- lastminute.com>
- Travel inspiration>
- Cultural Explorer | lastminute.com™>
- London's Gig Venues: Where To Eat, Drink and Stay Near Wembley Arena
London's Gig Venues: Where To Eat, Drink and Stay Near Wembley Arena
If you like gigs and live in London, you've probably been to Wembley Arena at least once. It's famous for hosting some of the biggest bands and singing stars on their world tours - it was also the last place the Beatles played live in 1966. This is one in a series of posts we're doing on the most influential live music venues across London - looking at what makes them special, and what's nearby if you're heading down for a gig. So let's take a closer look at The SSE Arena, Wembley, including things to do in the Wembley area so you can make the most of your time.
Who can you see?
Headline acts in 2016 include Nickelback, Simply Red, The Cure and Cattlefish and the Bottlemen. Family entertainment such as Disney on Ice and CBeebies are also on the rise. The X Factor tour also uses the arena as its annual base. They film the live shows round the corner in Wembley at the Fountain Studios. It's also proved popular as a live comedy venue, in particular with Michael McIntyre last year. Sportswise, you're most likely to see boxing, wrestling and martial arts.
Capacity
With seats it holds a maximum of 12,740 people, making it the second largest indoor area in the UK after The O2.
What's the sound like?
A new sound system was put in place as part of £35m refurbishment of the arena in the mid-naughties.
FACT: Built originally in 1934 as the Empire Pool and Sports Arena - if you dug up the floor you would still find the pool intact.
Getting there
- Tube: Wembley Park is the closest station (Metropolitan or Jubilee). You can also get off at Wembley Central (Bakerloo).
- Train: You can get a train from Marylebone to Wembley Stadium station.
- Buses: You can get any of these to Wembley Arena: 79, 83, 92, 182 and 224
Address: Arena Square, Engineers Way, Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0AA Find them on Twitter
Down for a day? Here is what you can do near Wembley
The London Designer Outlet in Wembley Park has more than 50 brands, including Next and Gap and the Sunglass Hut. The Hindu Neasden Temple, or to give its full name, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a beautiful local religious site. It's built to be a traditional place of worship but is open to all faiths, so take a walk around the marble temple and the surrounding gardens. Free entry, open Mon-Sun 9am to 6pm
Eating and drinking near Wembley Arena
The London Designer Outlet has chains like Nando’s, Pizza Express and Wagamama’s. But Wembley's large Asian community means you've also got lots of Indian and Sri Lankan restaurants nearby. Head to Ealing Road, near Wembley Central, for some of the best Asian cuisine in the area. You'll also find Wembley Tandoori, under the Wembley Stadium arch if you want to stick close to the Arena. There's also an Italian restaurant, La Regina. If the weather's nice, The Green Man Pub & Hotel has a massive beer garden. You can also get pies, scampi and chips and burgers. The Torch is a popular choice for fans coming to watch their team, so if there's a big game on at Wembley Stadium be aware that it might get busy. You can get burgers and steaks here, and they have a special kids menu too.
Eating and drinking inside the Arena
Wembley Arena has a sit-down restaurant inside, and there's also a large TGI Friday's next door. For the sweet-toothed, Sugar Mill Desserts has a Mediterranean- style savoury menu, and, of course, desserts.
Staying there
There are several hotels near Wembley Arena. We've also found you two hotels 20 mins each way from Wembley if you want to stay a little closer to the centre of things, or further out of town.
Hotels nearby
This Hilton hotel is within a few minutes walk of Wembley Arena, and is a stylish choice.
This well connected hotel has spacious rooms and is close to Wembley Arena and the tube, if you fancy heading into the centre of London.
You can see the iconic Wembley Arch from here. This affordable 3* hotel is popular with gig-goers, and is handily placed for both the arena and stadium.
A central option
Baker Street has direct links to the Jubilee, Bakerloo and Metropolitan tube lines into Wembley, and is only 20 minutes away. This 4* hotel plays homage to London's most famous detective and, you're also ideally placed to visit Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.
Watford to Wembley
Holiday Inn Express London-Watford Junction
This hotel is right next door to Watford Junction station, which in turn is just 20 mins train journey away from Wembley. It's a good option if you're travelling by car and don't fancy facing the London traffic. This is also a great place to stay if you are also thinking of doing the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London . Here you will find the Making of Harry Potter interactive experience, where you can ride a broomstick, drink a Butterbeer and see all the sets from the film franchise.
Tell us about your Wembley Arena experience
We would love to hear what you think about the Wembley area, so let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. We've also put together some more guides to London gig venues below:
- The O2, Greenwich
- Roundhouse, Camden
- Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington
- Wembley Stadium
Connect with us
Mobile app
Support and useful information
