hmv Empire
WHERE
Coventry
What it’s like
A Coventry gig venue that lets kids in on Friday and Saturday daytimes, before it turns into a proper club at night.
This one's a bit different to your usual family day out. hmv Empire is a live music and club venue in Coventry, and the site is upfront that children are allowed in on Fridays and Saturdays from midday until 7pm, as long as there's an adult 18 or over with them and no age-restricted event is on that day. Outside that window it switches into gig and club mode, so this is really a narrow slot rather than an anytime visit.
There's no soft play or activities to speak of here, it's a bar and live music space, so what you're getting is somewhere to sit with a drink and a snack rather than anything built for kids to do. Food can be brought into the main bar and balcony bar, though liquids can't unless it's for a medical need, which is worth knowing if you're the sort who travels with a flask of squash. There's baby changing on site and the building is wheelchair accessible, which helps if you've got a pushchair in tow.
Once 7pm hits, that's it for the family window. Live music events have doors from 7pm and wrap by 11pm, and club nights run from 11pm into the small hours, both firmly adult territory. If you're planning round the Friday or Saturday slot, get there with time to spare since bar service starts from 6pm or earlier on show days, and the venue itself warns that timings can shift on the day.
Getting there is straightforward if you're coming by train, it's a five minute walk from Coventry station. If you're driving, the Barracks Car Park next door has closed, so it's Salt Lane Car Park you'll want instead, which is a small extra walk to factor in.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Nearest car park is Salt Lane Car Park
- Getting there by bus or train
- 5-minute walk from Coventry train station or 3-minute Uber ride
- The child-friendly window is strictly midday to 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays only
- No readmission if you step out, so don't plan a mid-visit dash to the car
- Liquids aren't allowed in unless it's for a medical condition, so leave the water bottles behind
- Free earplugs are available at the bars if the sound levels feel a lot
Plan your visit
Can we bring children here?
Yes, on Fridays and Saturdays from midday to 7pm, as long as there's an adult 18 or over with them and there isn't an age-restricted event on that day.
What are the opening hours?
Friday and Saturday from midday for the bars. Live music doors open at 7pm and finish by 11pm, and club nights run from 11pm to 3 or 4am, both of which are adult only.
Can we bring our own food and drink?
Food is fine in the main bar and balcony bar, but liquids aren't allowed in unless it's for a medical condition.
Is there parking nearby?
The Barracks Car Park next to the venue has closed, so Salt Lane Car Park is the nearest option now. It's also a five minute walk from Coventry train station.
Is there a cloakroom?
£3 for coats or bags and £2 for umbrellas or shoes. Hang onto your tag, because losing it means waiting until the event ends to get your things back.
Is the venue accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair?
There's wheelchair access and an accessible toilet, plus baby-changing facilities on site.
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