Teatro ZinZanni

This place is amazing. I love the atmosphere the food, the actors, pretty much the ambiance of the place depending on the show. My favorite is the one with the magician, Maestro Vironin, and the funny guy who played as a chef… really funny talented person. I wish they can open up again cause I miss that place. I went like 4 times and every time was amazing.

Right when you walk in you feel like you’re in a totally different time period. Definitely a moulin rouge touch. Great cocktail and dinner. The entertainment was very nice, we felt like we were part of it… very pricey, almost $ 500 for the both of us but well worth it. Were thinking of goon back with a group of friends next year!

This is a real hoot!!! Total kick in the pants, the family went once, Love, chaos, and dinner. Chaos sums it up very well. Chaos in a very fun way. So, you enter the tent performance venue, then your all going to go sit down at the tables, get your food, and on with the show…
Great fun! Great performances!!! Great food!!! One of my brothers got taken up there to perform with a cast member. Yes, I admit that it may seem a bit pricey, but you get a show and dinner for that price. The cast rotated so that its’ not always the same performer’s every year. A lot of the cast member’s have also been part of Cirq De Sole. Which is also lot’s of fun to see. If this show comes back, I highly reccomend going!!!

Life is a cabaret olé chums.
I want to live here. Sigh… what with the boas, old-​fashioned cocktails, acerbic comedy, low-​brow goofing on the guests, undulating skimply-​clad gents and gourmandish grub… these are my people.
Disneyland for grown-​ups without risk of bubonic plague from erstwhile rodents (herpes — different matter). My kinda joint! :)
I’ll hopefully be spending many more gleefully gluttonous birthdays there cuz I never outgrew wanting to wear my tiara on my special day. So there.

overpriced and cheesy
Food was good… Mignon was a good portion.
I’ve seen a lot better for a lot less.

A and I had gotten a $ 100 TZ gift card for Christmas two years ago and haven’t used it because $ 100 doesn’t even cover the cost of one ticket. We’re not rolling in dough, so we just tucked it away and kind of forgot about it.
Well, since we heard TZ was closing due to the America’s Cup, we figured we should use the gift card before it’s too late (and in case TZ doesn’t find a new location). Luckily for us, someone else offered to cover the rest of the cost for the show as a Christmas present for us this year. Yay!
We decided to go to a Sunday matinée show since it’s cheaper and we’d only be missing out on a Butternut Squash Soup, which I’m not too crazy about anyway. The show we saw was «On The Air» and it was a lot of fun and really entertaining.
Seating starts at 11:30am. We got there around 11:00am, but hung around outside until we realized we could go inside to check in. Of course, after we went inside, everyone decided to follow us in and it was packed in the lobby. It’s heated inside, so it’s comfortable and nice to be in from the cold. They have a bar, powder room, and a little corner shop.
I thought the food was pretty good — my entrée anyway. I had the beef (filet mignon) with mashed potatoes and green beans. The food isn’t blow your mind fantastic, but it’s good and you’re definitely there for the experience. The acts were awesome.
AND they announced they have found a new location and should, hopefully, be up and running by next November. I’ll definitely be going back again.
Oh, and only 4 stars because it’s way too expensive.

I have to say that I am quite sad that Teatro Zinzanni will be closing its doors at the end of the year. This place is fantastic. I went here this past Sunday because I had recieved tickets as a gift from a friend. It was one of the best night’s of my life :)
The food was great, the service fantastic, and time just flew by. If you can get tickets before they close do it, you will definately not regret it.

This was my second adventure with Teatro ZinZanni and both times I was very impressed.
The show is fantastic, live band wonderful, food perfect. I love how our servers are also apart of the show, it adds a fun little Kick.
I look forward to my next experience here.

