Music
Step Inside
Step Inside: Troxy
Here is everything you need to know about the Art Deco jewel in East London's crown
| Venue Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Venue Name | Troxy |
| Location | Stepney, London |
| Parking Information | Troxy advises visitors not to drive; drop-off and pick-up is possible on Caroline Street |
| Address | 490 Commercial Road, London, E1 0HX |
| Phone # | 020 7790 9000 |
| Capacity | 3,600 |
| Opened | 11 September 1933 |
| Architect | George Coles |
| Website | troxy.co.uk |
East London’s Troxy is a cultural staple. The 3600-capacity Art Deco Grade II-listed building has been home to iconic gigs, award shows and parties. From the NME Awards to concerts by The Jesus and Mary Chain, Flying Lotus, Morrissey and many more, Troxy has earnt the reputation as “one of London’s oldest, coolest and most iconic venues”. (Access All Areas, 2012)
History of Troxy
Located on 490 Commercial Road, Stepney Green in London, Troxy Cinema was built in 1933 on the site of an old brewery. Designed by Art Deco architect George Coles, the original cinema had a capacity of 3,500 – the largest cinema in England at the time. The first ever film to be shown at Troxy was King Kong, which has since been immortalised in a mural on the side of the building. The venue’s original interiors included luxury seating, a revolving stage, and restaurants where customers were served by staff in formal dress. Additionally, Troxy hosted plenty of big Hollywood patrons, including Clark Gable, The Andrews Sisters and Dame Gracie Fields.
After a successful run as a cinema from the 30s to 50s, Troxy closed in 1960 due to damage from the Blitz. The building stood empty until 1963, when it opened as the London Opera Centre school under the management of the Royal Opera House. It served as a rehearsal and training space for opera singers until 1977. Then in the 1980s, Mecca Bingo took over the venue to host bingo sessions twice a day, everyday until 2005. The building earnt its Grade II listing in 1991.
The Troxy that we know today came about in 2006, when it was converted into a live music events space in 2006. Additionally, Troxy has hosted sporting events such as the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony with The Times, and political events such as the Channel 4’s Brexit debate.
Venue design
Troxy has a capacity of 3,600 people, with both Stalls and Circle tickets available. The Stalls seats are located on the lower ground and ground floors, whilst the Circle seats are located on the floor above. Troxy’s venue layout is flexible, with the options to be fully seated, fully standing and a mixture of the two. Check out their virtual tour to see the venue from the comfort of your home. Plus, visitors can view the seating plans for the Circle and Stalls on the Troxy website. Cloakroom is available on a first-come-first-served basis, and bags can be no larger than an A4 piece of paper. For a detailed list on what you’re allowed to take into the venue with you, find out more here.
In addition, for visitors who require accessibility provisions, Troxy offers step-free accessible seating at the front of their upper ground floor. For any enquiries about accessibility, including how to obtain a free companion ticket, contact [email protected]. For more information about accessibility at Troxy, find out more here.
Food, drink and attractions near Troxy
While Troxy does not allow food and drink to be brought into the venue, it offers multiple bars with a 2AM license. Visitors can access water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages from every bar in the building. While the venue doesn’t serve food for public events (food is served for privately booked events), there’s a multitude of places for you to grab a bite nearby,
The venue recommends checking out Kirvem Restaurant, a Turkish cuisine eatery that offers an exclusive discount to Troxy guests. Other restaurants nearby are La Figa, Rajboy Indian, and Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar.
Getting to Troxy
By Public Transport
Troxy is located on 490 Commercial Road, E1 0HX, and as an east London staple, it’s very easy to get to. Visitors can get to the venue via both the London Underground and Overground. You can either use the DLR and exit via Limehouse Station – a six-minute walk away – or you can used the Windrush Line and exit via Shadwell Station, which is a 15-minute walk away. Additionally, you can now access Troxy via the Elizabeth Line, change to the DLR at Canary Wharf and exit via Limehouse.
To get to the venue by bus, visitors can take the following routes: 15, 115, 135, D3, N15, N550 and N551.
By Car
The venue does not recommend accessing Troxy by car, as Commercial Road does not have parking readily available. The road has red lines, and visitors risk being ticketed or clamped should you choose to park there. Alternatively, there are drop-off and pick-up areas along Caroline Street, which is located down the side of the venue.
See the full list of upcoming events at Troxy
