A cafe area featuring bookshelves, wooden tables with chairs, and wall-mounted neon letters spelling 'THE OLD VIC,' with large windows at The Old Vic.
A cafe and bar area with a granite counter, black barstools, and colorful wooden railings above, featuring a modern open layout at The Old Vic.
A bright cafe and bar area featuring tables with beige tablecloths, lounge chairs, bookshelves, and large windows, with a neon 'The Old Vic' sign on the wall at The Old Vic.
A cafe area with tables and yellow chairs behind a yellow railing, featuring bookshelves, stage lights, and illuminated wall letters at The Old Vic.
The white neoclassical facade of The Old Vic with tall arched windows, prominent pillars, and red neon signage above the entrance reading 'Back Together' at The Old Vic.
A theatre with a colorful floral-patterned facade and marquee sign reading 'The Old Vic Theatre'.
A theatre exterior with colorful geometric balcony panels and bold signage at Old Vic Theatre.

Backstage Cafe & Bar at The Old Vic

Restaurant in a Theatre
·
Private space
103 The Cut, 131 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8NB –
Southwark Station (0.2 mi)
Up to 80
seats
Up to 180
standing
Venue offers catering
External catering not allowed

About this space

Arranged over two levels, Backstage Cafe & Bar is a vibrant and versatile space. Backstage is a fully accessible, multi-use extension that broadens The Old Vic’s reach far beyond the main stage. At its centre is a triple height Cafe/ Bar. Easily accessed and clearly visible from Waterloo Road, the space is composed of a series of interconnected volumes for users to occupy, a “public living room” for the local community, creatives and visitors to gather, work and spend time throughout the day. Offering affordable food, free WiFi and a relaxed atmosphere.

The mezzanine Script Library floor provides a creative setting, with a projecting balcony overlooking Waterloo Millennium Green and is available for events as a stand-alone space or as part of a hire of the whole Backstage Cafe & Bar.

Features: The space contains cafe and bar facilities. The space has a PA system and speakers, allows own music and external DJs, and provides venue Wi‑Fi. The space includes flexible tables and chairs that can be rearranged, a step‑free guest entrance, lift access, wheelchair access and accessible toilets.

Event offers and packages

Christmas Party Offers

Celebrate Christmas in Backstage Cafe & Bar with a three-course meal, drinks package, DJ and festive styling in a triple-height setting.
Seated Dinner Package – Backstage Cafe & Bar
£150 per person
Pricing: from £150 per head + VAT.

VENUE / EVENT OFFER
• Guest arrival at 6:30 PM and departure at 11:00 PM
• Sparkling Pique & Mixe on arrival
• Three-course meal with tea, coffee and mince pies from 7:00 PM–8:30 PM
• House wine, bottled beers and soft drinks package
• Live DJ
• Festive themed spaces
• Uplighters
• Silk floral arrangements for the dining table
• Cloakroom facility
• Security
• Dedicated event manager

Prices

Monday
8:00 – 23:00
from £350 hire fee + min. spend
Per morning
8:00 – 12:00
from £350 + £500 hire fee + min. spend
Per afternoon
12:00 – 17:00
from £350 + £500 hire fee + min. spend
Per evening
17:00 – 23:00
from £1000 + £2000 hire fee + min. spend
Alcohol licence until 2:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.
Tuesday
8:00 – 23:00
from £350 hire fee + min. spend
Per morning
8:00 – 12:00
from £350 + £500 hire fee + min. spend
Per afternoon
12:00 – 17:00
from £350 + £500 hire fee + min. spend
Per evening
17:00 – 23:00
from £1000 + £2000 hire fee + min. spend
Alcohol licence until 2:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.
Wednesday
8:00 – 23:00
from £350 hire fee + min. spend
Per morning
8:00 – 12:00
from £350 + £500 hire fee + min. spend
Per afternoon
12:00 – 17:00
from £350 + £500 hire fee + min. spend
Per evening
17:00 – 23:00
from £1000 + £2000 hire fee + min. spend
Alcohol licence until 2:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.
Thursday
8:00 – 23:00
from £350 hire fee + min. spend
Per morning
8:00 – 12:00
from £350 + £500 hire fee + min. spend
Per afternoon
12:00 – 17:00
from £350 + £500 hire fee + min. spend
Per evening
17:00 – 23:00
from £1000 + £2000 hire fee + min. spend
Alcohol licence until 2:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.
Friday
8:00 – 23:00
from £350 hire fee + min. spend
Per morning
8:00 – 12:00
from £350 + £500 hire fee + min. spend
Per afternoon
12:00 – 17:00
from £350 + £500 hire fee + min. spend
Per evening
17:00 – 23:00
from £1000 + £2000 hire fee + min. spend
Alcohol licence until 2:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.
Saturday
8:00 – 23:00
from £350 hire fee + min. spend
Per morning
8:00 – 12:00
from £350 + £500 hire fee + min. spend
Per afternoon
12:00 – 17:00
from £350 + £500 hire fee + min. spend
Per evening
17:00 – 23:00
from £1000 + £2000 hire fee + min. spend
Alcohol licence until 2:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.
Sunday
10:00 – 22:00
from £8500 hire fee + min. spend
Per day
10:00 – 22:00
from £8500 + £1000 hire fee + min. spend
Alcohol licence until 2:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.
Best price guarantee
Pricing updated by venue 1 month ago

