Colston Hall

Front of house

Where is Colston Hall?

Colston Hall is on Colston Street in Bristol city centre. Our address is: Colston Hall, Colston St, Bristol BS1 5AR

Which train station is closest to Colston Hall?

Bristol Temple Meads is the closest train station. The number 8 or 9 bus runs between Bristol Temple Meads and the city centre, or it takes approximately 20 minutes to walk.

Which bus can I get to Colston Hall?

It depends where you are coming from, but any bus passing through the city centre would be perfect for coming to Colston Hall.

Where can I park?

If you are driving to Colston Hall we recommend Trenchard Street car park which is very close to the hall. On sell-out show nights, or if there are other events in the city centre, the car park can get quite full so please allow plenty of time.

What about disabled parking?

The ground floor level of Trenchard Street car park has a designated disabled parking area.

What time does the car park close?

Trenchard Street car park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What is the capacity of Colston Hall?

Hall 1, the main auditorium, holds 1834 for a seated show, 1932 for a general admission (standing) show and 2069 for a classical concert. Hall 2 holds 182 for a seated show and up to 300 for a standing show.

What is Hall 2?

Hall 2 is what used to be the Colston Hall bar.

Are there any age restrictions?

Colston Hall does not impose an age restriction, but we would expect under 14s to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Sometimes certain shows will impose restrictions, most commonly for comedy shows, in which case it will be stated at the time of booking. If in doubt, please call the box office on 0117 922 3686.

Where is the nearest cash machine?

The closest cash machine is a Link machine in the convenience store on St Augustine’s Parade. A little further is the Alliance & Leicester on the corner of Baldwin Street.

Can I bring a camera/video camera to Colston Hall?

The general answer to this is no. Sometimes it is allowed at school events, so please contact us or ask your child’s school, however, we may not know the answer until the day of the show.

Can I get up and dance?

Many shows are designated general admission and the front seats are removed to create a standing area, in which case it is positively encouraged. At all-seated shows you will be required to sit in the interests of the majority of the audience.

Will I still be allowed in if I am late?

Latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance, unless the artist has requested something different, such as no admittance until the interval.

Will the artist take requests or sign autographs?

This is up to the artists, who will usually announce any meet and greets on their websites. This is something we have no control over and we're unable to give artists items to autograph. It is quite unusual for artists to do request songs - usually their set is worked out in advance.

What do I wear to a classical concert?

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in, there is no dress code.

Where can I store my coat and other such items?

There is a cloakroom next to the Box Office/Tickets and Information on ground floor level and it costs £1 per item.

Can wheelchair users access Colston Hall?

Colston Hall 1 is now fully accessible, stalls and balcony. Please mention at the time of booking. Wheelchair users can access Hall 2 if they are able to transfer from their wheelchair to the Stannah style chairlift and back. More information is available on the accessibility page.

What’s the difference between a doors time and a start time?

Doors times are often given when a promoter does not know the production details of a show in advance. It simply refers to when the doors will open. Typically a show will start either 30 minutes or an hour after the doors time. A start time is when the show will start, it could be a support artist or it could be the main artist, the only way to guarantee that you will see all of the show is to arrive at the time on your ticket.

Can I come in after the support, and who is the support?

We rely on information given to us by promoters about their productions. It is not uncommon for us not to know any information about support artists in advance. You can come in after the support at the interval, please check our phone system for details.

How can I find out the running times of shows?

We are a concert hall and timings are always approximate and subject to change. Performances do not last the same amount of time every night. Call Colston Hall on 0117 922 3686 and select option one. The system will guide you through. We try to have show times a week in advance but sometimes it’s not possible because we’ve not been able to get the information from the promoters. If your event is not listed then we do not have the running times yet. Please check back later.

Can I come in through the old front doors?

No. Please use the new foyer entrances on Trenchard Street or Colston Street.

Who do I call about lost property?

Call the box office. Sometimes it can take a while for lost property to be logged because we have such a large and complex building, so if you call us the morning after a concert we may not be able to give you a definitive answer. Items left for longer than three months are donated to charity.

Working at Colston Hall

How do I get a job at Colston Hall?

Any jobs that become available are advertised in the working for Colston Hall section of our website. We have a rolling programme for the employment of casual staff to work in our bars and as stewards.

Can I do my work experience at Colston Hall?

