SPOT/De Oosterpoort in Groningen
SPOT/De Oosterpoort at Trompsingel 27 is Groningen's main concert hall: a 1,800-capacity Grote Zaal, a Kleine Zaal for up to 750, and a Q-Park garage next door.
Photo credits
The street front of De Oosterpoort in Groningen with its black steel frame, red curtain sculpture, lettering and tower.: ZanderZ · CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answers
- Capacity
- Grote Zaal up to 1,800; Kleine Zaal up to 750
- Address
- Trompsingel 279724 DA Groningen
- Typical times
- Foyer 19:00, start 20:00
- Station
- Walking distance from Groningen Centraal
- Closest parking
- Q-Park Oosterpoort, Trompsingel 23
- Bags
- Nothing bigger than A4 in the hall
- Payment
- Card only
- Wheelchair access
- Yes, places in every hall
- Contact
- +31 50 368 0111
Classical at SPOT/De Oosterpoort: upcoming events
Tonight, this week and the months ahead at this venue in Groningen.
Last night at SPOT/De Oosterpoort: Macy Gray – The Trouble With The Truth Tour
November 2027
- Wed17Nov
€28Tickets
Plan your visit to SPOT/De Oosterpoort
How many people fit in De Oosterpoort?
Up to 1,800 people fit in the Grote Zaal, the largest room, in its biggest set-up. SPOT lists the Grote Zaal at 200 to 1,800 people depending on the set-up, and the Kleine Zaal at 440 to 750.
Do not add the rooms together: they are separate halls with their own events. With seats only, Wikipedia gives 1,150 seats in the Grote Zaal and 450 in the Kleine Zaal. Several pop shows in the Grote Zaal list 1,100 standing places and 700 seats, but that split varies per event.
For comparison in Groningen: the theatre hall of Martiniplaza has up to 1,550 seats, 900 downstairs and over 600 on the balcony. Outside the city, Paradiso in Amsterdam lists 1,500 for its main hall.
| Room | Capacity | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Grote Zaal | 200 – 1,800 | Maximum is the biggest set-up; seated or standing varies per event |
| Foyer Grote Zaal | 450 – 750 | Connects to The Mix and the garden |
| Kleine Zaal | 440 – 750 | Free seating only |
| Foyer Kleine Zaal | 250 – 500 | Two bars |
| Binnenzaal | 60 – 250 | Free seating only |
Seating plan: standing, free seats or assigned seats?
Each event page says which applies: free seating, free standing and seating, or assigned seats with a row and seat number on your ticket.
- Assigned seats
- Everyone has a fixed seat; the row and seat number are on the ticket. Find it on the seating plan of the Grote Zaal (PDF on the SPOT site).
- Free seating
- Choose your own seat when you enter. When standing and seats are mixed, the number of seats is limited, so come early to sit.
- Pop shows in the Grote Zaal
- Mostly standing with a limited number of seats. Several shows list 1,100 standing places and 700 seats; others list no numbers, so read the event page.
- Kleine Zaal and Binnenzaal
- Free places only, never assigned.
- Which seat gives the best view?
- SPOT's pages do not describe views per block. For a specific seat, the box office arranges custom seating and can advise by phone or email (+31 (0)50 368 0111, [email protected]). For events with several price ranks, a higher rank costs more.
What time does a concert start? A typical night
Pop concerts: foyer open at 19:00 (sometimes 19:30) and the programme at 20:00 (sometimes 20:30). Classical evenings in the Kleine Zaal start at 20:15 or 19:30 and, unlike pop, usually publish an end time of around 21:50 to 22:10. Times on event pages are indicative and can change.
- Buy your ticket online, or at the event box office from one hour before the start if tickets are left.
- Arrive when the foyer opens, usually 19:00. Eat at The Mix first if you want a meal.
- Leave your coat and bag in a locker or the cloakroom if you like; a coat and a small bag may come into the hall.
