Pre-Theatre Dining
Dinner, minutes from the show. Pre-theatre dinner & seafood near Birmingham Hippodrome — Seafood City, opposite the theatre
Birmingham's original seafood boil, a short walk from the Hippodrome, the Glee Club, The Alexandra and the O2 Academy. Eat well before — or after — the curtain.
“Seafood City Birmingham is fire. 10/10. Worth every minute of the trip.”
— Google Review
Pre-theatre dining: a seafood boil before the show
Here's how it worksA seafood boil is hands-on and shared — bibs on, gloves on, eaten straight off the table. It's a brilliant way to start a night out: pick your seafood, pick your sauce, pick your cooking style — boiled, grilled or fried — and it arrives as a steaming platter for the whole group. We get a real mix in before the curtain — theatre-goers, gig crowds and big group birthdays making a night of it.
- A combo platter — the fastest way in. One order, no decision paralysis, perfect when you've got a curtain to catch.
- Added extras — want more? Add lobster tails, eggs, sausages or garlic bread to any platter.
- Premium catch — king prawns, mussels, squid, lobster and snow crab, all top-quality. Oysters and scallops to start. You're in safe hands.
It's affordable luxury — a mountain of seafood to share, not a few pricey prawns. See the full spread on the menu.
Will you make the show?
Timing & bookingTell us your show time when you book and we'll pace your meal around it — order a combo platter and you're tucking in fast. We open from 12pm, so matinees and 7:30pm curtains are both easy.
No deadline? Even better. We're open till late, so plenty of our guests come after the show — when there's no clock to watch and the boil can take its time. Children are welcome until 8pm, which suits Hippodrome family matinees. Book a table or check the FAQ for group details.
Restaurants near Birmingham Hippodrome
Under 3 minutesLooking for where to eat near the Birmingham Hippodrome? Seafood City is the closest seafood restaurant to the theatre — inside the Arcadian, directly opposite, under three minutes on foot. Whether it's ballet, panto, a touring musical or comedy, swap the queue for a seafood boil first. Great for families, date nights and big group bookings. Find us — Arcadian Centre, B5 4TD.
Restaurants near the Glee Club
30 secondsWe're in the same building as the Glee Club — a 30-second walk to your seat. Looking for where to eat near the Glee Club? We're about the easiest of the restaurants near the venue: a proper seafood boil first, then roll in already buzzing. Comedy or live music, no taxi, no rush.
Restaurants near The Alexandra Theatre
About 5 minutesA 5-minute walk from The Alexandra Theatre — one of the closest restaurants near the Alexandra for a meal before a West End touring show. Skip the chain places to eat near the theatre and make a night of it: a proper seafood boil, then the show down the road. Tell us your start time when you book and we'll keep you on schedule.
Restaurants near the O2 Academy Birmingham
About 10 minutesAbout ten minutes' walk from the O2 Academy — the restaurants near the O2 Academy Birmingham don't get much heartier than a seafood boil before a gig. Line your stomach, grab a cocktail or a Build Your Gin at the bar, then head to the doors. Heading to the O2 Institute too? You're a short stroll from us either way. Open till late for after the encore.
Halal-friendly, so the whole group's in
No one sits outNo pork in the kitchen, no alcohol used in cooking — so everyone in the group can share the same feast before the show. (The bar serves cocktails and gin.) More on dietary options in the FAQ.
Book before the show.
Book a table →Pre-theatre dining — your questions
6 questionsHow far is Seafood City from Birmingham Hippodrome?
We're inside the Arcadian, directly opposite the Hippodrome — under 3 minutes on foot. The closest proper seafood boil to the theatre.
Where can I eat near the Glee Club in Birmingham?
Seafood City is in the same building as the Glee Club — about a 30-second walk. One of the closest restaurants to the venue for a seafood boil before comedy or live music.
Where can I eat near The Alexandra Theatre?
Seafood City is about a 5-minute walk from The Alexandra — one of the nearest restaurants for a meal before a West End touring show. Tell us your show time when you book and we'll pace your meal so you make the curtain.
Where can I eat near the O2 Academy Birmingham?
Seafood City is about a 10-minute walk from the O2 Academy — and the same short stroll from the O2 Institute — ideal for pre-gig food, cocktails and a Build Your Gin before the doors.
Will I make my show if I eat here first?
Tell us your show time when you book and order a combo platter for the fastest route from table to curtain. Prefer no rush? We're open till late — come after the show instead.
Is the food halal?
We're halal-friendly: no pork in the kitchen and no alcohol used in cooking, so the whole group can share. The bar does serve cocktails and gin.