We seem to be very popular when it comes to work experience time. We get thousands of applications and are unfortunately unable to accommodate most of them. When we do take somebody for work experience we give them a proper taste of all aspects of the business and therefore we devote a significant amount of resources to the project.

Food and drink

Can I book a pre show meal?

The hbar cafe and restaurant is available to book on 0117 352 1151 or email info [at] thehbar [dot] co [dot] uk

Do you have bars and when are they open?

We do have bars. We have one at stalls level 1 and one at balcony level 3. Bars open 90 minutes before the start of a show.

Do the bars take orders for interval drinks and can I pay by card?

You can often order interval drinks prior to the interval and you can pay by card, but because of the time it takes to do a transaction and the fact that intervals are usually only 20 minutes, card transactions are suspended during the interval. Card transactions are only available on orders over £5.

What can I get at the bar?

We serve a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks along with coffee, tea, confectionery and ice creams.

Can I bring my own alcoholic drinks?

As we are licensed building for the selling and drinking of alcohol, customers cannot bring their own alcohol into the building.

Box office and ticketing

Do you sell gift vouchers?

Yes. Gift vouchers are available from the box office - either visit us in person or call 0117 922 3686. We do not charge postage or booking fees when ordered over the phone. Unfortunately gift vouchers can not be purchased online.

What is a general admission show?

General admission, which is seating plan B (when booking on the internet), is where we take the front seats out of the stalls (everything that is on the flat) to create a standing area. You buy a ticket for entrance to the stalls and you then have the choice to sit in the rear stalls or to stand at the front. If you buy a ticket in the balcony for a general admission show you will have to stay in the balcony, there is no transfer between stalls and balcony.

Can I get a refund on my tickets?

We cannot refund tickets. If you bought directly from us, not through an agency, and the show is sold out, then we will endeavour to re-sell your tickets for which we take a 10 per cent commission. We are not able to offer this service in the last 48 hours before a show. Please contact the box office as soon as possible; we will need the physical tickets returned before we can start the process. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to sell for you but we will try. If the show is not sold out then your best course of action is to try and offer them to family and friends.

What happens if a show is cancelled?

If a show cancels then your tickets and booking fees will be refunded. If you book on our website please note that your refund is for the face value of the tickets, booking fees are not refunded. If a show at another venue for which we have ticketed cancels then your booking fees are non-refundable, again face value is refunded.

Why can’t I get through on the phone?

If you’re calling during our opening hours, it could be because we’re very busy. If you are trying to book for a popular show on first day of sale there will inevitably be a queue. Please be patient, we are answering as quickly as possible and we will get to you.

Typically we tend to be busier in the morning and especially on a Monday. The first day after a bank holiday always tends to be busy too. Maybe try around 2-5pm, it can get quieter then.

What is my booking reference number?

We don’t use reference numbers, we use your name and postcode/address as a reference - these are easier to remember.

Can I reserve some tickets and pay for them later?

We can hold tickets for you to pay, we will keep them for two working days, then you must pay for them or your reservation will expire. We cannot reserve tickets in the last two days before a show or on first day of sale.

I have booked tickets for an event at another venue and need to collect the tickets. Where do I need to go?

If there is time, your tickets will be posted to you. If not then your tickets will be available for collection at the venue where the event is taking place and normally from 30 minutes before the start time.

I have not received my tickets. What do I do about it?

Firstly, don’t worry, it happens from time to time. Are you sure you’ve left enough time for the tickets to have arrived? If there is plenty of time until the show, give it a little while longer, in our experience the vast majority of tickets will arrive. If the show is soon then just give us a call, we’ll take the details and duplicate your tickets on the night.

It says on your site that my tickets will be sent as soon as possible and they haven’t arrived, where are they?

Our website says that tickets will be sent asap, which they all are. We don’t hold on to tickets, we process over a quarter of a million tickets per annum so we need to get them out as quickly as possible. Of course, we have no control over how long post takes to get to you but, in our experience, the vast majority of tickets arrive before the show, so don't worry.

I have mislaid my tickets, what do I do?

Please contact the box office and we will take your details and duplicate on the night.

Why will you not duplicate my tickets in advance?

Your ticket is simply a piece of paper that allows you access to the show. If a duplicate set of tickets get lost then there is nothing we can do about it, you will not be allowed in. It is much safer to simply collect your ticket on the way in, you know that you’ll get into the show and we know that you have your ticket.

