Saturday May 16th: Swinging 60s Disco Night

Saturday May 23rd: The Best 80s Night ever

Sunday April 12th 2026, 1pm till 3pm,
Open Wedding Day at The Playhouse Theatre
Free Entry and free nibbles for bride and grooms.
Special offer! Get 50% off your venue hire if you book your 2027 Wedding before June 1st!
Come talk to us at the Open Wedding day on 12th April or book a private viewing.
Looking for a 50 – 150 guest Wedding venue with a lovely ceremony area and amazing reception space in one perfect location.

Thursday 23rd April
The Andrew London Duo
Tix $30, Show from 730pm, Dinner from 6pm
Tickets available from eventfinda or contact The Playhouse direct for bookings.
Join Andrew and Kirsten London, for a night of fun, folk and laughs.
Andrew London is of Hot Club Sandwich fame and sings many of their classics in their set.
teplayhousecafenz@gmail.com or 035402985 for table bookings

Sunday 26th April SOLD OUT
Ben Hurley Stand Up
Doors and Dinner from 6pm
Show from 8pm.
Dinner available from 615, 1 course $40 buffet, diners guaranteed table for the night, book direct with the Playhouse.
Tickets direct from the Playhouse or from eventfinda.
035402985
Ben has conquered the toughest of crowds and reviewers alike and is adept at tailoring his material and persona to what the event requires. He consistently sells out shows at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and has toured to country many times, on his own as part of the Real NZ Comedy Tours and of course the 7 Days Live Tours.

Friday 8th May
All You Can Eat Ribs Night
It’s baaaack! One night only! All you can eat RIB NIGHTS at The Playhouse.
You must book so hit up as these will sell out!
$40 for all you can eat RIBS, Chips and Salad.
Bookings are 100 percent essential as these nights will sell out.
Tables available from 6pm.
Email us at theplayhousecafenz@gmail.com or call us direct on 5402985 for bookings

Saturday 9th May
Viami Mice Live!
Tix $25, Show from 8pm, Dinner from 6pm
$40 1 course buffet, please call us direct to book
Tickets available from eventfinda or contact The Playhouse direct for bookings.
Tasman, tickets are now available! Bring your friends, family, and anyone who deserves to be part of the experience that is Viami Mice live. Scan the code below, and we’ll see you there!  Door sales available on the night if required.

Fri May 15th
Salmonella Dub LIVE introducing Whirimako Black & Nino Birch in DubnBass
TIX $52.97 plus BF (at eventbrite)
Doors from 6pm, Show from 8pm
Book direct with Playhouse for table bookingsSalmonella Dub circa 1993 Live band kick off the band 17 album remastered back cat rollout + Salmonella Dub SoundSystem ft. Mighty Asterix

Saturday May 16th
Swinging 60s Disco Night
Dinner and doors at 6pm
Dancing from 8pm
FREE ENTRY!!!
Get ready to twist and shout and dance the night away! From good vibrations to proud Mary rollin’, we’re bringing the swinging sixties back to life. Grab your go-go boots, shake it like you mean it, and let the music take you higher at our groovy 60s disco party!

Sat 23rd May
The Best 80s Night Ever
Doors and dinner from 6pm, dancing from 8pm.
FREE ENTRY TO ALL, Call us direct for table bookings
Relive the glory days and Wake me up before you go, because with or without you, we’ll be dancing with somebody, as we live on prayer with girls just wanting to have fun in Africa! Beat it on down to the Playhouse, for this night of careless whispers, as we get physical and footloose. Don’t feel under pressure to come on Eilleen, but if you miss out you may get a total eclipse of the heart.

In short
Nov 28th + 29th: Paul Madsen’s Super Star Show
Dec 5th + Dec 12th: Craig Allot’s Billy Joel and Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Dec 13th, 19th, 20th: The Best 80s Christmas Party Ever

In long:
Nov 28th + 29th
Paul Madsen’s Super Star Show
Beegees, Queen, Eagles, and more
Dinner/Doors from 6pm, Show from 8pm.
$30 Show, $78 Dinner and Show, 2 course buffet.  
The ever entertaining Paul Madsen plays all the favorites, BeeGees, Queens, The Eagles, and much much more. Paul Madsen is the real deal, he travels the length of New Zealand showing off his skills. He often travels to Las Vegas with his officially endorsed BeeGees act.
This show sells out, so be in quick!!!

Dec 5th + Dec 12th
Craig Allot’s Billy Joel + Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Dinner/Doors from 6pm, Show from 8pm.
$20 Show, $68 Dinner and Show, 2 course buffet.
Some of the South Island’s best entertainers gather for a night of amazing music from the world’s best acts.
Join Craig Allot, Andrea and Chris for fantastic night out!
Please call us to book your tables as this will definitely sellout

Dec 13th, 19th, 20th
The Best 80s Christmas Party Ever
Dinner/Doors from 6pm, Show from 8pm.
FREE ENTRY, Dinner $48 per head 2 course buffet.
Relive the glory days and Wake me up before you go, because with or without you, we’ll be dancing with somebody, as we live on prayer with girls just wanting to have fun in Africa! Beat it on down to the Playhouse, for this night of careless whispers, as we get physical and footloose. Don’t feel under pressure to come on Eilleen, but if you miss out you may get a total eclipse of the heart.

