Royal Opera House
/ About
Covent Garden's opera house has staged performance on Bow Street since 1732; the present theatre, the third on the site, opened in 1858, and its 2018 Open Up redevelopment reopened the building's public rooms to the piazza. Home to The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, it runs one of London's more storied event operations, with all hire proceeds supporting the companies' work.
At its centre is the Paul Hamlyn Hall, the glass-roofed Victorian hall completed in 1860 as the Floral Hall of the Covent Garden flower market. Its barrelled iron-and-glass roof and adjoining Davies Terrace make it the building's principal space for gala dinners and receptions, seating 350 for dinner and holding up to 600 for a standing reception. Around it sit rooms of very different character: the Crush Room, restored to its 1858 proportions beneath crystal chandeliers and Flemish paintings; the Linbury Theatre with its own foyer and bar; the Clore and MacMillan ballet studios; the planted Dorfman Conservatory above the old carriage entrance; and a rooftop Piazza terrace over the market.
Because the rooms serve the audience on performance nights, evening availability follows the repertory calendar, and the full building can be taken for larger occasions. A dedicated commercial events team handles production, and catering is provided in-house.
/ Rooms Available
Paul Hamlyn Hall
Exclusive HireThe building's principal event space: the glass-roofed Victorian hall completed in 1860 as the Floral Hall of the Covent Garden flower market, with a barrelled iron-and-glass roof and the adjoining Davies Terrace overlooking Bow Street. Used for gala dinners, wedding receptions and standing receptions.
Piazza Terrace
Semi PrivateA planted rooftop terrace above the Covent Garden piazza, with hanging greenery, banquette seating and views across the city. Used for summer standing receptions.
Linbury Theatre
Exclusive HireThe building's intimate second theatre, rebuilt in the 2018 Open Up redevelopment, with a full stage, tiered seating and its own foyer and bar. Suited to private performances, presentations and staged dinners.
Linbury Foyer
PrivateA light, open foyer redesigned in 2018 to serve the Linbury Theatre, with its own bar and cloakroom. Works as a standalone reception space or as registration and breakout for events in the theatre.
Clore Studio
Exclusive HireA Royal Ballet rehearsal studio with a sprung dance floor, mirrors, ballet barres and a grand piano, converted for standing receptions and seated dinners. Available in the evenings.
Crush Room
PrivateA grand reception room dating to 1858 and carefully restored, hung with 17th-century Flemish paintings under crystal chandeliers taken from the original auditorium chandelier. Suited to intimate dinners and receptions.
MacMillan Studio
Exclusive HireA second Royal Ballet studio adjoining the Clore, available for evening receptions and seated dinners.
Dorfman Conservatory
Semi PrivateA planted conservatory above the historic Bow Street carriage entrance, blending the 1899 bar with the glazed architecture of the Open Up redevelopment. A smaller space for drinks receptions.
/ Perfect For
/ Features
AV Equipment
- – Stage
- – Lighting Rig
Catering
- – In-House Luxury Dining
- – Bespoke Menus
Licensing
- – Full Alcohol Licence
Venue Specs
- – Dedicated Events Team
- – Private Entrance
- – Wheelchair Accessible
- – Cloakroom
- – Outdoor Terrace
/ Getting Here
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