Royal Court Theatre

You'll spot the art deco facade from Roe Street, but it's only when you step inside that you understand what makes this place special. The 1930s interior feels properly theatrical – all velvet and brass, with those brilliant cabaret-style tables right in the stalls where you can actually have a drink during the show. It's not trying to be the Empire or the Playhouse; this is somewhere you come for a different kind of night out. The programming swings from big-name musicals to local comedy nights, and they're not afraid to take risks on newer work alongside the crowd-pleasers. The bar staff know their business, and there's something wonderfully civilised about settling in with a proper glass of wine before the curtain goes up. It's intimate enough that every seat feels close to the action.