Venue Guide: Union Chapel, London
Set inside a Grade I-listed Victorian Gothic church at the top of Upper Street in Islington, Union Chapel is one of London's most distinctive live music spaces, seating around 900 beneath a soaring top-lit ceiling. Completed in 1877 and still a working church, it established itself as a celebrated music venue from the 1990s onwards.
Audiences sit in the original wooden pews across the ground floor and gallery, with a licensed bar and kiosk serving drinks and snacks at most events. Its stage has been graced by Elton John, Björk, Amy Winehouse, Nick Cave, Mitski and Sigur Rós, among many others.
Alongside gigs spanning folk, indie, jazz, soul and classical, it programmes the acclaimed Live at the Chapel comedy night, spoken-word events such as The Moth and Letters Live, film screenings and debates. Hosting around 250 events a year, it has been voted London's favourite venue by Time Out readers three times.
Browse the upcoming events below and book tickets through Gigantic.
Getting to Union Chapel, London
By car
Union Chapel sits directly on Upper Street, which forms part of the A1 running north from the City towards the A406 North Circular and the M1. Street parking around Compton Terrace is very limited and the venue strongly recommends public transport, but nearby options include Upper Street Car Park & Westerfield Road Car Park. Drivers should also note the venue lies within London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
By train
The nearest station is Highbury & Islington, roughly 200m away and about a three-to-four-minute walk, served by the Victoria line, London Overground and Great Northern mainline services. From the station, head south down Upper Street and the Chapel is on the left at Compton Terrace. Angel station on the Northern line is a further alternative, around a ten-minute walk away.
By bus
Highbury Corner is the nearest bus interchange, with numerous routes running along Upper Street and past Highbury Fields. Stops are only a short walk from the venue entrance. For live times and route planning, visit Transport for London or Traveline.
Venue information
Union Chapel
19b Compton Terrace
London
Greater London
N1 2UN
Find parking near the venue
Union Chapel - Need to know
What is Union Chapel known for?
Union Chapel is a Grade I-listed working church that doubles as one of London's most atmospheric live music venues, celebrated for its exceptional acoustics, original wooden pews and intimate scale of around 900. It hosts music, comedy, spoken word and film across roughly 250 events a year, and profits from shows go towards conserving the building and funding The Margins Project, its charity supporting people facing homelessness and crisis.
Is there parking near Union Chapel, London?
The venue has no car park of its own and strongly advises using public transport, as street parking in the area is very limited. The nearest public parking is the Upper Street Car Park & Westerfield Road Car Park, along with pay-and-display and resident bays around Compton Terrace and Compton Avenue. Blue Badge holders may park on single yellow lines with no loading restrictions for up to three hours with the clock card displayed.
Is Union Chapel a seated venue?
Yes, Union Chapel is fully seated only, in wooden pews throughout the Grade I-listed church. Seats are unreserved for most events on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early; a small cushion is welcome.
What are the age restrictions at Union Chapel?
Age restrictions vary by event, so check the individual event listing or contact the venue before booking. Children under five are not permitted at gallery level for health and safety reasons, and children are not admitted to the bar. Some events carry a minimum age such as 14+ or 16+, so always confirm on the event page.
Is Union Chapel accessible?
The Chapel offers step-free access via an alternative ground-level entrance, with two wheelchair ramps (one at the front, one at the rear) and door staff on hand to assist. There is one wheelchair-accessible toilet on the ground floor, and step-free access to the bar is provided by a stair/platform lift (300kg limit), plus an Ampetronic ILD9 induction loop for hearing-aid users. Wheelchair spaces and free essential companion (personal assistant) tickets are bookable online, and accessible tickets are booked through Gigantic using an active Nimbus Access Card to create a Union Chapel Digital Access Pass.
How do I get to Union Chapel, London?
The nearest station is Highbury & Islington, around a three-to-four-minute walk (roughly 200m), served by the Victoria line, London Overground and mainline services, with Highbury Corner the closest bus interchange. Angel station on the Northern line is around a ten-minute walk as an alternative. Driving is not recommended given the lack of parking.
How can I contact Union Chapel, London?
The venue can be reached by phone on 020 7226 1686 (Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 17:00), and the most appropriate email address for a query can be found via the "Meet the Team" page on its website at unionchapel.org.uk. The venue is also active on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @UnionChapelUK.
History & Culture of Union Chapel, London
Union Chapel was designed by the leading Nonconformist architect James Cubitt and built between 1874 and 1877 in red brick with Bath stone dressings, its dramatic octagonal plan crowned by a top-lit timber ceiling and modelled on the Romanesque church of Santa Fosca near Venice. The landmark tower was completed in 1889, and the Grade I-listed building was rescued after being threatened with demolition in the 1980s.
The name dates to the 1799 union of Anglican and Nonconformist worshippers who founded the congregation, breaking from the established church's hierarchy. Two future Liberal prime ministers, William Gladstone and H. H. Asquith, were connected to the congregation, underlining the building's place in Islington's civic history.
Today it remains a working Congregational church while operating as an award-winning not-for-profit venue, with profits from its roughly 250 annual events funding conservation and The Margins Project. Voted London's favourite venue three times by Time Out readers, it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2027.
Upcoming Gigs & Events at Union Chapel, London
Union Chapel in London hosts an eclectic bill of folk, indie, alternative, jazz and classical artists, alongside comedy and spoken word, throughout the year.
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Matt Mathews
Saturday 20th March 2027
Union Chapel, London -
Mica Paris
Friday 9th October 2026
Union Chapel, London -
The Blow Monkeys
Friday 16th October 2026
Union Chapel, London -
Perfume Genius
Tuesday 27th October 2026
Union Chapel, London -
Ezra Furman
Monday 26th October 2026
Union Chapel, London -
Bongeziwe Mabandla
Thursday 19th November 2026
Union Chapel, London
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