We want The Queen's Hall to be a safe and welcoming place for everybody, and pre-lockdown created videos and downloadable documents to give you a better idea of what to expect before you visit us.
We made changes to the front-of-house areas of the building during our closure in 2020, so the only spaces that remain unchanged are the auditorium and front doors and corridors. You can watch a clip about the Hall below.
The Box Office also remains the same, but does not now offer any direct access to the Hall. If you visit the Box Office ahead of an event, you will need to go back out onto the pavement, turn right and enter the Hall through the main doors.
The corridor leading down to the bar, and the bar area itself have been widened to allow an easier flow of people. This does mean that you might find these areas more noisy now. If you would like to borrow our sensory kit, including headphones to help during your visit, please email info@queenshalledinburgh.org to book them or ask at the Box Office on arrival if they are available.
We now have much better wheelchair accessible toilet facilities, which can be found in the bar at the back of the building.
Non-accessible self-contained cubicle toilets are located on the mezzanine level above the bar (previously the Hope Scott Room) and the all gender toilets remain on the south side of the auditorium.
If you would like to come and have a look around before you attend an event, please call 0131 668 2019 or email info@queenshalledinburgh.org.
We will make new videos to show the changes in the venue as soon as we have the resources to do so and will be happy to answer any questions you have in the meantime.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Access Scheme for Booking Online
Wheelchair spaces and free companion tickets can now be booked online for most shows.
Before you do this for the first time, please get in touch with the Box Office to join our Access Scheme – a quick phone call or email is fine, you won’t need to complete a form or send us anything. The Box Office is open Monday-Friday from 10am to 2pm. You can visit in person, call them on 0131 668 2019 or email them any time at boxoffice@queenshalledinburgh.org.
When you get in touch, please let us know:
- If you need a companion or carer to attend with you
- If you are a wheelchair user (electric)
- If you are a wheelchair user (manual)
- If you are a wheelchair user, but prefer to transfer to a seat for a show
This will be noted on your account and give you access to all booking options online, so that you no longer have to come to the Box Office in person or call us if you don't want to.
How to book a wheelchair space online
Once you have joined our Access Scheme as a wheelchair user (instructions above), you will need to log into your customer account on our website when you want to make a booking.
To do this, click on the image that looks like a shopping basket in the top right hand corner and then 'My Account'. Enter your email address and password (if you have forgotten your password, there is a link you can click on to 'Reset' it).
When you go to the event you would like to book, you will be able to select any wheelchair space available in the seating plan.
If you have told us that you require a companion, you will also see a seat marked C next to the wheelchair space, which you can select for your companion. The next section explains how to book this free ticket.
Once you have chosen the tickets you want you will be able to choose to have them posted out to you (for any show that is more than seven days in the future), to collect them from the Box Office on the night, or have e-tickets which you can show on your mobile device.
The last step is then to enter your card details, make payment, receive a confirmation email and wait for the show!
Important: Wheelchair spaces will only be visible for you to select if you are logged into your customer account.
How to book a free companion / carer ticket online
Once you have joined our Access Scheme to let us know that you need a carer or companion to attend events with you (instructions above), you will need to log into your customer account on our website when you want to make a booking.
To do this, click on the image that looks like a shopping basket in the top right hand corner and then 'My Account'. Enter your email address and password (if you have forgotten your password, there is a link you can click on to 'Reset' it).
When you go to the event you would like to book, select any two seats together on the seating plan.
Click Continue, and select 'Free Companion' from the dropdown for one of the tickets.* Once you proceed to checkout, this ticket will become free.
Once you have chosen the tickets you want you will be able to choose to have them posted out to you (for any show that is more than seven days in the future), to collect them from the Box Office on the night, or have e-tickets which you can show on your mobile device.
The last step is then to enter your card details, make payment, receive a confirmation email and wait for the show!
* Important: Free Companion tickets will only show as £0.00 when you are logged in and at the checkout stage.
If you have any problems with any of this, please contact our Box Office who will be happy to help.
Download further information here - pdf
Download further information here - plain text
Wheelchair Access
The Queen's Hall is accessible to wheelchair users via a ramp up to the front righthand entrance, next to the Box Office. There are two wheelchair accessible toilets to the lefthand side of the rear fire exit in the bar.
Please let the Box Office know if you need a wheelchair space when buying your ticket. Our staff may need to ask either the model or size of your wheelchair to ensure we give you the best advice on accessibility. For unreserved gigs, do contact us if you have any questions or require further assistance.
We also have fantastic stage access for performers who are wheelchair users with a Mobilift CX. Read more about the lift here.
You can find information about hiring our stage lift here.
Guide Dogs
Please let the Box Office know when you buy your ticket if you are bringing a guide dog. We will try to seat you in an area that is comfortable for both you and your dog. As we no longer have a cloakroom, we are usually now unfortunately unable to look after your furry friend for you, but do ask on arrival and if we can, we will (it's one of our favourite jobs!).
Assisted Hearing
There is an induction loop in the main auditorium to help patrons with hearing difficulties. Turn your hearing aid to the T position to pick up sound directly from the stage. Please speak to an Usher if you have any problems.
Autism
Pre-pandemic we designed videos for each area of our building to give you a good idea of what to expect ahead of your visit. Building works whilst we were closed mean that these are now out-of-date. We will produce new videos as soon as we have the resources to do so. In the meantime, we have kept the video of the auditorium, as this remains unchanged. You can also download some extra information below, which we hope you will find useful.
If you would like to come and have a look around before you attend an event, please call 0131 668 2019 or email info@queenshalledinburgh.org and ask for Emma or Kris who can arrange this for you.
We have Sensory Kits containing ear defenders and other tools designed to make your experience enjoyable and relaxing. If you would like to use one of these, please either call 0131 668 2019 or email info@queenshalledinburgh.org to book in advance or ask for it at the Box Office when you arrive.
Gig Buddies
We are proud to work with Gig Buddies, a project that enables adults with a learning disability/autistic adults to live an active social life. They do this by running regular community based social events, and pairing their members to like-minded volunteers who share the same interests. Members and their buddies regularly attend gigs at The Queen’s Hall, so if you or someone you know is interested, you can learn more here or contact the Gig Buddies Edinburgh Project Manager, Sam Maggs by emailing him at Samuel.Maggs@thera.co.uk or calling him on 07738 486001.
