Formerly the Neptune Theatre, a crumbling yet characterful council-run theatre for many years, the stunning Epstein theatre reopened in 2012 following a spell of dereliction with a refurbishment and new lease of life.
The Epstein Theatre honours the Beatles impresario – a huge figure in Liverpool music in the 60’s – and is run by Liverpool’s Sound City, who promise a line-up of comedy, theatre, music, cinema and even burlesque with The Martini Lounge making the Epstein its regular hangout.
The venue is a wonder in itself: it only seats 385 so it’s relatively small but provides an intimacy that other theatres cannot. And the Grade-II listed building has been beautifully restored to its former glory with a £1m refurb.
Expect tribute bands, top-drawer stand-up comedy, scouseploitation and the sort of music acts that – for one reason or another – aren’t playing the Phil, Echo Arena or O2. And an annual Christmas panto packed with names from local radio, TV and the soaps.
The Epstein runs community and youth programmes and the bar (Brian’s Bar) offers locally-sourced food and a chilled out place for a drink (not easy in this part of town).
Visiting the Epstein Theatre
The Epstein is within a stone’s throw of Liverpool Central for Northern and Wirral lines, plus a short walk from Liverpool Lime Street, for national services, and Liverpool One bus station. You’re spoiled for choice for places to drink in the area though this part of town gets very busy at night.
