Where to Go Before or After a Show: Eating Out in Hove

Western Road at sunset

If it wasn’t obvious already, we love Hove! A trip to TOM doesn’t have to begin when the lights go down or finish when the applause stops. There are plenty of ways to make the most out of your trip to The Old Market, whether you’re a Hove local or just visiting for the day. One of the best things you can do in our lovely spot on the South coast, is try some of our cuisine. We’re surrounded by independent restaurants, pubs, cafés and plenty of places worth exploring.

Whether you’re coming to see live music, comedy, theatre, cabaret or something a little harder to categorise, eating out in Hove, or even exploring some of our scenery and culture, is a great way to turn your evening into a full day out.

Start With a Walk Along Hove Seafront

If you’re visiting us for an evening performance, arriving a little earlier gives you the perfect excuse for some time by the sea - provided that the English weather holds up!

From Brighton Station, as we know many of you travel in via train, you can expect a 20-minute walk down to our venue. So, before heading over our direction, explore what central Brighton has to offer. Walk down to the beach and take a stroll along the promenade, grab a coffee or simply find a spot to relax before heading towards Upper Market Street.

You can also wander past the historic Brighton Beach Bandstand and continue along the seafront if you have more time to spare.

Take a Detour Through St Ann's Well Gardens

If the weather is behaving itself, St Ann’s Well Gardens is another option for anyone making a full afternoon of their visit.

It's a leafy change of pace from Western Road and a good spot for a walk before heading back towards The Old Market. Combined with lunch nearby, suddenly your ticket has become the centrepiece of an entire day out.

Eating Out in Hove

One of the perks of eating out in Hove is the sheer variety of independent restaurants packed into a relatively small area.

Practically on our doorstep, you’ll find The Little Fish Market. As its name suggests, seafood takes centre stage, making it an option for anyone looking to grab a seaside-appropriate dish before an evening show.

Along Western Road, there are a wide variety of different restaurants and cafes which are only a short walk away from our venue, even if they’re not quite literally on our doorstep!

Just a short walk away, we have The Boudica café. This lovely café serves breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes throughout the day, for a light dinner before a show or even a classic casserole dish.

Just a little further along, there’s Cibo, A delightful Italian restaurant, which offers a great Vegan selection. Cin Cin is another popular Italian restaurant serving modern Italian food, from the opposite end of Western Road.

If your plans are more relaxed, Six - Brighton & Hove is also on Western Road and opens early in the day, making it handy for brunch, lunch or an early bite before an evening performance.

There are, of course, plenty more options available for eating out in Hove, so have a look around, explore the local streets and grab whatever takes your fancy. Whatever you choose, we’d recommend booking a table ahead where possible, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Stay for a Drink at TOM's Bar

Of course, one of the easiest places for a drink is right here!

TOM's Bar opens before and after events, so there is no need to rush home as soon as a show finishes, and you can arrive early and not have to worry about lingering outside. It's a chance to grab a drink, talk about what you've just seen and soak up a little more of the atmosphere before calling it a night.

Drinks bought at the bar also directly support The Old Market.

For event-specific opening times, it's worth checking your booking information, as door and bar times can vary depending on the performance.

Turn Your Visit to The Old Market into a Day Out

There is plenty more to a visit to The Old Market than the show itself.

From a stroll along Hove seafront and an afternoon drink to discovering somewhere new for dinner, eating out in Hove can easily become part of the experience.

And with The Old Market hosting everything from music and comedy to theatre, cabaret, talks, dance and family shows, there is always another excuse to come back and try somewhere different.

Take a look at what's on at The Old Market, pick your next show and start planning your day/evening in Hove.