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[siddhesh]

Are the bars and snack counters inside most theatres reasonably priced? Or is it better to eat/drink beforehand? Any theatres with particularly good (or bad) options?

[rohit]

Yes please, any restaurants recommendations around West End?

[Suzzannah]

Most theatres will have bars offering a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, along with some basic snacks like crisps, chocolates, and sometimes ice cream. You can usually pre-order interval drinks to avoid the queues, which is a lifesaver, especially for popular shows. However, don’t expect gourmet meals or even particularly good value for money.

My personal take? I almost always eat and drink beforehand. The West End is absolutely brimming with fantastic restaurants, pubs, and cafes that offer much better quality and value. It’s part of the whole theatre experience for me – a lovely meal before the show, and then perhaps just a small bottle of water or a soft drink inside if I get thirsty.

Can you bring your own? This is a bit of a grey area and varies by theatre. Generally, they don’t allow hot food or anything too smelly (which is fair enough, you don’t want to be distracting your fellow theatre-goers!). However, many theatres are quite relaxed about bringing in your own cold snacks like a bag of sweets or a small bottle of water. I’ve often popped into a supermarket beforehand for a little treat. Just be discreet and avoid anything that rustles too loudly during the performance!

Some theatres, like the Apollo Victoria, even explicitly state that cold food in plastic containers is allowed. So, it’s worth checking the specific theatre’s website if you’re unsure, but as a rule, avoid anything that could be messy or noisy.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by rohit.

[Edward]

What’s the average price for an interval ice cream these days in West End theatres? Worth it or just nostalgia tax?

[candiceflynn]

Great question, Edward! Suzzannah’s spot-on as always. Let me give you the honest 2025 pricing breakdown:

**Current Pricing:**
* **Interval ice cream:** £4-6 (definitely nostalgia tax, but sometimes worth it!)
* **Wine:** £8-12 per glass
* **Beer:** £6-8 per pint
* **Soft drinks:** £3-4.50
* **Snacks:** £2-5

**The Reality:** Theatre F&B is 30-50% more expensive than nearby pubs/cafes, but you’re paying for convenience and atmosphere.

**Best Value Theatres:**
* **National Theatre** – excellent bars, reasonable prices
* **Apollo Victoria** – surprisingly good value for West End
* **Old Vic** – fair pricing, good selection

**Most Expensive:**
* Newer West End venues and tourist-heavy Leicester Square area

**Money-Saving Tips:**
1. **Pre-order interval drinks** – skip queues and sometimes get small discounts
2. **Eat/drink beforehand** – save £15-20 per visit
3. **Bring quiet snacks** – most theatres allow small water bottles and non-rustling treats
4. **Share wine bottles** – better value than individual glasses

**When It’s Worth the Splurge:**
* Special celebrations
* First-time theatre experiences
* Meeting friends during interval
* Royal Opera House (expensive but exceptional quality)

**Bringing Your Own:**
Most theatres are relaxed about small snacks and water bottles. Apollo Victoria explicitly allows cold food in plastic containers. Just avoid anything noisy or smelly!

**My Strategy:** Eat well beforehand, bring a small water bottle, and maybe treat yourself to one interval drink for special occasions. The savings really add up for regular theatre-goers – you could buy another ticket with what you save!

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