If you’ve been out lately, you may have looked at the bill and gone, “I remember when it used to be so much cheaper” – you’re not alone.
Many Brits think this, and they’re right. UK restaurant and café prices have more than doubled since 2000.
That’s just food and drink as well. Add entertainment to the mix, and it’s easy to understand why some people feel like their money isn’t stretching as far.
However, venues are catching on to this. They’re developing meal-plus-entertainment deals to help visitors get the most out of their money.
The Meal-Plus-Entertainment Deal
The idea itself is simple. Rather than spending separately for food and whatever you have come to do, venues bundle the two together at a single, more affordable price.
Mintel’s research points this out as well. They discovered that half of diners used a meal deal of some kind in 2025, with set menus and fixed-price offers driving it.
Independent cinemas are a good example. The Dukes in Lancaster, for instance, runs a film screening and meal for just £18.00, pairing a cinema ticket with a nearby restaurant. Theatres do something similar, and pubs often have quiz nights mixed with food-and-drink deals.
Some bingo clubs even have bingo promotions including a meal, a drink, and bingo entries. Many venues offer such a deal for as little as £10, which is rather affordable for a night out and a chance to try your luck.
What to Look For
When looking for such deals, it pays to check a few things before committing. Some, while looking interesting, aren’t as good as you think.
One of the biggest things to check is what food is actually included. “A meal included” can mean anything, from a full à la carte choice to a limited set menu.
Neither is bad. However, they are two completely different things and something you don’t want to discover on the night out itself.
Timing is something else that you should check. More often than not, these deals run on quieter nights, usually midweek, because that’s when these businesses need to fill tables.
If your schedule is flexible, this isn’t much of an issue. For those who don’t have much flexibility, it may be worth doing some research to find a deal that suits your available free time.
Alongside all of the above, just double-check and see what’s actually covered in the deal. You’ll be surprised what the headline deal forgets to mention. Therefore, read the fine print so you know exactly what you are paying for.
The Takeaway
Going out often means choosing between a decent meal and an actual evening of entertainment.
Some venues have spotted this, and they are trying to fold the two together, hoping to drive interest to their establishments.
With a good meal-plus-entertainment deal, many have achieved this, and we believe many more venues will follow suit soon.
