Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Bristol Hippodrome

    3.3 (35 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

    The Bristol Hippodrome Photos

    Recommended Reviews - The Bristol Hippodrome

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Lorna C.

    Th Bristol Hippodrome is located right at the heart of the Bristol, in the newly designed area locally known as 'The Fountains'. There is always something going on here, ranging from the classic pantomime performances of 'Snow White' etc, to the beautiful 'Madam Butterfly'. Tickets are roughly £30 which is a bit pricey for Bristol, but you are almost always guaranteed to see a 'celebrity' performing. Inside, Bristol Hippodrome is very luxurious with red carpets and gold decorations everywhere you look. Some may find this a bit OTT, I however think that it makes your evening that little bit more special! I especially love the location of the Hippodrome. It is a stones throw away from the Floating Harbour, therefore a lovely evening walk after the show is definitely worth doing.

    Lisa B.

    For the minute or two it takes to walk past this music/theatre venue you are transported into the sonic landscape of the current production showing; at the moment it's various productions from the Welsh National Opera. This is Bristol's top musical theatre venue, featuring touring productions straight out of the West End theatres in London. Tickets are pricey, expect to pay something around the thirty pound mark, that's before you think about a pre show dinner, after show drink and cab home, but the Hippodrome wouldn't book venues any less than top notch.

    Jenni D.

    If you're looking to see a headline act or the latest touring theatre productions there are two places you're likely to go in Bristol: Colston Hall or The Hippodrome. Situated just a two minute walk away from each other, The Hippodrome is better known for booking big theatre productions, often being referred to Bristol's answer to a West End theatre. Among the shows the theatre has played home to include Blood Brothers, Whistle Down the Wind and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as well as headline comedians like local boy Bill Bailey and not so local boy Lee Mack. But these big names often come with a big price tag with most shows costing around the £30 mark for a stalls ticket. Luckily, as most of the productions tend to do at least two or three nights at the Hippodrome you're more than likely to get ticket if you book early enough. Keep an eye on the website for upcoming shows and try and get a stalls seat if your budget allows as circle seats tend to give you a limited view.

    Taken from their website
    Will P.

    'Bristol's theatre in the West End' is how they like to market themselves - they're trying to bring a touch of the London theatre experience to parochial Bristol. This is a commercial theatre, with a rosta heavy with pantomime and musicals to bring in the crowds, and with lots of little details to make an evening here feel like an event. Bristol city centre, although it did have a face lift a few years ago, doesn't make putting on a glamorous evening easy. The Hippodrome does its best though. It's plush red carpet everywhere when you get in. The box office (which does have a few reasonably priced tickets if you don't mind having to squint) is decked out. I wouldn't say they've over done it here, it's nice to go somewhere that goes all out to make your night out feel special. The quality of the theatre varies from season to season. You can't really judge the theatre so much; it more depends on what's touring at the time. The pantomime, with standard celebrity lead, is usually a safe bet though. The Hippodrome isn't quite as swish and swanky as it would like to be, but is still a good West-end imitation.

    Maddie Y.

    If you're looking for a big, brassy, London West End style evening, come and see something at the Hippodrome. It's a huge, ornate, gorgeous auditorium inside, and it hosts large-scale musicals, plays and ballets. I came to see Sleeping Beauty here a few years ago and it was completely wonderful. At the moment they're showing Calendar Girls just for a week. They never have very long runs of any show, unlike big theatres in London. It strongly contrasts with its friend across the road, The Bristol Old Vic. The Hippodrome is for big, glitzy theatre, not new writing. Nothing's got much edge or bite at the Hippodrome, but that's not what you come here for. I like the way they pump out the music of the current show throughout the day so you catch a tune as you walk by; it helps alert you to the theatre being there at all, as it's not that extravagant from the outside. A little bit of show music as I walk along the water is enough to put a real skip in my step and remind me to have a look at what's on.

    Front
    Charlotte B.

