Palace Theatre Manchester

Reviews

• SS

  Sharron Sanderson

  Oct 4, 2026
  5.0
  Dirty Dancing was brilliant. We had the package with ambassador entry and experience which was great as it a private area no queuing and free drinks etc so worth the slight increase in price
• SA

  S Alexanda

  Sep 25, 2026
  3.0
  The theatre looks old and dusty. Everything needs a good steam clean, especially the heavy curtains, it all needs a good polish too and these seats are so old I think they must have been originally filled with straw, now I know it's listed but bums are on those seats daily so don't tell me you cannot afford an upholsterer to refill them and make them comfortable. All the money that place rakes it, clean it and re upholster the seats
• EH

  Elaine Hanna

  Sep 20, 2026
  3.0
  Easily accessible by car - there are quite a few car parks around the area. There are also pubs and plenty of food options within close proximity. Access to theatre was quick following a bag check. There are plenty of staff inside to guide you to your seat. There are bars dotted around each level and the queues seem to move fairly quickly. What is lacking however are female toilets.. very long queues and they don’t move quickly. The interval was chaos and I missed the start of the second half. The snacks options are okay but expensive - you can order some items to your seat for either before the show, or during the interval which is handy. Some seats have limited leg room and they really mean it - your knees are touching the seat in front.
• ME

  Mark Evans

  Sep 19, 2026
  4.0
  The Palace Theatre Manchester stands as one of the North West’s premier touring venues, offering a rich blend of Victorian grandeur and high-caliber West End productions. Standing proudly on Oxford Street since 1891, its ornate interior—replete with traditional red-and-gold velvet decor, intricate plasterwork, and a vast 1,900+ capacity auditorium—delivers an immediate sense of theatrical magic before the house lights even dim. ​The Highlights ​West End Production Quality: As a flagship venue managed by the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), the Palace attracts massive, top-tier touring musicals (Hamilton, Wicked, Les Misérables). The recent stage expansions allow for complex set designs and large-scale staging that few other regional venues can accommodate. ​Acoustics & Sights: Stalls and front Grand Circle seats offer impressive Sightlines and full-bodied sound systems that suit major musical numbers and delicate spoken drama alike. ​Prime Location: Situated just steps from Manchester Oxford Road station, the venue is exceptionally easy to reach via public transport and is surrounded by vibrant pre-show dining options along Oxford Road and Peter Street. ​The Drawbacks ​Cramped Seating & Legroom: As is common with Grade II listed venues, legroom in the upper sections—particularly the Upper Circle and Gallery—can feel restrictive for taller patrons. ​Interval Congestion: The foyer and bar spaces struggle with heavy crowds during intermission. Queue times for restrooms and drinks can easily consume the entire 20-minute interval if you don't order ahead. ​Pricing & Accessibility: Ticket prices for hit shows match West End rates, and while accessible seating is available in the Stalls, navigating the historical layout and stairs to higher levels can be challenging for those with mobility needs. ​Final Verdict ​The Palace Theatre remains a vital cultural pillar in Manchester’s arts scene. While its historic architecture brings slight modern compromises in physical comfort and layout, the sheer quality of the touring productions and the atmospheric charm make it a stellar venue for a night out. ​Tip: Book Stalls or front Circle seats for optimum comfort, and utilize the Ambassador Lounge or pre-order interval drinks to bypass the bar rush.
• RL

  Rebecca Leach

  Sep 13, 2026
  1.0
  Disappointing Management and Poor Etiquette Enforcement at the Palace Theatre The failure of staff to enforce standard theatre etiquette at Saturday's matinee performance of Jersey Boys completely ruined the show for many of us sitting in the Grand Tier. Instead of managing the disruptive behaviour of one group of attendees, the staff stood by for much of the performance and allowed the behaviour to continue. This forced fellow theatregoers to challenge the disruption themselves at the interval by asking them to be quiet and consider other theatregoers. Only at that point did staff intervene, despite being overheard admitting that they had already seen the behaviour and were monitoring it. Furthermore, those intervening were asked to "not escalate the issue"—effectively telling paying customers to just put up with it. It seemed easier for them to let it slide than challenge those causing the issue, showing a lack of regard for those simply requesting that they be able to enjoy the show they'd paid for. Having witnessed this lack of professionalism, I strongly suggest the Palace Theatre invests in appropriate staff training. One expects much higher standards of customer service and audience management from a venue of this stature.