Balthazar Covent Garden to stage six-week Cabaret-themed takeover with live performances and bespokaae cocktails

Balthazar, the French brasserie on Russell Street in Covent Garden, is hosting a six-week takeover by the West End production Cabaret (showing just down the road at The Playhouse Theatre), from Monday 21^st September until 1^st November. The collaboration, titled Cabaret: The Kit Kat Club at Balthazar, will bring live performances, a bespoke cocktail list and a specially created menu to the restaurant, which will be decorated with touches referencing the show.

The centrepiece is a Friday evening programme, during which the restaurant will stage live entertainment choreographed specifically for the residency. There will be cameo performances from the production’s cast at intervals throughout the night, alongside vocal sets from former Cabaret performers. The Friday night experience is priced at £65 per person and includes a three-course menu combining Balthazar staples with dishes created especially.

Menu options include Duck Liver and Cognac Parfait with Spiced Pear Chutney and Toasted Brioche, a fresh Gravadlax with Horseradish Cream, Pickled Fennel and Rye Bread, rich Confit Duck Leg with Pomme Purée, Smoked Bacon, Baby Onions, Mushrooms, Parsley and Red Wine Sauce and Steak Frites with Béarnaise Sauce, followed by a choice of desserts.

For the remainder of the week, the restaurant will offer a two- or three-course pre-theatre menu for those going to see the production, timed to allow diners to comfortably reach the theatre before curtain-up. Dinner and show packages combining a meal at Balthazar with Cabaret tickets are also available.

To accompany the food, a cocktail list has been developed with Brugal Rum. It comprises four drinks named after songs and phrases from the musical: The Willkommen (Brugal 1888 rum, peach, honey, lemon, menta and sparkling wine), So What? (Brugal 1888 rum, Cointreau, grapefruit, lime and raspberry), Perfectly Marvelous (Brugal 1888 rum, Suze, pineapple liqueur and a touch of anise) and The Finale (Brugal 1888 rum, coffee and banana liqueurs, praline and espresso).

Cabaret, which won a massive seven Olivier Awards in 2022, is staged at the Playhouse Theatre, reconfigured as the Kit Kat Club of the show’s 1930 Berlin setting. The original music from the 1966 Broadway production is by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Joe Masteroff, based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood. 

Balthazar occupies the historic Flower Cellars building on the corner of Russell and Wellington Street, close to the Royal Opera House, and serves classic French brasserie dishes for its regular fare. Outside the takeover, the restaurant runs prix fixe menus from Monday to Friday starting at £24.50 for three courses, and has two private dining rooms seating up to 24 and 49 guests respectively.

Food Desk

Cabaret: The Kit Kat Club at Balthazar is on from 21^st September until 1^st November 2026 at Balthazar, 4-6 Russell Street, London WC2B 5HZ. For further information or to book ticket’s, visit the restaurant’s website here.