KOKO
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
London
What it’s like
A Grade II-listed Camden venue for gigs and club nights, not a family day out, with age limits that shift by event.
This one's for the household with an older teenager who wants to see a proper band in a proper old building, not a toddler outing. KOKO started life as the Camden Theatre in 1901 and has been a broadcasting studio, a nightclub and a music hall before landing where it is now, so there's a lot of history in those walls even if nobody's pointing it out on the night. The room holds up to 1,410 standing across the floor and balconies, or a couple of hundred if it's set up for seated shows.
The bit to sort out before you leave the house is the age restriction, because it moves around depending on what's on. Some nights are 14 and over with an adult required for 14 and 15 year olds, others are strictly over 19s, and everyone needs valid physical ID with a hologram on it. Tickets go through the usual online sellers and there are always a few kept back for the door on a first come basis, though for a gig with any buzz that's a gamble.
Food and drink from outside stays outside, full stop, so don't let them bring snacks in. There's a sister café about 100 metres away doing Italian small plates and New York style pizzas, and pizza by the counter during events if hunger strikes mid-show. Bag policy is strict too, nothing bigger than an A4 sheet gets past the door, and there's a £2 restoration levy added on top of your ticket that goes towards keeping the listed building standing.
Getting there is easy enough, Mornington Crescent tube sits right opposite. If anyone in your group uses a wheelchair, KOKO has a designated access area, a free companion ticket and queue jump, and it's worth emailing ahead so it's sorted before you arrive.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Older teens, 14 plus depending on the event and its rules
- Last entry
- No set last entry for live concerts
- Parking
- Lomax car park on Pratt Street (paid)
- Food
- Cafe KOKO sister restaurant 100m away serves Italian small plates, New York-style pizzas and cocktails (open Fri-Sat 5pm-midnight)
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair accessible with designated access area
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs welcome. Can be left with foyer staff during performance
- Getting there by bus or train
- Mornington Crescent tube (Northern Line) directly opposite
- A £2 restoration levy is added to tickets, on top of the ticket price
- Cloakroom charges £3 to £4 per item and isn't responsible for lost belongings
- Earplugs are handed out free but only while stocks last
- Assistance dogs can be left with foyer staff during the show if you email ahead
- The building's been a theatre, a BBC studio and a nightclub since 1901, worth knowing if anyone asks
Plan your visit
Is there an age limit?
It changes by event. Some shows are 14 and over with an adult needed for 14 and 15 year olds, others are strictly over 19s only, and valid ID with a hologram is checked at the door.
Do we need to book?
Booking isn't required but tickets sell through the main online sellers, and only a limited number are held back for the door on a first come basis.
Can we bring snacks or a drink in?
No, outside food and drink aren't allowed in. There's a café about 100 metres away, and pizza's sold at the counter during events.
What about bags?
Nothing bigger than an A4 sheet of paper gets in. Bring a small bag or you'll be turned away.
Is there parking?
Lomax car park on Pratt Street is the paid option nearby, with blue badge spaces available. Some yellow lines go free after 6:30pm.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There's a designated access area, a free companion ticket with an accessible booking and queue jump. Email access@koko.co.uk ahead of the show to arrange it.
How do we get there?
Mornington Crescent on the Northern Line is directly opposite. Camden Town is about a ten minute walk, Euston and King's Cross around 15.
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