ODEON Covent Garden: From West End Theatre to Cinematic Landmark
Historic West End theatre turned iconic cinema, now poised for a vibrant new chapter in live arts and hospitality on Shaftesbury Avenue.
Located at 135 Shaftesbury Avenue in London, ODEON Covent Garden was a historic cinema and former West End theatre known for its striking Art Deco architecture and dramatic sculptural frieze. Originally opening as the Saville Theatre in 1931, it hosted iconic performances and concerts before converting into a cinema in 1970. The venue permanently closed in August 2024, with plans for redevelopment into a live arts and hospitality complex.
A brief summary to ODEON Covent Garden
- 135 Shaftesbury Ave, London, WC2H 8AH, GB
- +443330144501
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Mid ranged
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Admire the extensive 'Drama Through The Ages' frieze on the building’s exterior, a unique artistic feature reflecting theatrical history.
- Explore nearby West End theatres and landmarks to fully appreciate the cultural context of the location.
- Check for current events or performances at the new venue once redevelopment is completed to experience its revived arts scene.
- Visit during daylight to best view the architectural details and frieze, as lighting enhances the sculptural relief.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Information Boards
Getting There
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London Underground
Take the Central or Northern Line to Tottenham Court Road station, approximately a 5 to 8-minute walk to 135 Shaftesbury Avenue. The station is well-served and accessible, with frequent trains running every 2 to 5 minutes. A single journey costs around £2.50 with contactless payment.
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Bus
Several bus routes, including numbers 14, 19, and 24, stop near Shaftesbury Avenue. Travel times vary from 15 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. Buses accept contactless payment or Oyster cards, with fares around £1.65 per ride.
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Taxi or Rideshare
A taxi or rideshare from central London locations typically takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Estimated fares range from £8 to £15. Note that traffic congestion charges may apply during peak hours.
ODEON Covent Garden location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Clear Skies
Discover more about ODEON Covent Garden
A Storied Beginning as the Saville Theatre
The building now known as ODEON Covent Garden began life as the Saville Theatre, opening its doors in October 1931. Designed by Sir Thomas Bennett with Bertie Crewe, it was a luxurious West End theatre boasting a seating capacity of over 1,200 across three levels. Its interior featured opulent Art Deco styling, with a spacious stage and elegant lounges that hosted tea dances and concerts. The theatre quickly became a cultural hub, known for its comfort and grandeur.Musical Legacy and Cultural Shift
During the 1960s, the Saville Theatre gained fame as a music venue under the ownership of Brian Epstein, the Beatles’ manager. It welcomed legendary acts such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Who, and Elton John, cementing its place in London’s vibrant music scene. The theatre’s transformation into a cinema in 1970 marked a new chapter, adapting to changing entertainment trends while retaining its historic charm.Architectural Highlights and Artistic Details
The building’s exterior remains a testament to 1930s design, featuring a nearly 130-foot sculptured frieze by British sculptor Gilbert Bayes titled "Drama Through The Ages." This intricate artwork depicts theatrical history in vivid relief and is a notable landmark on Shaftesbury Avenue. Although some original features like the wrought iron arch window were replaced, the frieze and many Art Deco elements endure, offering visitors a glimpse into the era’s artistic sensibilities.ODEON Era and Cinematic Experience
In 2001, the cinema was acquired by the Odeon Cinemas group and rebranded as ODEON Covent Garden. It operated as a four-screen cinema in London’s West End, providing both mainstream films and special events. The venue also served as an events space with multiple meeting rooms, capable of hosting conferences and private screenings, blending entertainment with corporate functions. Despite its central location and cultural significance, the cinema permanently closed in August 2024 due to redevelopment plans.Future Vision: A New Arts and Hospitality Destination
The site was purchased by Yoo Capital in 2021, with approved plans to redevelop it into a multi-use live arts venue, hotel, and restaurant complex. This redevelopment aims to preserve the building’s cultural heritage while introducing modern facilities, including a 622-seat theatre in the basement. The new venue, operated by the collective behind Secret Cinema, promises to revive the site’s legacy as a vibrant hub for music, film, and performance arts.Legacy and Location Significance
Though no longer operating as a cinema, ODEON Covent Garden remains a significant landmark in London’s entertainment history. Its location on Shaftesbury Avenue places it among the city’s renowned theatres and cultural institutions. The building’s blend of theatrical heritage, music history, and cinematic evolution encapsulates a century of London’s artistic life, making it a notable point of interest for cultural enthusiasts and historians alike.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Historic Seven Dials
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Discover Seven Dials, a historic London quarter where seven streets meet at a unique sundial pillar, blending rich heritage with vibrant culture.
Plaque: Tin Pan Alley & La Giaconda cafe
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Discover the legendary Tin Pan Alley and La Giaconda Cafe at 9 Denmark Street, the historic heart of London’s music scene and creative spirit.
