They aren't the big grand theatres, they are smaller venues that are full of atmosphere or have the coolest bars to hang out in. This is my top five:
1. Royal Court
The cafe bar serves the best chips in London (according to @polyg), take your time walking down the stairs to scan the crowd because you are virtually guaranteed to spot a thesp/director/writer. Get there early and you'll often find one or two of the Royal Court cast members lounging around on one of the sofas or having a quick drink with friends.
Now that the Southwark Playhouse has temporarily moved from its under-the-railway-arches home at London Bridge, the Old Vic Tunnels is the place to go for your fix of theatre with a damp smell, low-lighting and trains rumbling overhead. You approach it from a down at heel street around the back of Waterloo. Blink and you miss the nondescript door but inside it oozes atmosphere, character and quirky features and feels like you've found a secret club.
If you thought being able to take a real glass of something into the auditorium was cool and grown up, try settling down to watch a play with a… mug of tea. Yes, the Arcola will let you take a cuppa in with you, that's if you can get off the lovely saggy, leather sofa in the cafe bar.
4. Theatre 503
A good pub downstairs, upstairs it's like a trendy sitting room with lots of huge sofas and coffee tables. Get their early and curl up with a book and a drink or for pre-play natter.
5. Young Vic
Another great theatre with a great bar or is it a great bar with a great theatre? Difficult to tell these days as both are always busy. Theatre-goers tend to hang out for food and drink on the ground floor while those just wanting to enjoy a glass of something cold and people watch head to the balcony bar. Has outdoor seating and a large outside balcony overlooking The Cut which naturally gets busy on warmer evenings.
OK, so those are my five, where I have missed?
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