10 of the best places to have dinner and a show in Sydney

Live pianist on the grand piano at Potts Point Oyster and Champagne Bar hookto the glittering burlesque dancers at The Emerald Room in Darlinghurst, the opportunities to dine with live performers in Sydney are increasing.

“(It) brings style and sophistication to this timeless venue,” said Dave Spanton, owner of The Hook.

The resurgence of “dinner and a show” comes during a cost-of-living crisis when patrons seek value, live entertainment Providing more support From local and state governments.

“Dining out is not only about the quality of the product, but also the overall experience of the venue, so adding live entertainment is a great way to enhance the experience,” said Genevieve Baker, venue manager for Yulli’s Brews.

Here are 10 places in Sydney where you can enjoy good food and entertainment.

Emerald Kangaroorice

This new Darlinghurst restaurant exudes a classic Las Vegas vibe, with cabaret and burlesque performances on the main stage every Thursday to Saturday night from 7 p.m. You can order à la carte and show tickets (from $68.74 per person online), or reserve the five-seat chef’s table, where chef Elijah Attard (who runs the kitchen with chef Nina Huynh) will prepare a six-course vegetarian tasting using wild ingredients ($140, including cocktails and show).

Pro Tips: Buy one get one free for Thursday performances, enter promo code “Thursday” when booking online.

1/235 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Emerald Room.Sydney

D Restaurant and Bar

D’s is a little-known gem in Marrickville. It’s an upscale neighbourhood restaurant with a modern Asian menu and live jazz bands every Friday and Saturday night from 6:30pm. You can watch over a snack at the bar or sit in a booth with friends. Set menus start at $95 per person.

Pro Tips: A short walk from Marrickville train station, it’s worth ordering the crispy eggplant tempura ($29).

Shop 1 359 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville, theds.com.au

hook

Hook is the team’s third bar after neighboring Piccolo and Vermuteria, and this time it’s Old World New York with champagne, oysters and a baby grand piano. A pianist plays upbeat tunes every night – they’ll take song requests within reason. Freshly shucked oysters are cooked any way you like, starting at $19.50 for three.

Pro Tips: Come during happy hour (5-7pm daily) for half-price oysters and $12 bottles of champagne.

13-15 Bayswater Road, King’s Cross, Sydney.com.au

Bhakti

This family-friendly Northern Beaches brewery offers live music and craft beer. From Wednesday to Sunday, a variety of musicians take to the main stage, from emerging local acts like soul singer Noemme to award-winning acts like Bec Caruana Band. The kitchen serves up classic American fare like burgers (from $22) and Bloody Mary wings ($19 for 500g), and every Wednesday in August you can get a steak and half pint for $25.

Pro Tips: Brookville is full ofGreat breweries and distilleriesmany within walking distance.

26 Orchard Road, Brookville, buckettys.com.au

Sydney Opera House

Jazz musicians take to the stage at noon every Sunday in the double-awarded Bennelong restaurant. Admission is $25, and the three-course menu is $200 per person. In the West Foyer of the Opera House, four resident chefs will bring you a new dining experience: Matt Moran (Opera Bar), Peter Gilmore (Bennelong), Mark Olive (Midden by Mark Olive) and Danielle Alvarez (Yallamundi Rooms). In August, each chef will host a series of dinners to showcase their personal cooking methods, accompanied by live performances and visual projections.

Pro Tips: Can’t make dinner? Look for some limited-edition dishes on the Opera Restaurant’s menu.

Benilon Point, Sydney sydneyoperahouse.com

Cardia

Red velvet curtains, chandeliers and a white baby grand piano evoke an old-world charm at Barangaroo cocktail bar Cardea. From Wednesday to Sunday, there are burlesque dancers, magicians and jazz musicians. Some events include dinner and a show, such as popular performers Les Femmes on August 22, and there are live jazz and roast dinners every Sunday night (from $32).

Pro Tips: Please check the event schedule online as some evening events require ticketing.

300 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney, Australian Card Easy Network

Visit the tavern

Wu Ta Bistro’s campsite-inspired décor references the glamping aesthetic that’s popular on Chinese social media. The restaurant is filled with greenery, folding chairs, cobblestone floors, a giant backlit moon on the wall, and live acoustic music from 7pm on weekends. The kitchen serves Sichuan dishes such as stir-fried conch meat, spicy frog legs and glutinous rice spare ribs until 9:30pm, after which the menu switches to a simpler menu until midnight.

Pro Tips: There is a private karaoke room for rent that can accommodate 10 people and is open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

42a Dixon Street, Sydney, instagram.com/wutabistro_syd

empire

Drag ‘n’ Dine is hosted by famous drag star Jackie Daniels every Sunday at 6 p.m. in the main bar. The event features classic drag shows, games and a variety of specials, including a two-course menu for $45 to $55 per person (including mahi mahi ceviche, chicken jelly and eggplant parmas (vegetarian)) and a $10 children’s menu. Reservations are recommended, but walk-in seating is also available.

Pro Tips: Come before the show for happy hour, where cocktails are $18 a pitcher and drinks are $12 a bottle from 4 to 6 p.m.

35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville, imperialerskineville.com.au

Yulli’s Beer

Yulli’s Brews’ menu is all vegetarian and full of flavor. Dishes like crispy tofu fried rice noodles, jungle curry dry fried cauliflower and massaman curry pancakes are all priced under $20. Thursday nights feature live jazz music starting at 6:30 p.m. and $15 drink specials, while Sundays feature a live band playing country music and $35 all-you-can-eat dim sum.

Pro Tips: It can get busy on weekends so it’s best to book a table online. Dogs are also allowed here.

75A Burrows Road, Alexandria, yullisbrews.com.au

Lazy thinking

The original The Sausage Factory has been renamed Lazy Thinking, a former restaurant that’s now a live music venue that serves independent craft beers, small intervention wines, and a selection of burgers (from $14), fries ($5.50), and chocolate ice cream ($7.) Expect a raucous yet intimate presentation of local and emerging artists of all genres, especially the experimental acts scheduled on Wednesdays.

Pro Tips: Owner and chef Jim Flanagan recommends reserving a table in advance before the music starts at 7pm (4pm on Sundays).

380 New Canterbury Road, Dulwich Hill, lazythinking.com