Denmark St
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Britain's legendary Tin Pan Alley where rock and roll history was written in every studio, café, and guitar shop.
Agatha Christie memorial
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A captivating bronze tribute to Agatha Christie, celebrating her literary genius and theatrical legacy in London's vibrant theatre district.
Hasdan
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Discover the vibrant heart of London at Hasdan, where shopping, culture, and history meet on Tottenham Court Road.
Goodwin’s Court
0.4 km
Experience the serene charm of Goodwin's Court, a historic landmark in London, perfect for leisurely strolls and captivating photography.
Cecil Court
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Step into a cobbled alley where books, history, and magic converge in the heart of London.
Harry Potter Statue
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Where the boy wizard takes flight in London's cinematic heart—a bronze tribute to magic and movie history.
Leicester Square
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London's glittering entertainment epicentre where cinema, theatre, and street culture converge in the heart of the West End.
St Paul’s Church Covent Garden
0.4 km
Historic neo-classical church in Covent Garden, famed as the Actors’ Church with deep theatrical roots and an iconic classical portico.
Mr Bean Statue
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Explore the whimsical Mr. Bean Statue in Leicester Square, a must-see landmark that captures the charm and humor of British culture in the heart of London.
Covent Garden, street shows
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Experience the vibrant energy of Covent Garden, where street performances, shopping, and history come together in the heart of London.
Chinatown Gate
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Experience the vibrant spirit of London's Chinatown at the iconic Chinatown Gate, a cultural gem filled with culinary delights and rich heritage.
Bow St
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Bow Street, a historic London street famed for pioneering policing, vibrant theatre, and rich cultural heritage in Covent Garden.
Royal Opera House
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Experience the breathtaking performances and rich history of the Royal Opera House, a premier destination for opera and ballet enthusiasts in London.
Unmissable attractions to see
The Phoenix Garden
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A vibrant community garden and wildlife haven offering a peaceful green escape in London’s bustling West End.
Phoenix Arts Club
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West End's best-kept secret: intimate cabaret, burlesque, and theatre in a deliberately seductive speakeasy.
Phoenix Theatre
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Experience timeless West End theatre in the elegant, Italian-inspired Phoenix Theatre on Charing Cross Road, home to iconic productions since 1930.
Seven Dials
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Explore Seven Dials, a historic and vibrant area in London filled with unique shops, charming cafes, and cultural experiences that embody the city's spirit.
Foyles
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Explore Foyles, London's legendary bookshop, where literature, coffee, and culture blend seamlessly in a vibrant atmosphere.
Forbidden Planet London Megastore
0.1 km
Europe’s largest sci-fi and fantasy megastore in London’s West End, a paradise for comic, manga, and pop culture fans.
St Giles in the Fields
0.1 km
Explore St Giles in the Fields, a stunning Anglican church in London, rich in history and architectural beauty, offering a peaceful retreat in the city.
Cambridge Theatre
0.1 km
Experience world-class West End theatre in an intimate Art Deco venue at the heart of London’s vibrant Seven Dials.
Neal's Yard
0.1 km
Discover Neal's Yard, a colorful, hidden courtyard in Covent Garden bursting with independent shops, artisan eateries, and vibrant charm.
Neal’s Yard (Courtyard)
0.1 km
A vibrant, colorful courtyard in Covent Garden where alternative culture, sustainability, and community spirit thrive in the heart of London.
Neal's Yard Dairy (Covent Garden Shop)
0.1 km
Discover the finest British and Irish cheeses matured to perfection in the heart of Covent Garden’s vibrant Neal’s Yard.
Shaftesbury Ave
0.1 km
Shaftesbury Avenue pulses with theatre lights, historic charm, and vibrant culture at the heart of London’s West End entertainment district.
The Spice Of Life
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Historic Soho pub and live music venue blending tradition, vibrant culture, and boutique lodging in the heart of London.
The Ambassadors Theatre
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Experience intimate West End theatre history and timeless performances at the charming Ambassadors Theatre in London’s vibrant Seven Dials.
Palace Theatre
0.1 km
A grand West End theatre since 1891, now home to the magical Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the heart of London’s theatreland.
Essential places to dine
La Bodega Negra Restaurant
0.1 km
Experience daring Mexican cuisine and vibrant nightlife in Soho’s provocative La Bodega Negra, where edgy ambiance meets inventive flavors.
Flesh & Buns Covent Garden
0.2 km
Lively Japanese izakaya in Covent Garden famed for its signature bao buns, vibrant atmosphere, and innovative pan-Asian small plates.
Hawksmoor Seven Dials
0.2 km
Savor expertly grilled British steaks and vibrant seafood in a historic Covent Garden brewery setting with atmospheric charm and refined cocktails.
