Background

Det Ny Teater

Historic 1908 Belle Époque playhouse on Gammel Kongevej, famed for lavish musical productions, ornate interiors and a lively passageway linking Vesterbro and Frederiksberg.

4.6

Det Ny Teater on Gammel Kongevej is one of Copenhagen’s grand historic playhouses, a 1908 theatre that bridges Vesterbro and Frederiksberg with an elegant internal passage and more than a thousand plush red seats. Behind its French-inspired façade, this privately run music theatre stages large-scale international musicals and lavish productions under glittering chandeliers, with richly decorated foyers, ornate balconies and an intimate smaller stage for more experimental performances. It is as much about the atmospheric building as the show on the night.

A brief summary to Det Ny Teater

  • Gl. Kongevej 29, Copenhagen, Vesterbro/Kongens Enghave, 1610, DK
  • +4533256005
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5

Local tips

  • Arrive at least 30 minutes before curtain to explore the foyers, admire the ceilings and find your way through the multi-level layout without rushing.
  • For more legroom, look for aisle seats or seats towards the back of the stalls or first balcony, as older theatre chairs can feel compact.
  • Order interval drinks in advance at the bar so they are waiting for you, and use the break to stroll the passage between Gammel Kongevej and Vesterbrogade.
  • Check the programme: the main stage hosts large-scale musicals, while the smaller downstairs space offers more intimate and sometimes darker productions.
  • Dress comfortably but smart-casual; air-conditioning and heating keep the historic auditorium temperate, but layers help if you are seated for a long show.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Metro

    Take the M3 Cityringen metro to Frederiksberg Allé Station; from central Copenhagen the ride takes about 5–10 minutes with trains every few minutes. From the station it is an easy 10–15 minute walk along level pavements suitable for most visitors. A single metro ticket within the city zones typically costs around 20–30 DKK, and metros run from early morning until late at night, making this the most flexible option after evening performances.

  • Bus

    Several city bus lines run along Vesterbrogade and Gammel Kongevej, stopping within a 5–10 minute walk of the theatre. From the central station area, buses usually take 10–20 minutes depending on traffic and evening congestion. Standard city bus tickets cost roughly 20–30 DKK and can be purchased via ticket machines or travel apps; services are frequent but may run less often late at night, so check the timetable after late performances.

  • Bicycle

    Copenhagen’s cycle lanes make it straightforward to reach the theatre by bike from most central districts in 10–20 minutes. The terrain is flat and well lit, and there are bike racks on and around Gammel Kongevej, though they can fill up around showtime. Using a city bike scheme or rental typically costs from about 15–30 DKK per short ride, and this option is best for visitors comfortable with cycling in normal city traffic.

  • Taxi / Rideshare

    A taxi from central Copenhagen to Gl. Kongevej 29 usually takes 10–15 minutes outside rush hour, though traffic can extend this to 20–25 minutes before evening shows. Fares generally range from 120–200 DKK depending on distance and traffic, with supplements at night and on weekends. Taxis can drop passengers close to the entrance, making this a convenient choice for those with limited mobility or dressed up for a special night at the theatre.

Det Ny Teater location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
  • Weather icon Rain / Wet Weather
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

Unlock the Best of Det Ny Teater

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Det Ny Teater

A grand Belle Époque stage in modern Copenhagen

Det Ny Teater opened in 1908 as one of Denmark’s largest theatres, purpose-built for spectacle at the edge of the old city centre. The building stretches between Gammel Kongevej and Vesterbrogade, creating a covered passage lined with shops and entrances that hints at Parisian and Viennese inspiration. Behind the façade, the main auditorium seats around a thousand spectators, with an additional smaller stage tucked below street level. The theatre’s architecture mixes French Baroque flourishes with solid Copenhagen brick. From Gammel Kongevej, you see heavy ornamentation, sculptures and a crest crowning the roofline; from the Vesterbro side the decoration shifts to figures of the muses, signalling that you are entering a house dedicated to the arts. A careful restoration in the early 1990s brought back the original opulence while updating lighting, stage mechanics and audience facilities.

From drama house to musical powerhouse

When it first opened, Det Ny Teater hosted large spoken dramas and lavish productions that challenged the dominance of the Royal Danish Theatre. Over the decades its repertoire shifted with new directors, moving between classical plays, contemporary pieces and more experimental work. Financial ups and downs, and changing cultural policies, eventually led to a closure period around 1990, when the building was worn and the future uncertain. A major renovation and a new artistic direction transformed the venue into a privately run music theatre that specialises in big international titles. Since reopening in 1994, the stage has hosted blockbuster musicals, often with ambitious staging, full orchestras and large ensembles. Productions such as The Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, Chess and Anastasia have underlined the building’s role as a home for grand-scale musical storytelling in Denmark.

Inside the richly decorated foyers and auditorium

Stepping inside, you are met by marble or marble-like finishes, sweeping staircases and chandeliers that cast warm light across painted ceilings. Deep red carpets, gilt details and framed theatre posters evoke more than a century of performances. The foyers feel compact but layered, with small bars and corners where theatre-goers gather during intervals to discuss the first act over a drink. The main auditorium is steep and intimate despite its size. Multiple balconies curve around the proscenium arch, creating an almost opera-house feel, and the seats are upholstered in traditional red fabric. Sightlines are generally good, but the seating reflects early 20th‑century proportions, so legroom can feel tight. When the orchestra strikes up and the curtain rises, though, attention shifts to the stage, where modern sound and light equipment contrast with the historic shell.

Stages within the theatre: from main house to hidden spaces

Below the main auditorium lies a smaller performance space often used for more intimate productions, special events and monologue-based pieces. Here audiences sit close to the actors, sometimes along a T-shaped stage, with minimal sets and imaginative lighting. The change in scale lets the theatre host both grand spectacles upstairs and quieter, experimental work downstairs, all under the same ornate roof. Behind the scenes, the building houses rehearsal rooms, wardrobe spaces and workshops spread across several levels. The original design included offices and apartments as part of a larger building complex, reflecting the ambition to create not only a theatre but an entire urban passage. This layered structure explains the maze-like staircases and corridors you glimpse when staff open side doors.

A living cultural anchor between Vesterbro and Frederiksberg

Det Ny Teater sits at a symbolic junction between lively Vesterbro and elegant Frederiksberg, acting as a cultural anchor on Gammel Kongevej. On show nights, the pavements outside fill with people in everything from casual clothes to evening wear, spilling out from nearby cafés and bars. The illuminated façade and marquee lights signal that something is about to happen, drawing both locals and visitors. Today the theatre combines heritage with contemporary entertainment: a privately driven stage producing musicals on an international level, housed in one of Europe’s more elaborate early 20th‑century theatre buildings. Whether you are there to see a classic musical, a new production or simply to soak up the atmosphere, the experience is shaped as much by the building’s history and ornamentation as by the performance itself.

Busiest months of the year

Busiest hours of the day

Popular Experiences near Det Ny Teater

Popular Hotels near Det Ny Teater

Select Currency