We tell you the seats to buy, which to avoid, and how to get them at the best prices

 

Eventim Apollo Hammersmith

45 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9QH 020 8563 3800

  • Where to buy tickets
  • Best seat advice
  • Seating plan/s
  • Getting to the theatre

Buying tickets online

www.eventimapollo.com the venue's own website provide the service.
This venue allows individual seat selection for most events.

Booking fees per transaction:
Varies by event. The system will advise at time of enquiry.

 

Other Online Choices (with genuine S.T.A.R ticket agencies): 
Independent S.T.A.R. ticket agencies may also offer an alternative choice of seats for some events. Note that many agencies do not offer tickets for concert events.

Ticket agencies offer an alternative way to buy tickets, with booking fees differing from those charged by the box office itself. They may have seats available or special offers when venues do not.

Box office information

Telephone: 0844 249 1000
Operated by Eventim on behalf of the venue.

"VIP Hospitality" is available at some events. Contact Mark Butler Associates on 020 7603 6033 or visit www.markbutler.co.uk for information. This is one way of getting special tickets to sold out events, muses the monkey - though it is pricey! 

Booking fees per ticket for telephone bookings:
Varies by event. The sales team will advise at time of enquiry.

For personal callers or by post:
Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London. W6 9QH
The venue box office is normally only open from late afternoon (4 or 5pm onwards) on performance days only, and charges the same booking fee as by telephone to credit card purchasers - no fee for cash. In other words, a journey may not save you money!

Special Access Needs Customers: 
Wheelchair users and other registered disabled theatregoers can call 020 8563 3800 and choose option 2. This line is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm. It CANNOT be used for general bookings or enquiries.

https://www.eventimapollo.com is the official venue website.

Please remember that cheaper seats often do not offer the same view / location quality as top price ones, and that ticket prices are designed to reflect this difference.


The stalls can be replaced with a standing area that takes audience capacity at the venue to around 5000 people.

If "all standing" is used, Stalls tickets will generally be marked "GA" for "General Admission". They are often sold on the Ticketmaster system as "Stalls Standing", just to be clear, though!

This venue provides "view from seat" facilities at www.eventimapollo.com for all tickets as you select them, just click on them on the plan.

  • Stalls
  • Dress Circle

Stalls

Layout

The Dress Circle overhangs the Stalls at row Y. The view of the top of the stage is only affected very slightly from row CC back. 

When seating is used, the stalls are split into sections by aisles. The front section is divided off by an aisle in front of row N, and contains a central and two side blocks. The rear section from row N to FF has six blocks. Either side of the centre aisle are two blocks. Beside them are two outer blocks. These outer blocks are split into middle and rear sections by aisles in front of row X. Only the centre two blocks have seats in row W.

The stage front is usually flat, so that seats no longer curve around the front of it. There is also often a decent gap at either end of the front rows between the proscenium arch and the start of the seating. The gap means speakers can be put there without encroaching on sightlines as badly as they did before, for those lucky enough to be in the front rows for concerts.

Without seats, a few rails to lean on are provided around the auditorium.

Legroom

Good throughout the stalls, best in rows A, N and in row X seats 1 to 16 and 37 to 52.

Choosing seats in general

Front Section: 
Theatremonkey rates front section central block seats in rows E to M particularly worth buying, offering a fine view. A reader notes the rake had gone in 2014, though, before row M. Then try rows D to A in that order before choosing the inside aisle seats in the side blocks of the front section. 

In the two front section side blocks, seats closest to the inside aisle have a fair view, but for the same money, choose the central blocks. Depending on the performance, the outermost two seats in rows B and C, three in D and four in E to M may not see into the stage corners with speakers or other bits of set in front. Still, they may be worthwhile if you are trying to sit as close to the stage as possible, and don't mind the slight lack of view. The box office note that rows B to E can also be very noisy if the speakers are often placed here...bring earplugs is the advice! 

Rear Section:
Central two blocks rows N to S are worth buying. Row N seats 13 to 38 in these blocks combine good views and extra legroom. The rest of the central blocks offer just average value, try for the front section seats mentioned above first before taking rows T to Z. To be fair to the venue, all rows in the stalls feel relatively close to the stage considering the size of the place, but if all seats are the same price, why not sit as close as possible? 