Noble Rot Soho
0.2 km
A Soho gem blending historic charm with modern European cuisine and an exceptional, accessible wine list in a cozy, clubby setting.
Hoppers Soho
0.2 km
Experience vibrant Sri Lankan street food and signature hoppers in a lively, intimate Soho setting bursting with authentic flavors and culture.
Circus
0.2 km
Experience Covent Garden’s vibrant Asian fusion dinner theatre where culinary artistry meets captivating live performances.
Gauthier Soho
0.3 km
Innovative vegan French fine dining in a stylish Soho townhouse, blending tradition with plant-based creativity.
Sussex Bar & Restaurant
0.3 km
A vibrant Soho bistro blending Sussex countryside flavors with London’s energy, featuring seasonal British dishes and curated wines.
New Loon Fung Restaurant
0.3 km
Experience authentic Cantonese dim sum and classic Chinese dishes in one of Chinatown’s largest, long-standing restaurants on bustling Gerrard Street.
Meet Fresh
0.3 km
Authentic Taiwanese desserts in lively Soho, offering generous portions of mochi, taro balls, and refreshing fruit teas in a bustling urban setting.
Quo Vadis
0.3 km
An iconic Soho dining destination blending refined modern British cuisine with elegant historical charm and a lively, convivial atmosphere.
Inamo Covent Garden
0.4 km
A futuristic Pan-Asian restaurant in Covent Garden where interactive tables meet bold Asian flavours in a sleek, tech-forward space.
Hoa Sen Vietnamese Street Food Restaurant
0.4 km
Authentic Vietnamese street food in the heart of Covent Garden, blending vibrant flavors with a lively, cozy atmosphere.
J Sheekey
0.4 km
Classic British seafood excellence in Covent Garden’s elegant, theatre-adjacent dining gem.
Clos Maggiore
0.4 km
Experience London’s most romantic French restaurant with enchanting blossom-filled conservatory and an award-winning wine cellar in Covent Garden.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Goldsmith Vintage
0.2 km
Iconic Soho vintage shop since 1990: two floors of handpicked retro dresses, blazers, bags & accessories from decades past, with sales from £10.95.
Good
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Discover sustainable style with curated preloved vintage and designer fashion at Good London’s Seven Dials shop.
Pop Boutique
0.2 km
Discover authentic vintage fashion treasures from the 50s to 90s in a colorful, retro boutique at London’s vibrant Seven Dials.
Urban Outfitters
0.2 km
Dive into Urban Outfitters' warehouse wonderland in Seven Dials, where eclectic fashion, cult beauty, and quirky homewares fuel London's youth culture vibe.
Blackout II - Vintage Clothing London
0.2 km
Discover timeless vintage fashion treasures from the 1920s to the 1980s in Covent Garden’s iconic Blackout II boutique.
Brandy Melville - Covent Garden
0.3 km
Trendy Italian-LA fusion on Neal Street: one-size-fits-most chic for the effortless Covent Garden style seeker.
Rokit Covent Garden
0.3 km
Dive into retro treasures at Rokit Covent Garden, where sustainable vintage fashion meets London's vibrant street style heritage on Shelton Street.
MUJI Covent Garden Store
0.3 km
Discover Japanese minimalism in Covent Garden: timeless clothing, sustainable homewares, and functional stationery for clutter-free, mindful living.
La Boutik
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Soho's chic haven for European designer imports on buzzing Dean Street—unique fashion finds in London's creative epicenter.
Primark
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Discover unbeatable fashion and homeware bargains across multiple floors at Primark Oxford Street, London’s premier budget shopping destination.
Oxford Street Gift Shop
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A lively and colorful gift shop on Oxford Street offering quintessential London souvenirs with a vibrant atmosphere and a hint of retail adventure.
Unique Britain
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Discover authentic British souvenirs and artistic keepsakes in the heart of London’s lively West End on historic Cranbourn Street.
Radha's Boutique
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A small, curated Soho boutique offering tactile womenswear and accessories with friendly, personalised service in the heart of central London.
Floral Street
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Contemporary floral fragrances crafted with purpose, sustainability, and joy in the heart of London.
Alice Through The Looking Glass
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Step into a whimsical world of antiques, art, and literary treasures inspired by Alice in Wonderland in the heart of London’s Cecil Court.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Bar Termini
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An intimate Soho gem blending Italian cocktail artistry with a cozy, elegant atmosphere in London’s vibrant West End.
The Escapologist Bar
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Step into a Victorian-inspired underground bar in Covent Garden where theatrical cocktails and lively entertainment create unforgettable nights.
Swift Soho
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Soho's split-level cocktail gem: aperitivo elegance upstairs, whisky-laced intimacy below, with live jazz and legendary mixes drawing night owls to Old Compton Street.
