Lyric Hammersmith Theatre: What You Need To Know
By: Jonathan Marshall Aug. 12, 2019
The Lyric is one of the UK's leading producing theatres, creating world-class theatre from the heart of Hammersmith - its home for more than 120 years.
An extensive redevelopment was completed in 2015. The open and airy feel of the public spaces envelopes the 19th-century Frank Matcham-designed traditional Victorian main house, plus a flexible studio space hosts smaller productions and work from new artists.
The theatre's Reuben Foundation Wing, which opened in 2015, houses state-of-the-art creation and arts education facilities for theatre, dance, film, digital and music. At the heart of the Lyric is a commitment to young people's creativity, and it's home to an innovative partnership of arts organisations dedicated to that aim.
With incoming Artistic Director Rachel O'Riordan, the theatre is about to enter a new and exciting chapter, opening with Ibsen's A Doll's House in an interpretation by Tanika Gupta set in 1879 Calcutta. This will be followed by an international co-production with David Greig's new play Solaris, and the annual pantomime, which for 2019 is Cinderella.
Here is everything you need to know if you're visiting - from food and drink to transport, ticket deals and accessibility.
Where to eat
The Lyric Bar & Grill
Boasting a roof garden overlooking Lyric Square, lunch or a pre-theatre dinner includes such dishes as BBQ pulled pork belly bap with pineapple and coriander salsa, and Paneer & vegetable tikka skewer in pitta bread. There are also sharing plates and Little Lyric meals for children. Reasonably priced, especially considering the high quality of the food, The Lyric Bar & Grill is a food destination in its own right.
Pre-show food orders must be placed at least 45 minutes before curtain up, and you can also book ahead online.
lyric.co.uk/our-home/eat-and-drink
The Lyric Cafe, located on the ground floor, offers an all-day menu including a selection of cakes and pastries, handmade pies and superfood salads.
Hammersmith also hosts a number of chain restaurants, including Bills and Nandos, Byron and Honest Burgers, but if you're feeling more adventurous, check out the following...
The Dove
For those who enjoy a sense of history, The Dove is a much-loved 17th-century pub sitting alongside the river. "Rule Britannia" was composed by James Thomson here and the Guinness Book of World Records acknowledged the small drinking space to the right of the entrance as the smallest bar room in the world.
With a roaring fire throughout the winter months and a bustling terrace overlooking the river, The Dove is suitable for all occasions, and its seasonal menu makes for an ideal pre-theatre dinner. The food is more than just pub grub. It is quite simply exceptional (the shepherd's pie in particular), and just one of the reasons people return time and time again. It's a bit of a walk from the theatre, but taking the time to enjoy the iconic Hammersmith Bridge and river views is certainly worth the effort.
Booking is advisable.
The River Cafe
Also situated on the river, this iconic Italian restaurant is ideal for a special occasion or if you simply fancy treating yourself. You'll have to splash out a little, but the ambience, setting and of course the exquisite food more than justifies this. The menu changes daily and booking is advisable.
Sagar
For vegan and vegetarian fans of South Indian cuisine, Sagar offers a good range of rice dishes, lentil pizzas and of course a variety of curries.
www.sagarveg.co.uk/hammersmith
Where to drink
Be At One
For a vibrant pre- or post-theatre drink, Be At One are known for their cocktails. With happy hours between 4:30pm and 8pm, this is a fun and affordable drinking destination.
www.beatone.co.uk/cocktail-bar/hammersmith
The Stonemasons Arms
For those looking for something a little quieter, yet still exuding atmosphere, this family-friendly pub is the place to go if you want to enjoy a nice conversation over one of their 60 wines on offer or a Fuller's fine ale.
Hammersmith Ram
A short walk from the Lyric, Hammersmith Ram offers comfortable sofas and cosy corners to watch the world go by. With an outside area, this is a relaxed and inviting pub that caters to all.
Ticket offers
Those who live or work in Hammersmith and Fulham can get two free tickets to the first night of all main house shows and four free tickets for family shows. See the website for further info.
Location and Transport
By Tube
The Lyric is a two-minute walk from both Hammersmith Tube stations (Hammersmith and City, Circle, District and Piccadilly) in Zone 2.
Bike
There are cycle racks on Lyric Square in front of the theatre entrance.
Car parksThe nearest car park is the Kings Mall car park: travel along King Street, go past Primark, and turn second right onto Cambridge Grove, follow to the top of the road and turn right onto Glenthorne Road. The car park is situated on the right after Leamore Street.Address for SAT-NAV: Glenthorne Road, Hammersmith, W6 0LJ
The car park is open 24 hours.
Accommodation
The Lyric recommends the nearby NOVOTEL London West, a 4* hotel with restaurant, fitness centre and a range of rooms and facilities.
Toilets
The Lyric has a range of toilet facilities available, including all-gender, gender-specific and private accessible toilets and baby change.
Accessibility
The building is fully accessible. There are lifts to both theatre spaces and wheelchair and transfer seats available for all shows.
The Lyric provides Audio Described Performances, which may be useful for people who are blind, visually impaired or partially sighted. There are also touch tours before each audio-described performance, giving an opportunity for audience members to familiarise themselves with the set and costumes before the show. Guide dogs are welcome in the building.
Open Captioned Performances - which are similar to television subtitles, with the actors' lines appearing on a display unit as they are spoken or sung - are also available. Relaxed performances are designed to welcome guests who might be on the autistic spectrum or have sensory and communication disorders or learning disabilities. These performances are also suitable for parents who want to bring young children to see a show.
Access tickets are £15 for all Main House productions and £15 for one companion ticket. No access rate is available for Studio shows.
The nearest disabled parking spaces to the Lyric are in the King's Mall shopping centre car park on Level 6 and 7. Leave the carpark by the Beadon Road exit and turn right, Lyric Square is a short walk from there.
While you're there...
There are numerous river walks that are clearly sign posted. Crossing Hammersmith Bridge and walking to Barnes and back over to the Chiswick Mall area makes for an ideal afternoon walk ahead of an evening at the Lyric.
For shoppers, Westfield - the largest shopping centre in Europe - is only a few stops on the Tube from Hammersmith and boasts a variety of eateries as well as designer stores and a large John Lewis.
Nearby Shepherd's Bush Market is also worthy of a mooch.
For a full family day out, the London Wetland Centre is just 10 minutes away from Hammersmith. This urban oasis offers an abundance of wildlife as well as adventure playgrounds and events.
www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london
Contact details
Lyric Hammersmith
Lyric Square
King Street
London
W6 0QL
Box office: 020 8741 6850
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