A theatre with tiered bench seating, exposed brick archway, and stage lighting at The Free Association.
A rehearsal studio with arched wooden ceiling, large frosted windows, and tables with chairs at The Free Association.
A theatre with tiered bench seating, exposed brick archway, and wooden stage at The Free Association.
A theatre with tiered bench seating, exposed brick arch, and stage lighting at The Free Association.
A theatre with tiered bench seating, central wooden stage, and exposed brick arch at The Free Association.
A theatre with tiered bench seating, exposed brick archway, and overhead stage lighting at The Free Association.
A theatre with a wooden stage, exposed ceiling pipes, raked seating, and spotlights at The Free Association.
A theatre with tiered seating, exposed brick wall accents, and stage lighting at The Free Association.
A rehearsal studio with wooden tables, blue panelled walls, and a colorful painting at The Free Association.
A rehearsal studio with curved wood panel ceiling, large frosted windows, and chairs lined along one wall at The Free Association
A rehearsal studio with curved paneled walls, wood flooring, and chairs arranged in a semi-circle at The Free Association.
A theatre with tiered seating, exposed brick archway, and a central wooden stage under purple spotlights at The Free Association.
A theatre with tiered bench seating, exposed brick archway, and stage lighting at The Free Association.
A theatre with tiered seating, exposed brick arch, and stage lighting at The Free Association.
A theatre lounge with wooden tables, black chairs, a blue accent wall, and a colorful painting at The Free Association.
A theatre space with arched wooden ceiling, large frosted windows, and wooden tables with metal chairs at The Free Association.
A theatre with curved metal panel walls, wooden floors, and brown chairs arranged in a circle at The Free Association.
A theatre space with arched wooden ceiling, large frosted windows, and metal-framed tables at The Free Association.
A theatre room with arched wood-paneled ceiling, large frosted window, and a row of chairs at The Free Association.
A theatre lobby with tiled bar, industrial exposed ductwork, and large windows at The Free Association.
A theatre bar with exposed brick walls, hanging Edison bulbs, and a tiled counter at The Free Association.
A theatre with exposed brick walls, arched ceiling, and seating area with stools and armchairs at The Free Association.
A theatre lobby with a tiled reception desk, brick walls, glass entry, and potted plants at The Free Association.
A theatre reception area with a tiled front desk, glass doors, potted plant, and exposed brick wall at The Free Association.
A theatre with a floor plan layout featuring restrooms, stage area, and seating at The Free Association.
A theatre floor plan layout with an outlined stage and seating arrangement at The Free Association.
A rehearsal studio floor plan with designated restrooms, kitchenette, and open practice area at The Free Association.
A theatre floor plan layout with marked stage and seating areas at The Free Association.
A theatre floor plan with marked restrooms, stage area, entryways, and backstage spaces at The Free Association.

The Free Association

Theatre

#19 of 312 Event Space venues in Southwark Borough
#10 of 227 Theatre venues in Central London
  1 review  – 
Arch 26, Old Union Yard Arches, union street, London, SE1 0lr –
Southwark Station (0.2 mi)
From £35
hire fee
Up to 100
seats
Up to 220
standing
Venue offers catering
Parking available
Manager's avatar
Jonathan Collis-Scurll
Your Personal Event Manager from FA Improv Limited
Response rate: 95%
Response time: Within 3 hours
Message host
Partnered with Tagvenue for 1 year

This manager has been a trusted partner of Tagvenue, consistently recognised by customers for their reliability.

Message host

Spaces for hire at The Free Association

The Theatre at The Free Association

The Theatre
Theatre
·
Private space
100 seats
150 standing
Book 3 hr. minimum
The Theatre is a black-box theatre in The Free Association, defined by a central open performance floor surrounded by tiered seating that keeps audiences close to the action. Design: The Theatre uses dark-painted walls and a low, exposed ceiling rig to create a focused, compact performance space. A single exposed brick arch and minimal furnishings...
Wi-Fi available
Air conditioner
Projector
Flipchart
PA system / music speakers
Conference call facilities
Storage space
Play your own music
from £70 hire fee
Pricing updated by venue 3 weeks ago
Enquire now
The Workshop Space at The Free Association

The Workshop Space
Meeting Room
·
Private space
30 seats
50 standing
Book 1 hr. minimum
The upstairs room at The Free Association is our workshop space and has double glazed reed glass doors for privacy to the bar area. This place has floor to ceiling windows, 20 stools and tables if required. A perfect spot for workshops, rehearsals, or meetings.
Wi-Fi available
Natural light
Air conditioner
Flatscreen TV
Flipchart
PA system / music speakers
Play your own music
from £35 hire fee
Pricing updated by venue 3 weeks ago
Enquire now
Whole Building at The Free Association