- The programme starts, usually at 20:00. None of the pop concerts we read published an end time, so plan your way home with some slack.
- Classical and music-theatre evenings publish more: foyer 19:30, start 20:15, a break at 21:00 and an end at 21:50, or foyer 19:00, start 19:30, two breaks and an end at 22:10.
Eating at De Oosterpoort: restaurant The Mix
Restaurant The Mix is in the entrance hall of De Oosterpoort. It opens on selected event dates; the calendar on the SPOT site shows which, and where to reserve.
- Reserve through the calendar on the SPOT site; dietary wishes can be given on the spot.
- Restaurant phone: +31 (0)50 368 0236.
- You may not bring your own food or drink into the building.
- Everything is paid by card.
Lockers, cloakroom, bags and house rules
A coat and a small bag may come into the hall. Bags larger than A4 and other large objects may not.
- Lockers
- Open as often as you like during your event with a PIN you choose; contactless card payment only.
- Cloakroom
- Guarded and unguarded cloakroom at classical concerts and large events, card payment only. Using the cloakroom or lockers is optional and at your own risk.
- Age
- Babies and children up to 8 are not admitted unless it is a youth show, which has its own minimum age.
- Photos
- Phone photos and video are allowed at pop concerts unless stated otherwise; at other shows switch your phone off or to silent.
- Smoking
- Not anywhere in the buildings, e-cigarettes included.
- Sound
- Levels can exceed 85 dB; approved earplugs are sold at the bars.
Wheelchair access and facilities for visitors with a disability
The buildings are wheelchair accessible and every hall has wheelchair places. The number is limited, so book early.
- Assigned-seat events
- Wheelchair tickets cannot be bought on the website; call or email the box office.
- Companions
- A free companion ticket is available for professional carers: buy an extra ticket and ask the box office for a refund.
- Hearing
- Headphones and induction loops are available in De Oosterpoort, free to borrow at the box office. Not suitable for Bluetooth hearing aids or implants.
- Assistance dogs
- Welcome if registered in advance via [email protected].
- Parking
- A free disabled parking space in front of or next to the building.
Getting to De Oosterpoort: from the station, by bike, P+R and night bus
De Oosterpoort is within walking distance of Groningen Centraal station, roughly 900 m in a straight line, or about a 15-minute walk. SPOT publishes no bus line or stop for the venue and points to the 9292 journey planner.
Late at night
Night buses run on the nights from Thursday to Friday, Friday to Saturday and Saturday to Sunday at the regular fare. They stop at Zuiderdiep in the city centre, so plan on a walk from the venue.
By bike
SPOT recommends walking or cycling if you live nearby and lists several bike parking spots in the city. In Groningen you can park bikes safely and free at the city centre, the stations and the P+R sites.
Address
Trompsingel 27, 9724 DA Groningen
Parking at De Oosterpoort: garages and rates
The closest garage is Q-Park Oosterpoort at Trompsingel 23, next to the venue. It can get busy during concerts, with longer waits to enter and leave, so Q-Park suggests Rademarkt or Museum Centrum as alternatives within walking distance.
Walking times and spaces are Q-Park's own figures (Discover Groningen lists 268 spaces for Oosterpoort and 370 for Rademarkt). Garage Bios in the centre is about a 10-minute walk away according to Interparking, and reserving online there saves up to 50%. There is also a free disabled parking space in front of or next to the building. Rates can change; check before you go.
| Garage | Address | Spaces | Walk | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q-Park Oosterpoort | Trompsingel 23, 9724 DA | 258 | About 1 minute | €1 per 16 minutes, maximum €18.50 a day (Discover Groningen); reserving online from €12.50 a day (Q-Park) |
| Q-Park Rademarkt | Rademarkt 27, 9711 CS | 360 | About 3 minutes | €0.60 – 1.50 per 15 minutes, maximum €26 a day (Discover Groningen) |
| Q-Park Museum Centrum | Herepoortenmolendrift 2, 9711 DG | 222 | About 6 minutes | From €17 a day when reserved online (Q-Park) |
Phone number and contact for De Oosterpoort
The box office is reachable on weekdays from 10:00 to 13:00. On event nights the on-site box office opens one hour before the start.