    This rating is not for the show itself as the showing was ace. But unfortunately the seats and viewing wasn't the best. We were sat in the stalls in the ground level towards the right hand side of stage and the seats were not any raised at all than the row in front so i litrally could see the back the ladies head in front of me the whole way through having to constantly move left to right to see when they moved around the stage. And we actully paid alot more to have those seats than be on the upper level. I know this place is like 100 years old and listed so there isnt much they can do about it. As i do love the grand apprearance of the outside and inside with the deep red interior and gold detail. But its worth considering what seats your buying. Plus prepare for a numb bum as they not comfy at all. Maybe the venue could invest just in new seats! The sound was also abit unclear in some places but not sure weather it was due to a background speaker right near beside us. The staff seemed friendly and helpful towards making sure you get to your correct seats. You can pre order your drinks for the break which you pay for at the bar and then on the break its on the side under your booking name ready poured which is a nice touch as you dont waste time having to queue. I would go again but next time different seats and a cushion in my bag!.

    Qype User (BigJaz…)

    All round great old fashion theatre, could be that back in the old days theatre goers that short legs because for real i had serious leg room issues going on, the play was awesome of Peter Pan with the mega awesome Hoff Man, excellent fun. The red interior decoration of the theatre is very warm and welcoming. This historic theatre is situated in the very heart of the city of Bristol, be preparred to find a parking lot as there are no parking anywhere on site.

    Bristol Hippodrome
    Laura W.

    The most distinctive looking and sometimes sounding of Bristol's venues (that is until the Colston Hall was revamped and covered in gold decking), the Hippodrome has a real timeless air about it. Don't be surprised to walk past to the sound of Queen or some Motown numbers blasting out as they tend to get all the touring shows, including We Will Rock You, That'll Be The Day and even Les Miserables. They also get a lot of comedians stopping off there, including Ricky Gervais, Frankie Boyle and Al Murray. Very occasionally they secure a decent musical act - I saw Richard Hawley there last year. The sound is amazing and the grand old hall is exactly what you'd want from a city hippodrome. Remarkably, despite the size, illusionist Derren Brown still managed to make his Frisbees get all the way to the back of the Grand Circle to select his next victim.

    See all

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lorna C.
    3
    450
    440

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa B.
    5
    378
    358

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Will P.
    11
    452
    454

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maddie Y.
    25
    165
    209

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rowena H.
    1582
    1547
    2243

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of SJ P.
    1
    230
    74

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Laura W.
    25
    354
    318

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Henry N.
    2
    404
    522

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark M.
    7
    359
    241

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rebecca B.
    17
    1081
    1067

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kathryn C.
    32
    320
    141

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Fantastic staff and get all the best touring shows! One of my most special places in Bristol.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Pippa J.
    1
    70
    129

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Review Highlights - The Bristol Hippodrome

    There is a small bar just off the foyer, that is very nice, the staff in the theatre are very helpful and friendly.

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    The Square - BBQ on the Terrace at The Square Club. Perfect for Wedding and Private Parties

    The Square

    (8 reviews)

    £££

    This club is a private members club so it doesn't run public club nights or anything, however one…read moreof my friends hired out the place for her 21st birthday and I went along to this and I thought it was a great little venue - perfect for this kind of occasion! The place itself is located in Berkley Square at the top of Park Street, so in a pretty posh place really, and this is reflected through the club... you go down some stone steps to the entrance and then you are met by an interior of classy slickness, and a really cool cocktail bar! All the staff are dressed incredibly smartly which adds to the posh ambience, and you really feel like you are in a top notch place - with brilliant service! At the back of the club there's a cool spiral staircase which leads to an upstairs dining area where they serve food, I've never eaten here personally but I've heard it's great! I have been up to the terrace however, which is pretty cool. I'd probably say this is the smartest venue I've been to in Bristol, and if you are looking for somewhere to hold a special occasion or business do then it's definitely worth a look and I'd give my recommendations!

