The London Pub Theatre Awards hosted their seventh annual ceremony on Sunday 26th October, celebrating the very best of pub theatre talent and up-and-coming thespians. 

Pub theatres are not an exclusively London phenomenon, but they can be hard to find elsewhere. Because of this, these spaces have a special quality about them – a joyful secret that we’re keen to share with whoever will listen. 

The beauty of pub theatres is that they have never been about polish. Instead, they are alive with rustic charm, allowing fringe theatre (works away from the mainstream) to thrive. The opportunity to stumble upon an exciting show that is being developed in the basements and attics of your favourite local boozer is a novelty that never gets old. 

As we head into winter, there really is no better activity than watching emerging theatre makers with a small group of people, before heading downstairs to enjoy a pint in the comfort of your favourite tavern. Whilst the West End can provide a glamorous night out, pub theatres offer the chance to diverge from the mainstream and experience something truly unique. 

Here are our top picks of pub theatres in London:

Theatre at the Tabard

Chiswick

Winner of the London Pub Theatre of the Year Award 2025, the Tabard is renowned for putting on high quality shows that you’re not going to forget in a hurry. Having seen a few of their productions this year, we have to agree that the Tabard is well deserving of this win. One thing it does particularly well, which it also won awards for last month, is its production values. Despite being quite small, the theatre doesn’t hold back on creating captivating sets and using the space to really elevate a performance.

Barons Court Theatre

West Kensington

Found underneath the Curtain’s Up pub in its charming cellar vaults, this intimate space feels like you have stepped into a whole new world. With low ceilings, atmospheric lighting, and just 52 seats that wrap around three sides of the stage, you are fully immersed in the action. With a particular focus on championing local talent, the Barons Court Theatre also loves to show plays in translation and plays that challenge expectations. 

Lion & Unicorn

Camden

Championing new and exciting fringe works, this black box theatre above the Lion and Unicorn pub in Kentish Town is alive with fresh performances that you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere. One of the participating venues in August’s Camden Fringe Festival – London’s alternative to the Edinburgh Fringe – the Lion and Unicorn theatre offers a truly warm and welcoming atmosphere for guests and performers alike. 

Old Red Lion Theatre

Angel

Receiving the Commendations for Excellence award at the London Pub Theatre ceremony last Sunday, the Old Red Lion Theatre is renowned for its incredible shows. The original home of The Play That Goes Wrong, this production has since gone on to win an Olivier award and even transfer to Broadway. There really is no better feeling than knowing you might get to see something culturally significant before anybody else. 

The Bread & Roses Theatre

Clapham

An intimate and versatile venue, the Bread and Roses Theatre puts an emphasis on spotlighting diverse voices and stories from underrepresented backgrounds. Showcasing exciting pieces of drama, comedy, revivals, improvisation, and family shows, this theatre has something for everyone. Plus, the pub downstairs boasts a beer garden and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings to really top off your night. 

Golden Goose Theatre

Camberwell

A new pub theatre, set up by Michael Kingsbury in 2020, the Golden Goose Theatre is already a highly regarded venue, having received the runners up award of London Pub Theatre of the Year 2025. Housing 85 seats, this theatre is a creative hub for artists to be experimental and create a range of new and surprising theatrical experiences. 

The Drayton Arms Theatre

Chelsea

A professional fringe venue since 2011, the Drayton Arms Theatre has its history dating back to the second world war where it was used as a rehearsal space for many actors for the BBC who lived locally. Hosting comedy shows as well as new musicals and plays, the space is filled with exceptional fringe talent. The pub downstairs is sleek and stylish, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a drink pre-and-post show. 

Theatre503

Battersea

Theatre503 hosts more first-time writers than any other theatre in the country. With a programme of over 100 new pieces every year, this Battersea theatre focuses on promoting new writing and allowing emerging playwrights to see their work on the stage. Originally set up in 1982 as an expansion of the Gate Theatre in Notting Hill, Theatre503 has produced writers that have gone on to make a name for themselves in the West End and Broadway, as well as winning BAFTA and Olivier Awards. 

Finborough Theatre

Earl’s Court

Located above a pub in Earl’s Court – now called Yogi’s – the Finborough Theatre looks to champion the next generation of theatre makers, with their productions regularly transferring to the West End and Off-Broadway. Winning four awards at the 2025 London Pub Theatre Awards for Best Production and Director for The Passenger, Best Production Rediscovery for The Silver Cord, and New Writing Raising Awareness for Diagnosis. This is a pub theatre full of superstars that you can’t let pass you by.