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.

Just over the road from the theatre is Bardo St James, an elegant Italian restaurant that makes a particularly great choice for those celebrating something special. Also over the road, housed in the Haymarket Hotel, is Brumus Restaurant & Bar, an all-day brasserie serving seasonal dishes and classics, offering hearty pre-theatre dining.

Three minutes down the road is Machiya, a traditional Japanese restaurant perfect for those who like to be immersed in another culture when they sit down to eat. For a more casual option, YORI is also three minutes away. This London chain serves Korean BBQ and traditional Korean food with so many great options you’ll have a hard time choosing.

Those either in search of or open to a phenomenal vegan menu might want to try Tendril, less than a twenty-minute walk from His Majesty’s Theatre. This plant-based restaurant boasts a superb menu and is perfect for celebrating all big and small occasions.

Finally, if you like to get the party started at your pre-show dinner, it’s worth heading just down the street to Americana London. This fun-loving joint offers a creative take on American dishes and desserts, and there’s often live music happening while you dine.

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. Housed within His Majesty’s Theatre is the Cecil Beaton Bar, one of the coolest theatre bars you’ll come across, and well-worth a visit before you take your seats for The Phantom of the Opera.

Two minutes around the corner from the theatre, you’ll find St James Bar, offering elevated classics inside the luxury five-star Sofitel Hotel. Another classy option for before or after the show is 8 at the Londoner, a gorgeous rooftop bar offering superb views of the theatre district, just five minutes from the theatre. Their cocktail menu draws inspiration from the tastes of Japan and is designed to perfectly compliment their food, in case you get peckish.

Three minutes away, you’ll find Tom Cribb, a stylish pub named after a famous 19^th-century boxer – very era-appropriate. Also within three minutes’ walk is The Coach House, a classic Victorian pub and eatery that hosts live comedy upstairs.

For a warm and lively experience, Waxy O’Connors is the way to go. Just six minutes from His Majesty’s Theatre, this Irish bar boasts one of the most unique interiors you’ll find it the area, including a tree sprouting through the centre of the pub. Explore the four bars housed inside, accessible via a labyrinth of passages and staircases – you might even be lucky enough to find live music inside one or two of them.

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

Of course, the best way to get yourself into the spirit of this opera house drama is to visit an opera house. You’ll only have to walk fifteen minutes from the theatre to find London’s Royal Opera House, which has 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.

Costumes and masks are very important aspects of The Phantom of the Opera, and you can learn more about both at the V&A Museum. The V&A’s costume exhibit is home to over 3500 stage costumes from mid-18^th century all the way up to present day. Phantom is set in the year 1881 – see if you can spot what performers around that era might have been wearing.

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 Cemetery, 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.

If you’d like to eat and drink on theme, a visit to Soho’s Maison Bertaux is a must – 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. For an on-theme tipple even closer to home, His Majesty’s Theatre’s own Cecil Beaton 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