A Big Day Out at The Play That Goes Wrong

Make the most out of your day seeing The Play That Goes Wrong in London, including restaurants, shopping and things to do near the theatre

It may be theatrical chaos, but The Play That Goes Wrong is the longest-running comedy in London – so they must be doing something very right. Mischief’s meta-comedy follows the Cornely theatrical society in their attempt to stage a classic whodunnit, befallen by mishap after mishap. Watching the accident-prone cast and crew battle their way to final curtain is one of the West End’s most entertaining experiences, but even when the entertainment takes care of itself, there’s still plenty that goes into planning a great day out in London. Luckily, we’re on hand to recommend all the best restaurants, bars and activities to help you get the most out of your day seeing The Play That Goes Wrong.

Things to do near The Play That Goes Wrong
Restaurants near The Play That Goes Wrong
Shopping near The Play That Goes Wrong
Bars and pubs near The Play That Goes Wrong
Tube stations and bus stops near The Play That Goes Wrong
On-theme activities for The Play That Goes Wrong

Things to do near The Play That Goes Wrong

There’s plenty to keep you entertained within walking distance of the Duchess Theatre. Just four minutes away, you’ll find The Courtauld Gallery, located in the picturesque Somerset House and containing works by Monet, Van Gogh and Cézanne, among plenty of others. You’ve also got The National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery are just twelve minutes’ walk away, which both house huge collections of art, created by and depicting plenty of famous names.

Just a five-minute walk away is the famous Covent Garden. You’ll often find street performers drawing a crowd on the Piazza or major brands staging pop-ups. The London Transport Museum, located nearby, offers plenty to keep young people entertained, whilst the Infinity Chamber makes the perfect place to take some commemorative pictures.

For something more active, Spygames will test your whole group to see if you’re spy material. You’ll tackle a series of brainteasing and agility-testing high-tech challenges in interactive experiences crafted with the advice of real CIA and Special Ops experts, all just two minutes from the Duchess Theatre.

Restaurants near The Play That Goes Wrong

There are lots of great restaurants within walking distance of the Duchess Theatre, including plenty of your favourite chains. Here are a few of our top recommendations in the area.

Christopher’s – This stylish steakhouse, grill and martini bar elevates stateside classics to bring you the best in American dining.

Café Murano – Offering authentic Italian dishes with fresh, seasonal flavours and handmade pasta, this spot demonstrates excellent Italian cooking with a small, specialised menu.

Violas – With whimsical décor, beautiful plating and a brunch menu that has made them the talk of London, Violas is the perfect spot for pre-theatre food, whether you’re stopping by pre-matinee for one of their famous afternoon teas or enjoying their brasserie-style diner menu.

Paro – This modern Indian restaurant boasts one of the best curry menus in London, curated to include diners of all tastes and encourage everyone to share in the tradition of Indian dining.

Vasiniko – If your ideal pre-theatre meal is on the casual side, Vasiniko offers the best of both worlds: a trendy Italian created by expert pizza makers that also offers great pastas and desserts.

Boulevard Brasserie – For authentic French cuisine, this classic French brasserie is set over three floors in a stylish exposed brick dining space. It also boasts an excellent pre-theatre menu.

Shopping near The Play That Goes Wrong

The Duchess Theatre is within reasonable walking distance of lots of London’s best shopping. Just five minutes from the theatre, Covent Garden is home to global beauty brands and high-quality independent stores. For a curated experience, St Martin’s Courtyard, eight minutes away, houses a discerning collection of fashion and lifestyle brands as well as cosy cafes.

Colourful Neal’s Yard, just eight minutes away, is always worth a visit, whether you’re shopping for the best in beauty and wellness or just snapping photos. If you’re up for a further walk, you’ll find Carnaby Street twenty-five minutes from the Duchess Theatre, carrying major global brands and independent businesses. And of course, Oxford Street is the final word in West End shopping. Also twenty-five minutes away, over 300 brands await you on this famous shopping street.

Bars and pubs near The Play That Goes Wrong

All of our recommended restaurants are great places to grab a drink, but here are a few of our favourite bars and pubs near the Duchess Theatre.

Champagne + Fromage –This cosy bar specialises in exactly what their name suggests. Working with carefully chosen independent producers, they source exclusively from France, bringing you the very best in champagne, cheese and charcuterie.

The Lobby Bar at One Aldwych – This stylish space is known for their innovative cocktails created by master mixologists, with a drinks menu inspired by their extensive collection of contemporary art.

CellarDoor – A famous Covent Garden spot, this basement bar not only makes a great cocktail, but offers a full calendar of events, hosting everything from film screenings to burlesque nights.

Plume Wine Bar – A hidden gem that prides itself on word-of-mouth marketing. This beautiful wine bar is set across two storeys in Charles Dickens’ former 1860s publishing house, specialising in sparkling and English wines, and also offering a menu of exotic sharing plates.

Nell Of Old Drury – It’s said that this lively watering hole is linked to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane via a tunnel that was once reportedly used by Charles II to visit his mistress, famous actress Nell Gwynn. Whether true or not, it’s a verified fact that this place carries a great selection of wines, ales and beers.

Coach & Horses – This richly historic spot was voted Evening Standard’s number one pub to visit in London. Here you’ll find modern craft beers, cask classics and everything in-between.

Tube stations and bus stops near The Play That Goes Wrong

The closest tube station to the Duchess Theatre is Covent Garden, on the Piccadilly line. It’s a five-minute walk away. Charing Cross is your closest National Rail station – it’s a ten-minute walk from the theatre, and also sits on the Northern and Bakerloo lines.

Other nearby tube stops include Holborn for the Central and Piccadilly lines, which is a ten-minute walk away, and Temple for the Circle and District lines, which is a twelve-minute walk away.

Multiple bus routes also drop off and pick up nearby. It’s best to plan your route with TFL.

On-theme activities for The Play That Goes Wrong

The Producers – Another show about a show that doesn’t go exactly to plan, The Producers tells the story of Max and Leo, two co-conspirators attempting to get rich by staging the worst show of all time. It’s playing at the Garrick Theatre until 23 September 2026, and is a perfect one to pair with The Play That Goes Wrong.

The Mousetrap – Alternatively, if you want to see how a whodunnit is supposed to go, you might want to pay a visit to St Martin’s Theatre to see Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery, now booking into its 75^th year. There’s a reason this one has run for so long – just make sure you keep your lips sealed after the show…

The Murdér Express – In Bethnal Green, you can be part of a murder mystery story of your own, as you board the decadent Murdér Express and take a journey to 1937. Archaeologist Dr Errol Earhart has unearthed a valuable diamond and is overseeing its transportation to the Von Cleethorpes estate. When the gem goes missing, you’ll find yourself immersed in the story as it unfolds – and you’ll enjoy a three-course meal as you watch.

Moriarty’s Game – Hidden London invite you to take on this challenge from Sherlock’s arch-enemy and embark on an immersive experience across Marylebone. Solve puzzles, interact with the story in real-time and discover new places as you go. Let’s hope you have more success than the Cornely theatrical society.

The Play That Goes Wrong is currently playing at the Duchess Theatre – find your tickets here