Very hectic, not focused, poor sound system for mics, no real storyline, a but like a dtrip club atmosphere, seedy, costumes in disrepair, the whole stick with pulling audience members out was cringe worthy. The tiny drinks are overprriced, We came for Joan Baez, who was dadly dressed up in some kind of old gypsy outfit, and only did one dong, very disappointing as it was the highlight of the show. Certainly not worth the price of admission!! read more

The Soiled Dove - Joan & others - Dinner Theater Near Me - Alameda, California

This show deserves a few stars for the music and acrobatic talent, and a fun, boisterous presentation. The band was excellent! However, for $200+ per person, I was disappointed in the food, seating and limited types of acrobatics in the show. The dinner seating was very very cramped, not how it looked to me on the seating chart. (The general admission seating with no dinner looked more comfortable!) I could barely get into my chair between the two people next to me. The chairs were tall hardwood barstools with no back, which were very uncomfortable. The beef and polenta dinner tasted like dog food out of a can! I could not eat it, although some people did. The dessert was served in a stale ice cream cone. Only water was included with the expensive meal; drinks were extra and expensive. The circus consisted mostly of Ariel acrobatics, risqué costumes, some nudity, and a little bit of dramatic story telling in between. As I said, the band was excellent, although the vocals could have been more prominent in the sound mix. Sorry, I really wanted to support this kind of live theater and they did make a good effort, but it was too expensive and it just fell short. read more

Beware of the most uncomfortable seating arrangement! You are seated shoulder to shoulder at bare high top tables on wooden bar stools with no cushion and no backs. Our seats had our backs to the stage. We ended up standing for most of the show peeking between people for a glimpse of the show. Along with many people at our table, we left early because it was so uncomfortable and difficult to see. All this for $200 pp! We had hoped it would be like Teatro Zinzanni but we were very disappointed. read more

This was incredible. The food was just fine. The show was immersive and engaging for the whole evening. Getting to watch Joan Baez perform in a circus tent in Alameda was pure magic read more

This was one of the most fun nights I've had in a while. We did the dinner experience and it was great. The food was good and the performances were very impressive. The experience is immersive with a great vibe. We weren't there for Joan Baez, but it was such a treat to get to see her! She still sounds great! Do keep in mind, this is mainly a burlesque show. If you go expecting a Joan Baez concert, you're going to be disappointed. read more

Amazing, wonderful, escape! Great libations. Acts are amazing. Best venue tent. The actors were out and about with the audience and made for a great immersive experience. Icing was the beautiful voice and presence of Ms. Joan Baez!! read more

We bought tickets for the dinner show and we went in a group of 6. I noticed you can get discounted tickets through Groupon or Goldstar, but they only allow you to buy up to 2 tickets at a time and you can't pick your table. We all wanted to sit together so we paid full price for tickets. We arrived at 7 pm and lined up. I'd estimate about 1/3 of the attendees dressed up in old-timey costumes, which was fun. If you dress up in costume you won't feel out of place, nor will you feel out of place if you don't dress up. Doors opened at about 7:30 and we went in and there were people walking around with appetizers on trays. The appetizers (like the main courses) were small but very tasty. The tempura and bean soup were especially good. The beet salad I didn't much care for. We had the beef short ribs which were delicious and enough food to keep us from being hungry, but it's not a large meal. There are drink menus on the bar with drink prices mostly in the upper $teens but there are also less expensive drinks available. The performers (some of whom we have seen previously at the Edwardian Worlds Faire) were great. The show is long - there are a couple of short performances between food courses, and then after dinner they let in the standing room only crowd and the main show begins. It didn't end until 11. Some of the performances are a bit sexy/flirty. It would make for a good date night. Full price tickets are a bit overpriced IMHO, but if you go for the groupon/Goldstar that's a good deal. read more

The Soiled Dove - a large group of people sitting at tables - Dinner Theater Near Me - Alameda, California

This is a seasonal show that starts up in the fall. For 2019, it's begun again! Ive seen this show a couple times and it never disappoints! If you go to the dinner portion along with your show you are served by the actual show performers which is a treat. They stay in character which gets your really into the whole Barbary Coast feel. Food is very well done. I would suggest standing near where the apps come out if you want to guarantee trying them all, although the servers do walk around the entire tent with appetizers. There's a soup and a couple other little bites. The salad is pretty good and the main meat course is amazing. Even the vegan selection is this delicious veggie tartine... Pretty much a grain and veggie loaf which is rich and delicious. They were even selling these little empanadas and truffle popcorn when the show portion started. I wasn't hungry but they looked yummy and really cool that they have a good option for those that come for just the show portion. My favorite is the dessert. I could eat multiple little pots of this. It's some sort of pot de creme chocolate with caramel on top and little crunchies. YUM. The bar has servers come around to tables which is nice. You don't have to always stand in line at the bar for a drink. For the show. You are right in the middle of it! Even if you only buy the show tickets and are standing in the back, the performers walk right through the crowd and some of the performance takes place on the bar! The aerialists are LITERALLY swinging over your head. They added a cute little area that has seating now which is cool for those that arrive early. Advice for the ladies - don't wear your crazy heels to this if you didn't buy a seat! You'll be standing for the show and I hate when my feet start hurting in the middle of a concert or show! I've seen some low ratings for the show and the food, but I think it's totally worth every penny. I bring new friends every year so they can experience the fun. To have an event in Oakland like this - live music, talented acrobats and performers, good food and good drinks! They have art and this past weekend there was a masseuse doing massages for tips! Seriously, they put up a freakin tent and build a whole set each year to put this show on. They serve a 3 course meal (with appetizers!) IN A TENT in the middle of downtown. Hah! It's truly a labor of love and you feel it when you're there. I'm proud to support this Bay Area show!! The performers also walk around after so you can get some awesome photos for your IG if that's something you like to do. If you're looking for something fun, different and a bit upscale come to this. Dress up, hire a babysitter, enjoy the show! read more

Stopped in for the standing room experience with some friends. Had a great time. Nice people. Artists are working hard and having fun. Happy to support the scene. Will be back. Kept it light hearted for how sexual itNext time will dress up for it. ;) read more

For two people and the dinner show at the Oakland location, it was $300. The dinner show was fun and worth it. Smaller intimate atmosphere even Thomas gah it was sold out and the performers served the food. We enjoyed the food of passed appetizers, beet salad, and short rib over a corn mash, and dessert of a S'mores mousse. The portions were just right - We weren't looking to get stuffed while sitting and watching a show. We left a little after 10pm while it was still going. I felt bad for the people who bought the show only tickets for $60 and essentially had to stand way at the back. The tent was cold and got colder as the night went on. The acts including the hosts were just ok. We were actually a bit bored because we had been to the Absinthe show in Vegas which was deliciously raunchy andDon't get me wrong the talent here was amazing, but whoever directed and created he script for the performers fell short here. For the cost and what we got, I would pass. read more

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Not exactly a compliment sandwich, but we'll start with the Good! The experience is separated into two parts, a dinner at 7:30pm, and then a show at 9pm. We bought tickets to attend the dinner and the show for a grand total of $302.74 for two people. The show was entertaining and had a few memorable numbers including a bb gun sharp shooter blasting balloons and cups off of two contortionists, aerial performances including aerial silks as well as aerial rope, and a great band to complement the performances and even join with some of the acts. Didn't expect to see a rapping reverend, but I was immediately down with that funky friar. That prosey priest provided a lovely juxtaposition to a burlesque bathtub bit reminiscent of a super classy wet t-shirt contest (my favorite of the night). A couple of the forgettable routines involved not much more than exaggerated hand flapping to music. The only improvement would be to ditch those acts for more pastors and pasties. The Bad. The catering was handled by Work of Art, a local Bay Area catering company. I get nervous about wasting stomach real estate on a bad meal, so I thoroughly checked out the catering company before committing to adding the dinner on to our tickets. The food was honestly fantastic! So why does it fall under "the Bad?" The portions. I was able to sample just three of the four appetizers. If I ever run into someone who got to sample their fig appetizer with Pt. Reyes blue cheese, please excuse my dirty looks; I just love blue cheese and am jealous you got to try it. The substitute beet salad (versus the menu listed heirloom tomatoes) was extraordinary and I even licked my plate! Not literally, but I did that thing where you keep wiping the plate with your finger and licking it. It was a light portion, but not to worry I thought, the entree would soon be here. As I looked around for entrees I saw another appetizer being passed and I assumed it was for some other dietary preference (they accommodate vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free). Then one of the servers placed that appetizer in front of me and mentioned it was the beef course. Upon seeing its meager size, I immediately started panicking and sweating. No, no, no, this couldn't be right. I grabbed the menu and frantically read through the items until I came to the beef course. I confirmed the paltry plate in front of me was in fact the entree. For reference, there is a picture of the entree that Rav V. posted in the photos section. Notice how the fork sitting on the food in that picture is the same size as everything under it? Bite sized. I scarfed down the food hoping I could catch one of the servers for a second helping. And here is where we get to the Ugly. I caught the attention of one of the servers and she comes to our aid. I mention that I'm still very hungry and would appreciate any additional food such as a second helping of the entree. She looks me straight in the eye and says, "I guarantee that they are out." She then turned and walked away. Another server came by and also rejected my two separate pleas for more food stating, "everyone is still being served." Gosh, I hope not or they would be getting their food very late since it was already 8:40pm at that time, and the show was starting in just 20 minutes. Seeing the clock wind down it was time to take matters into my own hands. After finishing my entree, I bolted out of the venue and saw a burger place just up the street called Roam. I ordered a cheeseburger and they turned it around fast enough that I made it back just a few minutes after 9pm. I landed it on the table, and immediately after that the second server dropped off a plate of grits, then ran back to the stage because the show was starting. While I appreciate the effort, between the bowl of corn gruel and a juicy burger, I chose the latter. Now you may be thinking, "I don't know this reviewer, maybe he's just a huge dude with an abnormal appetite?" Here are the facts: I am 6'1" with a 34" waist, and I weigh approximately 200 lbs. My wife who is about half my size also felt the portions were small. Oh, and here's the kicker, another person at our table also went out during the dinner to get burritos--a fine choice. Again, the food overall was very tasty, even the small entree. I just really needed more, and that sentiment was shared with others at our table. When I brought up my concern, the attitude from both of those servers seemed a bit too ugly given the high price for the "VIP" experience. For this to be a great experience, I would just need more food, and better training for the servers. Absent that, I'd highly recommend the grass-fed beef burger, medium rare, with cheddar cheese from Roam. Delicious. read more

The Soiled Dove - Meager portions so I left during dinner and brought back this stellar burger from Roam! - Dinner Theater Near Me - Alameda, California

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Poor man's Cirque du Soleil with some Costco quality sample cart food. For $140 a ticket, I expected more of a storyline and better quality food. Those of us that had the vegetarian options ran right home and sat on the toilet for an hour. I know, TMI, but facts are facts. My body is not only broken from a sour stomach but also sitting for nearly 4 hrs on the worst high school wood shop built stools I have ever encountered. Like why can't we have normal chairs? Were chairs not allowed in the Barbary Coast era? I wish someone would have Shanghai'd me right out of there after the 50th aerial silks performance (are there no other options other than aerial performers? They are great but Jesus, if I see one more before I die it will be too soon). This show has good heart and the performers are awesome. The food is lame and the storyline sucks. They need more variety here. read more

You should go see this. Honestly. It's a lot of fun, visually stimulating, and an excuse to dress up. But don't buy the dinner ticket, it's a total waste. We paid full price, 140$ for the 3 hour dinner which is supposed to include apps and performances before the show. In the 1.5 hours before the show started, we were approached once for apps and the dinner was pretty gross. The starter salad was very ok, the beef main course tender but not very flavorful, and the sides were barely edible. The one savior was the sweet dessert which was lovely. After dinner is served the show begins and a smaller crowd starts to pile in for "standing room" seating, but there is a small section in the back with seats which actually has a great view of the stage and, at times, better than our view at a back side table. The performers were a lot of fun and stayed in character all night even as they served apps and drinks. The storyline was hard to follow but it didn't matter because it was mostly all about the visuals. If I could go this again, I would skip dinner and buy discount tickets on Groupon or something for a fun weekend night activity. read more

Fun experience! My sister in law and I went for the dinner & show. We bought discounted tickets through Goldstar and it came out to about $108/person - the catch is you cannot select your table beforehand but we took the risk and based on the seating chart and since there is a circular stage in the center we figured we'd be able to see everything. We were assigned to table 29 by the hotel stage and could see almost everything as the action moves around during the show anyways! The food was pretty good, we just wished the portions were a bit bigger! It was similar to wedding reception food, pretty tasty but small portions and you'll be hungry again later and not really worth the additional cost. Braised beef was soft and delicious and the corn polenta was wonderful but I didn't get much polenta. Tip: if you want to eat more, seek out the servers walking around with the appetizers, if you wait you'll miss a lot. We ended up missing the better sounding appetizers and only ended up getting a couple of bites. I'm not upset that we did the dinner experience though but knowing all of this, next time I would skip the dinner portion, eat out before and just get the reserved seating for the main show only. Drinks were interesting and tasty too and lines seemed to move fairly fast even though bartenders were busy! Drinks we're about $13-14 each and wine was basically just as much ($12) so I tried a cocktail for a $1 more. Pricey but they do a good job. The show was fun! It was longer than I expected and it ended a little after 11pm. I felt they could have cut an act or two that was a little repetitive but from past reviews it seems the show and acts change slightly throughout their runs each year so others may have a slightly different experience with this. My biggest and really only complaint was the seating, the barstools were SO uncomfortable I ended up standing by our table for the last hour and a half of the show. They pack a lot of people in at the dinner tables so it was cramped and they have hard wooden barstools with no backs on them which is a lot of time (3.5 hours) to sit uncomfortably. The reserved show seating looked like it had regular chairs to sit, so another reason to skip dinner and just do the reserved show seating & enjoy drinks instead! Also we just went, it's the end of November and it's been really chilly so it did feel a little cold inside the tent. I did feel spots of heaters blowing warm air but only in certain spots and where we were did get a little chilly so consider layers if it's a cold night and you get chilly easily! Overall we had a fun time and it was a fun activity to do and night out! The performers were talented and it was nice to support a local event! read more

I'm so happy to see The Soiled Dove is back for another year! Every time I've gone, I have had an outstanding time, and this year is no exception! I highly recommend this show - it's completely worth it, and the performers immerse you in the show. Everyone stays in character even when the spotlight isn't on them (yes, even the pregnant clown who's downing a bottle of whiskey). I've always done the standing tickets, but I'm laughing and cheering the entire time so I don't get tired of standing, and the night goes by very fast. Overall, I highly recommend you see this. It's better than Cirque du Soleil in my opinion, because you're up close and actually apart of the show! read more

The show was top-notch, probably the highest quality performers I have seen for such a genre. The venue was very appropriate and nice, also. I was expecting something much different in terms of dinner, for the price of $140 or so. Tickets for just show were $60, so dinner was about $80. I totally thought it was going to be a nice relaxed comfortable dinner. It was loud, rushed, stressful, crowded, and uncomfortable stand up stools. The portions were tiny, and it would have been nice to complete the main course with a vegetable. It was just meat and corn. And a TINY but delicious beet salad. Poor value, sorry. Especially due to the amount of people they stuffed in there for dinner to make all the money they possible could. The food WAS very tasty and well prepared though. I give them that. Was a TEASE. Serving wasn't super organized, I know some people missed their courses, or were served late. Anyway, bravo to the performers. read more

I really wanted to like The Soiled Dove, but I was left feeling "meh". One thing they did nail is the venue and atmosphere. It's pretty spectacular and really evokes the right mood. The show itself, though, fell flat. There were a couple of great acrobatics acts, but there needed to be more of them. And although there was definitely some talent in the cast, the most interesting performers tended to be in the background. Most of all, though, the show didn't feel bawdy or risqué enough, even though there was no shortage of scantily-clad female performers, and what little humor there was didn't really work. There was just no edge. About the food... it was very good, but there simply wasn't enough of it. I was actually quite surprised to find out that what I thought was an appetizer was actually my main course. I'm not at all the kind of person who complains about small portions, but after our meal, my partner and I were still so hungry that he dashed out and grabbed taqueria from across the street. (We weren't the only table that felt this way; the guy sitting next to us asked where we got our food, then went to get some for himself and his girlfriend.) Service needed work, too. We didn't get several of the passed appetizers, nor were we served one of the two dessert courses. And the bar lines were ridiculously long. The Soiled Dove wasn't a terrible experience, just a bit disappointing -- especially at $150 a ticket. read more

