Access and Facilities at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Drury Lane is an old theatre, opened in 1812, but the 2021 restoration made it one of the more accessible old venues in the West End. There's a step-free entrance on Russell Street and a lift to all four levels.

Access bookings are handled by the venue's own access team, through the theatre's official site, and can be made online once you're registered with its access scheme, or by phone. That side of it is handled by the venue, not by us.

Getting in and getting to your seat

The Russell Street entrance is step-free and staffed, and it gives level access to the foyer, the Stalls and the ticket desk. The main entrance on Catherine Street has steps up into the foyer.

The passenger lift serves all four levels. The step-free rows are:

• Stalls row M, reached by ramps from the foyer
• Royal Circle row K
• Grand Circle row E, on the low-numbers side
• Balcony row B, at the front of the level

Take the stairs and it's 112 steps to the Balcony, 66 to the Grand Circle and 39 to the back of the Royal Circle.

Covent Garden station isn't step-free. Waterloo is the nearest fully step-free station, about 15 minutes' walk.

Wheelchair spaces

The Stalls have four spaces for wheelchair users who stay in their chair, and the Royal Circle and Grand Circle have one each, six in all. The Balcony has none. If you can transfer from your wheelchair, any inside aisle seat in the Stalls is suitable.

Where the accessible toilets are

On three of the four levels: both sides of the Stalls, off row M; both sides of the Royal Circle, off row K; and the right-hand side of the Grand Circle as you face the stage, off row E. There isn't one on the Balcony.

Hearing support

An infra-red system is available, with headsets and hearing-aid loops from the front-of-house team on arrival; mention it when you book so you're seated in the right area. The GalaPro app gives subtitles, captions and audio description on your own phone.

Assisted performances

The theatre schedules audio-described, captioned, British Sign Language interpreted and relaxed performances with each production. The dates go on each show's page once they're announced.

Assistance dogs and help on the night

Assistance dogs are welcome, and if you'd rather not have your dog at your feet, staff will look after it during the show. Throughout the building there are trained access hosts, who can also guide visually impaired visitors. Can't get to a bar? Staff will bring your drinks to your seat.

Where to get a drink

The bars at Theatre Royal Drury Lane are some of the most beautiful in all of Theatreland, and it pays to arrive early for one.

• Cecil Beaton Bar, on the foyer level: cocktails in a 1920s-style setting, named after the photographer who designed the costumes for My Fair Lady. Step-free from Russell Street
• The Rotunda, the champagne bar, whose ceiling takes its design from the Pantheon in Rome. It's two steps up from the foyer
• Grand Saloon, at Royal Circle level: the restored Regency saloon, which also serves afternoon tea in the day and a pre-theatre meal in the evening. By lift
• The Terrace, at Royal Circle level, a seasonal outdoor terrace. By lift

The bars encourage contactless payment.

Toilets

On every level, clearly signed. The accessible ones are listed above. They get busy at the interval, so go early if you can.

Cloakroom and bags

There's a cloakroom: £3 for a coat or other clothing, £5 for a bag or a suitcase. Every bag is searched on the way in and large bags are discouraged, so travel light where you can.

Box Office, programmes and the Gift Shop

The Box Office opens at midday on show days. Programmes and merchandise are sold before the show, at the interval and after it, and the Gift Shop is at the far end of the foyer, step-free from Russell Street.

Tips for the night

• Arrive when the doors open and take a look at the Grand Saloon and the Wyatt staircase, even if you're sitting in the Stalls.
• Order your interval drinks when you arrive, so you're not queuing in a full theatre at the interval.
• Look at the embroidered coat of arms on the back of your seat. It changes at the middle of each row, depending on whether you're on the King's side or the Prince's side.
• Ask early for a booster cushion if you're bringing children. They're free, but there aren't many.
• Coming straight from a train with a case? The cloakroom takes suitcases.
• If you're in the Balcony, take the lift. It's 112 steps.

Call us on 020 7193 9050 for group bookings.