Capacity

Standing
up to 180
Dining
up to 80

Catering and drinks

In-house catering available Venue can organise food and drink
Extensive vegan menu
Extensive vegetarian menu
Extensive gluten-free menu
Mediterranean cuisine
No external catering allowed
Approved caterers only
Venue provides alcohol Venue can supply alcoholic beverages
No BYO alcohol allowed

Facilities

Wi-Fi available
Projector
Flatscreen TV
PA system / speakers Venue provides a sound system for music and announcements
Conference call facilities Equipment for video or phone conferencing during your event
Natural light Room has windows or a skylight, so daylight comes in
Paid parking facilities available nearby
Unavailable: Whiteboard
Unavailable: Flipchart
Unavailable: Air conditioner
Unavailable: Photo equipment
Unavailable: Video equipment
Unavailable: Lighting equipment
Unavailable: Greenscreen
Unavailable: Backdrops
Unavailable: Storage space
Unavailable: Quiet space
Unavailable: Dance floor
Unavailable: Soundproof
Unavailable: Mirrors
Unavailable: Accommodation is available on-site

Music & sound equipment

Play your own music Venue allows playing your own music
Bring your own DJ Venue allows bringing your own DJ instead
No noise restrictions

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible Step-free access throughout the venue for wheelchair users
Accessible toilets Toilet(s) adapted for guests with disabilities
Ground level Guests can enter without using stairs
Accessible parking spot available
Lift to all floors
Cargo lift

Rules of the space

Allowed events

Promoted and ticketed events Events that you’re promoting or selling tickets for
Wedding licence available Venue is licensed to host wedding ceremonies and receptions
Temporary Event Notices (TENs) available

Age policy

Guests under 18 are not allowed after 21:00

Host rules

• No smoking in the building;
• Damage to the space will result in an additional charge;

About The Old Vic

The Old Vic is a Tagvenue Partner. This business has registered with Tagvenue and agreed to our venue partner standards.

Other spaces and event packages at this venue

Events Space at
from £780
hire fee / per morning
Event Space in a Theatre
Private space
45
50
Events Space

Location

Location map

Meet your host

Belle Busby
Member of Tagvenue since January 2026
5h Response time
90% Response rate

Contact venue managers directly on Tagvenue. Keep all event communication on the platform for a secure, seamless booking.

UK > London > Central London > Waterloo > The Old Vic > Backstage Cafe & Bar

Similar spaces

Exclusive Hire
from £5000
minimum spend / per afternoon
Restaurant
Whole venue
120
200
Bread Street Kitchen, Battersea
Battersea, London
Whole Venue
from £4000
minimum spend / per session
Cocktail Bar
Whole venue
180
Simmons | Soho
(3)
Tottenham Court Road Station
Soho, London
Entire Space
from £3000
hire fee / per hour
Bar
Whole venue
40
180
Pulse Bar
(2)
Mansion House Station
Southwark, London
The Oasis Restaurant
from £500
minimum spend / per session
Event Space in a Restaurant
Semi-private area
100
200
Cabana @ St Giles
(89)
Tottenham Court Road Station
West End, London
Full Venue Hire
from £2100
minimum spend / per afternoon
Cocktail Bar
Whole venue
200
Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration
(6)
Charing Cross Station
Covent Garden, London
Private Bar Hire
from £400
hire fee / per hour
Winery / Brewery
Whole venue
80
150
Square Mile Distillery
Blackfriars Station
Blackfriars, London
Exclusive Lower Ground Floor
from £7000
minimum spend / per session
Event Space in an Entertainment Centre
Private space
150
Shuffle Club
Old Street Station
Shoreditch, London
Main Bar
from £6000
minimum spend / per session
Bar in a Restaurant
Shared space
100
200
The Refinery Bankside
(14)
Southwark Station
Southwark, London
Full Venue Hire
from £500
minimum spend / per session
Restaurant
Whole venue
75
180
La Familia, Soho
(8)
Oxford Circus Station
Soho, London
Penny Squares
from £5000
minimum spend / per evening
Restaurant in a Hotel
Whole venue
100
150
Canopy by Hilton London City
(33)
Aldgate Station
Tower Hill, London