National Theatre of Bahrain

The National Theatre of Bahrain is a performing arts venue in Manama featuring a glass facade and gold-topped roof positioned along the waterfront. It holds a main auditorium with more than 1,000 seats, a smaller flexible theatre with around 150 seats, and spaces dedicated to rehearsals and meetings.

Planning for the theatre began in 2007, replacing a previous heritage site on the waterfront location. The building opened in 2012 after several years of construction and quickly became an important cultural venue for the region.

The theatre references Arabian Nights through its main hall design, connecting to regional storytelling traditions that remain part of local identity. The interior materials and layout reflect thoughtful choices about how performance spaces should feel to audiences from the Gulf.

The venue sits directly on the waterfront, making it easy to reach and offering pleasant views while visiting. All performance spaces are contained within one building, so visitors can move between areas comfortably regardless of weather.

The building stands on the former location of Bahrain Heritage Village, with elements of traditional architecture thoughtfully preserved and woven into the contemporary design. This blend of old and new appears in subtle details throughout the structure.