A Big Day Out at Avenue Q the musical

Make the most out of your day seeing Avenue Q in London, including restaurants, shopping and things to do near the theatre

Irreverent fan-favourite musical Avenue Q is back in the West End for the first time in fifteen years, and it’s a return worth celebrating. As the musical opens doors at Shaftesbury Theatre, we’re rounding up all the information you need to make the most of your visit and plan an Avenue Q-centric day out. We’ll leave the cheerful existential crisis to you…

Here’s how to have a big day out seeing Avenue Q in London, including where to eat, where to shop, and what activities to add to your itinerary.

Things to do near Avenue Q
Restaurants near Avenue Q
Shopping near Avenue Q
Bars and pubs near Avenue Q
Tube stations and bus stops near Avenue Q
On-theme activities for Avenue Q

Things to do near Avenue Q

The Shaftesbury Theatre is situated near many of London’s top museums and attractions, with lots of surprises to discover in the area. Five minutes away, you’ll find the famous Covent Garden, where there’s more to see than the average visitor would expect. If you get tired of exploring the shops, you can take photos in the brightly lit Infinity Chamber, wander through The London Transport Museum, or admire the costumes on display at the Royal Opera House.

Twelve minutes away is Trafalgar Square, home to Nelson’s Column, along with the famous bronze lions and fountain. This monument commemorates the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar and is high on every list of London sight-seeing spots. Right next to Trafalgar Square you’ll find two of London’s best-loved museums. The National Gallery displays artwork from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century, whilst the National Portrait Gallery houses lots of famous faces from throughout history.

Another one of the city’s best museums, The British Museum, is only five minutes from Shaftesbury Theatre. Its permanent collection of eight million works is the largest in the world. Or, if you’d rather be outside soaking up the sun, wander over to Neal’s Yard, a colourful courtyard housing health and wellness brands, great food and cosy coffee shops.

For an activity that’ll entertain the whole group no matter what the size, Monopoly Lifesized is a thirteen-minute walk from the theatre. You’ll find four life sized boards to choose from on which to play the ultimate immersive game with friends or family.

Restaurants near Avenue Q

There’s a huge variety of great chain and independent restaurants within walking distance of Shaftesbury Theatre. Here are a few of our favourite spots.

Milk Beach – This stylish, laid-back eatery offers modern Australian all-day dining, with dishes inspired by Australia’s diverse culture and a great list of natural wines.

Rosa’s Thai– Basing their dishes on real family recipes from their founder, Saiphin, this Thai restaurant offers a selection of Thailand’s favourite regional dishes made with authentic ingredients.

Brother Marcus Soho– Brother Marcus offers all-day dining in warm, welcoming space, serving seasonal dishes and mezze sharing plates inspired by the flavours of the Eastern Mediterranean. They also offer pre-theatre dining, so you won’t have to worry about timing your meal right.

Oorja Indian Dining – From the spice-laden curries of Northern India to Delhi street food, each plate at this refined Indian restaurant is a tribute to a diverse region of the country.

Kapara Restaurant – With a relaxed, flavour-first ethos and a globally inspired menu, Kapara caters to any gastric need, from brunches to indulgent lunches to late night dining, with excellent cocktails to boot.

Pho & Bun – This Vietnamese restaurant combines traditional and innovative cooking to put their own twist on authentic street food. You’ll enjoy their famous boa burgers and tradition-honouring pho in a vibrant, immersive setting.

Shopping near Avenue Q

There’s lots of great shopping near Shaftesbury Theatre. Just five minutes away, Covent Garden is home to luxury fashion and beauty stores, whilst the vibrant neighbourhood of Soho, just fifteen minutes’ walk from the theatre, offers an eclectic mix of shops, from high street brands to one of a kind vintage stores.

Twenty minutes away is Carnaby Street, a pedestrianised shopping street housing top fashion and lifestyle brands and independent boutiques. Or, seventeen minutes’ walk from the theatre, you’ll find over 3000 of your favourite brands on Oxford Street.

Bars and pubs near Avenue Q

All of our recommended restaurants will serve you a great drink, and there are lots of reliable chains and historic pubs near the theatre to discover. Here are a few of our favourite spots nearby.

Oriole – This bar and restaurant builds its cocktail menu around global flavours. Its Bamboo Bar is named as an ode to the ‘Bamboo’ aperitif, and here you’ll find a sophisticated list of aperitif-style pours, specialising in sherry and vermouth.

Below Stone Nest – With a highball-focused drinks menu and a selection of veggie-forward small plates, this hidden bar under a Grade II-listed former Presbyterian Church is always a memorable spot for a drink.

The Little Scarlet Door – If you fancy stepping out of the Shaftesbury Theatre and straight into a Soho house party, look no further. The Little Door venues are notorious for accommodating any kind of night you want to have, whether it’s a cosy conversation on the sofas or a sharable cocktail or two.

Bloomsbury Tavern – Once the final watering hole en route to the hangman’s noose at Marble Arch, this 1856 pub is now a lot more welcoming, with beautiful stained glass details and great ales on tap.

Dovetail Bar – This late night balcony bar offers stunning views over Leicester Square, and a menu of beautifully crafted cocktails to enjoy as you take them in.

Tube stations and bus stops near Avenue Q

The closest tube station to the Shaftesbury Theatre is Tottenham Court Road, just five minutes’ walk away, on the Central, Elizabeth and Northern. Holborn is also just seven minutes away, on the Central and Piccadilly lines.

The closest National Rail station is Charing Cross, thirteen minutes’ walk from the theatre. Multiple bus routes also drop off and pick up near Shaftesbury Theatre. It’s best to plan your route with TFL.

On-theme activities for Avenue Q

The Book Of Mormon – If you’re looking to make the most of your time in London and add another show to the schedule, The Book Of Mormon is the perfect one to pair with Avenue Q. Another irreverent, atypical musical, it follows a pair of Mormon missionaries as they embark on a mission to a remote Ugandan village.

Hamleys – If you were charmed by Avenue Q’s puppet cast, the best place to find a felt companion of your own is Hamleys on Regent Street. The world’s oldest toy store, it stretches over multiple floors of magic and carries more than 50,000 lines of toys on sale – you’re bound to find some puppets hiding somewhere.

London Cabaret Club – If Lucy’s act at the Around The Clock Café had you itching to see some (probably much better) cabaret, the London Cabaret Club is one of the best places to go in the city, offering immersive dining and a luxury experience.

Young V&A Museum Of Childhood – If watching the Sesame Street-esque puppets in Avenue Q get up to everything they get up to slightly ruined your childhood, the Young V&A is the perfect place to reclaim it. You’ll find lots of playful exhibits for kids of all ages here – and probably no Elmo lookalikes singing about internet porn.

Avenue Q is now playing at Shaftesbury Theatre – find tickets here