Are you allowed to take snacks to the theatre or do you need to buy inside? Thanks!

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Original-Carpet2451@reddit

You need to say if it's a movie theatre or a theatre theatre. Very different rules.

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No-Warning4684@reddit (OP)

It's a theatre theatre thank you

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You’re getting downvoted, but to explain - two reasons. First, theatre (unless musical) tends to be quieter than cinema, so you’re likely to distract other people in the audience. But second and more importantly, the performers are right there in front of you - you actively have the power to distract them. It’s very different to cinema in that sense, because you are part of creating what’s happening in front of you.

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theotherquantumjim@reddit

Not even a kebab?

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SpaTowner@reddit

Ooh, what are you going to see? It’s worth thinking about the kind of show when choosing snacks. If it’s a sing-along type musical snacks are unlikely to upset anyone. If you are going to a tense drama where everyone is holding their breath in suspense, and you can hear a pin drop… popping a can of Pringles may get you tutted at. Quiet snacks are best, without rustly wrappers. Given that we’re still in cold and cough season, a menthol lozenge and some water can be your best (fisherman’s) friend. There’s nothing like being in a theatre to make an insistent cough *really* insistent. I had to leave the theatre and go stand in the lobby once because I couldn’t stop coughing and it was spoiling things for others.

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seven-cents@reddit

Jesus I hate people who ruin a performance at the theatre by rustling wrappers and chewing food. Just bloody awful.

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No-Warning4684@reddit (OP)

The thing is they sell food so surely you expect people would be eating when booking the tickets

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Forsaken_Flounder142@reddit

No, that's what the interval is for. You snack and drink during interval. Sit in silence during the play.

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seven-cents@reddit

If it's a noisy musical show then fine. If it's a play with dialogue then just hold your horses. If it's a classical music performance then just don't do it because it ruins the experience for the people around you.

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theotherquantumjim@reddit

So would some fermented fish in a Tupperware be okay? I’m thinking definitely yes

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seven-cents@reddit

May as well just shit your pants and fling out into the audience if your feeling particularly rude

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Spottyjamie@reddit

I genuinely wonder how some people function

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tmr89@reddit

They ask Reddit for help with inane or basic questions regarding etiquete

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No-Warning4684@reddit (OP)

🤣🤣

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Lightertecha@reddit

Do you mean a theatre (plays) or a cinema (films)?

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theotherquantumjim@reddit

Glad you employed the brackets here, I had no idea what a cinema was until now

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1blckbx@reddit

Just don’t eat for a couple of hours. It is possible.

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odegood@reddit

Yeah no worries large lamb donner and chips with extra chilli dauce

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Theif-Rick@reddit

Just ask them what their spaghetti policy when you buy the tickets.

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Kirstemis@reddit

If you can't go for a couple of hours without food, you can take your own, but nothing that rustles or crinkles.

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Dazpiece@reddit

>> but nothing that rustles or crinkles Like...popcorn?

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Kirstemis@reddit

Popcorn doesn't rustle or crinkle, and isn't generally available at the theatre.

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boldstrategy@reddit

What theatre sells popcorn?

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pullingteeths@reddit

They're talking about actual theatre not a cinema

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theowleryonehundred@reddit

Who eats popcorn at the theatre?

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Caex13@reddit

>If you can't go for a couple of hours without food alright karen

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Kirstemis@reddit

Most plays are what, 45-60 minutes in the first half, ten minute interval, then another 30 or 45 minutes. It's really not long.

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shartingmaster@reddit

🙄

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Martipar@reddit

IIRC it's allowed but i always feel it's like going to a gig at a local pub and taking your own drinks. It's part of the experience having warm popcorn and a massive drink. I also did some maths, a bit broken admittedly, but at my local Cineworld the price of popcorn is basically the same as it for Butterkist popcorn in Tesco per gram. I got the price per gram wrong but i got it equally wrong so i can't recall exactly what the price per gram is. Anyway, I'm sure if i was at the cinema every week i might consider skipping the popcorn and drinks in favour of it being an occasional treat but I'm not so i don't.

