Top 20 London Theatres You Should Get To Early in 2026
While pretty much all theatres have their own bar for a pre-show drink or snack, some also offer unique experiences for keen theatregoers who arrive ahead of curtain up. We’ve compiled our top 20 best London theatres that offer something a bit different for early birds – 19 venues to visit early, and one theatre to stay late at after the show!
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1. National Theatre: Shops, Coffee and a Glimpse Backstage
If you’ve ever taken a walk by the Thames, you’ve likely seen the National Theatre London! This huge Brutalist building is not only home to three theatres – the Olivier Theatre, the Lyttelton Theatre, and the Dorfman – but is also host to tonnes of things to do if you have some time to kill before the show – or just want to spend a day on Bankside. You can grab a coffee from Grind or the Atrium Cafe and relax in the multiple public seating areas. For pre-theatre dining, book a table at the Lasdun Restaurant, enjoy sharing plates and riverside views in rooftop terrace Forza Wine, or grab a drink from the Understudy Bar. The National also has a huge shop, full of playtexts, books, theatre-related merchandise and knick-knacks, perfect for browsing.
You can also get more of an insight into the workings of the theatre by checking out the pop-up exhibits upstairs in the building, or visiting the Sherling Backstage Walkway. Open Wednesday-Saturday, the Backstage Walkway allows you to take a peek down into the backstage workshops where theatre magic is created, and is located between the main building and the Dorfman Theatre. There are also some great seasonal offerings available just outside the building – in summer, take a seat in a deck chair and grab a drink or some food from the pop-up bars and food vendors, or in winter, check out the Christmas markets and enjoy a glass of mulled wine and a bite to eat.
2. Playhouse Theatre: A Warm Wilkommen
Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome to the Kit Kat Club at Playhouse Theatre. This venue has been fully transformed into a 1920s Berlin bar, so arriving early for Cabaret the Musical is an absolute must! From the moment you step into the building, you’re immersed in the world of the play, with the lovely damen und herrs of the Kit Kat Club singing, dancing and putting on a sultry show in the bars and foyers.
As well as enjoying your pre-show show or admiring the gorgeous architecture of the theatre, there are also shots of schnapps (or a non-alcoholic alternative) on offer, included in the price of your ticket, and snacks, including German pretzels and charcuterie boxes, available to buy. Certain ticket holders can also book a pre-theatre meal, complete with stage-side dining or cocktails.
3. The Old Vic: Brand New Backstage Building
There are loads of restaurants and bars in the surrounding Waterloo area, but those getting to the Old Vic Theatre ahead of the show should check out their brand new Backstage building. The culmination of years of work, the building opened in 2025 and features a cafe and bar that serves coffee and lunch during the day, before transforming to serve a pre-theatre menu and cocktails in the evening. In the summer, you can venture out onto the terrace to enjoy a drink in the open air. For creatives, or just those interested in reading more plays, there’s also a script library, where you can borrow a playtext for free.
4. Hippodrome Casino: Sample Slots and Steak
The Hippodrome Casino has plenty to do for theatre-goers who arrive a little early, as it’s, well, a casino! If you feel like splashing a bit of cash, you can enjoy the buzzy casino atmosphere and sample the table games, electronics and slots available – just be sure to gamble responsibly. If you’re hungry, there’s the Chop Chop Chinese restaurant or the Heliot Steak House.
For pre-show drinks, theatre-goers are spoilt for choice: there’s cocktails in Permission Lounge, a wide range of beers and bevs in copper-plated Penny Bar and secret speakeasy vibes in exclusive downstairs bar Archive and Myth – with all of the bars also offering light bites, bar snacks or food to order. You can also head up to the Gods rooftop bar – perfect for long summer nights – to soak in the London skyline ahead of the show. The casino is also open 24/7, so many of these options are also available for a bit of post-show fun. Check out our review of Magic Mike Live for even more top tips
5. Alexandra Palace Theatre: Family Friendly Fun
The Alexandra Palace Theatre is located in the heart of Alexandra Park, and there’s lots of things to do for all the family in the surrounding area. Take a trip around the boating lake, get in a few holes of mini-golf at Pitch and Putt, or check out the Alexandra Palace Garden Centre – one of the largest in London. There’s a dedicated children’s play area, and you can also try Petanque (a French form of boules) for free. Soak up some sun on the lawn in the summer, or in the winter, you can ice skate in the outdoor rink. You can grab coffee, light bites, and lunch from the East Court Cafe, just opposite the theatre, or for some pre-theatre dining, you can enjoy pizza and drinks from the Phoenix Bar & Pizzeria.
6. Criterion Theatre: Original Victorian Features
The West End is home to some of the oldest and most beautiful theatres in the country, and arriving early allows you to really appreciate the stunning architecture. One of our top theatres in this respect is the Criterion Theatre. Designed in 1870 by Thomas Verity, extensive restoration work has been done to this Grade II listed building, maintaining the history and origins of the theatre.
