A Big Day Out at The Phantom of the Opera

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

Every theatre fan should see The Phantom of the Opera at least once. The 80s Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is a London classic, the second-longest running musical on the West End and a dark, delicious change of pace from anything else you’ll catch on stage. This twisted love story has played for over 160 million people in 201 cities, but London is the best place to catch it – and we have all the best recommendations to make your visit unforgettable. Here’s your guide to things to do before and after seeing The Phantom of the Opera.

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

Things to do near The Phantom of the Opera the musical

For roughly four decades, The Phantom of the Opera has been playing at His Majesty’s Theatre, in the heart of London’s theatre district. This is a vibrant part of the city, with lots to see and do no matter the weather.

If you’re keen to soak up the sun before heading to the theatre, there’s plenty to explore on foot. The West End’s famous Chinatown is an eight-minute walk away – here you can find over 70 Southeast Asian restaurants, shops, bars and cafes, all housed in a truly unique area of the city. Fifteen minutes away is Neal’s Yard, a colourful courtyard is home to a range of businesses with a focus on wellness and food. If you’re looking for a great spot for photos – or a great slice of pizza – this is the place.

Just a three-minute walk from the theatre, you’ll find Trafalgar Square, home to Nelson’s Column and the famous lions. Leicester Square is just a five-minute walk away, where there’s tons to see and do, green space to sit in, and plenty of famous faces to be spotted, including Shakespeare, Mary Poppins and Paddington…

If you’re after an indoor activity, the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery are both within a five-minute walk. There are incredible art collections to be enjoyed in both, and the National Gallery in particular is a great place to view the work of some prominent French artists and start to immerse yourself in Phantom’s Parisian world.

Restaurants near The Phantom of the Opera the musical

There are lots of popular chain restaurants within walking distance of His Majesty’s Theatre, and Chinatown offers lots of local restaurants and street food options.

Bardo St James – Also offering a pre-theatre menu, Bardo St James build their dishes from refined Italian flavours and seasonal ingredients, their menu rooted in tradition. They’re a great place to enjoy a finely crafted cocktail or an evening of live music as well.

Brumus Restaurant & Bar – A smart brasserie serving modern British cuisine, Brumus offers a set menu for theatregoers, updated frequently with seasonal dishes. You can also find live jazz here on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Machiya – This all-day restaurant is named after Kyoto’s traditional townhouses, and offers simple homestyle Japanese cooking along with drinks and desserts inspired by Japan’s food halls.

YORI Piccadilly Circus – Blending contemporary values with traditional Korean cooking methods, this authentic Korean barbecue restaurant will grill up an excellent meal before your eyes.

Tendril – For vegans – or anyone open to an impeccable plant-based dinner – Tendril is serving up a phenomenal menu of creative plant-based food, diners of all persuasions will be more than satisfied.

Shopping near The Phantom of the Opera the musical

Situated as it is in the heart of the theatre district, His Majesty’s Theatre is in walking distance of plenty of London’s best shopping. Soho is just ten minutes from the theatre, bursting with everything from second-hand stores to designer goods. In less than twenty minutes you can reach all your favourite high street stores on Oxford Street, or check out the huge Foyles on Charing Cross road. Covent Garden, twelve minutes away, offers a wealth of stores to suit all budgets, whilst a browse on Carnaby Street, also twelve minutes from the theatre, never went amiss – here you’ll find the flagship stores of many of your favourite brands.

Speaking of flagship stores, you’ll find two of the most exciting opposite each other at Leicester Square, just six minutes away. Unleash your inner child as you browse the sets and sculptures at The LEGO Store, or head to The M&M Store to treat yourself to something sweet.

If you’re after something truly original, just a minute down the road from His Majesty’s Theatre is Dover Street Market. This multi-story store houses a collection of independent brands and designers and offers a super cool, one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

Bars and pubs near The Phantom of the Opera the musical

Our recommended restaurants are all great places to grab a drink before the show, and there are plenty of popular chains nearby.

St James Bar – Soak up roaring 20s glamour in this sophisticated cocktail bar, with a creative menu of classics and specialities, and velvet emerald sofas.

8 at The Londoner – This Japanese rooftop cocktail bar bases its drinks menu on the eight tastes of Japanese cuisine, with a precisely designed food menu that pairs the perfect small plate with each drink. You’ll enjoy expertly crafted cocktails served with skyline views.

Tom Cribb – This classic British pub is named after champion boxer turned publican Tom Cribb and serves an excellent beer, hosting patrons in a restored Victorian building.

The Coach House – Another classic British pub, this four-storey piano bar serves great pints and pub food, and is also the perfect spot to watch some live sport.

Waxy O’Connor’s – Gunning for the title of London’s best Irish bar, Waxy’s boasts four unique bars over six levels, with the famous Waxy’s tree at the heart. Enjoy great pints along with live sport and music, just a minute from the theatre.

Tube stations and bus stops near The Phantom of the Opera the musical

His Majesty’s Theatre is situated six minutes from Piccadilly Circus tube station, which is served by the Bakerloo/Piccadilly line. If you don’t mind walking a little further, you can access the theatre from multiple other lines as well. The nearest train station is Charing Cross, which is ten minutes’ walk from the theatre. Multiple bus routes also drop off and pick up nearby. It’s best to plan your route with TFL.

On-theme activities for The Phantom of the Opera the musical

The Royal Opera House – Of course, the best way to get yourself into the spirit of this opera house drama is to visit an opera house, and you’ll only have to walk fifteen minutes from the theatre to find this beautiful venue. They have a fantastic calendar of events – it’s worth checking what’s happening close to your visit, as the opera house hosts frequent talks, workshops and exhibitions. You can also book onto one of their backstage tours, or – if time allows – see one of their amazing performances. If nothing else, it’s worth heading up to the Piazza Terrace for a drink and some fantastic views of Covent Garden.

Highgate Cemetery – One of the most important sequences in this gothic drama takes place in a graveyard, as Christine sings to her departed father. London’s Magnificent Seven cemeteries, a term applied to the seven large nineteenth-century graveyards dotted around the city, are a great visit pre-Phantom, helping you to get into the gothic spirit. These are housed in Kensal Green, West Norwood, Abney Park, Brompton, Nunhead and Tower Hamlets, but the most famous is Highgate, with its unique architectural and landscape features. There are also lots of famous names to find on the headstones, including George Eliot, George Michael and Karl Marx.

Maison Bertaux – This French patisserie is the oldest in London, and has stood since 1871, making it even older than the events depicted in The Phantom of the Opera. It’s the perfect place to grab a Parisian treat before or after the show.

Cecil Beaton Bar – For an on-theme tipple even closer to home, His Majesty’s Theatre’s own theatre bar offers delicious themed cocktails to immerse you in the world of the show. Could you imagine a more appropriate pre-theatre sip than the Masquerade Mojito?

Find tickets for The Phantom of the Opera here