Description

  • Food & Drink, Daytime and Fun Time Partying
  • £70 per person
  • Westminster
  • Background Music
  • All ages welcome
  • Thu, 1st Jan 2026 - Sun, 14th Nov 2027
  • 12:00 - 18:00


Pre-Theatre Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel
An elegant and unhurried way to begin your theatre evening

About the experience
Make your theatre visit even more memorable with Pre-Theatre Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel — a refined and relaxed alternative to traditional pre-theatre dining in central London.

Perfectly located in Westminster, The Rubens offers an elegant setting to enjoy afternoon tea before heading to the theatre, allowing you to savour the occasion without the rush of a conventional dinner reservation. Served in the Palace Lounge overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace, this experience turns your theatre plans into a complete afternoon-to-evening occasion.

With generous serving times, attentive service and a calm, welcoming atmosphere, afternoon tea is the ideal way to enjoy great food, good company and still arrive at your show feeling relaxed and on time.

Why afternoon tea works before the theatre
Unrushed and flexible — no tight dining windows or hurried courses
Perfect timing — ideal for matinee or early evening shows
Elegant but relaxed — enjoy indulgence without feeling overly full
Central London location — easy onward travel to West End theatres
A complete experience — dining becomes part of the occasion, not just a necessity

The afternoon tea
Guests will enjoy the hotel’s Royal Afternoon Tea, featuring:
A selection of classic finger sandwiches
Freshly baked plain and fruit scones with clotted cream and preserves
A refined assortment of pastries and desserts
A choice of premium teas, coffee or soft drinks
Champagne upgrades are available for those celebrating a special night out.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal afternoon tea menus are available with advance notice.

Exclusive theatre-goer offer
Guests attending a same-day performance of selected West End shows can enjoy 15% off afternoon tea when presenting a valid theatre ticket while dining.
Participating shows include:
SIX The Musical - Hamilton - Wicked
Offer applies to same-day tickets only and is available when dining at The Rubens. 
Please present your ticket to the team during your visit.

Perfect for
Theatre-goers looking for a relaxed pre-show experience
Couples and friends planning a special evening out
London visitors combining sightseeing, dining and theatre
Midweek and matinee performances
Anyone who prefers elegance over rushed pre-theatre dining

Location & timing
Located in the heart of Westminster, The Rubens at the Palace Hotel is ideally positioned for travel across central London, making it a convenient and elegant starting point for your theatre plans.
Afternoon tea service times allow ample time to dine comfortably and travel onward to your show.

Looking for something else?
You may also enjoy:
Champagne Afternoon Tea — perfect for celebratory evenings
Golden Tips Afternoon Tea Experience — an ultra-luxury option
Seasonal Afternoon Teas — including Valentine’s Day and Winter Wonderland
Little Prince & Princess Afternoon Tea — ideal for family matinees

Because a great night at the theatre deserves a beginning just as special.


Offers

Promotions

Location

Address

39 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 0PS

Area

Westminster

Nearest Station

Victoria (Tube)

Menus

Venue

Royal Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at The Palace Hotel

Royal Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel London’s most royal-adjacent afternoon tea experience Step into one of London’s most elegant afternoon tea settings at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel — where British tradition, refined hospitality, and an unforgettable backdrop combine to create…

T&Cs

1. The ticket holder voluntarily assumes all risks and danger incidental to the event for which the ticket is issued, whether occurring prior, during or after the event. The ticket holder voluntarily agrees that the management, venue, event participants, DesignMyNight WFL Media Ltd and all of their respective agents, officers, directors, owners and employers are expressly released by the ticket holder from any claims arising from such causes.
2. Tickets are issued subject to the rules and regulations of the venue.
3. Please check your tickets, as mistakes cannot always be rectified.
4. Occasionally, events are cancelled or postponed by the promoter, team, performer or venue for a variety of reasons. If the event is cancelled, please contact us for information on receiving a refund from the responsible party. If the event was moved or rescheduled, the venue or promoter may set refund limitations. It is your responsibility to ascertain the date and time of any rearranged event.
5. The venue reserves the right to refuse admission and may on occasion have to conduct security searches to ensure the safety of the patrons.
6. Every effort to admit latecomers will be made at a suitable break in the event, but admission cannot always be guaranteed.
7. We regret that tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded after purchase.
8. Tickets are sold subject to the venue or promoter's right to alter or vary the programme due to events or circumstances beyond its control without being obliged to refund monies or exchange tickets.
9. If this ticket is re-sold or transferred for profit or commercial gain by anyone other than the promoter, venue management, DesignMyNight or one of their authorised sub-agents, it will become voidable and the holder may be
refused entry to or ejected from the venue.
10. The venue may operate a No Smoking Policy.
11. The promoter, venue management and DesignMyNight accept no responsibility for any personal property.
12. The event listed on the purchased ticket is strictly for ticket holders who are over 18 years of age. Identification may be required.

Customer Reviews (0)

Previous The Rubens at The Palace reviews

100% 2
0% 0
0% 0
0% 0
0% 0

Showing {{ eventVenue.reviewsFilter }}/5 ratings only.

5

Based on 2 customer reviews

  • Written by Laura

    Rating: 5

    I had the most amazing afternoon tea on my birthday at the Reubens, we were attentively served by Carlotta, Ellie (she was Irish) and Trina. The venue, and the food were amazing. The thoughtful additional touch of a cake for my birthday was amazing and I am very grateful. We had cocktails and the Queens swan is a must if you like a sweet drink- it was also beautifully presented.
  • Written by Tanqueray Gin Dinner Experience £85 per person customer

    Rating: 5

    VERIFIED

    Visited 6 years ago
    This experience was exceptional! Very well organised and run by the company and staff. Very generous and delicious drinks and 5 course meal. It was a special and memorable evening.

Book & Enquire

X

Confirm

Closing the checkout will empty your basket. Do you want to continue?