Hackney Empire
theaterHistoric theatre and performance venue in Hackney, London, originally opened as a music hall and later used as a TV studio and bingo hall; now an Off-West End theatre presenting comedy, theatre, music and extensive community and youth programs.
Upcoming Events (45)
Touch of Class 2026: Mother's Day Special
Mother's Day Special edition of Touch of Class, London's No.1 Comedy & Music showcase, returns to Hackney Empire for a festive Sunday night of stand-up and live tunes. Tickets £30-£40.
Belter for the Shelter 2026
Join Hackney Empire in London for Belter for the Shelter 2026, a 7:30 pm fundraising night of stand-up comedy in aid of Hackney Night Shelter at the historic theatre.
Bridget Christie: Jacket Potato Pizza
Bridget Christie brings her brand-new stand-up show Jacket Potato Pizza to Hackney Empire in London, delivering razor-sharp observational humor and witty takes on modern life. A must-see comedy night from a Channel 4 hit-maker.
Hollie McNish Brand-New Book Tour
Poet Hollie McNish headlines a brand-new book tour at Hackney Empire on March 21, 2026, London, delivering candid poems and witty banter in an intimate evening for adults, with fresh work and sharp observations that linger long after the lights go down.
James Acaster
British comedian James Acaster brings a brand-new stand-up show to Hackney Empire in London, presented by Plosive Live with PBJ Management. Expect sharp, inventive humor and a lively night in a classic theatre venue.
Aries Spears: Euro Trip
London's Hackney Empire hosts Aries Spears' Euro Trip, a sharp, fast-paced stand-up show from the Chicago-born comedian, famed for quick wit and impressions.
The Socially Distant Sports Bar: Live
Elis, Mike and Steff bring their hit podcast Distant Pod to Hackney Empire for a live night of sports banter, stories and laughs on the London stage.
Reimagining Pagliacci
A bold reimagining of Pagliacci at Hackney Empire in London, re-centering Nedda’s perspective and asking whether the tragedy can end differently. A live opera-performance blending traditional music with contemporary storytelling and dynamic stagecraft.
Leoncavallo: Pagliacci
English Touring Opera stages a 90-minute Pagliacci at Hackney Empire in London, delivering passionate arias, vivid melodrama, and compact intensity in a stylish, high-energy production.
Gilbert & Sullivan: The Gondoliers
Gilbert & Sullivan’s last great success, The Gondoliers, a fizzing comic opera of mistaken identity, comes to Hackney Empire (London) on April 11, 2026, 7:30 PM. A sparkling, satirical evening of witty music and charm.
Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa: The Paradise Gothic Tour
Sri Lankan comedian Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa brings his trademark deadpan stand-up to Hackney Empire for The Paradise Gothic Tour, delivering sharp observations and theatrical flair in a memorable London night of live comedy.
Reel To Reel: Songs on Screen
A night of iconic movie and TV tunes performed by London City Voices at Hackney Empire, bringing memorable scores to life with powerful choral renditions and cinematic atmosphere.
Lena Dunham: Famesick
Join Lena Dunham for an intimate live discussion at Hackney Empire in London as she reflects on her life, career, and turning regrets into wisdom in Famesick — an evening of storytelling, humor, and candid insights.
BBC Ten Pieces Schools Concerts
Experience a live orchestral journey as the BBC Symphony Orchestra performs the Ten Pieces for Schools at Hackney Empire, blending timeless classical works with a kid-friendly, educational concert in an intimate London venue.
Jocelyn Brown with special guest Rozalla
Legendary soul-disco vocalist Jocelyn Brown headlines Hackney Empire with special guest Rozalla, performing hits from her catalogue of soul, disco and dance classics in a vibrant London live show.
World Comedy Clash 2026
Experience an electric, battle-style night as 12 comedians from 11 countries take the stage for the World Comedy Clash at Hackney Empire, delivering rapid-fire jokes and international humor in a premier London venue.
The Pull Up Podcast
The Pull Up Podcast brings its acclaimed live show to Hackney Empire for an evening of witty conversation, stories, and audience banter, pairing sharp humor with engaging guests in a vibrant London venue.
Emma Grede: Start With Yourself Tour
Emma Grede brings her debut book Start With Yourself to a live London event at the historic Hackney Empire, delivering an engaging author talk with practical entrepreneurial insights, personal stories, and audience Q&A.
Fiesta Flamenca
Fiesta Flamenca brings flamenco superstar Macarena Ramirez to Hackney Empire for a powerhouse evening of feverish footwork, live music, and a cast of 100+ dancers and musicians in one of London’s largest flamenco showcases.
David Olusoga: A Gun Through Time
Historian David Olusoga explores how firearms reshaped empires, wars and crime across centuries, weaving gripping storytelling with new insights into guns' social and political impact in this evening lecture at Hackney Empire.
The Music of The Lord of The Rings
An immersive orchestral tribute at Hackney Empire honoring The Lord of the Rings score by Howard Shore, performed by the Mystery Ensemble in a cinematic concert that brings Middle-earth to life.
Ashley Gavin: Big Momma
Comedian Ashley Gavin brings her new show Big Momma to Hackney Empire in London for a one-night engagement on 9 May 2026 at 7:30pm, following a smash debut UK tour in 2024. The show promises sharp, boundary-pushing stand-up; tickets £30-£42.50.
Noughts and Crosses
Stage adaptation of Noughts and Crosses at Hackney Empire in London, following Sephy and Callum's forbidden romance. A powerful, thought-provoking theatre piece that blends intimate drama with race and power themes in a contemporary setting.