It was my birthday weekend so i wanted to do something new.. I seen this ad on Facebook and was hooked. I went as a party of 3 as the VIP dinner and show. It's a first come first seat type Of thing so I would definitely recommend to come a little early to get good seats. The largest table they can hold up to 10 people and those tables were reserved for larger groups but they had the best seats... right dead in the center. As you walk in the staff walks around handing out hors d'oeuvres. They have a bar to purchase drinks at. During dinner they have a little show to keep interest into the main show.. dinner was served pretty fast.. all food had a choice of vegan, gluten free, dairy free options. Four course meal over the length of an hour, with perfect portion sizes. I wore a dress and was super cold, so make sure you wear a jacket and preferably some pants. You sit at high top tables and stools that were uncomfortable sitting for 3 hours (dinner and show length) but overall I really enjoyed myself. And the band was awesome as well read more

Amazing night with my 80 year old mother! She loved it and can not stop talking about how much fun she had. The staff, food and decorations are out of this world. Enjoy an evening of amusement and entertainment that is so unique. I highly recommend going! read more

Fantastic show - I very much recommend! The food was quite good - portions aren't huge but if you go there with a normal appetite you'll be fine. Missed one of the appetizers, but still was sated at the end of eating. The REAL treat was the show! The actors, acrobats, singers, and everyone did a wonderful job - such a great time! Minus one star for portapotties (they were in decent shape when we were there) and the chilliness of the tent. read more

WOW! Oakland is THE place to be, first of all. The Soiled Dove was an incredible experience!!! The GREAT elements: We came for dinner before the show. Let me start by telling you how much I hate beets and how disappointed I was to hear that tomatoes were out of season and they had to replace the salad with that pesky alternative. Then let me tell you how delectable that beet salad was and that I'm actually wishing I could have it again! Ugh, do I like beets now? The butternut squash soup shots were amazing too. We didn't get to try any of the other appetizers because we were sitting in the balcony and they weren't being served up there. The pre-dinner music and show was a fun glimpse into what would be coming later. I was so damn impressed with the band. Adam Theis is probably a musical genius. He put together a killer group, wrote such a great score and put on a show! It was almost too many GREAT things at once. Fantastic overload. Dublin (the rapping pastor) wowed me and I felt was one of the biggest stars of the show- that was cool to see. Shaina laying it down on the violin and then throwing herself into the crowd was quite a sight to see! The storyline was fun- including the not-so-well-known Emperor Norton was cool. And of course, the Cirque acrobats, aerialists, and wide-variety of talent were just perfection. I noticed that this show was somewhat similar to Teatro Zinzanni except a whole lot naughtier! Things they could work on for next year: VIP Experience wasn't really "VIP". It was more "you have a reservation to eat dinner". There were no reserved options for tables so it was a scramble to find a spot. We ended up in the balcony seating. The balcony swayed and I was nervous about its stability and our safety but realized that the tent and everything in it had to be approved by the fire marshall and up to code so I stayed. I don't drink wine, but my guests did and said the options were not to their liking- if you're going to sell wine I guess why not provide some stellar options? The food was really so good and I've read about portion sizes in other reviews. I thought the portions were fine, they just weren't presented in a way that we're used to. Either say the portions are going to be smaller than expected or plate them in a way that's expected. That will get rid of the naysayers next time. All in all I was thinking that next year I want to bring clients to this, my family and my friends, so that equals three visits! BRAVO The Soiled Dove. What a treat. What a production. What an experience!!! read more

We had an amazing evening at The Soiled Dove. We were a group of six and opted for the dinner and the show, and we were glad we did. The food was great, we had an extra hour and a half of entertainment and there was no extra seating for those who did not purchase the dinner ticket. The show was incredible and filled the whole evening! Burlesque, acrobatics, music, comedy, and more. We chose to dress up a bit and were glad we did. Everyone working is part of the show covering all the details. I can't wait to go to another show by the company in the future. Strongly recommend! read more

I loved every second of this show. You are encouraged to dress up but you don't have too. We didn't, but did dress nicely and I was glad we did. It's nice to see people dressed up or in costumes instead of jean's and a t shirt which is acceptable almost everywhere these days. The food is really good, but limited. If you are a picky eater you might be out of luck. Check the menu. I recommend doing the dinner and show so you can get a seat. And the performers perform through dinner. If you just come to the show, you might be standing. It is really worth the money to do both dinner and show. The drinks are weak, so just order a bottle of champagne. The talent is really good and they really involve you in the show. The band is awesome!!!! The wait staff are the performers. The show finishes at midnight but the dancing continues until 2am with a dj. We left at midnight. ENJOY!! read more