The Little Scarlet Door
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Step through the scarlet door to a playful Soho loft bar alive with inventive cocktails, secret rooms, and a lively house party vibe.
Prelude by Oriole
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A refined Covent Garden cocktail bar blending innovative drinks, Latin American fusion cuisine, and live music in a stylish Asian-inspired setting.
Thirst Bar Soho
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Compact Soho cocktail bar by day, pulsing DJ‑led club by night—cheap cocktails, leather booths and a lively basement scene.
Simmons Bar | Soho
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Soho's kitsch cocktail den with epic happy hours, retro karaoke vibes, and two floors of nostalgic nightlife fun.
The Black Book
0.2 km
Soho's clandestine basement wine bar, pouring rare vintages by the glass alongside Mediterranean bites in a former members' club hideout—perfect for late-night indulgence.
Covent Garden Social Club
0.3 km
Dive into Covent Garden's dual-world party den: prohibition cocktails below, live piano magic above—West End's ultimate nightlife hideaway for cocktails, cabaret, and endless sing-alongs. (162 characters)
Henson's Bar and Social
0.3 km
Soho's oak-panelled cocktail sanctuary: precise classics, inventive signatures, and fireside intimacy amid Frith Street's electric vibe.
Ku Bar
0.3 km
Soho's legendary gay bar icon: three levels of inclusive vibes, cocktails, and basement beats in Chinatown's electric heart.
The Alchemist St Martin's Lane
0.3 km
Experience theatrical cocktails and vibrant dining in the heart of Covent Garden’s iconic theatre district.
The Coral Room
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Experience 1920s-inspired glamour and expertly crafted cocktails in the vibrant coral-hued heart of Bloomsbury Hotel.
Opium Cocktail Bar - Soho
0.4 km
Discover a hidden Soho speakeasy blending 1920s Shanghai charm with inventive cocktails and exquisite dim sum in London’s Chinatown.
The Nellie Dean
0.4 km
A classic Soho pub blending traditional charm with lively local spirit and renowned for hearty pies and well-kept ales.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
The Ivy Club
0.1 km
Art-Deco‑tinged members’ club above The Ivy — piano bars, discreet private dining and polished West End glamour.
The Roxy
0.2 km
Soho's unbeatable happy hour cocktail bar by day, pulsing nightclub with live music and DJ nights till 3am—affordable vibes in London's nightlife heart.
La Capannina Club
0.2 km
Discover Soho's discreet gentlemen's club: seductive stage shows, cosy vibes, and late-night allure in London's nightlife heart.
Whatdafunk Presents West End Urban Disco
0.3 km
Dive into London's grooviest urban disco beats at Whatdafunk, where Covent Garden's streets pulse with funk, soul, and non-stop dance energy in the heart of the West End.
Zoo Bar & Club
0.4 km
Dive into Leicester Square's edgy nightlife hub: two floors of R&B beats, sports screens, and wild energy until 3am at Zoo Bar & Club.
Bunga Bunga Covent Garden
0.4 km
A neon-soaked, pizza-and-karaoke supper club under Drury Lane — 90s nostalgia, stage shows and shareable Italian feasts.
The Penthouse London
0.4 km
A compact, rooftop nightclub above Leicester Square — reached by a side lift, built for late‑night private parties and skyline glimpses.
Sophisticats Soho
0.4 km
An intimate, late‑night Soho gentlemen’s club on Brewer Street offering staged performances, VIP seating and an upmarket, discreet atmosphere.
Versity Camp Nightclub
0.4 km
Dive into Soho's beating heart at Versity Camp Nightclub, where thumping bass, inventive cocktails, and an electric crowd fuel unforgettable nights until dawn.
The Box Soho
0.4 km
A clandestine Soho cabaret where decadent staging, provocative shows and high‑end cocktails collide in an intense late‑night theatre.
St Moritz Club
0.5 km
Soho's retro basement nightclub: 1960s vibes meet modern beats in an intimate, wood-paneled haven beneath a Swiss chalet restaurant.
The Windmill Soho | Restaurant, Cabaret & Nightclub in Soho, London
0.5 km
Soho's legendary cabaret den revived: burlesque bites, theatrical feasts, and all-night beats in a historic hotspot of hedonism.
Luxe Club
0.6 km
Experience London's vibrant nightlife at Luxe Club, a central hotspot for music, dancing, and late-night entertainment.
Carwash Nightclub
0.6 km
Experience Europe’s longest-running disco club in London’s West End, where retro beats, vibrant crowds, and themed parties create unforgettable nights.
101 Nightclub London
0.6 km
Soho's raw Saturday night pulse: intimate beats, crowded floors, and unfiltered London club energy on Wardour Street.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Historic
- Unique
- Cultural Heritage
- Scenic
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Art Deco Styles
- Vintage Styles
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Festival / Event Nearby
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Pet Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
