The Vanguard

What a giant letdown. This place looks good to begin with and definitely could be good but our experience here was terrible. We each paid $ 45 for general admission to a show. We were told the doors open at 630 and that seating was first come, first serve so we got there at 645 to find only third row seats behind two rows of wood chairs with a view of only people’s backs and the ceiling in their upstairs mezzanine. They haven’t heard of any sort of legitimate entertainment seating at this place so it’s just chairs, a few benches and none of it arranged in any way to help people actually see the show. Because we hadn’t been told that the show wouldn’t start till 9, two and a half hours AFTER we were there to try to sit and save our seats, the result was we stood crammed in downstairs next to the bar waiting and then tried to see the show from there as we were jostled all night by wait staff, dinners and others as they went between the dining area and the bar. One of us ordered a cocktail from the bar and they took ten minutes to make it. When we brought these issues to the manager on duty she had nothing helpful to offer, gave us no options at all and assumed a defensive posture. Pro Tip: Take you hard earned money to ANY of the other great local theaters and event venues in the area that will charge you less, give you comfortable good view assigned seating, and help you if you have issues! Never again.

Great small venue for gigs. It’s quite small, with tables just along the sides for some gigs, so there’s really no bad seats. Lots of dark red paint and drapery, which suits the cozy, informal nature of the band engagement in a place so small.
They get lots of folk– and jazz-​type acts here. They’re also well known for their themed cabaret nights (sexy Star Wars, anyone?).
There are a few tables up on the mezzanine level. Toilets are, unfortunately, up two flights.
We had a bit of a laugh here the other night because they’d not stocked enough beer following a private party. One of us was drinking Asahi when that ran out. Another was drinking Boag’s and that run out. We were all drinking Coopers ale when *that* ran out. So it was only Corona (no) or Coopers stout (yes) if you wanted a beer. Luckily the wines and spirits weren’t too bad.

The Vanguard in Newtown brings the debaucherous values of the roaring 20s to life in the heart of the eclectic and vibrant suburb of Newtown. Flapper girls abound in this cozy dinner theatre venue as night after night a unique talent takes to the stage.
The venue plays host to some iconic comedy and musical performances from across Australia. Keep an eye out for some recurring shows as the popular, booked solid stuff can make a reappearance.
Prohibition? No worries! This speakeasy deals the finest bath-​tub rum in the city. Try the grape sour, it’ll get you up out of your seat and doing the Charleston in no time.
Food is affordable and delicious, with not a single let down. The menu is simple and covers you for red, white and swimming meats as well as vegetarian cuisine.
Cast off your depression time blues and take a trip down memory lane at The Vanguard in Newtown.

I went to the Vanguard to see Dame of Thrones Burlesque with some friends the other day. While the show was a-​mazing, the venue and service definitely wasn’t up to the same standard.
Firstly, for events like burlesque there are about 3 different tickets that you can purchase, the most expensive being for a seated table with dinner and the other for general admission.
My friends and I knew we didn’t really want dinner included so we just opted for the General Admission tickets. Bad idea.
Unless you got to the venue right at opening time (we got there 20 minutes afterwards) there was no way you were going to get a good seat in general admission. Firstly the seating on the mezzanine is a joke. Unless you’re in the front row, and possibly the second (providing you don’t have someone tall in front) you can’t see the stage. This level is not sloped towards the stage so there is simply no way the other 3 – 4 rows of seating behind the first two can see anything apart from the top of the stage curtains.
Downstairs the people who paid for the dining experience were at the front of the stage, whilst the rest of the GA were left to stand at the back of the venue next to the bar. It would be ok if there were more bar stools and tables down there but by my count there was only 3. Luckily my friends and I were able to hold our spot right behind the barrier separating the seated area from the bar area but still this meant that we had to stand for 3+ hours.
My advice to the Vanguard would be only to provide tickets for seating, as unless you are in the front row of the mezzanine or stand the whole time at the front of the bar there is no way GA can see properly.
We also ordered at pizza at the start of the night which took nearly hour to get to us. They only reason I think we got it in that space of time was because my friend went up to the bar and asked where it was. The staff were apologetic and we did get some chips for free to tide us over whilst they located our order, but still they seemed more interested in the guests who had paid more for the seating than anyone else.
So whilst I totally recommend going to see some of the amazing shows hosted by the vanguard, buying a seated ticket is the only way you’re guaranteed to see anything.

Came for a show called Jaded Vanities (burlesque), this half restaurant theatre and half upstairs seating area is good. I hope they don’t go the way of many other live music and theatre venues and close down. The Vanguard has been here in Newtown for a dozen or so years it seems, yet I’ve only been here twice. Once in the cheap seats upstairs and once for a dinner — much prefer the latter. Getting close to the stage is great.
It is small, but I like that for close up theatre and music, makes it feel more intimate. Admittedly getting in makes it harder. The restaurant food is hit and miss — my pork dish was amazing but my dining partners was a bit of a miss on the beef. Acoustics are good and we’ll be back again — hopefully not so long between drinks this time.

It’s cozy, it’s small, it’s intimate.
We were here for the Bent Burlesque and my birthday. Which was bloody brilliant!!!
However I’m here to write about the venue, not the show (when it comes back to Sydney ya’ll have to go see it!!!) Er, right. Venue.
So I’ve been to quite a few shows here and will continue to go to them so long as I can book in with dinner included as the standing/​sitting room is pretty crap and last time I didn’t book a table I was stuck right at the back.
Being vertically challenged meant that I spent most of the time kneeling on a stool. Which:
a) hurt my knees &
b) was challenging after a few margaritas — thankfully my partner was there so I could steady him while he stood trying to see over people’s heads himself.
So if you want to actually *see* a show, I would highly suggest booking dinner + show tickets (we paid $ 80 pp no drinks included in this). Don’t expect much for the dinner though. I had the smallest steak ever. And it has no sides. It’s just the smallest steak on a huge plate. It looked rather lonely. I also asked for well done. I got medium rare.
Ps. Who pays that much for sides!!!
The staff however are the bomb. Except one of the girls that served us. It was like she had something uncomfortable going on and couldn’t crack a smile all night.

