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City Varieties Music Hall

Hidden Gem

Terrain:

Activities

Best Time To Visit

Urban

Walking, Photography, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching

Year round

Spudgun67 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The City Varieties is a Victorian music hall in the centre of Leeds, a small, ornate galleried theatre opened in 1865 by a local publican as a hall attached to his inn off Swan Street. It is best known as the home of the BBC television series The Good Old Days, recorded here from the 1950s to 1983, ...

10

Parking nearby

3

Food Spots nearby

3

Staycations nearby

Parking:

Food:

Staycations:

3 day, 7 overnight

Olive & Thai​, San Co Co​, Olive & Rye​

Art Hostel, Russell Scott Backpackers Hostel, Super 7Bed House

Nearest Hidden Gem 1

Nearest Hidden Gem 2

Nearest Hidden Gem 3

FAQ's/Things to Know

Where is City Varieties Music Hall?
West Yorkshire holds this historic venue tucked down a cobbled side street in Leeds city centre. Anyone exploring the pedestrianised heart of the city will find it easily behind the main shopping thoroughfares.

What type of place is City Varieties Music Hall?
City Varieties Music Hall is an authentic Victorian theatre in Leeds city centre.

When is the best time to visit City Varieties Music Hall?
Year round opening means you can catch an incredible live performance at this indoor spot during any season. Winter evenings work brilliantly for booking a traditional comedy or music show to escape the cold.

What can you do at City Varieties Music Hall?
Attending a live comedy gig, musical concert, or variety show lets you experience Britain's longest-running music hall in action. Photography enthusiasts can snap the beautifully preserved interior and original cast-iron columned boxes before the curtain rises.

How long should I spend at City Varieties Music Hall?
Allocating roughly two to three hours allows ample time to enjoy an entire evening performance and buy a drink. A shorter visit suits those joining a guided heritage tour to see behind the scenes.

Where do I park at City Varieties Music Hall?
Vehicles can use the 10 available spaces nearby, which consist of 3 day and 7 overnight parking spots. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I eat near City Varieties Music Hall?
Olive & Thai, San Co Co, and Olive & Rye provide 3 choices to grab a bite to eat right around the corner. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I stay near City Varieties Music Hall?
Art Hostel, Russell Scott Backpackers Hostel, and Super 7Bed House offer 3 places to spend the night close by. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

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Last Updated:

02 July 2026

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UK Hidden Gems
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