Located in the centre of the city, close to Liverpool Lime Street rail station, Liverpool Empire opened its doors in 1925, on the site of the former New Prince of Wales Theatre and Opera House (later The Empire). With a seating capacity of 2,350, the venue is Britain's largest two-tier auditorium. Originally designed by W. and T. R. Milburn with a Neoclassical façade, the venue is a Grade II listed building and part of Liverpool’s William Brown Street Conservation Area.
Liverpool Empire hosts a varied schedule of events each year, including variety shows, musicals, operas, concerts and plays. Notable past productions include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast , Royal Variety Performances, and Frank Sinatra and The Beatles, who played the venue several times during their early careers.
Renovation work in 1999 included a new building, joined to the theatre by a glass atrium, which contains the Box Office, bar and three floors of multi-functional spaces. Since 2011, Liverpool Empire has been owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group.