Red Bennies

used an OurDeal voucher & was worth it but there could have been more seating & I wouldn’t suggest wearing heels as a booking does not guarantee a seat

Red Bennies was nothing but disappointment. Seating only for those paying for dinner and 20 others when at least 100 were there without dinner reservations. The show we were there to see was then 45min after the advertised time (plenty of time for Bennies to make money for the drink sold, I am sure). The show, advertised as carberet/​burlesque, was nothing better than soft porn (which we could barely see due to the crowds and lack of seating). And what we could see was laughable — an infantile rendition of a sex scene (straight out of a male 12 year olds wet dream) that thankfully rapidly disappeared behind blue smoke. We walked out, and will not return to Bennies. An evening lost and never to be replaced…

We just saw a show here tonight and while the show was good, the venue really let itself down badly. An email suggested that we would have to stand to see the show so we booked dinner. The menu is small and of 5 main courses, 2 (the only ones with any appeal for us ie the steak and the fish) were not available. Only Carlton beer was on tap, others not available. I had a pear cider on tap, asked for a second and was given a bottle which they said was the same. It was actually ginger beer. They were out of cider! To make matters worse I had a battle over payment. I had paid with credit card (at their insistence) on the internet but staff didn’t know and wanted me to pay again. By now it was hard to remain polite and I feel very sorry for being snappy with the waitress who continuously had to deliver more bad new
This all spoiled the night for us. We definitely won’t recommend this venue to our friends.

Slightly slow on the uptake here, but its a bit like
the hype sign next to RB it can be HYPE and then
total disappointment.
Sometimes I’ve come and it totally rocks, has been swinging,
but this is mainly at a specialty event night and whatever.
The themed nights are good, and some of the shows sounded
awesome despite the fact that I haven’t been to them. Been
to a good night here and a horrible one too. And after all the lights
and glitz and glamour, the interior of the venue is well
due for a re-​furb. I mean what is burlesque without opulence?

I love Red Bennies, I’ve had a great night out there every single time I’ve been. Events have ranged from comedy & stand-​up nights, circus showcases, burlesque extravaganzas and variety nights. It’s quite a good well-​rounded venue for the left-​of-​centre events and includes rigging for aerial performances.
There are booths, cocktail tables, pews and standing room on the floor and mezzanine, depending on the set up of the event, and waiter service for some of those areas.
A cocktail list book is extensive and includes beer, wine and food. A standard Martini starts at around $ 18 and you have the option of choosing premium spirits if you so desire. Obviously it’s not your cheap, every night venue so don’t go thinking you can sink some cheap beers and see a cheap show.
Live music and DJs are always high quality and the ambiance is fantastic — you are able to hold a conversation easily between shows and in intervals and speak at a low volume to your neighbour during shows without straining.
Definitely worth a look-​in if you want a night out with a difference.

Is Red Bennies the kind of place that you would take a first date to? The answer typically would be NO. It’s smutty, crude, mediocre in parts but at the same time it is FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN!
Maybe I hadn’t lived but I’d never been to a Burlesque show before and didn’t really think I would enjoy it so much. Also I was really ill and probably shouldn’t have been out anyway. Nevertheless within a couple of acts and a few drinks I was glad I came and had a really great time.
I’d highly recommend as a place to go to in a group to enjoy a rather different night out. The music was lots of fun afterwards and most our group was shifting a few shapes to some awesome oldie tunes.

There has been many a venue change where what is now Red Bennies and I think of all the businesses that have come through the doors so far Red Bennies has most definitely made the best use of the space.
I attended a very exclusive screening of the German music film «Berlin Calling.» It was situated upstairs in the main room with all the little stools and poofs pushed together in front of a large projector. The soft lighting and trendy 1920’s feel of the venue played out well whilst watching the film. The bar was easily accessible and once the film got underway the fantastic bar staff even offered table service.
I think Red Bennies is definitely worth an explore, they host a diverse range of musical acts throughout the week, a regular night being their Burlesque show — one I would very much like to come and see in the future.

I rarely leave the north side to go out. When someone recommended I go to Red Bennies, which is a music venue/​bar that showcases live music and performing arts (cabaret, circus, and burlesque) in South Yarra, I was hesitant to go. I mean it is on Chapel Street — so not my scene. But I thought it would nice to venture south just this once and I was pleasantly surprised.
A group of people reserved the upstairs, which has a great and unobstructed view of the stage and a private bar. This meant that we didn’t have to pay the $ 20 to get in or wait in line for drinks.
The show was good — nothing spectacular and slightly amateurish, but the dancers were clearly good and the host interacted very well with the audience. I enjoyed seeing members of the audience go up to try twirling the tassels.
What I really loved about this place was the dancing. Once the show was over, they put on swing and rockabilly music such as Rockin Robin and Mr Sandman. I danced the night away. That was fantastic.

Red Bennies attracts the absolute strangest mix of people I’ve ever witnessed. First there are the diehard burlesque fans, dressed almost identical to their idols on stage. Then there are the awkward tourists that stumbled across this place, with its blaring music and happenin’ vibe. Then you have people there for birthdays, or people there to shock themselves into feeling comfortable about risqué content. And then of course you have me who fits into none of the above, and just wanted to see what the fuss was all about.
Well even though it’s an odd mix, the place is a smörgåsbord of fun. Although you don’t get sucked into the 1920s like I feel like owner may have intended, you do get sucked into the fun of it all. If you want to go to Red Bennies, you’ve got to be willing to join in. Unleash the inner burlesque, screech and whistle, and by heavens shake what yo mama gave you.

Red Bennies is one of very few places in the area to view an array of live music and performing arts. The interior is like something out of a movie with the feel of art deco theatres and cocktail bars.
This place caters well for groups and functions. I went on a Friday night with a group of 15 friends we chose a beverage package costing $ 60 per person for entrance and unlimited beer, wine and basic spirits for 2 hours. We were excited to see burlesque dancers however there was only one burlesque performer with her performance lasting a couple of minutes, which was quite dissapointing. Afterwards a fabulous band played, however they finished around 10.30pm which meant the whole entertainment lasted a bit over an hour and we were left wanting more… I guess thats what they say in show biz, leave the people wanting more!

Personally I think I’m being incredibly generous giving Red Bennies two stars, but I have a feeling this is one of those venues that is it entirely about personal taste.
It’s a fairly dodgy venue that, despite being in my 30s makes me feel like I’m 18 again and have unwittingly stumbled into one of those over 30s singles nights at a nightclub that used to be cool.
My husband and I came to see a show that was scheduled to start at 8pm. By 9.30 when the band still hadn’t showed and we’d had as much of the house wine as we could handle (less than a glass each) we made a run for it.
One of the longer stretches of time I’ve had to endure… sort of saying something when I’ve also literally had a spinal tap.

Red Bennies is a venue predominantly for live performances such as Cabaret, Burlesque and live music to be enjoyed with cocktails!
The art deco décor and surroundings is so aesthetically pleasing and looks like a homage to the 50’s style clubs. The entertainment is what keeps the heart beating strong. With some many cool options it’s a hit for those looking for something a little different to see rather than the Melbourne craze of just seeing friends in their grunge rock bands. There is an air of class here where nights can be enjoyed in bigger groups.
Some people get freaked out by some of the shows that are on but its cultural acceptance makes it unique and wonderful.
With quality gourmet ($ 8) meals to go with your cocktail and live entertainment, it’s truly a good night out.