Shakespeare's Globe

Shakespeare's Globe brings together three fundamentally different event propositions under one cultural institution on the South Bank. The open-air Globe Theatre itself — timber-framed, thatched, open to the sky — offers a hire experience unlike anything else in London. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, lit entirely by beeswax candles, is one of the only candlelit theatres in Europe. And The Underglobe, purpose-built beneath the Globe Theatre's stage, handles 450 guests with 270-degree projection mapping and a private riverside entrance. Each space serves different event types, and hiring any of them directly supports Shakespeare's Globe Trust and its education programmes.

Shakespeare's Globe — Events with Cultural Weight

Swan at the Globe runs all catering across the complex, led by Executive Chef Cedric Tourainne. Seasonal British menus use locally sourced, sustainable produce — restaurant-quality food and service rather than standard event catering. The in-house production partner Wild provides design, technical, and floral services, which means creative production is integrated rather than outsourced. The venue delivers over 300 bespoke events per year, with capacity ranging from intimate 10-person private dining rooms through to 800-seated theatre configurations in the Globe itself.

Location and Access at Shakespeare's Globe

The Bankside riverside setting places events within London's cultural quarter — Tate Modern and the National Theatre are neighbours, and St Paul's Cathedral sits across the water. Southwark and Blackfriars stations are both nearby, and The Underglobe has its own private entrance accessible directly from Bankside Pier, which means guests can arrive by boat. The alcohol licence extends to 1am with available extensions, and the Globe operates year-round despite the open-air theatre's seasonal production calendar.

Why Shakespeare's Globe Works for Event Hire

Cultural credibility that's institutional, not styled. Guests understand immediately that they're somewhere significant — the Globe doesn't need to explain its relevance. For client entertainment, award ceremonies, product launches, and milestone celebrations, that built-in recognition does work that no amount of venue dressing can replicate. Combined hire across multiple spaces is available, and the education studios around the corner on Bear Gardens offer workshop spaces for away days and team events.