About Us

The Tobacco Factory Theatre occupies the first floor of a busy, mixed-use cultural building: the old Wills’ Tobacco Factory, a striking red-brick building at the intersection of two important Bristol thoroughfares in the vibrant south Bristol community of Southville.

The Theatre comprises an auditorium, adjacent bar/foyer area and a dance studio. The Box Office is on the ground floor. The auditorium retains many of the building’s original features, including the structural pillars, relatively low ceiling and the hard wood and tiles flooring. It’s a very intimate space, which has been praised for its raw and visceral quality. The theatre can seat up to 350 people, although usually it’s about 250, and seating can be arranged in the round, end-on, traverse or thrust. The relaxed and accessible foyer space functions before and after shows as a bar, but it can also used as an exhibition space or in conjunction with the auditorium as a wedding or conference venue. Just down the corridor there is a large and airy dance studio, which is in regular use as a venue for classes, rehearsals and workshops.

In August 2009 we opened the Brewery Theatre, just 150metres down the road from the Tobacco Factory. Once an old tyre garage and backing on to the Bristol Beer Factory, the Brewery comprises a beautiful and intimate 90-seat auditorium with fixed raked seating, a lovely large and light studio space and a front of house area, which doubles up as a visitors’ centre for the Beer Factory and Mark’s Bread. 

The Tobacco Factory’s spaces are available for hire throughout the year and we can accommodate almost any event, including meetings, conferences, exhibitions, parties, workshops and wedding receptions. For further information about the spaces, please click on the tabs above.

AUDITORIUM

A large, flexible stage area with tiered seating that can be arranged in a variety of configurations, this space works very well for music events, launches, talks, conferences and private parties.
Maximum capacity: 350

THEATRE FOYER/BAR

This space is idea for hire as a gallery, meeting room or for private parties, as it comes complete with a private bar and catering facilities.
Maximum capacity: 200

STUDIO

The TF’s dance studio is a light and airy space with a large mirror wall, fans and heating. It is used regularly for dance and yoga classes and also rehearsals.
Maximum capacity: 50

Weddings and Conferences

The TF’s suite of spaces offers the perfect alternative solution for your wedding or conference needs. We can provide catering, staff and technical support, so whatever your requirements go get in touch and we’ll be happy to design the package to suit you.

AUDITORIUM

Our brand new Brewery Theatre space is a beautiful and intimate 90-seat venue with a quirky and relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect alternative venue for conferences and presentations, coming with access to the theatre’s sound and lighting kit.
Maximum capacity: 90

STUDIO

The Brewery Studio is a large, bright space, equipped with a state-of-the-art sprung floor and large mirror wall. A lovely space for workshops, classes and rehearsals.
Maximum capacity: 50

The Tobacco Factory Box Office acts as a ticket agency for many Bristol-based and touring companies. We provide regular sales reports, ticket stock, online booking through the Tobacco Factory Theatre website and a mobile box office for door sales if needed.

Drop us a line if you’d like to find out more about how we can help you sell your tickets.