Hammersmith: big gigs, the Lyric and the river
Hammersmith’s one of west London’s busiest hubs, with the District, Piccadilly, Hammersmith & City and Circle lines all stopping here. Walk ten minutes south of the Broadway, though, and you’re on one of the prettiest stretches of the Thames, lined with old pubs, rowing clubs and handsome Georgian houses.
For a night out, the Eventim Apollo on Queen Caroline Street is the big draw. It’s one of London’s best-loved venues for comedy and gigs, and this month there’s Josh Pugh on Sunday 8 November, The Jacksons on Friday 13 November, The Fray on Monday 16 November, two nights of MUNA on 17 and 18 November and Levellers on Saturday 21 November.
The Lyric Hammersmith, on Lyric Square just off King Street, is one of the area’s real treasures. Its Christmas panto is a London favourite, and this year it’s Cinderella, written by Joel Horwood and directed by Robin Belfield, running from Saturday 14 November to Sunday 3 January, with tickets from £10. At the river end of Queen Caroline Street, Riverside Studios is a multi-arts venue with theatre, events and a bar and kitchen that’s open every day.
Hammersmith Bridge, built in 1887, is one of the world’s oldest suspension bridges. It’s closed to cars, but you can walk or cycle across it, and it’s a great spot to watch the Boat Race crews come through on their way from Putney. Head west along Lower Mall and Upper Mall and you’ll find The Dove, a riverside pub that’s been part of Hammersmith life for centuries. A few doors along, Kelmscott House was William Morris’s London home for the last 18 years of his life, and the William Morris Society runs a small museum there, open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, with entry at £5.
A short hop north, the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire and the Bush Theatre are in Shepherd’s Bush, Olympia’s on Hammersmith Road, and Fulham and Earl’s Court are just down the District line. We’ll keep adding what’s on nearby, so check back before you head out.
Key venues
- Eventim Apollo – comedy and gigs, 45 Queen Caroline Street, W6
- Lyric Hammersmith – theatre, Lyric Square, King Street, W6
- Riverside Studios – multi-arts venue, 101 Queen Caroline Street, W6
- The Dove – riverside pub, 19 Upper Mall, W6
- William Morris Society, Kelmscott House – museum, 26 Upper Mall, W6
- Hammersmith Bridge – open to people on foot and bikes, latest updates from the council
- O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire – nearby on Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12
- Bush Theatre – nearby in Shepherd’s Bush, W12
- Olympia – nearby, shows, fairs and gigs on Hammersmith Road, W14
Upcoming events nearby
- Josh Pugh: Ha Ha, Yeah Sound – Sun 8 Nov, Eventim Apollo, doors 6.30pm
- Hothouse Flowers – Greatest Hits Tour – Wed 11 Nov, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
- The Jacksons – Fri 13 Nov, Eventim Apollo
- Cinderella – Sat 14 Nov 2026 to Sun 3 Jan 2027, Lyric Hammersmith, from £10
- The Fray: Autumn Light Tour, with Alex Spencer – Mon 16 Nov, Eventim Apollo
- MUNA: Gets So Hot Tour, with Emmma – Tue 17 and Wed 18 Nov, Eventim Apollo
- Levellers – LTL35 – Sat 21 Nov, Eventim Apollo
Want the full picture? Browse the London events calendar or catch up on our What’s On guides for the best of each weekend.