Author and poet Erica Jong once said: «Every country gets the circus it deserves. Spain gets bullfights. Italy gets the Catholic Church. America gets Hollywood».
Here in San Francisco, this city deserves a good circus. Which brought me to Teatro ZinZanni. Walking in, they really go all out to make this venue look the part. The bar area, powder room, and dining room area look like a circus married Boardwalk Empire. The way I saw alcohol being served it sure felt like outside those walls was a Prohibition going on.
I’m not a big fan of shows, especially long shows. But Teatro ZinZanni is a very entertaining one. Acrobats, comedy, singing, dancing, and audience participation made this dinner show fun. At different times in the show a audience member is brought up to be a part of a scene. At one point during one of many love songs that were sung by Ms. ZinZanni, everyone was asked to get up and dance.
They have a very talented cast mainly performers from Ukraine. By the costumes and storyline I could tell a lot of time and effort was put into making this production a success.
This show was definitely geared towards romance, so you’re best bet is to bring a date. Throughout the show it speaks about love and there are a number of love songs and romantic scenes involved. Not a night out with the fellas at all, save that for the tailgate Sunday morning.
Don’t plan on coming to ZinZanni for great food. The 5 course meal was decent, but just a simple mass prepared dinner. They like slow at Teatro, the service was as slow as the Slowsky’s, here’s a clip:
«Fast. It’s not for everyone»…
Teatro doesn’t come cheap, the show price for Saturday night is $ 170 a person. Not including drinks and the mandatory $ 12 per person added to your bill at the end of the night. (oh yea, and parking). I’m forewarning you because the $ 12 service charge which is $ 24 for two came as a surprise, I felt like I did at the end of my cruise to the Carribean, after being shocked by how much I drank and excursions I went on, on the cruise, I had the added service charge. Also similar to a cruise is that unless you have six in your party, plan on being seated next to strangers.
Final analysis: Great, entertaining show. Decent food. Bill Slowsky is in charge of service. In the end, sometimes it’s just nice to get all dressed up, looking dapper. A good evening with date to a Boardwalk Empire styled circus.

We knew we had to get over to see Teatro ZinZanni before its forever home was completely demolished to make way for the Americas Cup
CALIENTE was our show
Yeah, we were suckers who paid full price for tickets & were seated in the booths around the back… word to the wise: get the discount tickets b/​c paying full price does NOT guarantee good seats
Our view was only okay — looking at the actors backs a lot of the time & while they do try to move around so everyone can have a decent view, it’s basically impossible so plan to look at people’s backs — a lot
Dinner was Mexican-​themed to go w/​the Caliente-​theme show. Delish Roasted Pepper soup, followed by nice salad & then a yummy Tamale-​thing
Didn’t have dessert — their only option was Panna Cotta which is NOT vegetarian… it’s made w/​gelatin, which any good veggie will tell you is on the naughty list.
Too bad b/​c it looked really, really good & Sis said it was really, really good (she’s not as strict on her veggie ways as I am)
Wine Flight was a great pairing & would recommend getting this… besides, you’re already forking over a ton of $$$ so why not make an evening out of it?
Also found out after the show that we had a loaded audience — not loaded in the drunk sense (although they were at that) — but loaded in the sense there were a lot of friends & family… so there was probably more willingness to get up on stage & totally ham it up over a normally staged show
But I think this only added to our enjoyment, knowing everyone was having such a great time
Singing & costumes were outrageously awesome — how some people liken this to Cirque du Soleil is beyond me… there were no death-​defying acrobatics; there was no firey wheel of death…
Would we do this again? Hmm, maybe — it was great fun but you’re gonna pay for it
Total cost for this evening of frivilolity for 2 people?
Show Tickets + Wine Flight + Bottle of Water + Parking = $ 400

Wow, this was such an unique experience. The people who work are are a bunch of talented people, from acrobats, to singers, to gymnasts, it was definitely worth the money. My boyfriend and I go our tickets off of the TravelZoo deal site, so it was about 30 bucks cheaper than normal price. Goldstar always has deals so make sure to check on their site if you’re planning on going.
We went for their «Caliente» show, and the food, atmosphere, service, and entertainment was anything less than amazing. (Note* If you’re a guy, you probably will not get full off of your meal, portion sizes are pretty small).
I highly recommend this for people celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or just even for a night out in the town. Must come check it out, it’l be an experience you won’t forget!

