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The Hackney Empire London has a capacity of 1005 seats. Use our interactive seating plan to view 146 seat reviews and 140 view from seat photos.
Hackney Empire has a traditional theatre layout similar to a West End venue, with seats facing head-on to the stage. There are three main levels, the Stalls, Dress Circle and Upper Circle, as well as Boxes and an unreserved Gallery area. At the rear of the Stalls, there are several groups of two to four seats arranged around small tables. Prices across the auditorium tend to be lower than those in central London.
The Empire’s large size means views and comfort will vary, but sightlines are generally good. The Gallery, for example, comprises bench seating with no back and is quite steep, whilst the centre of the Stalls is comfortable and has a very clear view from seat. Watch out for the far ends of the Dress and Upper Circles - especially Rows A and B - which curve round, with side-on views of the stage.
Updated April 2026 by Alice (SeatPlan Team Member)
Prices at Hackney Empire are more affordable than many London theatres, so there are lots of cheap seats that promise a good view of the stage. We recommend seats at the front of the Upper Circle for a full view of the stage, or towards the side of the Stalls if you want to be close to the action.
The best seats at Hackney Empire are right in the centre of Stalls rows D-G, which are the perfect distance from the stage, especially during panto season when you want a balance between enjoying the full set and getting immersed in audience participation.
