest musicals have graced the stage, including Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Grease, Cats, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia, Starlight Express, Mary Poppins and We Will Rock You. The venue has also hosted lots of legendary bands and artists, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Waits, BB King, Runrig, The Who, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, U2 and Johnny Cash.
Whether you prefer theatre or concerts, you’ll find a great show at the Playhouse. Over the years, the world's biggest musicals have graced the stage, including Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Grease, Cats, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia, Starlight Express, Mary Poppins and We Will Rock You. The venue has also hosted lots of legendary bands and artists, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Waits, BB King, Runrig, The Who, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, U2 and Johnny Cash.