Spotlight Cabaret — Restaurant in Greater Strathcona

I am hoping to provide some constructive criticism since this has been one of our favourite restaurants and venues in Edmonton since they have opened. The owners are hilarious, the staff has previously been wonderful and we love that they bring in local talent.

Unfortunately, our most recent experience there has left us with a sour note in our mouths. We purchased tickets to one of the shows at their location to end another 2 wonderful weeks of the Fringe Festival. We showed up at 5:30pm for the 6pm event, we went to take a seat at an open table and were told we had to wait until 4:45pm to grab a table. So, we asked if we could head up to the bar before and grab a quick drink while we wait. The hostess said yes and we headed up to the patio to have a drink. We proceeded to pay after our drinks and headed down the stairs at 4:47pm. When we got there the venue was packed, we were told we had to separate and find an available seat at someone else's table. I proceeded to ask 2 tables that appeared to have empty seats and were told by the table they were full. We stood back at the bar to observe what options we had and the bartender yelled at us "YOU CAN'T STAND HERE. WE TOLD YOU GUYS YOU NEED TO FIND A SEAT. NEXT TIME COME EARLY LIKE EVERYONE ELSE". Wow. I have personally never been yelled at by a bartender and especially in that manner and at that point I was done with the location. I understand that everyone is exhausted at the end of fringe but that doesn't give anyone the right to be disrespectful to their customers. The bartender could have kindly let us know we needed to move. The hostess could have let us know to wait since it fills up quick (this was the end of the 10 days of fringe, they know how it unfolds). There were many opportunities to change the outcome of...

I want to express to you the value this venue brings to our city. I've lived here for 55 years and Spotlight Cabaret is doing what no other has done before, it is exactly what dinner theater should be. The food and drinks are great, the service is fast and the shows are filled with frivolity, humor, sometimes a little raunchy, which I LOVE and imagination! Unlike Jubilations or Mayfield, who are both nice but very structured, Spotlight focuses on CREATIVITY and improvised humor in an intimate setting that is inclusive for all. They do things on the fly, improvising with the audience and bringing them into their shows.Their venue is small and intimate with flair in the design. The food and drinks are of gourmet quality and if you happen to encounter an issue, they will do everything to fix it. If you are looking for quality dining and entertainment, there is no other I can recommend more than Spotlight.

The shows I've attended include full dinner theater packages Moolah Rouge, Titanical, Dirtier Dancing as well as Tina Burner, and the Burbon and Burlesque shows along with various others during the Fringe. All of them I left happy. I see some others have left reviews with less than 5 stars bc of one moment and think that's incredibly unfair. I'm basing my review on SEVERAL VISITS and I'm Simply Happy. Because Spotlight Cabaret, the owners Jeff and Aimee, their staff, do what they do, I know if I want a dose of Happy, I come here. This place is my Happy place and I'm 100% a loyal fan! Thank you Spotlight Cabaret, Jeff, Aimee, Rusty and the crew for all that you do....

O. M. G. If you've stumbled across this business, you're probably here for a reason - and that's because you are DESTINED to visit.

My family goes out together instead of giving gifts, and we usually go to Mayfield - this year, back in August, I got an Ad for spotlight, and I'm so glad I did.

We arrived early and had to wait outside for the show to be set up, and we were quickly showed to our booth and our drinks were ready in only a few blinks. As people piled in, we chatted and enjoyed a delightful Chouder soup, buttered buns, and then a lovely salad. Que the intro.

The marvelous duo stood apon the stage chatting with everyone, we had 4 birthdays, 1 company Christmas party, and a few people who were picked out- a large mechanic, and a cop.

Best part? They were INCORPORATED into the show, so no two viewings are the same. Be careful what you tell them, it will be brought up on stage.

Modern songs, and then dialogue and world building in between - a large improvement from what we watch at Mayfield (shade. It's just songs.)

A quick break for the bathroom, and your main course is brought out. Our table got one of everything, and all of it was good. We just about locked the plates clean.

Everyone got dessert, and we settled in for Act 2.

The crowd was hollering with laughter, my face hurt from smiling, and my arms just about gave out from clapping.

TL;DR.

amazing show! Leave the kids at home, grab your close friends and maybe a family member or two, and enjoy an amazing night out in great company. You won't regret it.

Definitely coming...