Josh Widdicombe: Not My Cup Of Tea
Josh Widdicombe brings his Not My Cup Of Tea tour to Hackney Empire in London. A sharp, self-deprecating stand-up show from the UK comedian, delivering fresh takes on modern life in a warm theatre setting.
Ballet Black at 25
Celebrating 25 years of bold choreography, Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black performs at Hackney Empire to mark its 25th anniversary with dynamic ballet storytelling, dazzling technique, and impactful collaboration in London.
Michelle De Swarte: The Afters
Michelle De Swarte presents The Afters at Hackney Empire, London, on May 28, 2026. A hilariously honest stand-up night about life's fumbles and fixes, with sharp wit, warm banter, and plenty of laughs — tickets £23.
Ravi Gupta
Ravi Gupta headlines Hackney Empire with his new stand-up special Kal Ki Chinta Nahi Karta in London. A lively night of sharp observations and witty banter, presented by Z, with tickets from £26.50 to £51.50—a must-see comedy evening.
Takin' Care of Biscuits Comedy Tour
Fortune Feimster brings her confessional stand-up to Hackney Empire for the Takin' Care of Biscuits Comedy Tour, delivering sharp, relatable jokes with warmth and charisma that light up a London night.
Mark Simmons: Jest to Impress
British comedian Mark Simmons brings his Jest to Impress tour to Hackney Empire for a night of sharp one-liners, witty storytelling, and audience interaction in a classic London theatre setting.
Bismil Ki Mehfil
London’s Hackney Empire hosts Bismil Ki Mehfil, a rare live show by India’s celebrated Sufi vocalist. Zeppelin Entertainment presents an intimate evening of devotional world music, blending soulful vocals with dramatic stagecraft and spiritual nuance.
Live at the Empire with Ed Gamble
Ed Gamble headlines Live at the Empire at Hackney Empire in London for a stacked night of stand-up comedy, offering sharp observational humor from £19 to £27.50, in an iconic Victorian-era venue known for its rousing atmosphere and top-tier acts.
Jah Makin it Happen: A Reggae Musical
An hilarious reggae musical at Hackney Empire tracing a Jamaican family’s Windrush-era journey to the UK, blending vibrant reggae rhythms, sharp comedy, and heartfelt storytelling in a lively London theatre.
I'm Grand Mam
Join Irish comedy duo Kevin Twomey and PJ Kirby for a night of sharp jokes and big laughs at Hackney Empire in London. A lively stand-up show blending quick banter and crowd-work for an unforgettable evening.
Ilana Glazer Live!
Renowned comedian Ilana Glazer brings her first UK stand-up tour to London's Hackney Empire, delivering fearless, razor-sharp humor drawn from Broad City and personal stories for an electric, unmissable evening of laughs.
Fatiha El-Ghorri: Cockney Stacking Doll
Fatiha El-Ghorri brings Cockney Stacking Doll to Hackney Empire for her debut tour, delivering sharp wit and bold storytelling on London’s main stage. Fresh off Taskmaster and Mr Bigstuff buzz, she headlines a standout night of contemporary British stand-up.
Marine Leonardi: Mauvaise Graine
Marine Leonardi brings Mauvaise Graine to Hackney Empire for an evening of razor-sharp wit and dark humour. This stand-up show dissects modern frustrations with fearless honesty, set in London's iconic theatre for adults seeking provocative, entertaining comedy.
Nish Kumar: Angry Humour From a Really Nice Guy
British political comedian Nish Kumar brings his Angry Humour From a Really Nice Guy tour to Hackney Empire. Expect sharp, progressive stand-up dissecting current chaos with political bite, rapid-fire jokes, and thoughtful insights in a lively London venue.
Adam Rowe: Fashionism
Adam Rowe brings Fashionism to Hackney Empire for an hour of sharp, crowd-pleasing stand-up. The Have A Word podcast host and Live At The Apollo star delivers his best hour yet with bold, observational humor in a classic theatre setting.
The Worst Poets Club
Four of the UK’s bestselling poets form a club and take to Hackney Empire for an evening of verse and banter. Expect sharp wit, intimate storytelling, and a playful clash of styles in a theatre-friendly poetry show in London.
The Drifters
The Drifters bring their timeless soul classics to Hackney Empire in London. A nostalgic night of doo-wop and iconic hits on a grand theatre stage, featuring crowd-pleasers like Saturday Night At The Movies and You're More Than A Number.
Susan Calman: Tall Tales
Susan Calman headlines Tall Tales at Hackney Empire in London on Oct 21, 2026. A brand-new stand-up show packed with funny, improbable stories and sharp observations that promise big laughs in an intimate theater setting.
Seann Walsh: This Is Torture
Seann Walsh brings his chaos-and-charm act to Hackney Empire with a brand-new hour, This Is Torture. Expect sharp observational humor, personal stories, and an anxiety-soaked but hilariously relatable set from the London comic.
Henning Wehn: Acid Wehn
German comedy icon Henning Wehn returns with Acid Wehn at Hackney Empire, delivering a sharp, funny take on climate change. With his trademark dry wit and astute observations, he turns a serious topic into provocative, entertaining stand-up in London.
Maisie Adam: Whatsherface
Maisie Adam brings her brand-new stand-up show Whatsherface to Hackney Empire. Fresh from Taskmaster, A League Of Their Own, and Last One Laughing, she delivers sharp, observational comedy in a punchy London gig that lights up the city's comedy scene.
Jack and the Beanstalk
A festive pantomime at Hackney Empire starring Clive Rowe in Jack and the Beanstalk. This family-friendly Christmas show promises magical mischief, lively songs, and audience interaction in a classic London panto atmosphere.