The evening starts before the curtain rises – pre-theatre dining turns a night at the theatre into an occasion to remember.
Why simply head to the show when you can make it a night to remember. A wonderfully traditional, and timeless pastime. Dressing up, going for drinks and enjoying a bite to eat pre-show makes an evening of it and allows the anticipation to build.
Of course, the performance is the main event but why not begin the evening long before the show starts?
A custom that dates back to the 19th century, pre-theatre dining began with Victorian theatre-goers gathering in bustling inns and dining rooms to share a quick meal before a show.
As theatre grew in popularity, restaurants begin to offering earlier dining to transition audiences smoothly from dinner to show, which is why many restaurants around London’s West End began offering pre-theatre fixed-price menus which would accommodate an audiences’ limited time between before curtain-up.
Today, this timeless ritual continues in theatres and restaurants around the UK, with restaurants welcoming the arrival of audiences and earlier dining to honour this wonderful tradition – no longer a simple meal but an event in itself.
At our Llandudno hotel, guests visit from far and wide to enjoy Venue Cymru and its varied programme of events from comedy shows, music and dance, to unforgettable live performances. Perfectly situated, our North Wales hotel is a short walk along the Promenade to the renowned Llandudno venue, and as guests know, we understand the importance of making such special evenings a memorable occasion.
Audiences can sit down to a light pre-curtain-up evening meal from 6pm at The Terrace or in Chantrey’s Restaurant, giving them a chance to relax before the evening’s entertainment.
Make a Break of it
Many guests who have fallen in love with theatre decide to make a full weekend break of it; choosing to visit our Llandudno hotel to bookend their favourite shows and performances with relaxation, walks and local activities and attractions.
Breakfast at The Imperial fuels you for the day, then head out for coastal walks, mountains and forests; discover nearby castles, towns and villages; boutiques and independent shops and galleries, local distilleries and breweries, all short scenic drives from our doorstep.
When it’s time to get ready, it’s back to your room to freshen up for a drink at the hotel bar before pre-theatre dinner, and a lovely walk along the Promenade to your seat at Venue Cymru.
The joy of getting away and staying nearby is the easy travel to and from the theatre venue. After your show you can simply wander back along the Promenade, enjoy a night cap and then it’s up to your room for a good night’s sleep.
Venue Cymru
Venue Cymru was transformed in 2007 into a premier arts, conference and performance venue and continues to be a leading destination for theatre, shows and live music year-round.
Coming up from October 2026 there’s truly something for every kind of audience, from the Ocean Film Festival, the Bootleg Beatles tribute concert and the Swan Lake ballet to The Vicar of Dibley play and the Welsh National Opera’s (WNO) Bluebeard’s Castle and Oedipus Rex. As we draw closer to Christmas, families look forward to the much-loved tradition of Pantomime, with Sleeping Beauty running from December.
It’s More than Dinner and a Show
Whether you make it a weekend theatre break or book your pre-theatre dinner, it’s a memorable experience. It’s a beautiful tradition that our guests love to uphold: dressing up, having a reason to catch up with friends, old and new, enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail. It’s not simply a meal, it’s an occasion, a shared dining experience, a beautiful seaside walk along a Victorian Promenade and finding your seats before the show begins. And then, after the performance, there’s the joy of reminiscing about it. The funny moments, the touching scenes, the favourite parts and the unexpected ending.
Best of all, when you stay at our Llandudno hotel, the evening doesn’t end there.
No need to find your car and make your way home. Instead, you can wander, in your own time, back to the hotel. Jump into bed and dream the night away or put the kettle on and talk a little more.
Tomorrow morning, another delicious breakfast and a day for you awaits.