The Vanguard is one of those venues I wish that every act I want to see would play just once. While sometimes a big spectacular gig in a stadium or a bigger theatre is great, for me nothing compares to small intimate gigs in a small well run place like this. No matter where you might be in the venue, the stage is not far away at all and the sound is really good. Watching a live show over a meal is also great as well, I cannot recommend enough getting a ticket show that includes dinner. The dining area is right in front of the stage and the menu offers a small, but well rounded selection of really well made dishes that are perfectly made and far and above the quality of most other venues of its kind and a great drinks list too. The staff are very friendly and treat everyone well too. All in all a great experience every time I’ve visited.

I had gone to the Vanguard to watch a friend perform a few weeks back, and my was it a wonderful night.
The Vanguard is a beautiful venue with a stage, dining, bar, and booth area, along with an upstairs vewing lounge. Surrounded by high ceilings, red velvet curtains and dim lighting, its got an amazing Burlesque vibe.
We had a combined show and meal package, which for around $ 30 pp fed us a main meal each with a glass of vino — a more than affordable price, especially when combined with an amazing performance.
Id recommend anyone to go to a show at the Vanguard, regardless of who is performing. You dont have to have a meal, just grab a drink and sit at the booths by the bar or upstairs.

I haven’t seen my mate from school in a while and he happens to be playing at the Vanguard. I’ve never been to the Vanguard and so take this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. (A violent yet skill involved metaphor.)
The night goes as follows; I get to the Vanguard early and take a seat in one of the booths, only to discover that behind me in the near booth is my friend, looking quite different, but still recognisable and I join their table for a chat and to meet his band.
They play their set and I watch on from the rear of the club standing with the family at the CD sales stand. A few CD’s are bought and I drink of the wine.
Next comes some Cabaret, a few strips and a lot of singing. The MC is tres hilarious and the music is great. I get my phone out and track down a few of the numbers for later listening activity.
The night ends in further beers, additional chats and the purchase of a CD for my good self.
Good shows, tasty wine and a food option. The view from upstairs is glorious, but interrupted briefly by a pair of lesbians ripping each others hair out and getting escorted by the security. The view from downstairs is great as well, but lacks lesbian lovers quarrelling.

The Vanguard is a sensational venue to see any live gig — it is small and intimate and have a full bar and restaurant. Décor is vaudeville/cabaret/1920’s style, complete with red velvet curtains (ok well that’s what they look like from down below). The width of the vanguard is only about three tables wide, if you can picture that, with the stage at the front and the bar at the back, while upstairs there is gallery seating.
Most shows have a dinner/​show combo ticket where you pick a time for your dinner sitting and then come along and get fed while the gig is on. (Or before). There is usually a choice of a couple of main dishes and then extras like entrees and desserts. The menu changes but when I went the beef was tender and the wine was chilled.
The ownership changed hands in April, with an ominous message on the website that says things are changing… But hopefully not too much.
Gigs I’ve seen here include The Audreys, Maxine Kauter and a Mardi Gras burlesque show.

The Vanguard is most definitely a respected landmark establishment of Newtown culture, It is the place to go to see the up and comers to watch out for of the local music scene, The Vanguard is where I first discovered the clever and quirky Kate Miller Heidke, whose career has exploded into oddball success since then.
The Vanguard is a great space, unlike some of the other Sydney concert venues, the Vanguard provides an atmosphere which compliments the artists performing and is an enjoyable space to inhabit. They also provide the option of watching concerts and have dinner or simply enjoy the show on its own.
I just saw the Moody and Steamy Lanie Lane perform there and loved the show and that’s the thing, the Vangauard is the kind of venue you can go without really being familiar with the performer and be fairly sure you will enjoy the performance.

A very cool rock /​burlesque venue, there are always bands and gigs through here, especially Sunday night. They often have extraordinary burlesque, like the Jitterbug Club too. There’s a nice camarederie and you can choose to let your hair down and head bang or just hang off the balcony or take a seat up close to the stage if you buy a dinner show package. The act is the main focus of attention, but it’s like a concert and can be a great place to meet new people. The bar is really busy and they try to keep it interesting by offering drink deals.

The Vanguard is a delightful high-​ceilinged theatre with balcony and a 1920’s feel perfectly suited to the fantastic acts they always have on here. They mainly book great Aussie blues, roots & jazz-​type bands but mix it up with some cult cinema and the like. I have never ever seen a not-​great gig on the Vanguard stage or even in their calender– true story!
They do dinner & show packages and the dinner seating varies depending on the type of act that are playing, booking numbers etc — sometimes it’s in front of the stage and sometimes up on the balcony. The sound here is really good no matter where you end up sitting, tickets are reasonably priced and I can’t comment on the food because I’ve never tasted it. You’re on your own there sorry!
Drinks prices are a little on the high side but the service is good — we were unintentionally in the way of the bar & the woman we were bothering, instead of getting annoyed, graciously found us a table. The only reason I dropped a star was the drink prices. I would go here for the music every night if I could afford to!
Oh and check their listings for business hours as they’re not open every night — it varies.