Rome does nightlife differently.

This dinner-and-cabaret evening at Ellington Club is built like a mini throwback party, with the Verissima show mixing sung classics, comic bits, and burlesque-meets-Broadway energy. You settle in at your table, then the room turns into a retro stage where music and comedy trade places.

I especially like the three-course dinner included with your ticket, because it turns the evening into one plan, not two. I also like how the show is paced for variety, with songs alternating with short monologues and skits that can involve the audience.

One thing to consider: the timing can feel a bit “wait and then go,” since the club entry opens at 8:00 PM and the performance starts sometime between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM. If you hate waiting, you’ll want to plan your arrival and appetite around that window.

Key things to know before you go

• Reserved table dinner: starter, main, dessert are included with the ticket.
• Show start window: expect the performance between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM.
• Italian variety style: music, cabaret, and burlesque elements are blended with comedic skits.
• Broadway + divas song mix: famous songs from musicals and pop-style classics are part of the set.
• Drinks are extra: the included meal is fixed, but food and drink beyond that are at your own expense.
• Location and language: the host is Italian/English, but one review flagged that service staff may be mostly Italian.

Verissima at Ellington Club: vintage Rome without the guesswork

If you want an evening that feels like Rome’s “grown-up” entertainment scene, this is the kind of night that delivers fast. At Ellington Club, you’re not just buying a ticket for a show. You’re getting a full dinner-and-performance slot, with a reserved table that gives you a calmer start than wandering around for dinner plans first.

The Verissima show is framed as a quintessential Italian cabaret night, but with a modern entertainment twist. Expect a “retro world” feel where burlesque traditions mix with Broadway-style performance energy. The pacing matters here: it’s not a single uninterrupted concert. Sung musical pieces trade off with short monologues and comedic skits, and those bits can interact with the crowd.

This is a good fit if you like variety as a format. If you only want one strict genre (like pure burlesque, or pure music theatre), you might find the mix broader than you expected. That said, the mix is often exactly what makes nights like this fun.

The three-course dinner: what’s included and how it affects your evening

Your ticket includes table reservation plus a three-course dinner: a starter, a main course, and a dessert. That’s a big deal for value in Rome, because you’re essentially stacking dinner costs + show costs into one package.

Here’s how to think about it. A show night can go two ways: either dinner is rushed and forgettable, or dinner becomes the reason to stay even if the first part runs late. In this case, the included meal is part of the design, and you’re seated at your own table instead of trying to balance plates and standing-room viewing.

What is not included is drinks. You’ll be ordering food and drink at your own expense, so budget for wine, cocktails, or whatever matches your mood. One of the nicer aspects is that the overview mentions cocktails as part of the vibe, but the ticket still keeps drinks as extra purchases—so decide early if you want to go light or fully participate.

Also note the practical flow: dinner is tied to the evening arrival window (the club allows entry from 8:00 PM), and the show later starts between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM. That timing gap is why the dinner matters. It gives you something to do that isn’t just standing around.

The real schedule: arriving after 8:00 PM and settling in

The club’s doors for entry open at 8:00 PM, and the show start is always between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM. In other words, you should plan for an evening that begins with settling, eating, and getting comfortable.

One reviewer specifically flagged that dinner ran in the 8:00–10:00 PM range and the show didn’t start until closer to 10:00 PM. That lines up with the official window, so don’t assume the schedule will feel tight and exact. Build in time for food, conversation, and the room to fill.

Practical advice:

• Arrive closer to 8:00 PM if you want the full dinner experience without rushing.
• If you arrive later, you might end up with less time to enjoy the meal before the performance begins.
• Don’t treat the start time as a single fixed minute. Treat it as a window.

There’s also an express security check included, which can save real waiting time compared to standard lines. That helps when you’re trying to arrive, check in, and still enjoy dinner without eating in a hurry.

What you’ll see on stage: music + comedy + cabaret energy

The show format is built around “variety” the Italian way. You’ll see a repertoire that re-proposes famous classics associated with big divas, while also drawing from Broadway musicals and other famous selections tied to musical and pop culture.

The stage rhythm is also part of the appeal. Performances alternate between:

• sung musical pieces
• small monologues
• comic skits, with the audience involved at points

That means you’re not locked into one emotional tone for the whole night. One moment you’re listening to a familiar musical style, the next you’re in a lighter comedic segment.

