Work has this month completed on the new on-site bistro, alongside renovation and refurbishment to the Dress Circle Bar areas at Sunderland Empire as part of a £500,000 investment at the North East theatre.
The luxurious new Garden Place Bistro will open in the former Dress Circle back bar and will open for walk up bookings for One Night of Elvis on Wednesday 1 March. Walk up bookings will continue until The Full Monty on Monday 20 March, when advance bookings can be made in person at the box office or via www.atgtickets.com/Sunderland
Garden Place Bistro will offer pre-theatre dining on performance nights from 5.30pm and on matinee days from 12.30pm, with early arrival is recommended to experience the full 3-course menu. The 45 seater bistro will treat customers to a selection of light bites as well as a delicious two course menu for only £12.95, or three course menu for £16.95, alongside a special children’s menu. The stylish bistro will be the perfect place to enjoy relaxed pre-theatre dining, safe in the knowledge you won’t miss a moment of the show.
The Dress Circle front bar area has also undergone extensive refurbishment which has included refreshed décor, new seating and restoration and exposure of the original parquet flooring.
The front of house renovations compliment a range of work and initiatives already completed at the Grade 2 listed Edwardian theatre which have included the Ambassador Lounge and box refurbishment and the rolling out of the successful Ordertorium facility.
Externally, the reinstallation of the iconic Terpsichore statue took place last month, following dislodgement during high winds. All were delighted to see the statue return to her rightful place on top of the 90ft tower. General Façade repairs have also been completed to showcase a refreshed tower in addition to a new advanced lighting system, which allows lighting changes linked to a productions arrival.