Melbourne, say hello to the Gaol Experience, a dinner and show experience that launched in 2019. As you might have guessed, it takes place in the Old Melbourne Gaol and dredges up the site’s 175-year history for a show that combines burlesque, sideshow and comedy.
Guests are served a two-course dinner in the original cell block, which is the place where felons were brought to face justice when the jail was in operation. Fancy taking things up a notch? VIP guests can serve more time, kicking back cocktails in old jail cells as the evening goes on.
The show itself includes the talents of a team of inmates (also known as cabaret performers Queen of the Damned) and includes lots of classic songs – think anything from Tina Arena and Queen to Wolfmother and Beyoncé. And because it’s burlesque, you should expect some risqué scenes – these inmates were charged with indecent exposure, after all.
The show takes over three levels of the old venue and includes anything from prison trays to wanted photos and doughnuts. Tickets start at $120, and you can organise special hen’s and buck’s night packages, too. Find more info and dates here.
