A Big Day Out at Hamilton

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

Hamilton was a breath of fresh air when it arrived on the West End in 2017, a hip hop musical about the US founding fathers. A phenomenal hit, Lin Manual Miranda’s musical is still one of the West End’s most popular shows, with a fanatical following and fans that come back again and again. Whether you’re visiting the Victoria Palace Theatre for the first time or the fifteenth, here’s your guide to making a big day out of seeing Hamilton in the West End.

Things to do near Hamilton the musical
Restaurants near Hamilton the musical
Shopping near Hamilton the musical
Bars and pubs near Hamilton the musical
Tube stations and bus stops near Hamilton the musical
On-theme activities for Hamilton the musical

Things to do near Hamilton the musical

Hamilton is the perfect show for history lovers, and Victoria offers easy access to plenty of London’s most famous historic sites. Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey are both a fifteen-minute walk from the theatre, with the Palace offering visitors the chance to explore the State rooms and experience the Changing of the Guard ceremony if they time their visit right. The Abbey is the final resting place of many notable figures in British history, including plenty of royals.

Whilst you’re visiting Buckingham Palace, you may want to stop by The King’s Gallery, where you can see exhibitions from the Royal Collection, including master paintings, rare photographs and vintage furnishings and decorative arts. Also nearby is St James’ Park, a great way to make the most of nice weather whilst still soaking in the history.

You might want to add a little luxury to your day out with the Bath House, considered to be London’s best spa. The healing and nourishing principles of traditional banya are woven into contemporary therapies in this unique experience just six minutes’ walk from the Victoria Palace theatre. If you’re celebrating something special, it’s well worth a splurge.

For something fun to fill the time, Lane 7 is just five minutes from the theatre and offers bowling, mini golf and shuffleboard. If everyone’s of drinking age, there’s also beer pong and a secret over-18s basement arcade hall on offer.

Restaurants near Hamilton the musical

There are endless restaurant options around Victoria, including many if not most of your favourite chains. A great option that will please everyone is Market Halls, where nine different kitchens are serving their own cuisines – no compromises needed here. Just a two minute walk from the theatre, this beautiful Edwardian building offers seating over three floors and even boasts a hidden rooftop bar.

A great option for authentic Italian food is Il Posto, just around the corner from the theatre. Mildred’s is another winner, a vegan chain that boasts an elevated but still affordable plant-based menu.

If you’re after something a little fancier, you can’t really go wrong with The Ivy Victoria, which offers all-day drinks and dining in a stunning setting. Or, cross The Cinnamon Club off your list, a fine dining Indian spot that London foodies rave about. Both are within a fifteen-minute walk of the Victoria Palace.

Shopping near Hamilton the musical

If you’re ready to treat yourself to something you’ve had your eye on, Victoria Place is just around the corner from the theatre, with plenty of popular chain stores and eateries. Cardinal Place also boasts many of your favourite brands, again just a two-minute walk away.

Bars and pubs near Hamilton the musical

If you’re keen for a drink before the show, the theatre bar is always great for soaking up the atmosphere, and many of our recommended restaurants also serve a great cocktail. There are also plenty of popular chains nearby.

For a traditional British pub experience before you’re immersed in American history, The Pheonix is only five minutes away, whilst The Duke Of York is just next door. Both are housed in historic buildings that make for the perfect cosy pre-show hideaway.

Whilst The American Bar at the Savoy might not technically be nearby, it is the perfect pre-cursor to a night at Hamilton, for obvious reasons. The famous art deco bar at London’s legendary Savoy Hotel isn’t the cheapest pre-show option, but it is great for a special occasion – plus it’s only three stops away on the Circle or District line, meaning that you can make it from the Savoy to the theatre in as little as fifteen minutes.

Tube stations and bus stops near Hamilton the musical

The Victoria Palace theatre is situated right by Victoria Station, which is served by the Victoria line, the District line and the Circle line. The theatre is also very well connected via bus. Plan your journey ahead of time with TFL travel for the best experience.

On-theme activities for Hamilton the musical

London is a city drenched in history, so if you’d like to transport yourself to the past ahead of the show then you have endless options. Grosvenor Square in Mayfair is a great stop. The previous location of the American embassy, this was also the spot where John Adams established the first American Mission to the Court of James in 1785 (yes, “that little man who spoke to me” in the musical). You also might spot some statues of former presidents around the place.

Speaking of statues, Hamilton fans might want to visit Somerset House to see John Bacon’s statue of George III, who gets plenty of stage time in the show. Somerset House is a great place for a daytrip in its own right, with lots of history surrounding it and frequently changing exhibits on art, photography and culture. Kew Gardens is another link to George III – Kew Palace was where he made a home with Queen Charlotte, and there’s lots for visitors to explore within the grounds.

If you do end up visiting Buckingham Palace or St James’ Park, you might want to keep on walking to Sackville Street. Whilst not much to get excited about on the surface, fans of the musical might be interested to see the street on which Angelica Schuyler lived with her husband during their years in London. Finally, to complete your historical tour, why not pay a visit to Benjamin Franklin House? This museum exists in the only surviving house inhabited by Benjamin Franklin – the founding father lived in London between 1757 and 1775. If you visit on the weekend, you might even get to experience a costumed tour. Fun fact: Franklin was originally supposed to be a character in Hamilton, but ended up being cut before the final version. The scrapped ‘Ben Franklin’s Song’, eventually recorded by The Decembrists, is quite the listen…

Book your tickets to Hamilton here