Whole Building
Theatre
·
Whole venue
100 seats
220 standing
Book 8 hr. minimum
The whole building takeover includes use of our 100 seat theatre, stage, greenroom, reception / foyer (with bottle bar) and fully stocked upstairs bar, toilets and workshop space. This hire includes venue staff for safety, however bar staff and technical staff will be an additional cost. We have a full lighting rig, 3 phase power, sound system a...
Wi-Fi available
Natural light
Air conditioner
Projector
Flatscreen TV
Flipchart
PA system / music speakers
Play your own music
from £1000 hire fee
Pricing updated by venue 3 weeks ago
Enquire now

Reviews and ratings

5.0
1 new review from verified user within the last 6 months
1 recent guest highly rated amenities, cleanliness, location and service quality
Amenities
5.0
Cleanliness
5.0
Location
5.0
Service quality
5.0
Value for money
5.0

Verified reviews come from Tagvenue users. All reviews are checked by our team to uphold our trust and safety standards.

RC
Richard C.
Verified review
Classroom · 100 guests · June 2026 · The Theatre

A great multipurpose creative space. We used it for student workshops and talks. Affordable and central.

5.0

Prices and opening hours

Monday
9:00 – 18:00
from £35–£70 hire fee per hour
The Theatre
9:00 – 18:00
from £70 hire fee per hour
The Workshop Space
9:00 – 18:00
from £35 hire fee per hour
Whole Building
9:00 – 18:00
from £1000 hire fee per day
Tuesday
9:00 – 18:00
from £35–£70 hire fee per hour
The Theatre
9:00 – 18:00
from £70 hire fee per hour
The Workshop Space
9:00 – 18:00
from £35 hire fee per hour
Whole Building
9:00 – 18:00
from £1000 hire fee per day
Wednesday
9:00 – 18:00
from £35–£70 hire fee per hour
The Theatre
9:00 – 18:00
from £70 hire fee per hour
The Workshop Space
9:00 – 18:00
from £35 hire fee per hour
Whole Building
9:00 – 18:00
from £1000 hire fee per day
Thursday
9:00 – 18:00
from £35–£70 hire fee per hour
The Theatre
9:00 – 18:00
from £70 hire fee per hour
The Workshop Space
9:00 – 18:00
from £35 hire fee per hour
Whole Building
9:00 – 18:00
from £1000 hire fee per day
Friday
9:00 – 18:00
from £35–£70 hire fee per hour
The Theatre
9:00 – 18:00
from £70 hire fee per hour
The Workshop Space
9:00 – 18:00
from £35 hire fee per hour
Whole Building
9:00 – 18:00
from £1000 hire fee per day
Saturday
9:00 – 18:00
from £40–£90 hire fee per hour
The Theatre
9:00 – 17:30
from £90 hire fee per hour
The Workshop Space
9:00 – 18:00
from £40 hire fee per hour
Whole Building
9:00 – 18:00
from £1500 hire fee per day
Sunday
9:00 – 18:00
from £40–£90 hire fee per hour
The Theatre
9:00 – 17:30
from £90 hire fee per hour
The Workshop Space
9:00 – 18:00
from £40 hire fee per hour
Whole Building
9:00 – 18:00
from £1500 hire fee per day
Pricing updated by venue 3 weeks ago

Best Price guarantee: you will always pay the same price as booking directly with the venue, and we never add hidden or processing fees.

Facilities and catering options

Up to 220
standing
Up to 100
seats
External catering allowed
Parking available
Alcohol provided
Unavailable: In-house catering
Unavailable: Accommodation available
Unavailable: Promoted / ticketed events
Unavailable: BYO alcohol

About The Free Association

The Free Association is a Trusted Tagvenue Partner, validated by the Tagvenue team with a record of successful bookings on the platform.

The Free Association is a theatre focusing on long-form improv, combining a performance theatre and a teaching centre that runs courses and workshops.

Venue highlights: The venue provides a black-box performance area with a basic lighting rig, PA and adaptable seating that can be arranged for workshops, rehearsals or audience formats. The layout supports run-throughs and multi-day courses, allowing hosts to run training sessions and staged performances within the same booking.

Best for: Improv workshops and training, corporate team-building using improv techniques, small-scale comedy and improv performances.

Location: Old Union Yard Arches sits on Union Street and places the venue among a cluster of independent performance and late-night spots, giving hosts nearby options to continue the evening.

What guests say: The teaching team delivers structured, practical instruction across staged courses and intensives. The venue programmes regular improv nights such as Harold Night, providing dependable performance opportunities for visiting groups.

FAQ

No, out-of-hours hire is not possible because there are shows in the evening.

Yes, external catering is welcome.

