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Espresso Bar

National Theatre, Upper Ground, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX

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Access Guide

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Introduction - Espresso Bar

  • The Espresso Bar is located on the outside of the National Theatre Building.

Related London South Bank Venues (National Theatre)

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:45 - 19:30.
  • Tuesday 08:45 - 19:30.
  • Wednesday 08:45 - 19:30.
  • Thursday 08:45 - 19:30.
  • Friday 08:45 - 19:30.
  • Saturday 08:45 - 19:30.
  • Sunday 13:00 - 18:00.

Getting Here

Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include wheelchairs.
  • For more information about access at the National Theatre you can either call 020 7452 3284 or email [email protected].
  • Assistance dogs are welcomed into the auditorium.
    The theatre can provide a service where they can look after your assistance dog during the performance, returning them to the owner in the interval and at the end.
  • Water bowls are available for assistance dogs.

Parking (Underground)

  • Parking View
    • The venue does have its own parking facilities.
    • The car park is located off Upper Ground.
    • The car park type is underground.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The maximum height of the restriction barrier is 188cm (6ft 2in).
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is concrete.
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
    • All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
    • Car park charges for cars and motorcycles
      Parking spaces in the basement car park are £8.50 after 17:00.
      If attending a daytime ticketed event and you leave before 19:00 the charge is £8.50.
      A combined matinee and evening show rate is £15.00.
      Validation must be obtained from the Box Office for these two options.
      On Sundays/public holidays parking is £8.50 all day, with no validation required.
      An early bird offer is available Monday to Friday, when you arrive between 06:00 and 09.30am, and leave by 18.30 for £12.
      The Hourly tariff for cars and motorcycles not attending National Theatre performances are 2 hours £7, 4 hours £11, 8 hours £16, 12 hours £24 and 24 hours £28.
      Lost tickets will be charged at full daily rate.
      Payment - There are four payment machines, one in the car park near the entrance to the theatre that takes cash and cards, one in the car park towards the BFI exit, and two in the basement lobby that take cards. Touch cards can also be used at the exit barriers.
      Free parking is available in the NT Car Park for Blue Badge holders attending a performance or eating at the National.
      When attending a performance, or dining at an NT restaurant, Blue Badge holders can park anywhere in the car park and there are spaces near the lifts reserved for use by disabled people. There is a ramped entrance with semi-automatic doors to the basement foyer and lifts.
      For free parking, Blue Badge holders should take their badge, theatre ticket and car park ticket to any Box Office in the foyers for validation prior to leaving.
      For further Access information phone 020 7452 3000 or email [email protected].
  • Blue Badge Parking View
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 430cm x 500cm (14ft 1in x 16ft 5in).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
    • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is concrete and block paving.
    • There is a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.

Parking (Off Upper Ground)

  • Parking View
    • The venue does have its own parking facilities.
    • The car park is located off Upper Ground.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
  • Blue Badge Parking View
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 500cm x 500cm (16ft 5in x 16ft 5in).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
    • To book a space please call the Box Office on 020 7452 3000.

Other Floors (Underground Car Park and Olivier Theatre)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are Underground Car Park, G, 1, 2 and 3.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 12cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.

Lift (Underground Car Park and Olivier Theatre)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located next to the car park and on the ground floor ahead as you enter.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is poor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is fair.
  • The clear door width is 118cm (3ft 10in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 150cm x 126cm (4ft 11in x 4ft 2in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are moderate to good.
  • There is a/are similar lift(s) available.

Approach (The Queen's Walk to National Theatre)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is concrete.
    • There is step-free access on the approach.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has no handrails.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a/are step(s) on the approach.
    • There is/are 3 clearly marked step(s), with handrails on both sides.
    • The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 4 to 8 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 11cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Comments View
    • There is only one handrail and it is located to the right of the entrance, where there are 8 steps.
    • There is also a revolving door located at the front of the building.

Entrance (National Theatre Internal Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the ground floor lounge.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 3 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 14cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.

Eating and Drinking

  • The following information is for the café.
  • The café is located ahead as you enter.
  • Food and/or drinks can be ordered from the service counter.
  • Food and/or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food and/or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • The height of the service counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm) .
  • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system .
  • There is step-free access within the café.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Background music varies according to the function/event.
  • The type of flooring in this area is tiles.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests on both sides.
  • The nearest table is approximately 1m from the entrance/opening.
  • The nearest table is approximately 1m from the till/counter.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 66cm.
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 109cm.
  • Plastic/takeaway cups are available.
  • Plastic/takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • There are wall menus available.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • The lower tables are located outside of the Espresso Bar.
    • The area is covered by an overhanging room.
    • There is additional seating within the National Theatre on the Lyttleton Lounge Ground and First Floors.
    • There is step free access via the main entrance into the Theatre.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located on the ground floor of the National Theatre.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.
  • The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located on the ground floor of the National Theatre.

Related London South Bank Venues (The Queen's Walk - between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge)