Instead of having dinner and then seeing a show, there are Vancouver theatre groups that combine the two into the same experience with dinner theatre shows!
One of the best dinner theatre options is Vancouver Mysteries‘ Murder is a Drag series. Forbidden Vancouver’s Secrets of the Penthouse tour is a similar event at the Penthouse Nightclub, although instead of involving theatre it features a tour of the club and stories about its history. Another great dinner theatre event is Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding.
Dinner Theatre in Vancouver
Vancouver is home to a number of fabulous theatres and Theatre Companies. Performances take place across the Lower Mainland throughout the year.
While most theatre productions take place on a stage with the audience sitting and watching the show, there are some that are more interactive. Dinner theatre shows are ones where the line between audience and actor is a little more blurred. Those who attend can enjoy a nice meal and a fun show at the same time.
Below are some examples of dinner theatre in Vancouver, or similar kinds of dinner + entertainment events.
Murder is a Drag
Murder is a Drag is a series of shows put on by Vancouver Mysteries. They are one-night special events where your ticket sometimes includes food and drinks, but not always. All events do feature drag performances and the chance to try and solve a murder mystery case.
The performers interact a lot with the audience, in fact if you arrive early enough you could potentially become a character in the show! There are puzzles to solve and clues to collect along the way, as well as the chance to vote on who you think is the killer.
The Murder is a Drag shows don’t happen all the time, but there usually are a few of them throughout the year. They are a lot of fun!
To learn more about the Murder is a Drag events, visit the Vancouver Mysteries website.
Secrets of the Penthouse
The Secrets of the Penthouse isn’t exactly a theatre show but it’s a fun event that includes dinner, a backstage tour of the Penthouse Nightclub, live jazz music and plenty of stories to tell. The event is put on by Forbidden Vancouver which is a local company that offers great walking tours throughout downtown Vancouver.
The tour of the building is led by the Penthouse’s owner Danny Filippone. He and other guests share sordid stories of the area’s past including murder, bootlegging and how mobsters evaded capture from the police.
The night also includes live jazz music at the club as well as a classic spaghetti and meatballs dinner. Tickets cost $70 and the event usually sells out. It runs about once a month or so.
For more check out the Forbidden Vancouver website.
Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding
A fun dinner theatre experience that happens every once in a while in Vancouver is Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, put on by Hammer Up Productions.
In the past the show has taken place at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 179 (on the upper level) or the Italian Society Hall. More recently, however, it’s been happening at Famee Furlane of Vancouver, located at 2605 East Pender Street in Vancouver.
The play is a comedy about a traditional Italian-American wedding and reception. Things begin normally but soon turn into a hilarious disaster. The show is an immersive experience and interactive for folks who choose to participate.
Organizers encourage everyone to dress up as if they were attending a real wedding. There is an Italian dinner buffet to enjoy as well.
To learn more about these shows, see our article about Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding.
Other Information
In addition to the above, there also used to be the Giggle Dam Dinner Theatre. It was a live theatre and dinner venue known for its politically-incorrect humour at 2616 Shaughnessy Street in Port Coquitlam. Unfortunately, the Giggle Dam closed down a number of years ago.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Vancouver Theatre Companies and Venues
- Shows and Entertainment Calendar
- Vancouver Festivals and Events
