Thekla
Overview
Thekla is a cargo ship which houses a music venue of the same name, moored in the Mud Dock area of Bristol's Floating Harbour, England. Originally brought to Bristol as the Old Profanity Showboat, it was a late 1982 brainchild of novelist Ki Longfellow-Stanshall, the wife of Vivian Stanshall. The showboat was based on the idea of creating, owning, and running a theatre on a sea-going ship and using it to showcase music of every sort (limited only by the size of the hold), including cabaret, comedy, plays, musicals, and poetry events. The ship also contained an art gallery. During the 1990s, under new management, it was run as a rent-a-nightclub. The ship has now been returned to its original working name of Thekla.
Contact details
The Grove East Mud Dock Bristol South West BS1 4RB United Kingdom
Access Card notes
Access Card Can be used to purchase compainion tickets, providing you have the +1 Symbol
Access guidance
- The nature of the venue means that standing is very common - seating may be provided upon request but good lines of sight to the stage cannot be guaranteed.
- Wheelchair Access at Thekla is significantly limited due to the size and shape of the venue, and it's previous life as a cargo ship. We do not recommend wheelchair users to go to the lower deck of the venue due to the number of stairs. We cannot assist in carrying any individuals or wheelchairs; please bring someone strong enough as your free pass if required (see below).
- There is accessible Council-operated parking in front of the venue on The Grove. The live venue area of Thekla is in the hull of the ship and lift access is not possible. There is nowhere in the venue that avoids stairs, the shortest distance is to the balcony which is made up of 9 steps.
- We do not have disabled toilet facilities, but will provide assistance - if needed - to use the existing toilets we have on the middle and top deck.
- Given the nature of the venue we would discourage customers from bringing assistance dogs with them during shows and busy periods. We do however offer an essential companion concession in these instances.
- Customers with accessibility difficulties who need a full time assistant in order to attend the event are eligible to purchase 2-for-1 tickets, in order to bring a personal assistant or carer to the event at no extra cost. To apply for a 2-for-1 ticket, please book a standard entry ticket and then email proof of eligibility through to customerenquiries@alt-tickets.co.uk.
- For customers with difficulty accessing visual information our phone line can provide you with additional information to meet your needs,
- For customers with difficulty accessing audible information pre visit feel free to use type talk to get in touch or any of the other communication methods via our website.