The two front outer blocks in the middle section offer fair value, with exception of the outermost four seats as again they are mostly outside the proscenium with a poor viewing angle.

Even the rear corner blocks are not terrible - ignoring the outermost four seats once again. Again the architecture allows them all to feel fairly close to the stage and, if not able to see performers faces, at least to see more than just a moving matchstick as in other venues. 

In all blocks, the last rows, particularly AA to CC can offer particular value at a low price for those like Theatremonkey who feel in need of a bargain. Take these before the back of the Dress Circle for the same money, though watch for row FF 36 to 48 which have the sound desk behind and could be a noisy place to sit. The rest of these blocks are also fair value.

A final advantage is that the corners of the rear section are close to the exits and high number seats are near the ladies toilets, low numbers near the Gentlemen's. These are the advantages. Take these seats only if you really, really must. 

Beside the rear outer blocks is a section for wheelchair users on either side of the auditorium. Each has two chair spaces, with two companion seats beside them. These have an acceptable average view, with the advantage of being slightly elevated.

Behind this is space for two rows of 60 people to stand. Arrive early so that you don't have to stand behind the sound desk!

General hazard notes

Seats in the front row may have views blocked by speakers stacked either on the stage front or up the sides.

Seats are not "offset" to see through the gaps ahead as well as they could be - around a quarter rather than half way between.

Sound desk behind row FF seats 36 to 48.

Changes for the current production

None.

Readers comments

"D19 to 21: "Sister Act" (July 2022). An excellent view, close to the action and good(ish) legroom for me. A word of caution for those who are not so vertically enhanced is that the seats almost seem to slope slightly up towards the stage. If you are a smaller person and have someone big in front then your view will be severely compromised. The payoff is the proximity - the stage looked very distant from the back."

"E 1 and 2: "American Idiot" (December 2012). I saw American Idiot at the Hammersmith Apollo theatre 13th December 2012. We were in the stalls Row E Seats 1 & 2. These tickets were not sold as restricted view but they definitely were. The show has a speaker tower at the front of either side of the stage. This blocked not only the rear quarter of the stage but about a third of the stage (front and rear). This ruined the first half of the show as the staging of the show consists of three focal points and one was situated in the area we were unable to see. Plus there is some upper level staging which we were unable to see. We were lucky enough to move to seats E8-9 in the interval and we had an unrestricted view. I would definitely recommend the show but from central seats." 

"K 33: "Kate Bush" (September 2014). (aisle seat) and there is no rake at all anymore in that front section. Plus there was a seat in front of me, which is not on your plan. The rake it seems starts after the gap on row N, though possibly M was a tiny bit higher than the other rows. I think after the referb they had, they must have levelled out the floor then."

"V12: "Sister Act" (July 2022). For the shorter ones amongst us, good line of sight for the entire stage, with good rake and staggering of seats/heads. For the less vertically challenged people, there’s plenty of legroom. Close to exits!"

“Y33 and 34: (Bob Pickett). Don't worry about the distant sounding row, somehow no seat in the Apollo feels that far away.  That said, the performers are starting to get small at this distance.  Comfortable seats, legroom is fine, good line of sight and the rake in this area helps the smaller attendee.”

Dress Circle

Layout

Called the Circle in this theatre

This overhangs the stalls at row Y.

It is divided into front and rear sections by an aisle (and barrier) in front of row G.

The front section is split into five blocks, the rear into six.

There is a low safety rail at the end of each aisle in the front blocks. The monkey has had no complaints about the view being affected by these.

Legroom

Average in all seats, up to around 5ft 8 in row A. Those over 5ft 10 or so may find all other seats uncomfortable, alas. A reader found seats in row K behind the stairwell, "excellent, I’ve sat in much worse at 6ft 2, though."

Choosing seats in general

Front Section: 
Block 9 rows B to F and the six seats just off the centre aisles in blocks 8 and 10 offer the best value in the circle. The rest of the seats in all blocks are fair value. The distance from the stage means a comfortable viewing angle, but Theatremonkey feels for the same price that the stalls blocks 23 and 24 offer better value for money, being closer to the action. 

