A leading face in world theatre, the Royal Court Cafe Bar provides theatregoers with a convenient, pleasant spot to eat and drink before and after the curtains close.

The Venue
Positioned favourably on Sloane Square and boasting a reputation for top quality productions, the introduction of the Royal Court Cafe Bar is just another boost to the venerable venue.

The bar and dining space occupies the original Eighteenth Century pit of the theatre, beneath the plush pavement-pounders above. The modern additions of a spacious hall and glass pavement blocks in the high vaulted ceilings give a historic place a truly contemporary feel.

The Atmosphere
It may be a surprise given its setting, but the Royal Court Cafe Bar is actually a relaxed space, filled with an arty mix of audience and industry insiders debating, doodling or typing (courtesy of the free Wifi access). This place can be so insider that you may feel like a bit of an intruder; however, the atmosphere is more friendly than exclusive.

The Food
As you may expect from such a venue, Royal Court Cafe Bar only offers the best quality produce sourced from award winning suppliers such as Neils Yard, Borough Market and Brindisa. The menu is self-confessed traditional British (very apt, given the setting), and includes separate bar and cafe menus.

In the cafe, food is light and meals surprisingly reasonably priced, ranging from £4.25 for the homemade soup of the day to £10.95 for steak and chips or Devilled crab. The bar food menu, in comparison, is made up just of nibbles such as cheese and olives (£4.50), pork terrine with sourdough toast (£4.95), chips (3.95) or a cheese plate (£8.95). When you consider the source of the produce and the area in which the bar is situated, the prices are pretty astounding.

The Drink
Bottled beers and spirits are readily available, but the main focus of the bar is definitely the excellent wine list, chosen by the merchants at Bibendum. The prices are, again, extremely reasonable and the selection is decent. There are six whites and as many reds, ranging from £13.50 for the El Muro Blanco from Spain, rising to £24.50 for a bottle of red St Hallett Faith Shiraz from Australia. There are also three roses (£17-£26) and three sparkling bottles, including a Bisol Prosecco (£24) and two bottles of Champagne. Best of all, almost all of the bottles on offer are available by the glass, which suits the setting perfectly.

The Last Word
Proving that indulging in a spot of culture at one of the capital’s centres of excellence doesn’t have to be staid or massively expensive, Royal Court Cafe Bar perfectly complements the theatre in which it’s based.

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