How to Get to Hackney Empire

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ, next to Hackney Town Hall.

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By train

Hackney Central, on the London Overground, is five minutes' walk. Trains run to Highbury & Islington for the Victoria line and to Stratford. Hackney Downs, ten minutes away, has trains from Liverpool Street, and London Fields is about twelve minutes.

There's no Underground station within walking distance. The nearest, Bethnal Green on the Central line, is a short bus ride down Mare Street.

The roads round Hackney Central are being dug up, with closures and diversions, so leave extra time.

By bus

Twelve bus routes stop within a few minutes' walk:

• Hackney Town Hall, right outside: 30, 55, 106, 236, 254, 276, 277, 394 and W15
• Mare Street and Graham Road, by Hackney Central, about two minutes: 38, 242 and 277
• Hackney Central Station stops, about three minutes: the 253, as well as many of the routes above

The 236 and 277 run all night, and the N38, N55, N242, N253 and N277 run after midnight.

By car

There's no parking at the theatre. The streets round it are a controlled parking zone, and Hackney Council's website has the times and where you can park. You can also rent a private space nearby through JustPark. While the Hackney Central works go on, there are fewer spaces than usual, so allow time to find one.

Blue Badge holders can use a few disabled parking bays on the roads around the theatre.

By taxi

Ask to be dropped on Wilton Way, at the side of the theatre. It's the easiest place to stop, and it's the door for the Upper Circle and the Gallery.

What time to arrive

Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before, no later. Bags are checked at the door, the Upper Circle and Gallery are up a lot of stairs from a separate entrance, and at the panto, booster seats are handed out at the door and buggies go round the back. If you've got Gallery tickets and want a front bench, come when the doors open.