    The square club is a private members club so its not somewhere you just drop in for a quick pint…read more It is a lovely venue and is also home to the Square Gallery. I went to a private view here held by the artist Jim Starr (http://www.jamesstarr.co.uk/) When I visited Jim's work was to be seen throughout the Square Club, it looked amazing on the walls of this elegant Georgian house. It makes for a great gallery space. Outside there is a fantastic Terrace, it is an ode to zen like tranquility with wooden furniture, ambient lighting, out door art and chill-out music filtered through speakers, making it difficult to believe you are actually in the heart of the city. Drinks are however rather pricey but if you are after a nice drink in a refined tranquil atmosphere it is worth it. If you want to come here for an interesting evening (and don't want to become a member), the best thing to do is join The Bristol Explorers who regularly have talks here. The last Bristol explorers drinks evening had a talk by Monty Halls about his six months spent in the Outer Hebrides! So if there is an adventurer in you, definitely look our for the next Bristol Explorers evenings at the Square Club. http://bristolexplorers.com/

    The Architecture Centre - Taken from their website

    The Architecture Centre

    (4 reviews)

    £

    Home to many great designs and pieces of art (and once putting up a design by me!) the Architecture…read moreCentre offers interesting educational displays to do with the profession. Their exhibition space changes regularly, currently offering work by the artist Neville Gabie looking at the recent Cabot Circus development. A nice contrast to the more contemporary art focused Arnolfini, this corner of town really does have a lot of cultural offerings. You'll particularly like this place if you have any interest in the built environment, not just 'architecture' in the stereotyped classical sense of the word. As well as exhibitions they have events every now and then, things like debates and big art projects. The various goings on make it the Architecture Centre a stimulating experience, particularly if you're interested in buildings.

    Squeezed between the busy youth hostel and the celebrated Arnolfini, this little gem is often lost…read more With its aim of promoting and supporting architecture and the built environment, it all sounds a little dry but you will be surprised. The venue has exhibition space for projects worldwide and is a hub for finding out about conferences, talks and events to do with architecture and the environment. They hold their own little events as well looking at Bristol in particular and are quite strongly devoted to encouraging children to look at their city - for example they have some design classes coming up and a drawing day. The gift shop at the front of the venue is fantastic - I actually use this as my main card shop in town - and their commitment to children's education continues here with a nice selection of educational and design-led toys, making it great for buying gifts for some of the parents I know! They also have a nice selection of jewellery from local artists, some very unusual things. On top of this they have a conference room to hire.

    Racks Bar & Kitchen - Photo from Website

    Racks Bar & Kitchen

    (21 reviews)

    ££

    Food, service and atmosphere was great. Staff were so friendly and smiley it was really good.read more

    Racks is a high end wine bar, on St Pauls road, between the heart of Clifton Village and the bottom…read moreof Whiteladies Road. It's quite a posh place - expect the real, clichéd Bristol Uni and general Cliftonite crowd in here. I'm probably a fan though - the outside seating area is a really nice place to have a drink, even in the evening as it's serviced by a good amount of patio heaters. You've got to come prepared for Clifton prices though, as a drink is going to be quite far the wrong side of £3. They do a good range of shooters - last time I was here I tried the more lethal concoction of Jagermeister, Goldschlagger and Midori, which went down surprisingly well, and at £3.50 was an adequate, but not cheap, price for a shooter like that. They do have a table service, even if you're just drinking, which is quite helpful and surprising, you really don't expect that in Bristol. Also the staff here seem to be unfailingly attractive - I'm sure the management must have some sort of ploy going on, but I'm sure there's not too many complaints. As well as a main menu of good pub type food, they do a range of set menus, including buffets, BBQs and a more gormet set menu. The food is an excellent quality, and I actually think fairly priced for the standard. The only drawback the menus other than the main are only available to large groups, but the main one is pretty wide ranging. Maybe a bit boring, but I advise the burger, a beer, a bit of sunshine and have a chill in the patio area - it'll do your soul good.

    The Bristol Hippodrome - venues - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...