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Nedonomicon@reddit

What are they going to do search your bag ? Protip … they’re not allowed to I’ve snuck a whole Maccys and beer in before lol

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theowleryonehundred@reddit

You've taken a McDonald's meal into the theatre? I am sure all those around you who'd paid £50 for their ticket loved you. Surprised the ushers didn't tell you to leave.

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Nedonomicon@reddit

It’s literally no different to warm nachos or a hot dog which they also sell , chill :-)

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Kirstemis@reddit

What theatre sells nachos?

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Nedonomicon@reddit

I meant movie theatre , but having re-read the title it’s not that hahahaha . No I would not take a McDonald’s to the actual theatre 😂

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SpaTowner@reddit

Though tbh I’d rather smell burger fumes in the theatre than some of the rancid old perfumes some people drench themselves in when they go.

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tmr89@reddit

So many smoothbrains can’t tell the difference between a theatre and a cinema

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Nedonomicon@reddit

Yeah I just re read the title 😂

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pullingteeths@reddit

Do you really not know the difference between a theatre and a cinema? This is a UK sub, no one calls cinemas theatres

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theowleryonehundred@reddit

I have never, ever been to a theatre that sells nachos or chilli. I'm not you understand what a theatre is?

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SpaTowner@reddit

Well, yes… probably. It isn’t uncommon at theatres for them to peer into your bag with a torch before they let you in. I think it’s more to check for recording equipment than illicit jelly babies though. Eg https://www.rsc.org.uk/your-visit/your-safety

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theowleryonehundred@reddit

And while you don't have to let them search your bag, it will likely be a condition of entry, and if you don't let them, they'd probably deny you entry.

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dbxp@reddit

Depends what you're seeing, bringing sweets to the opera would be a bit weird.

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SpaTowner@reddit

I try to take a few quiet sweets/lozenges to the opera. Not to snack per se, but in case I get an insistent tickly cough.

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No-Warning4684@reddit (OP)

Thank you

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Realkevinnash59@reddit

bring what you want in. just be mindful of your other cinema-goers before you bring in anything crunchy, smelly or wrapped in noisy wrapping.

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mysilvermachine@reddit

Assuming you mean a theatre, not a cinema, it’s not usual to take snacks into the performance.

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Personal-Listen-4941@reddit

It’s totally normal & most theatres sell sweets to take in. Certainly it’s very bad form to take in anything that makes noise, but a bag of Smarties for example is totally fine

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mysilvermachine@reddit

Bag of smarties yes, popcorn no.

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new_moon_on_monday@reddit

I always take my own and have never had a problem. I also used to work in a theatre and didn't even notice what people were eating.

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BuBBles_the_pyro@reddit

If its a big chain take in a backpack with whatever you want, just dont take in strong smelling foods or something really noisy because that just pisses everyone off. If its a long film, 2litr bottle of pop, or a 4 pack of cider. If its a smaller chain cinema, probably best not take a backpack or bag, but no ones going to look in your pockets if you have a bag of haribo.

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Tim-Sanchez@reddit

The title says theatre, not cinema

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wild_cayote@reddit

Even smaller chains won’t care

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PoliticsNerd76@reddit

If they banned people taking in their own snacks, they’d not sell any tickets. It’s fine. Just put them in a jacket pocket and walk in. The staff don’t give a dusty fuck. That said, I do buy my drink from there.

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Specialist-Web7854@reddit

It depends, most places are fine with you eating sweeties, but avoid rustly packets. I know one theatre which has a no food in the auditorium rule, but that’s not the norm. I always take my own sweets as I can’t eat dairy which limits my options, but I don’t advertise the fact to the theatre staff!

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Dazz316@reddit

I believe it's not even a rule, but they don't give a shit bring what you want. The food is suitable at the theatre generally but just a bit expensive. That said it can be a bit better. Ice cream might melt before you get there, hot snacks will feel nicer fresh etc, fresh print etc etc etc. But that bottle of sprite you bought for £2.25 is the same from the theatre or the spar down the road for cheaper won't be any different.

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Dazz316@reddit

Ask people in your local area. I've learned it's a hard and fast rule in some places and in others (like mine) not a rule at all.

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