Hard to describe how amazing of an experience I had with some friends and family! We opted for dinner and the show. The food was very good. I honestly didn't have a whole lot of expectations for it and was pleasantly surprised. As for the show itself, WOW! Cirque Du Soleil quality performers but much more intimate because the show happens around the seating area. There was so much talent and positive energy in the room - impossible not to be smiling the entire time! My wife and I enjoyed ourselves so much we're considering returning again this season! I highly recommend! read more

I never do this, I always try to contact management and discuss my displeasure but since Soiled Dove refuses to respond like a reputable business here is why I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SHOW!!!! Wow, just such an incredibly terrible experience. To be fair a few of the performers were really talented but it was SOOOOOO redundant! The "play" that surrounds and introduces the acts was performed in the most annoying sing sing community theater style. The "servers" are performers and OMG if they plan to stay in arts as a job they need to learn how to do this better because they are rude and rather bad at it. The stools provided will DEFINITELY mess up your back so save yourself the pain (if you attend) and don't sit down for more than 10mins! After being IGNORED by cocktail servers, enduring snotty food servers, and my bf getting kicked in the head by a performer, we left early. The best part of the night apart from walking out was the drink menu, bar staff was super cool but for the price I paid I could have had a WAY better evening elsewhere for far less money. read more

I was excited to attend a show since I haven't seen them for years, but this one was less than spectacular. A bunch of little disappointments added up to an only so-so experience leaving me doubtful about trying their next show. The atmosphere of the tent setting was well done, but what appeared to be an attempt at immersion just felt cluttered and hard to see half the performers. The sound system was awful and only one singer could be heard clearly. Hopefully their next show will be better, but I'll wait for the reviews. read more

Was very disappointed in this venue, the seating was horrible, tall top picnic table with tall barstools with no backs, we sat with our backs to the stage with an obstructed view and we were squeezed in like sardines, my husband ate his dinner sitting sideways because there was no room for his shoulders and these were the most expensive tickets, if you have a disability this is not the place for you. We sat down and someone had already eaten all the bread, they walk around with appetizers but it was almost impossible to get to them, bar service was super slow 1/2 hour in line. Show seemed to be very slow and repetitive, the meal was ok, could of been a bit more, pot roast in wine sauce. We left early read more

We loved the show. It was like a combination of Cirque du Soleil and Teatro Zinzano. Fantastic. All the players were excellent. The food was good and we had a great seat and saw everything. I would highly recommend this since we had not heard of this before we were in the area and happened to walk by the tent read more

Loved the dinner and show, but there are a few things I wished they made clear and/or can improve on: 1) They asked the dinner guests to arrive at 7pm, but in reality doors really don't open until 7:30pm and all you do is stand in line outside (note: cold). I didn't know and wore heels, so that was not a pleasant 30 minutes. Seating inside is on a first-come-first-serve basis, so while you are guaranteed a seat with the dinner package you should try and arrive early if you are picky about your seats (I recommend the front because when the after-dinner show starts most of the new crowd will be clustering in the back - yes, right next to your table if you are in the back. You may also get some of your view blocked because of this). 2) They really should put a security guard at the door to protect the people standing in line. I was first panhandled and then harassed by someone else clearly on some sort of drugs while standing in line. 3) The catering company forgot about our table for the main course, and we didn't know because they were bringing food out on a rolling basis - we just thought that we had to wait. We found out that they left us out only when they announced that desert is about to be served. They quickly brought out our food after we waved someone down but it was lukewarm by then. I'm not too particular about my food's temperature but sharing with you so you can act earlier than we did if you feel like they forgot about you. Well, the food was still really tasty and the performers poured their heart out so 4 stars it is. Overall I would recommend it for a date night or just a fun thing to do with friends. Know that tables sizes are 4 and up so if you go with less than 4 you will be splitting the table with others. read more

