Melbourne’s famous cabaret restaurant Dracula’s has announced it will close its doors after 37 years.
The iconic restaurant on Victoria Street in Carlton released a shock statement via Facebook on Wednesday.
Newman Entertainment International, a company run by the children of founders Tikki and John Newman, blamed ‘diminishing demand for cabaret style entertainment in the region.’
Melbourne’s famous cabaret restaurant Dracula’s has announced it will close its doors after 37 years
There are currently about 200 staff who work at the venue modelled on the European style of cabaret with a vampire theme
The iconic restaurant on Victoria Street in Carlton released a shock statement via Facebook on Wednesday
Current owner and technical director Paul Newman said the nature of live entertainment was rapidly changing across Australia.
‘People have developed a shorter ‘pop up’ mentality,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
He explained the Melbourne program was ‘the full experience,’ with food, bars and a box office show, and the restaurant wasn’t prepared to ‘water it down’ to suit a changing crowd.
‘Young people don’t want a night that goes for four hours… but we don’t want to change our core product,’ Mr Newman said.
There are currently about 200 staff who work at the venue modelled on the European style of cabaret with a vampire theme.
Fans were devastated after hearing of the much-loved restaurant’s closure.
Owners explained the Melbourne program was ‘the full experience,’ with food, bars and a box office show, and the restaurant wasn’t prepared to ‘water it down’ to suit a changing crowd
The Newman family thanked their loyal customers and fans for the ongoing support
‘Wow… this is the saddest news. I have gone every year, sometimes twice a year for the last 10 years. You will be missed,’ wrote one woman on Facebook.
The closure only affects the original Melbourne location with the Gold Coast resultant and five-storey Dracula s Haunted house on the Sunshine Cost to remain open.
The Newman family thanked their loyal customers and fans for the ongoing support.
Melbourne’s cabaret restaurant Dracula’s announced it will close in December
Jenny Parbery, an employee at the Melbourne restaurant, pictured at work in 1987
‘We want to thank each and every person that has been a part of our madcap theatre restaurant and hope that you can visit us one last time before our final show!
‘To our loyal customers and fans of our Dracula’s Melbourne venue — after an astoundingly successful 37 years, our final curtain call will be on December 23rd’.
People with bookings after December 23 will be able to get a booking transfer or refund.