I’ve been to TZ four times since it came to the bay area. Most recently I was reminded that it’s such a fun experience still.
The booth is the way to go for sitting arrangement. You will have privacy and less of a chance to be bothered by the show people. Believe me they pick on an audience to «play» with :) it’s all fun tho!
The general sitting area is a space in the middle of the tent where the performers are active. It’s reminiscent of an era long gone where the king and queen eats and the jester would perform for them.
Very interactive and the food was great! Wines of your choice and a snapshot of the night for a few bucks! I got a lady to paint some really cool art on my chest for a few bucks as well. Ticklish and so much fun!

I’ve been here more times then I can count and it’s because the show is astounding and ever changing. It’s a circus dinner theatre that only brings in top talent. They’ve had famous entertainers such as Joan Baez host the show and they are always hunting down new acts to bring into their intimate tent. Most of the performers are from other countries and travel constantly performing at different venues around the world. They are the best of the best, many being originally trained with Cirque du Soleil. This is the second of its kind — the first is located in Seattle. It truly is a one of a kind night out and well worth the hefty price tag.
Tip: Weekday shows are cheaper. You can also go to
to sometimes score half price tickets to the show.
Tip #2: Make sure to go a little early so you can explore the lobby. There are lots of interesting things to see there.

Definitely a lot of fun watching the performers. The food here was delicious as well.
Our dinner consisted of the following five courses:
cowgirl creamery’s devil’s gulch cheese (cheese was yummie)
roasted acorn squash & curried apple (too sour for my taste)
spinach & marinated fennel (sooo good)
fillet of beef/​maple glazed chicken breast/​roasted pear ravioli (the fillet of beef was cooked very tender and delicious; the roasted pear ravioli had a lot of flavor and was very creamy)
milk chocolate mousse cake (very yummie!)
Be prepared for audience interaction. The faster you participate, the faster the next course of the meal will be served. The show was pretty long for us because some of the participants were unwilling to do some of the things the performers wanted them to do. The show started about 7:10pm and didnt end until 10:30pm. VERY LONG. Our second course of the meal wasnt served until 7:50pm. I recommend eating a little snack if you normally do not eat that late.
Parking in the area was pretty easy. I recommend parking on Chestnut street which is directly across the street from the venue. There is street parking for $ 2.00 an hour with a maximum of 4 hours. Definitely cheaper than any parking lots close by.
Photos are NOT allowed before AND during the show. But photos are allowed after the show is over.
There is a photographer that takes pictures of you and your guest. The photos are actually not very professional because ours turned out blurry. They come in a frame and cost $ 20. You can pay $ 20 in cash or charge it to your credit card. If you charge it to your credit card, you end up paying tax on the photo AND on the $ 12/​person tip. I thought tax on the mandatory gratuity was ridiculous. The $ 12 gratuity also does not include gratuity on any drinks you wish to purchase here.
I recommend the show for dates. There were two separate moments during the show for couples to dance and kiss. The show has a lot of sexual references so I dont recommend the show for young children.
The seats we had were okay. They were unobstructed but there was a bright light shining in our face for 80% of the show. That was a bit of an annoyance.
The cheapest tickets were $ 136 per person but you can get discounted tickets for $ 79 to $ 109 per person at Goldstar here:

I thought this place was an overpriced tourist trap. I had the pleasure of going here for a holiday party and was blown away by how great it was.
There was a 5 course meal that was timed perfectly with the show you would see. It was like cirque de soleil integrated into the storyline of your meal. It is difficult to describe unless you’re there.
While it is expensive it is a unique dinner and show experience. I highly recommend this place. While close to $ 100 a pop if you are looking for an interesting experience this is definitely it.

