Playhouse

To make your night out at the theatre a smooth and stress-free experience, make sure to read up on the entry and security requirements before you go.

• Re-Entry & Smoking: Re-admissions are restricted and dependent on individual circumstances. Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted throughout the building.
• Payment Options: All purchases are cashless. Guests can use credit/debit cards or mobile pay options.
• Prohibited Items: No outside food or drinks, glass or aluminium bottles or thermoses, aerosol cans, noise-making devices, tablets, laptops, professional cameras, recording equipment, selfie sticks, or signs or banners.
• Age Restrictions: Age restrictions are event-dependent.

For the most up-to-date guidance and information on regulations (including bag policies), check the official Playhouse at Whitley Bay policy page.

Just a short distance from Whitley Bay, the surrounding area buzzes with regional charm, stunning seascapes, and a vibrant cultural heartbeat driven by nearby Newcastle. Whether you are exploring historical architecture or coastal promenades, nearby entertainment venues offer world-class experiences.

• Utilita Arena Newcastle: A purpose-built, versatile arena opened in November 1995 with a concert debut by David Bowie. The arena can accommodate over 11,500 fans for major concerts and also hosts sports, exhibitions, and other large-scale events.²
• O2 City Hall Newcastle: A striking Grade II-listed concert hall opened in 1927, it now accommodates up to 2,600 patrons (standing) or 2,000 seated. The venue is celebrated for its acoustics and storied line-up, including music legends The Beatles and Elton John, as well as comedy greats Billy Connolly and Frankie Boyle.^3,4
• NX Newcastle: Located in central Newcastle on Westgate Road, this dynamic venue (formerly the O2 Academy) hosts live music spanning the genres in a space that accommodates 1,600 for gigs and up to 2,095 for club nights.⁵

A public car park adjacent to the venue offers convenient and accessible parking, and public transport options are plentiful. Plus, if you’re attending a performance, you can benefit from free Metro travel (including Shields Ferry access) up to two hours before and after your show.

Public Transportation: The nearest Tyne and Wear metro station is Monkseaton, with a scenic, 15-minute walk down Marine Avenue to reach the Playhouse. Several bus routes (17, 17a,1, 309, and 310) serve stops just minutes away from the auditorium.

Driving: Driving to the venue via A193 leads you into Whitley Bay. From there, follow local signage to Marine Avenue, and the venue will be on your left. For navigation, use Google Maps or enter NE26 1LZ into your Sat Nav.

Parking options:

• Playhouse Car Park: Marine Avenue, NE26 1LZ
• Park Road Car Park: Park Road, NE26 1LT

Playhouse at Whitley Bay ensures a polished and hassle-free refreshment experience with several on-site bars serving spirits, wine and prosecco, bottled mixers, soft drinks, hot drinks, bar snacks, and ice-creams. Guests can enjoy a pre-show beverage at the stylish ground-floor foyer bar, surrounded by seaside-themed art by Frank Biffa. On the first floor, a comfortable lounge bar offers views of the seaside and Spanish City, accessible by stairs or lift. The venue offers an interval order service, letting patrons pre-order drinks to avoid queues during the break.

Opened on 24 March 1913 as The Kursaal, the original venue featured a striking barrel-vaulted auditorium topped by French Renaissance-style towers.⁶ Following a devastating fire in the late 1920s, it was reconstructed under the direction of Marshall & Tweedy.⁷ The theatre reopened on 18 May 1931 with a reversed stage layout, raked seating, and a new Art Deco ensemble.⁷

Over the decades, the building has undergone several renovations and name changes, including Essoldo during its cinema period from 1949 to the mid-1960s and later Classic Cinema.^6,7 In 1976, the building was acquired by North Tyneside Council and restored to its original Playhouse moniker as a civic theatre.⁷ A £8.5 m redevelopment from 2007 to 2009 added a modern glass foyer, upgraded front-of-house facilities, and a reconfigured auditorium seating around 638 patrons.⁸

Sources:

1. PLAYHOUSE (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews) - TripAdvisor
2. Plan Your Visit - Utilita Arena
3. Capacity boost for AMG's revamped O2 City Hall - IQ Magazine
4. About Us - O2 City Hall Newcastle
5. News: Refurbishment of Iconic Newcastle Venue Begins Ahead of Autumn Re-Launch - NE Volume
6. Playhouse at Whitley Bay - Northeast Heritage Library
7. Playhouse - Cinema Treasures
8. Venue Information - Playhouse Whitley Bay