Playhouse Café / Bar

This fine piece of architecture, designed by Sir Edward Brantwood Maufe in 1938, houses the recently refurbished (in shades of chestnut and tan) theatre bar. After completing the Festival Theatre at 'the other place' (1927) and the brick masterpiece of Guildford Cathedral (1932) Maufe gives the city a striking façade.  The canopy on Beaumont Street leads into a contemporary theatre foyer with user-friendly chunky wooden chairs, wood flooring, squishy brown upholstery and killer Gin and Tonics. During performances the foyer kiosk tempts you with tubs of rich Marshfield Farm ice cream (£2) in quality vanilla, unusual cointreau and orange or cult favourite honey and ginger flavours. In-house catering is on hand to offer strawberries dipped in chocolate and other delights for pre-booked soirees in this distinctive prestigious venue. Heather's buttery shortcake, zingy fruit muffins, generous slices of lemon drizzle cake and assorted baked goods are a terrific mid-morning pick-me-up. Scones or neatly cut sandwiches with traditional fillings (cheese and tomato or salmon and cream cheese) are available to eat in or take away. Pots of tea are huge and encourage you to linger for longer in the theatre whilst the legendary theatre coffee packs such a punch it gets your through the deepest of essay crises. The theatre's coffee has a smooth aroma with no bitter after-taste, which is incredible considering its strength!  Lunch in style with home made soup, such as golden vegetable or leek and potato, served with a roll (£3.50) between noon 2.30pm in swish contemporary white bowls. 

Upstairs the art deco Circle bar is often open and is a great place to spy on the ebb and flow of Beaumont Street and admire its Georgian architecture from the comfort of a large leather couch. The sheer pleasure of a date spent at the Playhouse could be the result of its beautiful location; the spot is close to where Henry I located his Beaumont Palace and Richard the Lionheart was born. But it is more likely the excellent five star service of the caring staff for whom nothing is too much trouble is the reason the place makes you relax. Patrons are afforded a complimentary glass of iced water from the jug at the bar, the WC's downstairs are always immaculate and the regularly up-dated crop of leaflets covering every local event you could think of is a great ice breaker. The experienced front of house team certainly run a tight ship in this highly successful theatre and deliver the little touches that make a huge difference. Pose before you go with this weeks theatre programme, a dish of olives or roasted nuts (£3) and a glass of red wine, keeping an eye out for any star of stage and screen who may well be passing.

Lita Doolan (DI Reviewer), 23/02/07

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