I’ve booked with an agency and haven’t received my tickets, what do I do?

You need to contact the agency that you booked with. We don’t hold any of your details and will not be able to directly help you. Agencies often post out very close to the show date, so they may not have been posted yet. If you have lost your tickets or you are worried about them, contact the agency you booked through and, if necessary, they will contact us with your details.

I’ve been told by my agency to collect from the box office, when can I do this?

It’s best if you collect on your way into the show, that way we should have received the correct information from the agency. If, for instance, you arrive in the morning, we’ll probably have to advise you to come back later.

I’ve been told I’m on the guest list, can you check for me?

It’s unlikely that we can check for you. We tend to get guest lists about 30–45 minutes before the show starts by which time our phone lines will be closed. You should probably just trust the person that told you.

I bought my tickets from somebody on an auction site and they’ve not arrived, what do I do?

We’re sorry, but we’re unable to help you. We don’t suggest you buy tickets in this way.

What are you doing about secondary ticketing?

We are aware that sometimes you can’t get tickets for the shows that you want, and it can be very frustrating when they are listed at inflated prices on auction sites. Promoters often limit the amount of tickets available to one customer and we monitor for suspicious activity. However, customers can still do what they choose with their tickets and, if people are willing to pay the money, it is likely that they will continue to be listed. We do not recommend that you pay inflated prices and we are unable to confirm the validity of any tickets not in the name of the booking customer. If you are considering buying tickets in this way please be aware that, in the event of a cancellation, the only money we will be able to refund is to the original booking customer.

Why are the side balcony seats not available online?

All the side balcony seats are listed as possible restricted view. We never issue these to agencies and we do not sell them online as the possible restriction can be different for each show and will need explaining.

The show I want to see is sold out, how can I get tickets?

We recommend that you keep in touch with us. Sometimes we have tickets returned or some that become available for any number of reasons. You should call us in the last week before the show and especially on the day.

What if my question isn’t answered?

Give us a call on 0117 922 3686 and we will be happy help.

Get Creative!

What is Remix?

Remix is part funded by the Foundation for Youth Music and aims to provide music making opportunities to 0-25 year olds, in particular those who have had limited access to such resources in the past.

Our objectives are:

• To establish a legacy of music-making opportunities in areas of social and economic need
• To improve the overall standards of music-making across all music styles and genres
• To champion the value of music-making, proving that music has an invaluable part to play in advancing the educational and social development of young people
• To establish the value of music-making opportunities as a force for regeneration in communities, fostering social inclusion and community cohesion
• Operating as part of Colston Hall Education, Remix has worked since 2002 with partner organisations and musicians to provide a wide range of workshops and performances across the city. Regular programmes include Alternative Education, Music Mentoring, Early Intervention and Prevention, and Ensemble Projects. Remix also runs Songwriting weeks during school holidays, and weekly open-access sessions in the Unicorns Studios at the Colston Hall.

What is Colston Hall Education?

Colston Hall Education is made up of the following components:

MusicLeader South West: Youth Music’s workforce development arm. MusicLeader provides CPD advice and guidance to music teachers and professionals and aims to professionalise the non-formal Music Education sector. (www.musicleader.net). 
·

Remix: Remix seeks to establish a legacy of music-making opportunities in areas of social and economic need, to improve the overall standards of music-making across all music styles and genres, to champion the value of music-making, proving that music has an invaluable part to play in advancing the educational and social development of young people, and to establish the value of music-making opportunities as a force for regeneration in communities, fostering social inclusion and community cohesion

How do I book for an event or workshop?

Depending on the activity, you may have to sign up in advance. If there is no booking option on the website then you can just turn up on the day and introduce yourself to someone in a Remix T-Shirt. They will give you a membership form (membership to Remix is free until September 2012) which is also a registration and consent form that will have to be signed by a parent or guardian if you are under 16, and show you around the space. Sessions that require you to sign up in advance will either have a downloadable booking form, or instructions for you to follow. If in doubt, you can call us on 0117 922 3686, or email the box office.

Do I need to book in advance?

Only if we have asked you to do so on the website. Most regular sessions are open-access, which means you can turn up on the day and introduce yourself to someone in a Remix T-Shirt who will be able to answer any questions you might have about the session.

Do I need to know how to play an instrument?

