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Burlesque performers and chef’s tables or faux-camping with acoustic musicians? Eat, drink and be entertained simultaneously at these memorable dining experiences.
From the live pianist on the grand piano at Potts Point oyster and champagne bar The Hook, to the shimmering burlesque dancers of The Emerald Room in Darlinghurst, opportunities to dine with live performers are on the rise in Sydney.
“[It] brings style and sophistication to a venue that never goes out of fashion,” says The Hook owner Dave Spanton.
The resurgence of “dinner and a show” comes during the cost of living crisis, when customers are looking for value and live entertainment has greater support from local and state governments.
“Going out to eat is not only about the quality of the product but the whole experience of the venue, so adding live entertainment is a great way to heighten that,” says Yulli’s Brews venue manager Genevieve Baker.
Here are 10 places to enjoy a meal and some entertainment in Sydney.
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The Emerald Room
This Darlinghurst newcomer channels classic Vegas vibes with cabaret and burlesque performances on the main stage from 7pm every Thursday through Saturday. Order a la carte with show tickets (from $68.74 per person online) or book the five-seat chef’s table, where chef Elijah Attard (who leads the kitchen with chef Nina Huynh) serves a six-course vegan degustation ($140, inclusive of cocktail and show) using wild-foraged ingredients.
Pro tip: Show tickets are two-for-one on Thursdays, when booked online with promo code “Thursday”.
Level 1/235 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, theemeraldroom.sydney
D’s Dining Room and Bar
D’s is one of Marrickville’s hidden gems. It’s an upscale neighbourhood restaurant with a contemporary Asian-inspired menu and a live jazz band playing every Friday and Saturday night from 6.30pm. Watch from the bar with a couple of snacks, or settle into a booth with friends. The set menu starts at $95 per person.
Pro tip: It’s an easy walking distance from Marrickville train station, and it’s worth ordering the crispy eggplant tempura ($29).
Shop 1 359 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville, theds.com.au
The Hook
The Hook is the third bar from the team behind neighbouring venues Piccolo and Vermuteria, and this time it’s all about old world New York glam with champagne, oysters and a baby grand. There’s a pianist playing upbeat tunes every night – and they take song requests, within reason. Fresh-shucked oysters are served just about any way you’d like them, priced from $19.50 for three.
Pro tip: Drop in during happy hour (5-7pm daily) for half price oysters and $12 glasses of champagne.
13-15 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross, thehooksydney.com.au
Bucketty’s
It’s all about live music and craft beer at this family-friendly northern beaches brewery. A wide range of musicians take the main stage every Wednesday through Sunday, from upcoming local acts like soul singer Noemme, to multi-award winners like The Bec Caruana Band. The kitchen serves classic American fare, like burgers (from $22) and bloody mary wings ($19 for 500g), and every Wednesday in August you can score a steak and a half pint for $25.
Pro tip: Brookvale is full ofgreat breweries and distilleries, many within easy walking distance.
26 Orchard Road, Brookvale, buckettys.com.au
The Sydney Opera House
Jazz musicians take the stage from noon every Sunday afternoon at two-hatted restaurant Bennelong. There’s a $25 cover charge, with a three-course choice menu for $200 per person. Over in the western foyers of the Opera House, there’s a new dining experience from all four resident chefs: Matt Moran (Opera Bar), Peter Gilmore (Bennelong), Mark Olive (Midden by Mark Olive) and Danielle Alvarez (Yallamundi Rooms). During August, each chef will host a series of dinners highlighting their personal approach to cooking, alongside live performances and visual projections.
Pro tip: Can’t make dinner? Find some of the limited edition dishes on the menu at Opera House restaurants.
Bennelong Point, Sydney, sydneyoperahouse.com
(Sunday jazz at Bennelong has ended for the 2024 season).
Cardea
Red velvet curtains, chandeliers and a white baby grand piano evoke a sense of old world glamour at Barangaroo cocktail bar Cardea. From Wednesday through Sunday there are burlesque dancers, magicians, and jazz musicians performing. Some events include dinner and a show, such as pop performers Les Femmes on August 22, and there’s live jazz and a roast dinner (from $32) every Sunday night.
Pro tip: Check the events schedule online, as some nights are ticketed.
300 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney, cardeasydney.com.au
Wuta Bistro
Wu Ta Bistro takes styling cues from a campground, referencing the glamping aesthetic which became popular on Chinese social media. There’s plenty of greenery, fold out chairs, pebble flooring and a giant backlit moon on the wall, plus live acoustic performers every weekend from 7pm. The kitchen serves Sichuan dishes like stir-fried conch meat, aromatic spicy frog legs and glutinous rice with pork ribs until 9.30pm, then switches to a tighter menu until midnight.
Pro tip: There’s a 10-seat private karaoke room available for hire, open until 2am Friday and Saturday.
42a Dixon Street, Sydney, instagram.com/wutabistro_syd
The Imperial
Drag ‘n’ Dine is hosted by acclaimed drag star Jackie Daniels at the main bar every Sunday, from 6pm. There’s a classic drag show, games, and a host of specials including two-course meals from $45 to $55 per person (including kingfish ceviche, chicken galantines, and eggplant parmis for vegetarians) and kids meals for $10. Bookings are recommended but walk-in seating is available.
Pro tip: Come in before the show to take advantage of happy hour, with $18 cocktail jugs and $12 spritzens from 4-6pm.
35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville, imperialerskineville.com.au
Yulli’s Brews
The menu is entirely vegan at Yulli’s Brews, and it’s packed full of flavour. There’s dishes like pad see ew with crispy tofu, dry-fried cauliflower with jungle curry, and pan-fried roti with massaman curry – and nothing over $20. Visit on Thursdays for live jazz musicians from 6.30pm and a $15 jug special, or Sunday for live bands playing country-ish music and $35 all you can eat dim sum.
Pro tip: It can get busy on weekends, so it’s worth reserving a table online. It’s also dog friendly.
75A Burrows Road, Alexandria, yullisbrews.com.au
Lazy Thinking
What began as The Sausage Factory has transformed into Lazy Thinking, a once-restaurant, now-live music venue with independent craft beers, minimal intervention wines and a tight menu of smash burgers (from $14), fries ($5.50) and choc-top ice creams ($7). Expect a loud and intimate introduction to local and emerging artists of all genres, with particularly experimental acts booked Wednesdays.
Pro tip: Owner-chef Jim Flanagan suggests grabbing a table well before the music kicks off at around 7pm (4pm Sundays).
380 New Canterbury Road, Dulwich Hill, lazythinking.com.au
Bianca Hrovat – Bianca is Good Food’s Sydney eating out and restaurant editor.From our partners
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