It was almost my birthday, my friend’s friend *thought* she couldn’t make it to the show. I was offered the ticket and almost went. Turns out she was able to make it. I told my boyfriend that I didn’t get to go to Teatro Zinzanni *sobs*. So he took me to Teatro Zinzanni for my birthday thinking that it’s the absolute best gift he bought for me :)
Unfortunately, «Love to Kill» is terrible. Unless you like cheesy jokes, then you might like it.
Ok, to elaborate these are their main characters:
— Guy that tried to fix our table and keep knocking his head on the table. This happened before the show started. I started worrying at this point.
— Girl running around in high pitch voice acting like a little girl.
— Old guy acting like a mad boss with long eyebrow (pointing up), staring at all his employees every time they did something stupid.
— Trannies (sometimes he became a guy) that humiliated a random. male audience, dressing him as a princess with stick-​on boobies and a crazy hat.
— Guy that tried to be funny by tapping every single thing he could (this was very very painful to watch).
Food was so meh. It’s like airplane food. If you don’t have to eat it, you wouldn’t. There’s additional $ 12 charge per person for dinner. Why didn’t they include that in the original ticket price?
The crowds are mostly 40+ with some interesting mixes. You can sorta tell which couple laughed at the jokes from how they look. Ok, I’m mean.
However, there are some pros:
— The opera singer lady has an amazing voice. 5 stars.
— Good tap dancing. Although who cares? That seems like a performance that should be done in the 80s.
— The pole acrobats were really good. I believe that the couple used to be part of Cirque du Soleil.
— The other acrobats were really good too.
In short, I wish they cut down the «comedy» part and give more acrobats chance to show their skills. They are talented artists, but I have no idea why they need to be comedians/​waiters/​acrobats at the same time.
I have no idea how this show has 4 ½ stars. I really don’t.

For three hours in the evening, you’re transported away from Pier 29 and into the world of Zinzanni. It was an all-​around good time [though not recommended for children]. The comedic part of the show was a little over-​the-​top, but it was still fun to watch. Every seat in the house is a good seat as the performers love involving EVERYONE in the show.
Many of the performers are world-​renowned, just check the playbill. Some have been in Cirque du Soleil performances or have won competitions around the world. Pretty amazing! I remember at one point in the show, I was sitting there with my mouth open in awe and not just because I was about to put a fork of food into my mouth.
My favorite part of the Hail Caesar! show: The Vertical Tango! The duo moved with ease up and down the large pole in the center of the room. Absolutely mesmerizing.
Food was good, not great. You get five courses spread over the three hour performance — first course, soup, salad, entrée [you pick one of three], and dessert.
The show changes quarterly [right now, it’s Hail Caesar!, so even if you’ve gone once, there’s no reason not to return. It was my first time, and I am really looking forward to enjoying a show + dinner there again.
There are cheaper tickets on Goldstar and Costco!

Since it’s a rare experience, suggesting on splurging and sit VIP, yeah. The current show «Hearts on Fire» was so fun, but ends May 16 — the next show «Love, Chaos & Couture» begins May 20.
So, just imagine going to a Cirque du Soleil show, but sitting much closer and having the performers mingling with you in between acts. Love how they got the performers to double as food servers without skipping a beat. Love the comedy and the amazing acrobatics (love the Ukrainian contortionist the most, but everyone else was awesome too) within a confined space! Love how with all that going on, eating a very good dinner within a Farallon– or Fleur de Lys– or Moulin Rouge– type of décor! Love how they can squeeze so much inside a tent! Lots of fun, the actors are «world-​class» and the food was quite good! It’s a tad pricey only if compared to other places separately, but as a whole it’s quite a deal for what you get. I’m half exaggerating when saying I’d pay double to go to this show and dinner!
All I can say is, do not turn down a JCP social invite as you are always in for a good-​times! That bears repeating. So glad I got to attend this celebration for her daughter’s birthday. As JCP mentioned (
), you do have to see it to understand. It is worth it considering what a great experience and much laughter is in store for you… and if you can go with great people, just do it. This is a great place to take someone for their birthday, or for an anniversary (oh, can probably close the deal if want to on a first date). I will return for future shows!
Milestone: the 2500^th «Cool» vote’s review!

