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Dracula’s is Australia’s longest running and most successful dinner theatre. A total night of entertainment combining burlesque, contemporary music, comedy and quality dining, all in the one incredible venue.
From that first tentative step inside, you and your party are transported to an underworld of gothic splendour. Ride the famous ghost train into the Theatre of the Vampyre. Explore the multi level castle and be captivated by the intense atmosphere. Animated creatures as well as original and rare horror collectables adorn the entire venue. Sample unique cocktails in the Van Helsing cocktail bar.
A quality three course dinner is followed by the main event, Dracula’s two hour live production featuring some of Australia’s most talented performers. The productions change annually and continue to ‘wow’ audiences with the latest audio and visual special effects and a menu that is to die for! For over 30 years, multi award wining Dracula’s has wined, dined and horrified over 3,000,000 guests from all over the world.
Dracula’s has always been and continues to be produced, written and directed by the Newman Family. An all Australian entertainment success story that is truly immortal.
It all began in 1962 when Tikki and John Newman decided to open a late night coffee house on Exhibition Street in Melbourne, to catch the crowds as they left the theatres, From humble beginnings, this pint sized venue evolved into Tikki & John’s Music Hall which featured a fully produced show and restaurant, and soon boasted a waiting list of twelve months. T&J’s became a Melbourne Institution and set the standard in dinner theatre. This was Australia’s first Theatre Restaurant.
1975
Squizzies Theatre Restaurant
This time it was the hustle & bustle of the gangster era that featured in this speak easy comedy joint, based on the notorious gangster, Squiggy Taylor, the auditorium was alive with the rattle of machine guns and the sound of honky tonk piano. An amazing, professional cast of well known actors brought this theme to life. Tea spoons chained to coffee cups, specially made bottle openers in the shape of a 32 pistol were just some of the inovative concepts that changed the industry. More attention to detail followed.
1978
The Vaudeville Theatre
From Music Hall to Vaudeville,the stage was set for lively entertainment that featured Vaudeville skits as well as guest magician Jules Cafari. Award winning actors Terry Norris, Annie Phelan, Ernie Bourne and Brian Hannan featured in the talented cast. This was the last production in the original Tikki and John’s theatre. Sadly this historic building was demolished in the early 1980’s to make way for a carpark.
1980
Dracula’s Melbourne
It was a wild experiment but it paid off. Who would have thought that a horror themed comedy venue would be such a scream? Dracula’s first opened in Drewery Lane, hidden in Melbourne’s back streets in an old warehouse. The idea took off. Based on the successful Rocky Horror Picture Show, zany characters and haunted castle interior thrilled crowds. Australia’s smallest man, John Mcall (center left front)was a giant performer.
1981
Newman’s Cabaret
Combining the very best standard of service and entertainment, Tikki and John Newman teamed up with a talented cast of vetran Australian performers. Newman’s Cabaret took the Theatre Restaurant industry to another leval of quality. A five star night of music and comedy performed by the original artists.
1982
Crazyhouse
Designed to entertain the younger genre, the Crazyhouse Theatre Restaurant featured the new wave comedy of characters as Rocket Snotter and the team of truly insane waiters. The Crazyhouse enjoyed a successful run of over a decade. Contempory sketch comedy and skits gained a huge Melbourne following. Many now established performers began their showbuisness journey on stage, at Crazyhouse.
1985
Dracula’s on the Gold Coast
Off the main drag in a converted shopping centre, Dracula’s doors creaked open with all odds stacked against it. Fortunately the locals fell in love with the eccentric comedy and intimate atmosphere and soon the venue became known for the long quse that would stretch to the end of the block. Eventually the cramped little venue was re furbished and became another Newman creation, The Comedy Clinic. The current location between Jupiters Casino and Pacific Fair shopping center, is a Gold Coast Landmark. A fully operational Ghost Train now takes customers into the theatre. In 2004 Dracula’s Gold Coast was awarded the Telstra AMP Australian small business of the year. This year we celebrate 21 years of non-stop performances.
1995
Dr. Shagnasty’s Comedy Clinic
Set in the emergency room of a zany hospital, this theatre featured wall to wall medical apparatus severed limbs and hysterical character waiters. Customers were admitted to a mad night of off beat, contempory comedy showcasing some of the Gold Coast’s most talented performers.
1996
Cafe Crypt
Australia’s first a la carte restaurant and bar set in a multi- level house of horrors with entertainment provided by robotic skeletons. Out growing the Exhibition Street site, this 140 seat theatre was completely re-furbished. It even sported a tiny 30 seat close-up magic parlour. Using the latest computer controlled effects, this amazing venue added a new dimention to interactive dining.
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