Highlights include the stained glass work in the bar, the gorgeous painted frescoes in the foyer, the ornate brass handrails in the stairwells, and the decorative Victorian wall tiles, painstakingly matched to the remnants of the originals using traditional craftsmanship and modern technology – and in a wild coincidence, the manufacturers who replaced the tiles, W. B. Simpsons, were the same company who originally installed them in 1870.
7. Shakespeare’s Globe: A Boutique for Bard Lovers
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is located on Bankside, so theatregoers can enjoy a stroll along the Thames before heading to the theatre; when you arrive at the iconic wooden O, there’s also plenty to do at the Globe itself. As well as tours to learn about the past of this historic venue, you can enjoy drinks, food and shopping.
The Swan restaurant offers pre-theatre dining packages and afternoon tea overlooking the Thames, or for a quick coffee and sandwich, you can sample the Foyer Cafe. Shakespeare lovers should absolutely check out the Globe Shop – jam-packed with play texts, DVDs of performances, merchandise, prints and stationery, it’s a haven for theatre lovers to shop to their hearts’ content, and each purchase goes towards supporting the theatre.
8. Royal Albert Hall: Architecture, Artwork and A Bite To Eat
As well as taking in the breathtaking surroundings of South Kensington, visitors to the Royal Albert Hall should arrive early to appreciate this stunning venue, with the outside of the building in particular featuring multiple must-see architectural details. The North and South porches both feature sculptures depicting four royal figures integral to the Hall’s history, installed in 2023, and the South Porch also features a mosaic tympanum above the entrance, commissioned in 2003 by artist Shelagh Wakely and mosaicist Trevor Caley.
The building also features an original Victorian mosaic frieze, installed in the 1800s, which is 800 feet long and 5,200 square feet, circling the entire building, depicting various human accomplishments throughout history. Inside the building, there’s a sizeable shop with plenty of merchandise and knick-knacks for sale, and lots of dining and drinks options. These include the Moët & Chandon champagne bar, the garden-themed Kensington Gardens Bar and whimsical cocktail lounge, the 1871 Bar. Afternoon tea is also available to book, and coffee and lunch are on offer during the day in the theatre cafe.
9. Sadler’s Well’s: Coffee and Cake in an Outdoor Cafe
Sadler’s Wells Theatre is located in the centre of Angel, and there are lots of great restaurants and bars in the local area, as well as options in the theatre itself. The Fox Garden Cafe offers artisan coffees, pastries, delicious cakes, lots of lunch options including sandwiches, curries and seasonal salads, and pre-theatre dining, and is great to visit in summer as it has both inside seating and a number of tables outside in the courtyard.
10. Duchess Theatre: Pre-show Pandemonium
Theatregoers who have booked for the Play that Goes Wrong can, of course, enjoy a drink in the Duchess Theatre bar if they arrive early – but the real reason to make your way to this play punctually is for a little bit of pre-show fun from the performers. Members of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society – the theatre group from the play – will be running around the theatre ahead of curtain up, setting up the chaotic atmosphere of the play and immersing audience members in the world of the play. Now, has anyone seen a dog…?
11. Bridge Theatre: Spacious Bars and Immersive Experiences
The Bridge Theatre London is nestled on Bankside, just by Tower Bridge, so theatregoers who arrive early should take in these stunning sights before they head inside the building. The Bridge has a spacious lounge area on both the stalls and circle floors, and early-birds can grab a drink from the bar, buy a programme or browse for show-specific merch, or just take a seat and relax before curtain up. There are also usually light bites on offer, which are often themed to the specific show – Into The Woods featured a delicious bakery cart – as well as bar snacks and sweets available to purchase. The Bridge often stages immersive productions, and if you’ve booked for one of these, it’s well worth arriving early to soak in the atmosphere, grab a good spot if you’re in a standing area, and enjoy a bit of pre-show action.
12. Palladium Theatre: Visit Icons on the Wall of Fame
The London Palladium Theatre has 4 bars available for theatre-goers to sample, but there’s an extra special reason to arrive early to this venue – The Wall of Fame. One of the most famous variety theatres in the world, The Palladium has been host to a huge number of stars since it opened in 1910. The Wall of Fame honours a select number of these performers in a gallery work created by artist Lee Simmons, who prints the performers’ portraits onto stainless steel plates, which are then displayed outside the theatre. The Wall features stars including Julian Clary, Judy Garland, Sammy Davis Junior, Tommy Steele, Bruce Forsyth and many more!
13. London County Hall: An Atmospheric Court Room
The London County Hall is one of the more unusual venues in London. A genuine county hall, the building served as a seat of Government for 64 years. Now, the venue is host to numerous attractions – including the London Eye, the London Dungeon, the Sea Life London Aquarium, and Witness for the Prosecution, which is staged in the old council chambers. Visitors attending the theatre can check out the nearby attractions and take a walk bankside, but should make sure to take their seats early to really appreciate the atmosphere and architecture of the stunning Council Chamber.
14. Southbank Centre: Something for Everyone
There’s so much on offer at the Southbank Centre if you’re attending a show at the venues’ Royal Festival Hall or Queen Elizabeth Hall. Located on Bankside, you can enjoy a stroll by the Thames before heading into the Southbank Centre complex. For pre-show food and drink, there are numerous cafes and bars, with dining packages available to book at Skylon – a breathtaking rooftop restaurant – and the more chilled out Festival Bar and Kitchen.
