Hackney Empire

Talk about an east London institution: Mare Street’s Hackney Empire has been entertaining the crowds of the East End since 1901, with interludes as a bingo hall and television studio (it was even once at risk of being flattened into a car park.) Its gilded stage has been graced by Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel, Houdini, Marie Lloyd, Julie Andrews, Louis Armstrong and countless more superstars from recent times. Stellar comedians and one-off special gigs are the big draws here, along with the legendary yearly panto, which books up far in advance. Also popular are the tours of its Grade II-listed auditorium, which take place during Open House London weekend in September.