You’ve got the tickets, you’ve worked out how you’re getting there and you’re looking forward to the show.
But what to do about eating before you settle down for a night of entertainment at the theatre?
Do you grab a quick bite to eat at home before dashing out to catch that 7.30pm curtain up?
Or do you head into/stay in town instead and enjoy a more leisurely meal before the evening starts?
There are certainly no lack of places to eat in Liverpool city centre these days, whether you fancy a few nibbles with a drink or a full slap-up three course dinner with a glass of wine.
But some eateries also offer special pre-theatre deals – and you can even eat in the venue’s restaurants or bistros themselves.
Here’s some ideas for where to enjoy a pre-show meal at prices which won’t bring the curtain down on your pocket.
Lime Street Bistro, Liverpool Empire
What is it? If you want a meal before a show then you can’t get much closer than inside the theatre itself.
A ground-floor bistro accessed through the box office, offering starters, sharing platters, mains and desserts whether there’s a show on that day or not.
What’s on the menu? ‘Sharers’ like the Bistro platter which includes chicken skewers, breaded camembert, halloumi, olives, hummus and bread, or a Mediterranean platter.
Mains include bangers and mash, butternut squash curry and a trio burger slider.
What’s the deal? Pre-theatre dining deals change weekly. Offers currently running are ‘2 courses for £12.95’ and ‘pizza and prosecco £10’ , while it also runs a ‘kids eat free’ offer on children’s shows.
Contact details? Call 0151 702 7354 or visit the website.
Everyman Bistro
What is it? The latest incarnation of the basem*nt eatery that is almost as famous as the theatre above it. You can’t get much closer if you want to eat before a show.
The bistro is currently closed until the new Everyman season starts in early October, although the ground floor cafe remains open.
What’s on the menu? The menu is being revamped at the moment but generally includes small/big plates, daily specials, sharing boards and puddings.
What’s the deal? Bistro bosses say when it reopens there will be a pre-theatre offer on the menu along with specials that link with the plays on the stage.
There will be deals on two and three courses, a festive menu for Christmas private parties and a kids’ menu for panto.
Contact details? You can pre-book for when the bistro reopens by calling 0151 709 4776.
Royal Court
What is it? Cabaret-style seating in the stalls which means ticketholders there can get a slap-up dinner ahead of the show.
What’s on the menu? Traditional Scouse, salt and pepper chicken, Moroccan spiced stew of sweet potato and fillet of seabass (£2.50 extra) are among the options.
There’s also a chef’s special, while for afters there’s favourites-with-a-twist like rhubarb crumble and custard cheesecake and salted caramel banoffee tart.
What’s the deal? Dining tickets are £10 on top of the usual ticket price. Some main courses have supplements and interval puds are £5 a go.
Diners should order food by no later than 7pm.
Contact details? Call the box office on 0151 709 4321 or check the website.
Ego Mediterranean, Hope Street
What is it? A popular Hope Street restaurant a stone’s throw from the Philharmonic Hall and less than five minutes from the Everyman.
What’s on the menu? There’s a wide range of food on offer from noon to 10.30pm daily including sharing boards. pizzas, kebabs, pasta and mains.
What’s the deal? The early evening prix fixe is available from Sunday to Friday until 7pm, and Saturday until 6pm, and costs £12.95 for two courses or £15.95 for three.
Choices on the prix fixe include grilled goat’s cheese and calamari fritti (starters), salmon and dill fishcakes or rump steak (mains), and desserts like classic creme brulee or tiramisu.
Contact details? Call 0151 706 0707 or visit the website.
The Refinery, Myrtle Street
What is it? A new build venue on the corner of Myrtle Street and Hope Street, which aims to combine the relaxed feel of a ‘social eating house’ with a city centre bar.
What’s on the menu? Small plates, big plates, burgers and sandwiches and boards.
Small plates include honey roast chicken wings, calamari fritti and beef short rib with onion rings.
Big plates feature cask ale battered haddock, linguine pasta or superfood salad among others.
What’s the deal? The pre-theatre offer is available daily from 4.30-6.30pm and is £13.50 for one small plate, one big plate and artisan bread.
Contact details? Call 0151 294 3024 or log on to the website.
The Clove Hitch, Hope Street
What is it? a bar and bistro within feet of the Everyman and not far to the Philharmonic Hall, serving fresh locally-sourced food along with worldwide beers.
What’s on the menu? Lots of favourites with a twist. Typical starters might be seared scallops with broad bean puree or ham hock terrine.
Mains have included crispy pork belly, honey roast lamb rump or haddock in Liverpool craft beer batter with handcut chips and mushy peas.
What’s the deal? Two courses are £17.50 (some mains supplements apply) and three courses £22 (ditto) from 4.30-7pm, Tuesday to Friday or noon to 6pm on Saturday/Sunday.
Contact details? 0151 709 6574 or log on to the website.
Bistro Jacques, Hardman Street
What is it? A rustic French restaurant at the top end of Hardman Street, close to the Everyman and Philharmonic Hall.
What’s on the menu? Le Pre-Théâtre Menu includes entrees like salade de pommes et noix or grilled sardine fillets, main courses including tomato and white bean cassoulet or poulet supreme, and a choice of desserts or cheese from the daily blackboards.
What’s the deal? Le Pre-Théâtre Menu is £12.95 for two courses and is available from 4.30-7pm Sunday to Thursday and 4.30-6.30pm Friday/Saturday.
There’s also a pre-comedy meal package in conjunction with Liverpool Comedy Cellar next door – £24.50 gets you an aperetif, three courses and ticket to the comedy club.
Contact details? Call 0151 709 1998 or visit the website.
Bistro Franc, Hanover Street
What is it? A sister restaurant to Bistro Jacques, handily placed for a trip to the Epstein Theatre.
What’s on the menu? Le Pre-Théâtre Menu includes entrees like pressed ham hock and green peppercorn or haddock and leek fishcakes, main courses including quiche Florentine and grilled fillet of rainbow trout, and a choice of desserts or cheese from the daily blackboards.
What’s the deal? Le Pre-Théâtre Menu is £12.95 for two courses and is available from 4.30-7pm Sunday to Thursday and 4.30-6.30pm Friday/Saturday.
Contact details? Call 0151 708 9993 or visit the website.
Seven Seas Brasserie, Liner Hotel
What is it? Just around the corner from the Liverpool Empire, the brasserie is based inside the Liner Hotel in Lord Nelson Street.
What’s on the menu? Starters include rosemary and garlic brie wedges and homemade soup of the day.
For mains there are a number of choices, such as grilled Caesar salmon salad or roasted red pepper, feta, coriander and chilli tartlet. Puds include a warm Belgian waffle.
What’s the deal? Two courses for £14.50 or three for £15.50. Add a pre-theatre glass of Prosecco for £3.
Contact details? Call 1051 709 7050 or visit the website.
