London Theatre District Guide: Shopping, Nightlife, and Hotels

• Theatres of West End: London's West End has over 30 captivating venues, shaping the city's vibrant entertainment scene.
• From Circus to The Lion King: Among them, the Lyceum Theatre, dating back to 1765, has transformed from a host of circus performances and waxwork exhibitions to enchanting audiences with productions like The Lion King.
• Technological Innovation: The erstwhile New London Theatre, established in 1973, introduced revolutionary features, including a revolving stage, creating space for experimental productions.
• Launching Pad for Stars: Numerous well-known actors started their careers in London's West End. For instance, Kerry Ingram from Matilda The Musical won an Olivier Award and starred in Game Of Thrones, while Tom Holland's early career as Billy Elliot paved the way for his success on stage and screen.

• Where Stories Come to Life: The West End offers a mesmerizing array of performances, from operas and plays to ballet and experimental theatre, captivating audiences in its historical venues.
• Variety of Experiences: Shows in London offer a wide range of choices, catering to all age groups and tastes. But London's Theatre District, as the name implies, is best known for its world-class theatre.
• Magic of Theatre: Some of the top theatre shows in the West End include The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty's Theatre, The Mousetrap at St Martin's Theatre, and Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre.
• The Longest Running Classics: The Mousetrap, Les Misérables, and The Phantom of the Opera have surpassed 10,000 performances, attesting to their enduring popularity and status as timeless theatrical triumphs.

While walking might be the preference for some visitors, commuting via public transportation will save you time, especially if you are visiting for a show at the theatres.

• Walking: Transport for London’s Journey Planner is a helpful tool to find the quickest route for folks looking to travel on foot or by public transport.
• Subway: The most affordable option is the well-connected tube or underground metro, with stations near all prominent theatres. Charing Cross, Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square, and Piccadilly Circus are the closest stations to the London Theatre District
• Other Public Transport: Buses and taxis are also available but may take longer during peak traffic hours.

Pro tip: An Oyster Card is a prepaid travel card that can save you up to 50% on travel costs and is the best way to use the tube and bus.

• A classic, The American Bar at The Savoy is a world-renowned and longest-surviving cocktail bar in London.
• Serving old favourites with a twist, and new and vintage creations, this iconic bar has hosted legendary bartenders and served historic figures such as Ernest Hemingway and Winston Churchill.
• With its rich history dating back to 1893, the American Bar remains at the forefront of the industry.

Timings: Monday-Wednesday (4 PM – 12 AM), Thursday-Saturday (12 PM - 12 AM), Sunday (12 PM - 10 PM)

Address: The Savoy, Strand, London WC2R 0EZ, United Kingdom

• The Artesian at The Langham is another award-winning favourite named after the original 360 feet deep well under the hotel.
• Artesian has collaborated with Angelo Sato, the chef of Humble Chicken in Soho, to develop a new and thrilling food menu that draws inspiration from classic Japanese cuisine and ingredients.
• With its eclectic range of cocktails and fantastic ambience, Artesian offers a vibrant nightlife for tourists.

Timings: Monday-Wednesday (4 PM – 12 AM), Thursday-Saturday (12 PM - 1 AM)

Address: 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA, United Kingdom

• This bar is both fashionable and refined, following in the footsteps of the iconic American bars that gained fame in London and Paris during the 1920s.
• With its stunning walnut-panelled interior and impressive collection of early 20th-century art and photographs, including a Magritte painting that inspired the bar’s name, it’s hard not to be charmed by this elegant establishment.
• Le Magritte is great for those looking for a classic cocktail or experimenting with one of their many bourbons and American whiskies.

Timings: Monday-Saturday (until 12 AM), Sunday (until 11 PM)

Address: The Beaumont, 8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, London W1K 6TF, United Kingdom

• sketch London is a quirky group of bars and restaurants with art infused in every aspect of the destination.
• Its whimsical interiors have garnered much fame, created by leading designers and artists such as Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, Martin Creed, David Shrigley and Yinka Shonibare.
• The East Bar at sketch is inside a giant, spaceship-like globe. A sunken, circular bar occupies the centre of the room, and the menus are disguised as scattered newspapers.
• The bar offers an ingenious selection of cocktails but retains a few classics. If you’re looking for an other-worldly drinking experience, you’ve found your match in the East Bar!

Timings: Thursday-Saturday (6 PM - 2 AM), Sunday (2 PM to 7 PM)

Address: 9 Conduit St, London W1S 2XG, United Kingdom

• Stanfords is a must-visit destination for travellers and explorers of all kinds.
• Explore the world through the extensive collection of books and maps at Stanfords, the world’s largest map and travel book retailer.
• Serving travel geeks, cartography enthusiasts and bookworms since 1853, this specialist bookshop was established by Edward Stanford.
• Visit this legendary bookstore in Covent Garden at 7 Mercer Walk, for a guidebook or a travel-inspired gift.