The Southbank Food Market is available year-round, with smaller pop-ups also available seasonally throughout the site. Art lovers are in for a treat, as there are tonnes of free public artworks located around the building’s outdoor spaces, as well as the Hayward Gallery inside the complex, which features free and paid-for exhibitions. The Centre is also home to the National Poetry Library, the only space in London dedicated to poetry study, which is free to join, and hosts workshops, exhibitions and readings year-round. There are also lots of free community events held throughout the building, with many suitable for families.
15. Drury Lane Theatre: Dine and Drink in History
As well as enjoying the stunning Victorian architecture at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, it’s worth arriving early to sample their Showstopping Afternoon Tea. The package includes an introduction to the theatre’s history, followed by a savoury course served on a limited-edition board made from the original 101-year-old stage floor – making sure every diner becomes a part of theatre history, a selection of delicious cakes and sweet treats, topped off with plenty of tea or champagne.
The afternoon tea is enjoyed in the Grand Saloon, a breathtaking Regency room. If afternoon tea isn’t your, well, cup of tea, there are also lots of other dining options available on the lanes, including the Terrace, which features outdoor seating perfect for the warmer months, and Jamie Oliver’s restaurant on Catherine St. You can also enjoy cocktails, champagne and non-alcoholic beverages in the Cecil Beaton bar, a stunning 1920s-inspired lounge.
16. Empress Museum: A Must-See Circus Preshow
Arriving early to the Empress Museum is a must – the venue actually advises that ticket holders for Come Alive! make their way down an hour ahead of their show start time. The Museum has been transformed into a big top, and there are tonnes of immersive fun to be had ahead of curtain up. Circus performers roam the venue, there are costumes and props on display and a store to grab some merch. There are several bars for theatre goers to enjoy a drink at, as well as snack stalls offering sweets, popcorn and other treats, or for a sit-down pre-theatre meal, you can book a table at the Empress Diner. VIP ticket holders can also enjoy the exclusive Sky Lounge as well as many other perks.
17. Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre: Soak Up Some Sunshine
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre operates seasonally, usually open from May until September, and is the perfect venue to spend a bit of time at in the hotter months. You can enjoy the stunning gardens in the park, including Queen Mary’s Rose Garden, and feed the ducks before heading into the venue. In the theatre itself, there’s plenty of outdoor seating available in the terrace and picnic lawn, and lots of food options. Covered dining is available to book for select shows, or for something a bit more casual, you can grab a wood-fire pizza, a burger from the grill or a picnic hamper to share.
18. Barbican Centre: Spoilt for Choice In This Brutalist Beauty
The Barbican Theatre is renowned for its stunning Brutalist architecture, and if you arrive early, you can explore solo or book an official tour to learn more about the history of the building. If you’re not an architecture buff, there’s still plenty to do in this huge arts centre – enough to spend a whole day there! Grab a coffee or a beverage at the cafes or bars, and chill in the public spaces. For a bite to eat, enjoy a casual lunch in the Barbican Kitchen cafe or book some pre-theatre dining in the Barbican Bar & Grill, overlooking the Lakeside.
The Barbican is also host to a cinema and an art gallery, which hosts both free and paid-for exhibitions, which change seasonally. Most impressively, the Barbican also has a conservatory within the building, which features koi ponds and is home to over 1,500 types of plants, flowers and trees, including endangered and rare species. Finally, if you’re visiting in summer, you can relax and soak up the sun in the numerous outside seating areas.
19. The Other Palace: Sample Their Gin Selection
The Other Palace isn’t just home to the hottest new shows in London – it also has the largest Gin collection of any West End Theatre. Fittingly named The Other Gin Palace, the bar has a huge selection of gins, mixers, and other spirits as well as cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. There’s also light bites, snacks and pizzas available to soak up all of that gin pre-show, or if you’re seeing a matinee, you can grab a coffee or tea from the cafe!
20. Charing Cross Theatre: Stay Late for Post-Show Piano
Our top tip for the Charing Cross Theatre is actually not to arrive early (though you can always grab a drink ahead of the show or something to eat from the local area)… it’s to stay late. After the show, the theatre opens up the Player’s Bar, a piano lounge with a live pianist, from 10pm ‘til 2am every night. Interaction is encouraged, and each Wednesday is dedicated to Broadway and West End tunes in a Musical Theatre Singalong Night. Enjoy stunning live music, spontaneous sing-alongs, cocktails and a community atmosphere late into the night.
Let Us Know Your Thoughts!
And there you have it – theatregoers who are looking for a little bit of a pre-show performance, a nibble and a drink, or to learn more about the history of the West End are spoilt for choice with so many things to do ahead of the show at these venues! Have you visited any of the theatres on our list, or have we missed out your favourite hidden pre-show gem? Let us know in the comments! Plus, if you have pictures of any of these venues, send us your photos via help@seatplan.com and we may publish them on this page!
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