Build Your Shortlist
Save this venue and compare it with your other favourites.
Enquire Directly
Send your enquiry straight to the venue's events team.
Need Expert Help
Let our venue experts find the right options for you.
CONTACT THE VENUE
Enquire Directly
Send your event details directly to the venue's events team to discuss availability, pricing and your requirements.
Your enquiry had been submitted
Your enquiry had been submitted
Venue Type
Unique Venue
City
Leicester
Region
Midlands
Standing
2000
theatre
1000
dinner
900
bedrooms
0
About
Athena
Athena is a striking Art Deco event venue located in Leicester's Cultural Quarter, housed within a beautifully restored former cinema originally designed in 1936. Combining dramatic architectural character with modern event technology, the venue offers a distinctive setting for conferences, awards ceremonies, gala dinners, exhibitions, concerts, weddings and corporate celebrations.
The venue's impressive Cinema Suite features a large stage, extensive audiovisual facilities and flexible seating arrangements, complemented by a tiered Gallery, two versatile lounges and an elegant entrance foyer. With a whole-venue capacity of up to 2,000 guests, in-house catering and experienced event coordination, Athena is particularly well suited to large-scale events requiring a memorable setting and professional production support.
Event Spaces
Loading...
Facilities and Services
Athena provides comprehensive event facilities, combining extensive in-house audiovisual technology with professional technical support, flexible staging and dedicated event coordination. The Cinema Suite features a large projection screen, professional sound system and theatrical lighting, while the venue offers additional screens, presentation facilities and a dedicated 100Mb fibre internet connection.
The venue operates multiple bars across its event spaces and provides in-house catering, with options ranging from conference lunches and buffets to formal banqueting menus. External catering is also permitted for certain events, including weddings and exhibitions, subject to the venue's arrangements.
Additional facilities include four ensuite dressing rooms, cloakroom facilities, onsite parking and flexible breakout areas. Athena offers exclusive venue hire, making it particularly suitable for events requiring multiple rooms, substantial production facilities or complete control over the guest experience.
Ideal For
- Large Corporate Conferences
- Awards Ceremonies
- Gala Dinners
- Corporate Celebrations
- Christmas Parties
- Product Launches
- Trade Exhibitions
- Consumer Exhibitions
- Festivals
- Live Music Events
- Concerts
- Comedy Performances
- Fashion Shows
- Brand Activations
- Charity Balls
- Fundraising Events
- Wedding Receptions
- Asian Weddings
- Corporate Hospitality
- Networking Events
- Company Celebrations
- Graduation Events
- Private Dining
- Live Entertainment
Key Features
- Historic Art Deco Venue – Distinctive former cinema dating from 1936 in Leicester's Cultural Quarter.
- 2,000-Guest Maximum Capacity – Large-scale whole-venue configurations for concerts and entertainment.
- 1,000-Seat Cinema Suite – Impressive main auditorium with flexible seating and extensive staging.
- Four Event Spaces – Cinema Suite, Gallery, Deco Lounge and City View Lounge.
- Integrated Production Facilities – Professional sound, lighting, projection and technical support.
- 10m × 5m Cinema Screen – Large-format projection for presentations, conferences and entertainment.
- In-House Catering – Menus available for conferences, banquets and corporate celebrations.
- Exclusive Venue Hire – Flexible use of the building for private and large-scale events.
- 120 Parking Spaces – Onsite parking with additional public parking nearby.
- Central Leicester Location – Convenient access to Leicester Railway Station and city-centre accommodation.
Historic Art Deco Venue – Distinctive former cinema dating from 1936 in Leicester's Cultural Quarter.
2,000-Guest Maximum Capacity – Large-scale whole-venue configurations for concerts and entertainment.
1,000-Seat Cinema Suite – Impressive main auditorium with flexible seating and extensive staging.
Four Event Spaces – Cinema Suite, Gallery, Deco Lounge and City View Lounge.
Integrated Production Facilities – Professional sound, lighting, projection and technical support.
10m × 5m Cinema Screen – Large-format projection for presentations, conferences and entertainment.
In-House Catering – Menus available for conferences, banquets and corporate celebrations.
Exclusive Venue Hire – Flexible use of the building for private and large-scale events.
120 Parking Spaces – Onsite parking with additional public parking nearby.
Central Leicester Location – Convenient access to Leicester Railway Station and city-centre accommodation.
Why Hire
Athena offers a distinctive combination of historic Art Deco architecture and modern event production facilities, making it an appealing alternative to conventional conference centres and hotel ballrooms.
Its greatest strength is the flexibility of the Cinema Suite, which can accommodate major conferences, awards dinners, performances and corporate celebrations, supported by the Gallery and two additional lounges. The combination of extensive audiovisual infrastructure, in-house catering, experienced event coordination and central Leicester location makes Athena particularly suitable for large-scale events requiring a memorable setting and professional delivery.
Capabilities
Venue Features
Venue Tech
Venue Catering
Venue Gallery
Location
Location and Access
Athena is located on Queen Street in Leicester's Cultural Quarter, close to the Curve theatre, shopping districts and city-centre hotels. Its central location makes it particularly convenient for corporate delegates, conference attendees and guests travelling from across the Midlands.
Leicester Railway Station is within walking distance, providing connections to London St Pancras, Nottingham, Sheffield and other major destinations. Athena also advertises onsite parking for up to 120 cars, with additional parking available at the NCP on Rutland Street opposite the venue.
Leicester Railway Station | 0.3 miles
East Midlands Airport | 20 miles
VENUE INFO
Event spaces
4
meeting rooms
0
bedrooms
0
Similar Venues
Explore other venues with a similar style, selected to help you compare your options.
210
THEATRE
210
STANDING
200
DINNER
0
BEDROOMS
Birmingham
Fazeley Studios
600
THEATRE
600
STANDING
350
DINNER
0
BEDROOMS
Warwick
British Motor Museum
2500
THEATRE
4000
STANDING
1000
DINNER
0
BEDROOMS
Towcester