Scala Foodbar & Theater: really a fun concept!

Recently, we were invited by Scala Foodbar & Theater in Amsterdam. You can find this theater food bar on the Van Hallstraat in Amsterdam, near the Westergasfabriek. We really enjoyed the original concept! You can read in this blog how we experienced our visit.

A complete night out

At Scala Foodbar & Theater you can count on a complete evening out. Upon entering we were enthusiastically welcomed by Sebastiaan and his colleague. By them we were taken to our table, where we could enjoy a delicious meal between performances. This table remains reserved for you throughout the evening. The concept of Scala was explained to us as we had not been here before. During your evening out you visit 1, 2 or 3 theater performances. You book these in advance or on the spot. Keep in mind that the theaters are very small and intimate so the performance you would like to see may already be full if you haven’t booked it. Between performances it is possible to enjoy drinks and snacks.

The theater performances

You don’t have to pay attention to the time because before each performance the gong rings and your name is called. How convenient! The performances at Scala rotate every three weeks. The same goes for the menu. So you can go regularly because your evening is different every time! The performances range from cabaret to drama to standup comedy. We chose the cabaret performance by Tijmen Barneveld and the drama performance by Downstage Left. The latter performance was in English, but we didn’t care. Each performance is given 3 times per evening, so you can actually choose any combination you like.

Food from the wall

Eating at Scala? Among other things, you do that from the wall! Yes, you read it correctly: there is a vintage automatique with different dishes in it. They call this “Culi Fast Food”. On your table you will find a glass containing a coin per person. So with that coin you can pull food from the wall. The dishes are on the menu, so you can think of what you want in advance. Don’t expect croquettes and meatballs, but falafel with fried eggplant, Indian curry pie or chicken balls with orzo. More hungry? Then just ask for new coins and pass the vending machine again!

But there’s more!

You can also choose to have a board like the antipasti, the mezze or a cheese board from Kef. We opted for the mezze. This was a selection of Lebanese appetizers and flatbread. Very tasty and cozy because this is a shared dining concept. And toe there is also all sorts of things like cakes from Petit Gâteau and Montgomery’s ice cream. Those dishes are just served at your table, though. So you decide how much you eat: a full dinner or a few bites in between performances.

Quick contact and lots of fun

Because the atmosphere at Scala Foodbar & Theater is so intimate and casual, you interact with other guests pretty quickly. When your name is called after the gong goes off everyone gathers at the entrance to the steps. Because the rooms are small, you have quick contact. That makes us like the concept even more! And everyone is welcome, including the disabled. There is a wheelchair-friendly toilet and an alternative route to get to the rooms. If you are visiting Scala with disabled people, please let us know in advance. They will make it an unforgettable evening.

The Scala gift card

An evening at Scala Foodbar & Theater is truly for gifting. Thus, there is a voucher for every budget. You can choose to take a voucher with a total package, such as two performances, two drinks and two courses for €50. But you can also have your own amount filled in. The gift cards are festively wrapped and are therefore very nice to give and to get!

Parking at Scala Foodbar & Theater

Are you visiting Scala Foodbar & Theater by car? Then you can park your car on the street for €6.50 per hour. There are also several ParkBee locations nearby, one of which is right below Scala. That is ParkBee Donker Curtiusstraat and parking there costs € 3,- per hour. It is not a large garage so reserve your parking space in advance. Is this garage full? Then there is another ParkBee garage on the Van Beuningenstraat (€ 4,20 per hour). From that garage you can walk to Scala in 8 minutes. At 10 minutes distance you can also park at Q-Park Westergasfabriek. The hourly rate of that parking garage is €4.60.

Photos: opstapmetlisa