Rear Section: 
Rows soar towards space with a dizzying rake, a remnant of this theatre's previous life as a cinema. Theatremonkey generally prefers the stalls rear blocks to any of these rear blocks at the same prices. Circle blocks 2, 3, 4 and 5 rows G (if the barrier is not a problem) to N are preferable to the outermost seats in the stalls, though, but in the circle row O back is a long way from the stage so the rest of the seats are a choice between distance, view and comfort. The stalls is closer and more comfortable. The circle has a wider view of the stage. Theatremonkey takes the stalls, accepting both options are not great. 

The outermost four seats in the two corner blocks in the circle 1 and 6 are worth avoiding. Far away in the corners of the theatre the viewing angle is poor and the value worse. As the last seats available take the centre aisle rows L to P then rows G to J before anything else, but prepare for disappointment.

If they are not discounted, the other seats worth avoiding in all blocks are rows X to Z for being closer to Hammersmith Flyover than the stage. Take these last when all other seats have gone unless they are cheaper. 

Standing place tickets will generally be marked "GA" for "General Admission". They are often sold as "Circle Standing", just to be clear, though!

General hazard notes

Smaller children may find the sloped wall at the front of the circle a little high to see over if in row A or even B for the smallest. Those over about 5ft tall should be fine. 

The barrier in front of row G may annoy some shorter people.

Row K seats 11 to 13, 24 to 26, and 64 to 66 and row L seats 54 and 55 are behind stairwell walls. These restrict the view for those under five foot seven. Avoid.

Changes for the current production

None.

Readers comments

"B65: "Kate Bush" (September 2014). Right at the far end and red on your diagram. Keep it red, overall the view was good but part of the stage was obscured by speakers hanging down. I appreciate this is not always going to be the case but if you have the choice (I didn't - only got the ticket last week) why risk it? I wouldn't have expected this to be a problem for a £135 ticket! You do see almost everything ( mostly it was part of the backdrops that were obscured) and if the performance was more fixed towards the front of the stage as more traditional concerts are then it would be a negligible problem. Bear in mind also if the people in front lean forward that's a huge chunk of the stage gone. Leg room was ok but i was on an aisle so I could stretch slightly to the side, not much width though. So whilst Kate and her overall show was fabulous enough to not have these aspects annoy me too much I would not choose this place again. On the plus side, you can see where the money has been spent for the refurbishment of the venue - it looks great!"

"D53 and 54: "Nativity" (December 2017). As a rule I prefer the Circle for musical theatre but, in this venue, the Circle is a VERY LONG WAY BACK. Fine for concerts but, for a musical, way too distant. Plus these were the same (high) price as the Stalls. Great rake however. Will sit in Stalls for another similar production."

"K64: "Kate Bush" (September 2014). Just behind the stairwell. You have it rated red for lack of legroom, but I am 6’2” and legroom was excellent, I’ve sat in much worse. Think same would be true for the two seats next to it, 65 and 66."

“M53 to 55: On the end of a row, good rake, no issues with sound or sight lines but you do feel a long way from the stage.”

"N62: "Nativity" (December 2017). Too far back to see facial expressions, felt a bit isolated from the action back here. It’s just too big of a venue for a musical, definitely needed to be closer."

"O79 and 80: (Robbie). I was quite worried about these (as they are right in the very corner of the circle in a place) I thought the seats were O.K. I could see very clearly. The circle isn't really that far from the stage either, the centre blocks would be better but I think wherever you sit in the circle you will have a good view, as all seats are one higher than the row in front. This means that the person in front of you does not block you from seeing like it would do in Wembley in the flat floor seating."

"S21: "Nativity" (December 2017). A good seat, with a clear view of the stage and plenty of leg room and a bargain for £25. However, it was very high up and might not suit people who suffer with Acrophobia. For people of average height there was plenty of leg room, but those who are taller might find themselves a bit squashed. The seats are well ranked, however it was a long way from the stage and although you could see all the action, you could not really see the faces of the actors very clearly. At this venue there are also insufficient toilets for the gentlemen and queuing was an issue during the interval, especially as there were a lot of young children in the audience."

