The curtain comes down, the applause fades, and you step out onto a London street buzzing with energy. Now what? If you have just seen a West End show and you are not ready to call it a night, London has plenty to offer. This guide covers post-show plans organised by the main theatre areas: Covent Garden, Soho, Victoria, and Haymarket. Whether you want cocktails, a late dinner, a walk along the Thames, or just somewhere to sit and talk about what you just saw, here are your options.

What to do after a West End show in London depends mainly on where your theatre is and how late you want to stay out. Most evening performances end between 10:00pm and 10:30pm, which gives you a solid two to three hours before the last trains and tubes. The West End is one of the liveliest parts of London at night, so you are already in the right place.

Below is a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide to making the most of your post-show evening, whether you have just picked up London theatre tickets or you are planning ahead for a night out.

What can I do after a show in Covent Garden?

Covent Garden is home to some of the West End's biggest theatres, including the Lyceum (Lion King tickets), Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and the Novello. The area stays lively well past curtain call.

The streets around the Piazza have bars and restaurants that stay open until midnight or later. The side streets off Long Acre and Neal Street are where you will find the more interesting spots, away from the tourist-facing chains on the main drag.

For a post-show drink, the area between Covent Garden and Seven Dials has a strong concentration of cocktail bars and pubs. You do not need to book for most bars, but popular spots fill up quickly on Friday and Saturday nights.

If you want food, several restaurants around Catherine Street and Exeter Street take last orders until 10:30pm or later. Italian and Asian restaurants tend to serve latest. Check ahead if you have a specific place in mind, since kitchen closing times vary.

For something different, a walk south from Covent Garden takes you to the Embankment and Waterloo Bridge in about 10 minutes. The view of the South Bank lit up at night is one of London's best, and it costs nothing.

What is there to do after a show in Soho?

Soho is the West End's nightlife heartland and it is within walking distance of theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue, including those showing Les Miserables tickets at the Sondheim Theatre and Moulin Rouge! The Musical tickets at the Piccadilly Theatre.

The streets around Old Compton Street, Dean Street, and Frith Street are packed with bars, restaurants, and late-night spots. Soho has the widest variety of any West End area: wine bars, jazz clubs, late-night noodle spots, dessert cafes, and pubs that stay open until closing time.

Soho is busiest on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. If you want a table at a restaurant, walk in early (right after the show ends) rather than waiting. Many Soho restaurants stop seating at 10:30pm even if they close later.

For a more relaxed post-show experience, Chinatown is a 5-minute walk from most Shaftesbury Avenue theatres. Several restaurants there stay open until midnight or later, and it is one of the best areas for a late, affordable meal.

What about after a show near Victoria?

The Victoria area is home to the Apollo Victoria (Wicked tickets) and the Victoria Palace (Hamilton tickets). The immediate area around Victoria station is more transport hub than nightlife destination, but you have options.

The pubs and bars along Wilton Road and Vauxhall Bridge Road stay open until 11:00pm or later. For a wider selection, it is a short walk to Pimlico, which has a quieter, more residential feel with neighbourhood restaurants and wine bars.

Alternatively, take the tube one stop from Victoria to Green Park or Westminster. From Green Park, you are a 5-minute walk into Mayfair. From Westminster, you can walk along the South Bank towards the London Eye and the food vendors under Waterloo Bridge.

If you are happy to travel a bit further, the Northern line from Victoria takes you to the South Bank in minutes, where you will find the BFI Southbank bar, the National Theatre terrace, and riverside restaurants.

What can I do after a show near Haymarket and Leicester Square?

The Haymarket area includes His Majesty's Theatre (Phantom of the Opera tickets) and the Theatre Royal Haymarket. You are sandwiched between Soho to the north and St James's to the south.

Leicester Square itself is touristy and loud, but the streets immediately off it have better options. Head north into Soho for bars, or south towards Pall Mall and St James's for a quieter, more upmarket atmosphere.

The restaurants around St James's tend to close earlier than Soho, but the hotel bars in the area are open late and offer a more relaxed post-show drink.

How late do the tubes and trains run?

Most London Underground lines run until approximately midnight on weekdays and 12:30am on Saturdays. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Night Tube operates on the Victoria, Jubilee, Central, Northern, and Piccadilly lines, running through the night roughly every 10 minutes.

If you miss the last tube, night buses cover all major routes. The N routes that pass through the West End will get you to most parts of London, though the journey takes longer.

For those coming from outside London, check your last train time before the show. National rail services from mainline stations like Victoria, Waterloo, Paddington, and King's Cross typically have last trains between 11:00pm and midnight, depending on the route.

Planning your transport in advance takes the stress out of staying late. Check TfL's journey planner on the night of your visit for real-time updates.

Is it worth planning post-show activities in advance?

For a weeknight, you can usually play it by ear. Most bars and restaurants will have space, and the atmosphere is relaxed.

For Friday and Saturday nights, a bit of planning helps. If you want a specific restaurant after the show, call ahead during the interval to check they are still seating. If you want cocktails at a popular bar, arriving right at 10:15pm (when shows let out) beats arriving at 11:00pm when the post-show rush peaks.

For more detail, read our cheap London theatre tickets guide.

The best approach is to have one or two ideas in mind without overplanning. Half the fun of a post-show evening is wandering the West End streets and seeing what catches your eye.

For more ideas on building the perfect theatre trip, browse the full range of London theatre tickets and explore what else is on across London. And if you are still deciding where to sit, the best seats at every West End theatre guide will help you choose well. Book your tickets through London theatre tickets and start planning the rest of your evening.

FAQs

What time do West End shows finish?

Most evening performances end between 10:00pm and 10:30pm. Matinees typically finish between 5:00pm and 5:30pm. Check your specific show's running time to plan ahead.

Are there late-night restaurants near West End theatres?

Yes, particularly in Soho and Covent Garden. Many restaurants serve until 10:30pm or later, and Chinatown restaurants often stay open until midnight. Italian and Asian restaurants tend to have the latest kitchen times.

Can I get the tube home after a West End show?

On most nights, the last tube is around midnight. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Night Tube runs through the night on the Victoria, Jubilee, Central, Northern, and Piccadilly lines. Night buses also cover all major routes.

What is the best area for post-show drinks in London?

Soho has the widest variety of bars and the latest opening hours. Covent Garden is great if your theatre is nearby. For a quieter atmosphere, the hotel bars around St James's and Haymarket are a good alternative.

Do I need to book a bar after a West End show?

For most bars, you can walk in without a booking. On Friday and Saturday nights, popular cocktail bars fill up fast, so arriving early (right after the show ends) helps. Restaurants are more likely to need a booking than bars.

Know Before You Go

• Most West End evening shows finish between 10:00pm and 10:30pm

• The Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights on five lines, roughly every 10 minutes

• Covent Garden and Soho have the best post-show bar and restaurant options

• Many restaurants near theatres take last orders between 10:00pm and 10:30pm

• Chinatown is one of the best areas for affordable late-night food near the West End

• Check your last train time before the show if you are travelling by national rail

• Friday and Saturday nights are busiest; arrive at bars and restaurants early after your show