- Box office phone
- +31 (0)50 368 0111, Monday to Friday 10:00 – 13:00
- Box office email
- [email protected]
- General
- [email protected]
- Room hire for business
- [email protected], +31 (0)50 368 0111, Monday to Thursday 10:00 – 17:00
- Post
- Postbus 775, 9700 AT Groningen
About De Oosterpoort and SPOT Groningen
De Oosterpoort has been the main concert hall of Groningen and the region since 1973. It is home to ESNS, many other festivals, concerts and performances, and it has been the home of the NNO, the Noord Nederlands Orkest, for 50 years.
SPOT Groningen runs two houses: De Oosterpoort and the Stadsschouwburg at Turfsingel 86. Check the address on an event page, because SPOT also uses other locations in the city. The municipality of Groningen is working on plans to renovate and extend De Oosterpoort.
Photos
Photo credits
The street front of De Oosterpoort in Groningen with its black steel frame, red curtain sculpture, lettering and tower.: ZanderZ · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Grote Zaal of De Oosterpoort from the balcony: an orchestra on a lit stage, a full audience and red-lit faceted wall panels.: MrFlokkert · CC BY-SA 4.0
A band playing on a brightly lit stage in De Oosterpoort during Eurosonic Noorderslag.: Ben Houdijk · CC BY-SA 4.0
Read reviews on Google Maps We don't show ratings here. See what visitors say on Google Maps.
De Oosterpoort: questions people ask
How many people fit in De Oosterpoort?
Up to 1,800 in the Grote Zaal in its biggest set-up (some pop shows list 1,100 standing and 700 seated) and up to 750 in the Kleine Zaal.
What time do doors open and the show start?
Usually the foyer opens at 19:00 and the programme starts at 20:00; some evenings are 19:30 and 20:30. Check the event page; times are indicative.
When does the concert end?
Pop concerts do not publish an end time. Classical evenings do: one ended at 21:50 after a break and a music-theatre evening at 22:10 after two breaks. Plan your way home with some slack.
Where can I park near De Oosterpoort?
Q-Park Oosterpoort at Trompsingel 23 is next to the venue. Alternatives are Q-Park Rademarkt (about 3 minutes), Q-Park Museum Centrum (about 6) and garage Bios, or a free P+R site with a bus.
Is there a seating plan?
Yes. SPOT publishes a PDF seating plan of the Grote Zaal. It matters only for assigned seats; the Kleine Zaal and Binnenzaal have free places only.
What bag can I take into the hall?
A coat and a small bag. Bags larger than A4 and other large objects are not allowed; use a locker or the cloakroom.
Can I pay with cash?
No, SPOT accepts card only. Lockers take contactless card payment.
Is De Oosterpoort wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the buildings are accessible and every hall has wheelchair places, though the number is limited.
Can I bring children?
Babies and children up to 8 are not admitted unless it is a youth show, which has its own minimum age.
Can I bring my own food and drink?
No. Restaurant The Mix and the bars serve food and drinks.
What is the phone number of De Oosterpoort?
+31 (0)50 368 0111, for the box office Monday to Friday 10:00 – 13:00.
Sources: SPOT Groningen: rooms in De Oosterpoort (October 21, 2026) · SPOT Groningen FAQ (October 21, 2026) · SPOT Groningen event pages (October 21, 2026) · SPOT Groningen: accessibility by transport (October 21, 2026) · Q-Park De Oosterpoort (October 21, 2026) · SPOT Groningen: The Mix (October 21, 2026) · SPOT Groningen: accessibility (October 21, 2026) · SPOT Groningen: contact (October 21, 2026) · SPOT Groningen: buildings (October 21, 2026)