Notes best seat advice

Total 3341 seats, with 298 standing places are also available, 120 in the stalls, 178 in the Dress Circle, should the box office choose to sell them. When all stalls seats are removed, around 3000 standing places are created, taking venue capacity to about 5000 in total. 

Not air conditioned.

Guide dog sitter available and some signed performances. Wheelchair access is via a fire door and over a small ridge to a 12% ramp into the stalls. One adapted toilet. Theatremonkey rates facilities as "trying very hard to do the best they can" in this venue - rare and praiseworthy in London. 

For more information, and to make bookings, wheelchair users can call 020 8563 3800 for booking and access information and details of any concessionary prices available to them. Please DO NOT use this number for any other enquiries.

No food except ice cream and confectionery / popcorn. A reader notes that hot-dogs are also sometimes available.

Two bars, Stalls and Dress Circle.

Toilets on both stalls and circle levels at the sides and back of the auditorium. 

General price band information

Theatres use "dynamic pricing." Seat prices change according to demand for a particular performance. Prices below were compiled as booking originally opened. Current prices are advised at time of enquiry.

Based on paying FULL PRICE (no discount!) for tickets, site writers and contributing guests have ALSO created the colour-coded plans for "value for money," considering factors like views, comfort and value-for-money compared with other same-priced seats available.

For a full discussion, opinions, reviews, notes, tips, hints and advice on all the seats in this theatre, click on "BEST SEAT ADVICE" (on the left of your screen).

On the plans below:
Seats in GREEN many feel may offer either noticeable value, or something to compensate for a problem; for example, being a well-priced restricted view ticket. Any seats coloured LIGHT GREEN are sold at "premium" prices because the show producer thinks they are the best. The monkey says "you are only getting what you pay for" but uses this colour to highlight the ones it feels best at the price, and help everybody else find equally good seats nearby at lower prices.

Seats in WHITE, many feel, provided about what they pay for. Generally unremarkable.

Seats in RED are coloured to draw attention. Not necessarily to be avoided - maybe nothing specific is wrong with them, other than opinions that there are better seats at the same price. Other times there may be something to consider before buying – perhaps overpricing, obstructed views, less comfort etc.

Please remember that cheaper seats often do not offer the same view / location quality as top price ones, and that ticket prices are designed to reflect this difference.

CLICK SEATING PLAN TO ENLARGE IF REQUIRED. USE "BACK" BUTTON TO RETURN.

By value for money:

 

Apollo Hammersmith Seating Plan
Notes

The stalls can be removed to provide standing space which will give the venue a capacity of almost 5000 people.

If "all standing" is used, Stalls tickets will generally be marked "GA" for "General Admission".

The Dress Circle is called the "CIRCLE" in this venue.

Please note: The seating plans are not accurate representations of the auditorium. While we try to ensure they are as close to the actual theatre plan as possible we cannot guarantee they are a true representation. Customers with specific requirements are advised to discuss these with the theatre prior to booking to avoid any confusion.

 

-0.226845, 51.4910169

Nearest underground station

Hammersmith - District Line (green), Hammersmith and City Line (light purple), Piccadilly Line (dark blue).

The District and Hammersmith and City lines go to one station, the Piccadilly Line to another.

From the District and Hammersmith and City line station, turn left and follow the road to the busy junction. Cross to the big shopping centre ahead of you. Do not walk down the main shopping street - wrong way.

Walk down the side of the shopping centre, past the church, and under the flyover is the venue.

 

From the Piccadilly Line station, the station comes up in a shopping mall. Turn left and walk to the exit of the mall. The flyover is ahead of you, just cross the road to the venue on the other side of it.

 

Buses

9, 9A, 10, 27, 34, R69, 72, H91, 190, 211, 220, 267, 283, 295, 366, 391, 415 all to the nearby bus station.

Taxi

Can be hailed outside the venue.

Car park

Adjacent to the theatre, under the flyover.

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