A guide to the area around Harry Potter and The Cursed Child
Going to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child? Not sure what to do before, during and after? This post is going to be better than the one on the official website because I’m here all the time for Cursed Child and non-CC reasons. Everything I suggest is within a 10 minute walk of the Palace and the names in italics should come up on google maps.
For this post:
- When I refer to the front of The Palace I mean the side with the big nest and the back is on Greek Street - £= less than £10, ££= £20-£20 and £££= more than £20 per head
BEFORE
You don’t really need to arrive in the area until 30 minutes before the show. This will give you enough time to pick up your tickets, queue to get in, go to the loo and sit down. If you give yourself an hour you’ll also have time for merch.
For those more keen-beans, there isn’t a queue for the box office from 10am (when it opens) till 1hr30 before show time. Then you can go get brunch and that’s never a bad thing! Some good places are:
1. The Breakfast Club, Soho (££): There’s often a queue on weekends as it has a no booking policy but the food in here is amazing! If you’ve got a couple of hours I would recommend it!
2. The Diner, Seven Dials, off Shaftsbury Avenue (££): Similar to The Breakfast Club but without the no-booking policy/ problem. Less of a choice in terms of breakfast items but lots of other options.
3. Neals Yard, Covent Garden (£-££): This is a cute, hidden yard off Seven Dials in Covent Garden with lots of little cafes and restaurants. Great for veggies and vegans and beautiful in the summer. I haven’t had a bad meal in any of the cafes and great if you’re in a rush.
4. Starbucks Reserve, St Martins Lane (£): I call this the ‘fancy’ Starbucks. They have all the regulars plus much more food and a larger range of filter coffees. Plus its table service and the staff are super friendly. And its less than 5 minutes from the theatre but hidden down a side street.
BETWEEN PARTS
On all days except Sundays, where everything is shifted forwards by an hour, you’ll have from 4:30-7:30 to burn. Again, turn up to the theatre a little early- about 15-20 minutes is enough because you’ll already have your tickets. All of the chain restaurants are available in the area, but there’s much more exciting places to eat.
1. China Town (£-£££): You are literally on top of London’s China Town and the amazing, cheap food there. If you cross over Shaftsbury Ave. from the back of the theatre and take any of the roads in front of you, there’s a massive selection of restaurants. They are all good but don’t be tempted by the buffets- they’re just tourist traps and you can get much better food in the other places. The sheer volume of restaurants is slightly daunting, so a few of my favourites are: - Oversea, Gerard Street (£-££): Cantonese - Golden Dragon, Gerard Street (£-££): Cantonese - Rasa Sayang, Macclesfield St (££): Malaysian
2. NY Fold, Charing Cross Road (£): We call this HQ! You only need a slice of this pizza to be full and its so, so good and about £4 a slice. This is perfect for between parts because you can get free soft drink refills for £3, the playlist is great and they don’t mind you sitting there for 3 hours.
3. Balans Soho Society, Old Compton Street (£££): This is a little more expensive (around £15 for main meals) but the food is excellent and I really love the atmosphere. Probably the best cappuccino I’ve had in Soho as well and really close to the theatre.
4. MisterLasagna, Rupert Street (£): This is a little bit more of a walk (10 minutes) but if you like lasagna, you’ll be in heaven. There’s lots of veggie options and the half portion is more than enough and is £3.50 as far as I can remember. They also do a pre-theatre deal of lasagna plus prosecco for less than £10 (can’t remember the exact price), if you show them your theatre ticket.
5. Polpo @ Ape and Bird (£££): This place is actually expensive but the food is incredible. Its tapas style and about £7 a dish but you need about 3 each. I can’t recommend it enough for foodies and its opposite The Palace so if you don’t feel like walking is perfect!
If you’re looking for a drink, head to Old Compton Street and explore the bars there and on the streets off it- most places will have happy hour before the show. Some bars I love are: - Be@One, Greek Street - Zebrano, Greek Street - Bar Soho, Old Compton Street - Yard Bar, Rupert Street (lovely in the summer) - Bar Salsa, Charing Cross Road (good outside area upstairs but the service can be a little slow. Also does good food!)
Theres also lots of pubs, which you’ll get food in too, my favourites are: - The Spice of Life: This is my fave, they’ve got plenty of space and the staff are super friendly. Their burgers are great! - The Cambridge, Charing Cross Road
Since its getting hotter, you might want to take your lunch to Soho Square or Golden Square to get some fresh air.
AFTER
You’ve been on the emotional rollercoaster, you’ve got yourself over excited at stage door and now you need a drink. You walk out into the centre of London’s nightlife but a lot of places will be charging entry by the time you’re done so here’s a few places which will still be free (this doesn’t apply to Weds/Thurs/Sun, as everywhere should be free). Oh and all the drinks are expensive: this is London.
1. The Spice of Life, The Cambridge and The Coach and Horses are all opposite The Palace. Go here if you want a quick drink. Last orders is at about 11:30pm so you’ll make it with plenty of time but can’t stay too late!
2. Balans Soho Society is a great place to go and sit down with a bottle of wine. From what I can remember its open pretty late (1am-ish).
3. If you want a late one, consider putting yourself on the guestlist for one of the bars in Soho I mentioned before to get in for free (just check the website). Writing this I’ve realised I only really go to gay bars but this is Soho so what do you expect? From memory, some free bars are Freud's, Charing Cross Road and The Village, Wardour Street. I’m pretty sure Dirty Martini, Covent Garden is also free, but don’t hold me to that!
GENERAL COFFEE SHOPS (+ places to charge your phone!)
1. Pret: There are 2 Pret’s within 5 minutes of The Palace. One in front of the theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue (2 sets of plugs, downstairs) and one behind the theatre on Wardour Street (2 plugs at the back, near the loos). There’s also Veggie Pret a bit more of a walk away on Broadwick Street where there’s loads more veggie stuff but it gets quite busy.
2. Cafe Nero, Charing Cross Road: This has 2 floors so lots of space and loads of plugs.
3. Starbucks: Starbucks Reserve has loads of plugs. There’s also one on St Martins Lane which is usually quiet and a busier one on Wardour Street.
Other places with plugs: NY Fold, Balans and if you ask the bar staff nicely at The Spice of Life they’ll charge it for you!
If you have any more questions you’re most likely to get a speedy response by sending me a message on Twitter (@maia_rs_).
Hope this is helpful!
