Theatre
Big Day Out
A Big Day Out at Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Make the most out of your day seeing Stranger Things: The First Shadow in London, including restaurants, shopping and things to do near the theatre
With the final series landing on Netflix, there’s never been a better time to discover the show-stopping prequel at the Phoenix Theatre. Stranger Things: The First Shadow isn’t just a fascinating new chapter in the history of Hawkins – it’s a masterful live blockbuster that has to be seen to be believed. (You can read our review of the show here). Winner of two Olivier Awards, the production pushes theatrical effects to their cutting edge to dazzle, thrill and chill in equal measure. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the show or completely new to the world, this is a must-see, and it’s even better paired with a fantastic day out in London. Here’s our guide to making the most of your day seeing Stranger Things: The First Shadow, including where to eat, where to shop, and how to plan some on-theme activities.
Things to do near Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Restaurants near Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Shopping near Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Bars and pubs near Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Tube stations and bus stops near Stranger Things: The First Shadow
On-theme activities for Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Things to do near Stranger Things: The First Shadow
The Phoenix Theatre sits in a bustling, vibrant part of London’s theatre district, with a huge amount to see and do nearby. Five minutes from the theatre is Chinatown, home to over 70 East and Southeast Asian restaurants, shops, bars and cafes. Also five minutes away you’ll find Neal’s Yard, a colourful courtyard home to some of the city’s top health and wellness brands as well as great food and coffee. Both are fantastic warm-weather options if you’re looking to do some exploring outdoors.
If you’re after an indoor activity, the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery are both ten minutes’ walk away, the latter hosting a large collection of famous faces, and the former artwork from the mid-13th century all the way up to the year 1900. Also ten minutes away is the British Museum, which houses a permanent collection of eight million works – the largest in the world.
If you’re seeking a unique activity near the theatre Monopoly Lifesized is a ten-minute walk from the Phoenix Theatre. Here you’ll have four life sized boards to choose from, all of which will let you play the ultimate immersive game with friends or family. You might also want to try Boom Battle Bar, seven minutes from the theatre, where you’ll be able challenge the rest of your group to a wide variety of games, from axe throwing and darts to shuffleboard, beer pong and crazy golf. When you’re ready to get friendly again, there are even karaoke rooms on hand.
Restaurants near Stranger Things: The First Shadow
There are a huge number of both standalone and chain restaurants near the theatre, and Chinatown also offers a wealth of great street food and sit-down restaurants nearby. Tattu London is where you’ll find the area’s most elevated Chinese meal, though. Perfect for a special occasion, this stunning rooftop venue offers incredible views of the area and indulgent dining from an imaginative food and cocktail menu. Three minutes from the theatre, Louie combines classic French cuisine with live jazz, offering finely crafted small plates and decadent mains in an intimate setting.
Also three minutes away is Milk Beach, offering modern Australian all-day dining, with dishes inspired by Australia’s diverse culture. They also boast great cocktails and natural wines, all served in a sunny setting that represents a slice of Sydney in the heart of Soho. Five minutes away is Brasserie Max, serving brasserie classics and modern European dishes with a focus on seasonal produce, in an elegant Covent Garden hotel dining room.
Just down the road from the Phoenix Theatre is Jamon Jamon Soho. This Spanish restaurant incorporates techniques from all around the world in their cooking and is founded on the principles of excellence and passion. Expect flavourful food and a lively atmosphere. Around the corner, family-run Italian Il Cucciolo offers traditional Italian cooking and excellent wines for a casual pre-theatre dinner in their welcoming space.
Shopping near Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Fifteen minutes from the Phoenix Theatre, you’ll find Oxford Street, one of London’s most famous shopping locations and home to all your high street favourites. Five minutes away, Neal’s Yard offers a more specialised shopping experience, with colourful health and wellness stores to explore.
Ten minutes away is Covent Garden, hosting luxury fashion, beauty, and lots of surprises in its stunning market. Thirteen minutes from the theatre, you’ll find Carnaby Street, a picturesque shopping experience, home to fashion and lifestyle brands as well as independent boutiques.
If you’re a bookworm, you won’t have far to go. Foyles, one of London’s most famous bookshops, is directly over the road from the Phoenix Theatre, with four miles of shelves holding more than 200,000 different titles. And of course, if you’re a comic book fan like some of the original Stranger Things characters, you should pay a visit to the Forbidden Planet London Megastore, just four minutes up the road and catering to all things fandom.
Bars and pubs near Stranger Things: The First Shadow
There are tons of great places to grab a drink near the Phoenix Theatre, and all of our recommended restaurants can pour you something nice. For an exciting post-show tipple, look no further than the Phoenix Arts Club. Located directly next door to the theatre, this burlesque and cabaret venue always has something exciting going on, and is a great spot to check out after the performances.
Just over the road from the theatre you’ll find The Coach & Horses, declared the Evening Standard’s top pub to visit in London. This beautiful historic venue has a great range of drinks but it’s particularly known for its excellent beer. Two minutes from the theatre, The Cambridge is another historic pub worth visiting. Built in 1887, on the site of another 100-year-old watering hole, it serves local craft ales and great spirits, and also offers speciality pies.
The stylish Bar Termini is just a minute from the theatre. This stylish Italian bar serves classic cocktails and charcuterie, and is particularly known for its negronis. It’s also a great spot for a glass of wine. Also very nearby is Swift Soho, something of a institution in the area. This famous spot serves classic cocktails and Swift signatures in its casual upstairs bar, whilst downstairs you’ll find live jazz and over 300 whiskies to choose from.
Tube stations and bus stops near Stranger Things: The First Shadow
The closest tube stations to the theatre are Tottenham Court Road for the Northern, Central and Piccadilly lines, Leicester Square for the Northern and Piccadilly lines, and Covent Garden for the Piccadilly line. The nearest train station to the theatre is Charing Cross, which is twelve minutes on foot, and is also served by the Bakerloo and Northern lines. Multiple bus routes also drop off and pick up near the theatre. It’s best to plan your route with TFL.
On-theme activities for Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Stranger Things: The First Shadow might be set in 1959, but the franchise as a whole prompts some serious 80s nostalgia – as does Back To The Future The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre. The time-travelling story of Marty McFly actually has a part to play in the plot of the original TV series, making a trip to Stranger Things: The First Shadow a great excuse for a double feature. Both musicals deal with experiments gone wrong, and you can check out a whole history of adventures in science at the Science Museum in South Kensington. With award-winning special exhibitions and plenty of free adventures to be had as well, this is the perfect place to excite your scientific curiosity.
If you want to immerse yourself in an experimental lab, Avora gives those old enough to drink the opportunity to do exactly that. This immersive theatre and cocktail experience in Hackney lets guests volunteer to be part of a experimental trip through a portal to the mysterious planet of Avora, enjoying unique cocktails and a twisty story along the way.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow is not without its scares, and the TV show is certainly not for those easily frightened. If you want to test your fear threshold, the London Dungeon is the place to do it. With live actors, chilling stories and a heart-thumping ride, this immersive experience takes you through a thousand years of London’s darkest histories.
If that all sounds like a bit much, we’ve got a sweeter alternative. Whilst Stranger Things: The First Shadow takes place a few decades before Eleven turns up in Hawkins and discovers her love for Eggos, enjoying a perfect waffle is a great way to honour the franchise, Kula Café is the place to go for that. This Marylebone serves up some of the city’s best waffles, with lots of indulgent flavours to choose from. The Hawkins gang would be proud.