One review described it as not just cabaret but also a mix of acts like dance, a magician, and a comedian. That matches the broader variety structure and is a useful clue. If you come expecting only burlesque and cabaret in the narrow sense, you may be surprised—but if you like “show as entertainment,” that broad mix can be exactly the point.

Costumes and performers: why the look matters as much as the songs

A lot of this experience is about what the performers bring to the room visually. The evening is designed around colorful costumes, and that’s not just decoration. In cabaret and burlesque-meets-variety shows, costume shifts are part of how the show changes gears between song sections and comedic bits.

What I take from the positive feedback is simple: when the acts hit, they hit hard. Several comments praised the overall show and specifically mentioned standouts from the performance side, including both a singer and a dancer.

You should also expect the show to feel like a lively stage event rather than a quiet concert. Even if you understand only some of the Italian being used (the show is part of an Italian variety tradition), the structure is built for entertainment clarity: music carries you through, and comedy sketches keep momentum.

If you’re going for a first-time cabaret experience, this format can be a gentler entry point than a show that only does one thing the whole night.

Price and value: does $65 make sense for this kind of night?

$65 per person buys you more than a seat. It includes entry, the show, and the table reservation with a three-course dinner. Drinks are extra, so your final spending depends on what you choose to order, but the baseline value is strong if you want a full evening that doesn’t require extra meal planning.

Why that matters in Rome: show tickets can be pricey, and standalone dinners near the evening hours can add up too. Here, the package reduces that “two-bills” stress.

That said, value is personal. One review felt the price wasn’t worth it, partly because the visitor expected more of a cabaret-only experience and felt the evening was more like a compilation of performances. That’s a fair warning: set your expectation that this is variety entertainment, not a single-style burlesque revue.

I’d call this a good value if:

• you want dinner included (not a separate search for food)
• you like musicals, pop-style classics, and stage entertainment
• you enjoy comedy breaks in between songs

It’s less worth it if:

• you’re expecting a strict burlesque-focused show only
• you’re very sensitive to timing delays
• you want lots of English guidance from every staff member during the meal

Location, getting there, and what to do about the night-time logistics

Meeting point matters with evening shows. You’ll look for a sign outside the main entrance.

Getting there can be the biggest practical question, and it’s worth taking seriously. One review mentioned the club is far and that reaching it by public transport at night didn’t feel pleasant or well-protected. That’s not something you can ignore if you’re traveling without a car.

So here’s what I recommend:

• If you’re staying central, plan your route early and consider a taxi or rideshare if it reduces stress after dark.
• If you’ll use public transport, check last service times before you commit to a late return. One comment said leaving late made it harder to catch the last bus.

The good news: once you’re inside, the experience is structured and you’re not juggling navigation during the show. The navigation challenge is mainly the trip to the club, not the event itself.

Language and service: what to expect when you order dinner

The host or greeter is listed as Italian and English, which helps. But the meal involves ordering food and drink at your own expense, and one reviewer reported that the wait staff didn’t understand English well, making communication difficult.

Here’s the balanced takeaway. You should be able to get basic help at check-in with the Italian/English greeters. But once you’re at the table, your ability to communicate may depend on the staff on duty.

Practical fixes:

• Keep your drink order simple and ready to repeat in clear terms.
• Use a translation app for menu items if you’re worried.
• If you have allergies or dietary limits, handle that carefully at the start, when you still have time to clarify.

Should you book this dinner-and-cabaret show in Rome?

Book it if you want a complete, one-ticket night: dinner plus Verissima with a mix of music, cabaret, burlesque-style energy, and comedy. It’s also a solid choice if you’re curious about a first burlesque-type experience and you’d rather enjoy the evening atmosphere than analyze every artistic detail.

Skip it—or at least rethink it—if you’re paying $65 mainly for strict cabaret and you don’t want a variety format with dance, comedy, and other acts. Also reconsider if you’re the type who hates waiting, since the club opens at 8:00 PM but the show starts between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM.

If your ideal Rome evening is an organized, theatrical night out with a reserved table and included dinner, this is exactly that kind of plan.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Rome Cabaret Burlesque Show with Dinner?

The experience lasts about 2 hours.

How much does the ticket cost?

It’s priced at $65 per person.

What’s included in the price?

Entry, the show, and a reserved table with a three-course dinner (starter, main course, dessert).

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, and you order food and drink at your own expense.

When can I enter the club?

Club entry is allowed from 8:00 PM onward.

What time does the show start?

The show starts at an hour between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM.

Where do I meet the group?

The meeting point is a sign outside the main entrance.