This is the second time I have gotten to see the Soiled Dove performance. There is nothing normal about any of it...from the venue to the way the audience and performers dressed up to the totally insane performances that represented the ultimate of the unexpected.....The entire space was filled with things to capture your attention from art to performances to all the unique out of the box outfits people came dressed in. The highlights included an amazing variety of musical instruments and really talented musicians, to aerial acts that seem to defy gravity, lots of short but captivating acts and non stop wonderment. Songs that captured the spirit of the Barbary Coast time of being and voices that went from angelic to what did you just have to drink......again all of it out of the norm....and delightful. Highly recommend read more

Bit of a disappointment. Had problems dealing with seating after paying $300 for seats. Had our seats taken by some jerks and when confronted they acted like complete assholes and started a fight. Made our table look bad and the wait staff refused to serve us food or drink. Even though we paid $300 for a four course meal. Food was shit when we finally got it. Show was phenomenal and performers were top notch. Had a small issue with the people and wait staff. Food sucked. But overall was still crap for an overall experience. Only because of seating and extremely rude people. The show was amazing. read more

Highly recommend. Dinner isn't really worth the price so much, but the show is pretty great and based loosely on real Barbary Coast history. Not for everyone, for sure, but my husband and I go to the Edwardian Ball every year, so we knew what we were in for. If you don't dress up, you'll feel out of place, FYI, though we went the weekend of Halloween, so possibly everyone else was dressed up for that reason. read more

The show is awesome just for the music alone! (Jazz Mafia). On top of that, there's an amazing variety of singing, dancing, costumes, and circus tricks. It is a very interactive show with a great view from anywhere you are. Go see it! read more

Fab mix of arobatics, live music, barbary coast. An immersion. Knocked our socks off. My wife and I attended the 2nd night opening weekend. Arrived after the dinner show. Ran 9-11pm. Best live entertainment in our recent memories. Phenomenal. Recommending every adult we know go. A bay area treasure. read more

Burning Man Meets Cirque De Soile and it is Magnificent!!! We were invited to this event because our friend Miguel was performing. I figured it might be "okay". No way! This group of performers, musicians, venue, even the staff and bar are epic. This is a journey and an experience. I want to go back for more! The performers were professional, inspiring and so amazing. The costumes, make up, the entire vibe and scene was something I wanted to go on and on and on. Even after the show they had an after-hours-dance-party and that was epic. Omg. I loved the entire night. It was out on the water's edge. Everything about this was Magical. The audience does dress in a pirate sort of theme. Dress up. Go and have fun. Be Prepared to stand tho. Dance too! Off the hook amazing! read more

At the performance now and we are not impressed. Totally amateurish! Don't waste your $.

I went the first week and it was great. There were 8 of us for the after dinner show. You can't take it all in because there is so much happening at once. I went again last week and can't wait to see it with my friends next year. Seats are all close to the action. The troupe of acrobats are amazing. The drinks were reasonable and overall a fun night under the big top. read more

Such an incredible show! I couldn't believe how much was packed into the Tortona Big Top. Unique areas to experience and the performance is even better than the food! 10/10 would recommend. read more

A truly exceptional experience. The performers, live music and original story make this unique dinner theatre. The performers and musicians pour their heart out and it is very contagious, one can't help but dance along with the music. It is like a magic world inside the circus tent and the audience is invited to dress up. When one purchases a dinner ticket they get a pre-dinner show, delicious morsels and are guaranteed a seat and table during the night. Many of the performances happen in front or next to the diners. Most of the flat surfaces turn into a dancing stage including the bar. The general public is allowed in after the dinner is finished, the show is seamless and never stops. This is why having a dinner ticket is such an advantage one can claim their spot and tell the general public to move out of the way. Because the flow of the show is constantly changing, and the music is so good, it is almost better to stand and dance and follow the movement of the performers. But one can do this by standing at their dinner table, these are the best seats in the house. Professional photographers are constantly photographing the event, cell phones are not allowed, please tell anyone recording the event to stop and get out of the way. Besides the entertainment there is art available and merchandise along the edge of the circus tent. The bathrooms are outside porta-potties, this is a temporary space and thank the mayor of Oakland for allowing this to happen! She was at the show recently and loved it! Let's be thankful we have a show like this with local catering and local performers to experiment and bring a circus tent to downtown Oakland! The show is finished for this season, but please support your local artists and performers. One can always volunteer and make changes instead of complaining! read more

Absolutely fantastic show. Seen it twice, and probably going to see it a third time. I'm not normally into fancy cuisine but the food was amazing, too! read more