Timings: Weekdays (9 AM - 6/7 PM), Saturday (10 AM - 7 PM), Sunday (12 PM - 6 PM)

Address: 7 Mercer Walk, London WC2H 9FA, United Kingdom

Best known for: Specialist Maps

Price range: Mid-range

• If you are a fashion aficionado, you must visit Vivienne Westwood's flagship store on Conduit Street for a refined shopping experience.
• Known for her radical designs, bold silhouettes and punk spirit, Vivienne Westwood has been creating clothes since the 1970s.
• Her work is synonymous with the notion of Rennaissance and each piece is art embodied.
• Discover the world of Vivienne Westwood and browse through some of the hottest designs in the world.

Timings: Monday-Saturday (10 AM - 6 PM), Sunday (12 PM - 5 PM)

Address: 44 Conduit St, London W1S 2YL, United Kingdom

Best known for: Modern Punk and New Wave Fashion

Price range: Luxury

• Attention fans of Doctor Who, Marvel, DC Comics and Star Wars, if you visit the Forbidden Planet London Megastore there is a high chance you may never want to leave!
• Located on Shaftesbury Avenue in London’s West End, this ‘Cult Entertainment Megastore stocks a wide variety of science fiction and fantasy-related magazines, comics, books, toys and merchandise.
• Lose yourself amidst some of the hottest manga, signed copies of your favourite comics and rare collectables in this wonderland.

Timings: Monday-Wednesday (10 AM - 6 PM), Thursday-Saturday (10 AM - 7 PM), Sunday (12 PM - 6 PM)

Address: 179 Shaftesbury Ave, London WC2H 8JR, United Kingdom

Best known for: Science Fiction, Fantasy & Popular Culture Products

Price range: Mid-range

• Sounds of the Universe is a record shop located in Soho, London, associated with Soul Jazz Records.
• This store is a must-visit destination for music lovers, offering a wide selection of vinyl records, CDs and books.
• Whether you’re looking for the latest releases or rare finds, Sounds of the Universe has something for everyone.
• The store is known for its knowledgeable staff and welcoming atmosphere, making it a great place to discover new music and connect with other music enthusiasts.

Timings: Monday-Saturday (10 AM - 7:30 PM), Sunday (11:30 AM - 5:30 PM)

Address: 7 Broadwick St, London W1F 0DA, United Kingdom

Best known for: Exclusive Soul Jazz Records Releases

Price range: Mid-range

• Looking for a place that is close to theatres, Soho, and Chinatown but doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket?
• Z Hotel Soho is an excellent accommodation choice.
• With its elegant and well-equipped rooms, this is compact luxury at its best.
• The Z Hotel Soho is located between the bookshops of Cambridge Circus and Charing Cross Road, with the spirit of Old Compton Street.

Address: 17 Moor St, London W1D 5AP, United Kingdom

Theatres nearby: Sondheim Theatre, Palace Theatre

• The YHA London St Pancras is perfect for backpackers and families looking for a great holiday on a budget.
• It is located conveniently to explore the essential landmarks of London, with the British Library just across the road and the British Museum nearby.
• The hostel has various accommodation options, including beds in shared rooms, private rooms, and private en-suite rooms.

Address: 79-81 Euston Rd., London NW1 2QE, United Kingdom

Theatres nearby: Fortune Theatre, Dominion Theatre

• This hotel has been hosting guests in London since 1909.
• The Strand Palace Hotel is charming, modern and just a stone’s throw from Trafalgar Square and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
• It has a great bar and restaurant, and a complimentary gym.
• It is a great base for sightseers as it is within walking distance from Covent Garden, Charing Cross, Holborn and Embankment underground stations.

Address: 372 Strand, London WC2R 0JJ, United Kingdom

Theatres nearby: Adelphi Theatre, Vaudeville Theatre

• This hotel was established in 1954 and is an English Heritage-listed 19th Century Victorian building.
• Experience authentic British hospitality in this family-owned hotel, with modern rooms and a complimentary continental breakfast buffet when booked directly.
• With its ideal location in Kensington Gardens Square and proximity to the West End and multiple tube stations, the Garden Court Hotel would be a great stay for tourists exploring the theatreland.

Address: 30-31 Kensington Gardens Square, London W2 4BG, United Kingdom

Theatres nearby: Bush Theatre, Regents Park Open Air Theatre