Not at all! Although Remix tutors may not be able to give you personal instrument tuition during the sessions, they will be able to give you some basic pointers. Our activities cater for any level of musical knowledge; from total novice to complete expert. What makes music so powerful is that it doesn’t care how fast you can move your fingers, as long as you’re expressing yourself!

Do I need to know how to read music?

Not at all! Many of the most famous and respected musicians that have walked the planet couldn’t read music. Whilst understanding basic theory can be a real asset to you (helping minimise the ‘trial and error’ approach), it is by no means a vital ingredient of musical prowess.

My son/daughter isn’t quite 12. Can they start attending now, or do they have to wait until after their birthday?

Aside from our Early Years Programme, Remix runs activities for children aged 4-19. There are regular sessions for 7-11 year olds on Saturdays during term time, so there are activities for every age. Unfortunately we need to make sure that limits are adhered to as Council Health and Safety Policy changes depending on the age of participants.

Where is the Unicorns?

The Unicorns Studios is accessed through the large red coach doors that are next to the old Colston Hall entrance (i.e. to the right of the big pillars, as you look at them). Follow the signs and ring on the bell.

Who are the tutors? (Are they CRB checked? Are they highly skilled? Dp they have qualifications?)

All Remix tutors possess enhanced CRB checks and Public Liability Insurance and regularly receive Child Protection training from Bristol Safeguarding Children’s Board. They are chosen because of their musical knowledge and their experience working with young people. We expect our tutors to display high levels of Emotional Intelligence at all times, and welcome any feedback you might have in order to improve the service we offer.

What are the differences between Remix sessions and the ‘usual’ music lessons?

Remix is a Non-Formal Education organisation. Our work is underpinned by the desire to facilitate the personal and musical development of young people. This means that we treat each participant in our workshops as an individual, and recognise that each person who takes part in our workshops has different learning needs. In a Remix workshop, although we may have already decided on specific outcomes, it is the participant that dictates the pace and content of the session. Once we have identified the destination of your musical journey, we work with you to decide the best route for you.

What makes Remix different?

Remix isn’t the only Voluntary Sector, or Non-Formal Music Making Organisation, and we work closely with other Agencies who share our goals in order to provide the best possible service. Being based at the Colston Hall gives us a great opportunity to make use of the Halls facilities, whether that’s the fully equipped Unicorns Recording studio and Rehearsal Space in the Colston Hall Cellars, or the performance areas in the new foyer building. Being part of Youth Music has also enabled us to develop a highly skilled workforce of Music Mentors who are trained to work 1-2-1 or in groups with young people to get the best out of them using music as a tool for personal development. Taking part in a Remix session won’t only make you a better musician; it will leave you feeling more confident, happier, and motivated!

Why come to Remix?

To learn, improve, have fun, meet other young people, perform, form a band, become more confident, find out about more opportunities to progress your musicianship.

Where can I find more information about Remix activities?

If you can’t find what you’re looking for on the website, or in this list of FAQs, please contact Remix either by email or call 0117 3525042 and we’ll be happy to answer your query.

How do I get involved as a tutor for Remix?

In order to be eligible to work for Remix we must first observe you in action. The best way of doing this is by employing you as a volunteer on one of our projects. That way, you get to see what it is we do and ask any questions ‘on the job.’ In order to be eligible to volunteer we must have a copy of your current enhanced CRB form. If you do not possess this we can arrange to get one done, and you should arrange to meet the programme coordinator by emailing Siggy Patchitt.

We will send you a separate form to complete that will be added to a file. We will keep your details on our system and we will send you all subsequent volunteer tenders for Remix projects. Once you have volunteered for us you will be eligible to apply for a position as a Remix Tutor.

Can I do work experience with Remix?

Remix is currently only able to support only a few work experience places each year. If you wish to be considered please send a letter detailing what you feel you would benefit from working with us, and what you would like to get from the experience. We will reply by email to let you know if we are able to accommodate you (so make sure you include your email address!).

Do you take on volunteers?

Yes, we do. But in order to be eligible to volunteer we must have a copy of your current enhanced CRB form. If you do not possess this we can arrange to get one done, and you should arrange to meet the programme coordinator by emailing Siggy Patchitt. We will send you a separate form to complete that will be added to a file. We will keep your details on our system and we will send you all subsequent volunteer tenders for Remix projects. Once you have volunteered for us you will be eligible to apply for a position as a Remix Tutor.

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