Storyhouse Chester: theatre, cinema, library and food

What it's like

Storyhouse is Chester's theatre, cinema, library, food and events building on Hunter Street, set in the former Odeon with a modern theatre extension and a very public, lived-in feel.

Storyhouse works because it is not only a night-out building. At 10am it can be library, coffee, prams and laptops; by evening it can be theatre queues, cinema tickets, drinks and people cutting through from Northgate.

That mix is the point. It is one of the few Chester places where you can bring a child, meet a friend, hide from rain, work for an hour, see a film, or book a proper theatre night without changing postcode.

Worth knowing

Storyhouse is not just a theatre and not just a library, which is why it is useful. It can also be noisy, full and messy in the way real public buildings are. Use the programme for tickets; use the building when Chester needs a roof.

Plan your visit

Address: Hunter Street, Chester CH1 2AR.
Opening: Storyhouse lists the building as open 8am-11pm Monday to Saturday, and 9.30am-11pm on Sundays and bank holidays, excluding Christmas.
Food: The Kitchen is listed as serving food from 8am to 8pm daily. Treat show nights as busier than ordinary daytime visits.
Booking: Theatre and cinema are best booked online. Phone booking is available, but Storyhouse lists a transaction charge for phone bookings and exchanges.
Library: The library is part of the same public building, so it is useful for study, browsing, families and a city-centre pause rather than a separate formal institution.
Cinema: The cinema programme mixes mainstream releases, independent films, documentaries, family films and older or cult screenings.
Theatre: Expect a mix of touring work, Storyhouse productions, comedy, live music, dance, opera and family shows depending on the season.
Open air: Storyhouse also runs outdoor summer activity, including Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre and Moonlight Flicks when in season.
Parking: Nearest practical car parks are city-centre options such as New Market Parking and Delamere Street. Do not expect a front-door car park.
Access: Use Storyhouse's own access information for wheelchair spaces, companion tickets, relaxed performances, captions, audio description and seating needs.

How to use it

For a casual visit, use Storyhouse as a city-centre base: toilets, food, library, coffee and shelter before deciding what Chester needs from you next.
For theatre or cinema, book first and then choose food around the show time, not the other way round.
For families, check the programme rather than assuming there is always a child-friendly event at the exact moment you need one.
For work or study, daytime is usually more sensible than pre-show evening time.
If access matters, choose seats through the official access information before booking.

What's on and practical notes

Storyhouse is programme-led, so the right answer changes by date: theatre, cinema, talks, family work, festivals and outdoor shows all sit under the same umbrella. Check the official what's on before building the day around it.