The Old Vic
This 200-year-old theatre is one of London's oldest and most famous.
Officially opened in November 2025, Backstage is a new six-storey annex that has been built in a space behind that was once a small pub owned. This is the first time in 200 years that the Old Vic has been expanded.
The Backstage building has been built to provide new space for the theatre’s community and learning activities. The building also substantially increases the theatre’s working spaces and for theatre-goers there's finally a proper cafe-bar and restaurant on-site for that all-important pre-theatre dinner or post-show drinks.
The Backstage building includes a stunning triple-height café and script library across the ground and first floors. Other notable new spaces in the Backstage building include a dedicated education studio, the Clore Learning Centre, a Writers’ Room for creatives to work and collaborate and a Studio space, plus a private events space on the top floor with a spectacular terrace that has panoramic views of the London skyline.
What's on the menu?
The Backstage Café and Bar opens weekdays from 8am and from 10am on Saturdays, serving breakfast and lunch before transforming into a vibrant bar and restaurant at night. During the day, it’s a convenient spot for a working lunch or casual coffee meet-up, while by night it's the ideal destination for pre-show dining and post-show conversation.
The breakfast menu offers small plates and large. If you are starting the morning lightly there are crumpets, pastries, porridge or the Backstage Bun (with your choice of sausage, bacon, egg or vegan sausage), while for those with a bigger appetite, there's a choice of shakshuka, pancakes or a deluxe scrambled eggs. For lunch choose from soup or quiche of the day, freshly made sandwiches, mac and cheese or seasonal salads.
The Backstage pre-theatre dining menu is available from 4pm and is based around a selection of small plates and salads (2 or 3 per person) such as beef featherblade, teriyaki chicken thighs, creamy burrata and vegan aubergine parmigiana. For post-show drinks, the bar stays open until 11pm Monday to Wednesday and until 12 midnight Thursday to Saturday.
Backstage Open Day
On Saturday 22 November, The Old Vic hosts a free celebratory Open Day packed with events showcasing everything the new Backstage building has to offer.
During the Open Day there’s the opportunity to explore the building and learn more about the work of the Old Vic and the opportunity to take part in taster sessions led by creative professionals covering everything from storytelling to choir singing and learning more about the wide range of careers available within the theatre industry.
Find out more about the Backstage Open Day here.