The show: 5 stars
The Waitstaff: 5 stars
The food: 3.5 stars
The seats: 3 starts
I bought tickets and took my bf for our anniversary. Both living in SF, we have not had the chance to check out Teatro. We arrived at 6pm (as suggested) and waited about another hour to be seated. We were seated according to tier and number in party. We were about the 2^nd or 3^rd table from the center stage and from what we could see, the view could have been better. We only saw heads and any movement (tumblers) were not seen. The best part about the show is that the actors engaged with the audience. Meaning, they walked around the tent. So even if you could not see, you could get a chance to see the actors when they passed by.
The food was okay. It boasted a culunary delight. But it felt like food from a 3 star restaurant. When the food was served it was so spaced out that my BF and I were starving as each course came. The show goes on in between meals (makes sense) but man, we were hungry and didn’t get our entrees until about 9:20pm. The waitstaff were excellent. Attentive and in character. Waters filled when low and food came out very smoothly.
The show itself was amazing. Worth every penny. The actors were multi-​talented. Each had multiple roles as well as multpile talents. The star of the show and the singer were both amazing. A delight to see. It was funny as well as entertaining. Half theater half circus. The show had everything under one tent. You can also purchase masks and headresses from the shop on your way out. I don’t want to give too much of the show away. You’ll have to check it out for yourself!

Pardon the extra long review. But there’s just so much to say!
First thing to know: Teatro Zinzanni is that «strange» place with all the tents and flags along the embarcadero. Pier 29 to be exact. A place of European cabaret and cirque. 3 hour show. 5 course dinner. A truly unique experience!
The décor inside comprises of gold satin and red curtains, sparkling chandeliers, lounging ottomans, huge paintings and tall mirrors. Soft lighting adds to the mystery. Altogether, a very sutry yet circus-​fun atmosphere.
The doors open a hour before the show. A circular cash bar at the lobby with a vast selection of wines and cocktails. A boutique store for both men and women to accessorize for the show. Dressing up is highly encouraged!!! Makes the experience much more fun if I may add!!! =D
The show takes place is an actual tent, where tables and booths circle around the stage. There is no bad spot, unless your view is blocked by one of the tent pillars. But nothing that couldn’t be solved by scooching a few inches over.
Current show: ‘License to Kiss’. (
) I expected it to be sexy and beautiful. But it was also hilarious and entertaining! A display of many talents. From singing to dancing, gymnastics to acrobatics, script and improv. Live band music! They had it all!
Oh Kevin Kent. What a character! (
) He’s the star, the one with all the jokes. Dished them out like no other. Made fun of audience members and got them out to be part of the show. Cross dressing. Voice changing. He made the night FUUUUUN!
I had a little moment of my own with Kevin. As I was walking out the tent towards the washroom, he stopped me. In his ‘girl’ voice, loud enough for others to hear, he asked, «ARE YOU GOING TO THE POTTY?» «Yes,» I replied nervously. «Wellllllll, REMEMBER TO WASH YOUR HANDS!!» LOL. Talk about embarrassing! Haha.
Onto the Food! It was great that they incorporated the waiters into the show. Even bringing out the food was entertaining! (
) **Sorry no photography allowed in the main tent**
Course #1 (1^st Course): Grilled Asparagus with White Truffle-​ponzu Sauce. Delightful! Whole asparagus spears cooked perfectly, with a snap at each bite. Raw cremini mushrooms on the side. Yum!
Course #2 (Soup): Spring Pea with Carrots. A pureed pea soup, sweeter than usual pea soups. With some ground pepper, also delicious!
Course #3 (Salad): Mixed greens with Champagne Vinaigrette. My least favorite course. Just greens and sweet peppers. Pretty plain. Can barely taste the vinaigrette.
Course #4 (Entrée): Mesquite Grilled Lamb Sirloin. Medium rare. Tender. Loved the grilled crust. Served with spinach, mushrooms and potatoes. Also sampled the Herb Marinated Chicken Breast. Tender as well. Super happy with the entrees!
Course #5 (Dessert): Fresh Lemon Tart. Crust was the best part. Wasn’t a big fan of the lemon and the cream. Can taste the raw eggs in the mixture.
A night of amazement and laughter. A LOT of laughter. Tickets may seem pricey, but definitely worth it for a long show and full meal. Will be back for their next show! =D