Yes, there is an additional space upstairs, and it is included in the price.

Cancellations 30 days in advance will receive a full refund.

Cancellations 30 days to 7 days in advance will receive a 50% refund.

Cancellations for events starting within 7 days are non-refundable.

At The Free Association, the following catering options are available:

  • The venue works with an approved list of external caterers

  • Paid parking facilities are available nearby

Here are some event spends from guests who recently held events at The Free Association:

  • The Theatre hosting 100 guests: £374.40
  • The Workshop Space hosting 7 guests: £84

For detailed pricing tailored to your event, please contact the venue.

The Free Association is located at Arch 26, Old Union Yard Arches, in Newington, London. The nearest metro station is Southwark Station.

Find more similar venues in London

Over 22k venues
•
Trusted by 1M+ customers

Trusted by over 1M+ customers

Similar venues

Medium Screen - 6
from £2400
hire fee / per session
Cinema
Private space
140
Vue West End - Leicester Square
(3)
Leicester Square Station
Charing Cross, London
Entire Gallery
from £720
hire fee / per day
Gallery
Whole venue
30
120
Coningsby Gallery
(4)
Goodge Street Station
Fitzrovia, London
Supervenue badge #Supervenue
Kunstraum
from £60
hire fee / per hour
Photo / Film Studio
Whole venue
50
100
Kunstraum
(34)
Old Street Station
Islington Borough, London
The Shelton
from £1000
hire fee / per day
Community Centre
Private space
175
150
Covent Garden Community Centre @ 7 Dials Club
(2)
Covent Garden Station
West End, London
Private Space for Hire
from £1500
hire fee / per day
Gallery
Whole venue
70
140
ALL PROJECTS
Haggerston Station
Hackney Borough, London
Theatre
from £150
hire fee / per hour
University / Academic Building
Private space
110
Kings Cross Centre
King's Cross St. Pancras Station
St Pancras, London
Rose Lipman Hall
from £70
hire fee / per hour
Hall
Whole venue
80
150
Rose Lipman Building
(13)
Haggerston Station
Hackney Borough, London
CREATIVE STUDIO - Industrial
from £65
hire fee / per hour
Creative Space
Whole venue
120
150
Sirlute Studios
(3)
Canning Town Station
Docklands, London
Supervenue badge #Supervenue
Ground Floor Gallery
from £800
hire fee / per morning
Gallery
Private space
45
100
Mimosa House
(7)
Holborn Station
Holborn, London
Cubic Theatre & Foyer
from £2500
hire fee / per day
Museum
Private space
110
80
London Transport Museum
(6)
Covent Garden Station
Covent Garden, London
Conference & Meeting Hall
from £1200
hire fee / per session
Community Centre
Private space
100
150
Refettorio Felix at St Cuthbert's
(74)
West Kensington Station
Earls Court, London
Gallery
from £120
hire fee / per hour
Event Venue
Semi-private area
70
200
Studio Wayne McGregor
(26)
Hackney Wick Station
Stratford, London
Main Hall
from £120
hire fee / per hour
Community Centre
Private space
120
120
Centre 151
(1)
Haggerston Station
Hackney Borough, London
Supervenue badge #Supervenue
Screen 1
from £975
minimum spend / per session
Cinema
Private space
125
Everyman Screen on the Green
(7)
Angel Station
Angel, London
Auditorium
from £1260
hire fee / per session
Theatre
Private space
130
Chelsea Theatre
(3)
Imperial Wharf Station
Chelsea, London
Full Two-Floor Gallery
from £2000
hire fee / per day
Gallery
Whole venue
75
150
RWS Gallery
(1)
Piccadilly Circus Station
The Strand, London
The Church
from £150
hire fee / per hour
Church
Whole venue
180
200
The Garlickhythe Rooms
(35)
Mansion House Station
Bank, London
Supervenue badge #Supervenue
Theatre 2
from £1504
hire fee / per day
Theatre
Private space
96
120
Brixton House
(3)
Brixton Station
Brixton, London
Upper Hall
from £30
hire fee / per hour
Community Centre
Private space
130
150
Longfield Hall
(58)
Camberwell, London
Supervenue badge #Supervenue
Excel House Upper Hall Big
from £60
hire fee / per hour
Event Venue
Private space
100
140
Excel House Halls
(25)
Seven Sisters Station
Tottenham, London

Explore other spaces in the area

Arch 26, Old Union Yard Arches, union street, London, SE1 0lr
Southwark Station (0.2 mi)

The Free Association is popular for

Rehearsal Studio Creative Space Filming Location Bar Conference Meeting Performance Party Birthday Party Recording Studio

Tagvenue regularly reviews published venues to ensure the information is accurate and up to date. If you notice anything unusual in this listing, please report it.