
/ About
The Globe Theatre reopened on Bankside in 1997, a few hundred yards from the site where Shakespeare's company built the original in 1599. It is an open-air oak amphitheatre with a thatched roof and a capacity of 1,500, and it is hired for private events, filming and photography as well as performance. Beside it stands the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, a 340-seat indoor theatre lit entirely by candles, which opened in 2014 and takes 200 guests for a presentation, a lecture or a reception.
Most private events take the Underglobe, the room beneath the theatre. It holds 450 standing or 370 seated under an eight-metre ceiling, and carries a built-in stage, a mezzanine, a sweeping staircase and a 270-degree projection system that wraps the walls. Guests arrive by a private riverside door off the Thames path rather than through the theatre. The licence runs to 1am, the house allows your own DJ through its own system, and it publishes no noise restriction on the room.
Swan at the Globe runs the food and the smaller rooms above: the Balcony Room on the top floor, with French windows onto a Thames-facing balcony and St Paul's across the water; the River Room and the Bull Room for dinners of thirty-two and fourteen; and the Snug, a screened corner of the bar. The Globe's own events team holds the two theatres, the Upper Foyer, the Wolfson Lecture Theatre and the education studios around the corner on Bear Gardens. A share of what is spent goes to the trust that runs the theatre, which is a charity.
/ Rooms Available
The Underglobe
Exclusive HireA subterranean events room beneath the Globe Theatre, reached by its own riverside door and a mirrored stair. Eight-metre ceiling, exposed columns, a built-in stage, a mezzanine and a sweeping staircase, with a 270-degree projection system that redresses the walls for each event. The house allows an outside DJ through its own system and sets no noise limit on the room. Licensed to 1am.
The Balcony Room
PrivateA top-floor dining room with green panelled walls, a statement chandelier and floor-to-ceiling French windows opening onto a private balcony over the Thames. St Paul's, the City and the Globe are all in view. It has its own bar, cloakroom and lift access, and is licensed for wedding ceremonies. Drums are not permitted in this room.
Upper Foyer
Semi PrivateA semi-private space on the Globe's own site, used for a relaxed drinks reception before or after a performance, or taken exclusively for an event or a group visit. Published for up to 60 guests standing.
The River Room
PrivateA first-floor private dining room with 180-degree views over the Thames, St Paul's and the City. Bespoke glass chandeliers, ceramic wall pieces and copper-and-glass screens that close it off from the restaurant. Suited to a seated dinner, a cocktail reception or a daytime meeting.
The Snug
Semi PrivateA screened corner of the Swan bar looking out over the river, with high seating and its own service. The bar pours craft beer, small-batch London gin and seasonal cocktails, and the kitchen sends small plates.
The Bull Room
Semi PrivateA single oval oak table for fourteen, screened from the restaurant by glass and copper doors, under hand-blown glass lights. A blue mosaic bull fills one wall; the leaded windows look onto the Globe and the river.
Private Boxes
PrivateAn exclusive box at a Globe performance for ten guests, with private dining in the Swan restaurant beforehand and interval drinks served in the box.
The Education Studios
PrivateA range of studios around the corner at 1-2 Bear Gardens, used for meetings, workshops and away days. The published figure is up to 35 people across most of the spaces, with the Perry Studio, the largest, holding 80.
The Globe Theatre
Exclusive HireThe open-air amphitheatre itself: green oak, a thatched roof and three tiers of galleries around a standing yard, with a painted frons scenae behind the stage. Its own published capacity is 1,500 as an audience, a performance figure rather than a hire one. It is let for private events, celebrations, filming and photography.
The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Exclusive HireAn indoor Jacobean playhouse lit entirely by candles, opened in 2014 and modelled on the small roofed theatres of Shakespeare's London. Oak galleries, cushioned benches and a painted heavens above the stage. It seats 340 for a performance and takes 200 guests for a lecture, a presentation or a corporate event.
Wolfson Lecture Theatre and Weston Foyer
PrivateA recently renovated raked lecture room for private presentations and talks, seating up to 120 in theatre style. The Weston Foyer sits immediately outside and is taken alongside it for receptions, breakouts or arrivals. Both have step-free access.
/ Perfect For
/ Features
AV Equipment
- – Sound System
- – Stage
- – Projector
- – Lighting Rig
Catering
- – In-House Luxury Dining
- – Private Bar
- – Bespoke Menus
- – Canape Service
- – Sommelier Service
- – Halal Available
Licensing
- – Late Licence until 1am
- – Full Alcohol Licence
- – Music Licence
- – TEN Capable
Venue Specs
- – Private Entrance
- – Air Conditioned
- – Wheelchair Accessible
- – Dedicated Events Team
- – Cloakroom
- – Wi-Fi
- – Outdoor Terrace
/ Getting Here
/ You May Also Consider