The Theatre Café Diner, 154 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2H 8HL
Opening times:
Mon & Tues: 3.30 – 11.30
Wed – Sat: 12 – 11.30
Sun: 12 – 10.30
Bookings recommended
We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek at The Theatre Café Diner before it’s official opening tonight – Saturday 8th October – and IT IS MUSICAL THEATRE HEAVEN.
In a prime position on Shaftesbury Avenue, The Theatre Café Diner takes the sparkles and joy of the original Theatre Café and amps it up to 11. Set over two floors, the themed tables and booths reflect MT classics and there is even a Royal Booth with gold curtains. We were lucky enough to get seated in the Six booth, so spent the night toasting the queens as they looked down on us. The design is so well thought out – wherever you sit, there is so much to see. Next time I want to sit on the Kinky Boots stools to live the dream of having legs that go on forever.
Unfortunately, I was so busy living my best life that the only decent photos I have are of the toilets… but the loos are lush. The only seats in town where you get a round of applause for doing your business.
The menu is full of MT themed dishes: Whistle Down the Wings, Aaron Burr-ger, Shuffle Off to Buffalo Chicken Burger, and my favourite side – Dancing Through Fries. The cocktail menu doesn’t disappoint either: Bend and Schnapps, Long Island Iced Tea-nage Dream and Madame Midori-bbles Sour.
The main selling point, and what makes this place so magical, is the waiting team. Apart from being the friendliest and most welcoming in London, they are also the most talented. The cast includes students and graduates with killer voices and, I expect, the acting chops to deal with the most obnoxious customers with a smile. The live performances are incredible, with each singer moving between the two floors as well as screens to show you what is going on upstairs/downstairs. There is a varied mix of songs from modern and classic musicals, and a glorious range of vocal styles. You may forget to chew – they are so amazing.
Whether you are looking for a pre-theatre treat or simply a joyful dining experience, The Theatre Diner is THE place to go. Food, drink and musical theatre, what else do you need in life? – this will be a lot of people’s Happy Place.