Fri 16th May
Rampage – the true story of a drug fuelled adventure at Nelson

Fri 23rd May
The Rubber Biscuit Band

Sat 24th May
Altitude Pole Studio Show

Sat May 31st
The Jordan Luck Band
All the classics!!!

Sun 1st June
Grandiose Burlesque

Sat 7th June
Dire Straights Tribute

Fri 13th June
Paul Madsen’s ABBA Show

Sat 14th June
80s Night

To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in regards to the wonderful performance experience we had at the Playhouse Theatre in Decemeber 2013. We had sold out our show at the Mapua hall on the 28th. Due to demand Nic from the Playhouse offered us another night in the area at the Playhouse Theatre on the 29th. With only a weeks notice and no marketing spend Nic was able to sell this show out as well.
We found the venue to be the most incredibly intimate performance space with by far the best acoustics we have experienced for some time. The fact that the audience came early and dined was a sublime experience. The dancefloor was packed by 8pm and the 150+ crowd were in great spirits. The performance space allowed us to interact with the audience in a way that larger venues can not. The Salmonella Dub crew were extremely thankful for the great hospitality the Playhouse provided. The food is exceptional, the staff were extremely accommodating and the setting was entirely unique. We can’t wait to play the Playhouse again.
 Kind Regards
Andrew Penman
Salmonella Dub

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
I (and my friends : Hammond Gamble,Sam Hunt,Paul Ubana Jones,Mayor Tim Shadbolt) have done numerous shows at the Playhouse Café.
I was delighted when Nic and his partner took over and rescued such an important performance venue. They have proven to be
a) Committed to providing a good performance venue.
b) Very hard-working.
c) Supportive of performing artists.
d) Honest.
e) Extremely efficient.
f) Very easy to work with.
Given that being a performance artist is a tenuous occupation at best…..  it has been an enormous help to know that we can count on the Playhouse as an “anchor” venue in the Nelson –Mapua area.
Warm regards,Gary McCormick 

The Playhouse Cafe is a specially unique venue where it can double as a seated / dining / listening crowd or clear the floor and have everyone on their feet dancing.
The cave like quality of the roof and the large stage give the performer the confidence of grandeur, and the crowd a ‘can see the stage from any spot’ experience.
I would like to endorse the Playhouse Cafe 
Oakley Grenell
Musician

The Playhouse is one of the most unique and hospitable venues we’ve ever played. Great stage, great room, great food & beverage and most of all great people. – Julian Temple

The Playhouse Café in Mapua, NZ is a gem on the South Island. As a performer, it’s a pleasure to play on their beautiful stage and in such a nicely-designed interior with great acoustics. The size allows for a couple hundred people but in a way that we don’t lose the intimacy with the audience. It’s also great that their reputation draws people from all over the region to come hear the bands – this really helps us expand our audience, and makes for a really nice vibe in the crowd. Nic & Manu’s hospitality towards the performers is amazing! As an audience member, it’s great to have live music in this area of the country, where otherwise it would mean a long drive to see bands play. They manage to attract artists from all over the country and even internationally, which is very difficult for many venues. It’s so important to have nice locations for artists to perform, and the Playhouse is ideally located to encourage bands to come to this part of the country. Oh, and their food so good! The hosts, Nic & Manu, are always very welcoming and make us feel at home.
Mike Field
International Trumpet Player

To Whom it May Concern
I have been touring extensively throughout New Zealand for about 15 years, mostly with my trio Hot Club Sandwich, and have played thousands of gigs at hundreds of venues in both rural, provincial and metropolitan areas from Stewart Island to the Far North.
I have been a regular at the Playhouse Theatre Cafe in Mapua since early 2000, when it still operated as ‘Silkwood’. Once the improvements were made it quickly became clear the venue would attract both performers and clientele from far and wide, given the lavish attention the designers gave to both groups’ needs.
The venue is unique in New Zealand as far as I know, insofar as it is a purpose-built entertainment venue with excellent acoustic properties, plenty of room for even large groups of performers, and uniform line-of-sight for the audience. The addition of in-house lighting and sound facilities made it ideal for small intimate cabaret-style theatre shows, comedy and music of almost every genre.
I believe the semi-rural location and striking outdoor art installations add to the appeal for performer and punter alike, although the location obviously presents an additional challenge in attracting an audience from the scattered local population. The current owners have always recognised this, and succeed by having developed promotional mechanisms which in my view could serve as an instructional template for every other entertainment venue in the country. They have established personal relationshipswith the locals, nurtured press and radio contacts in the area, and taken advantage of internet-based facilities including an extensive email database, well-maintained website and social media trends.
The fare is always excellent and the service impeccable as far asI am aware – and my supporters are always very quick to give me the lowdown on their experience at the venues I drag them out to, especially if it’s negative. I have never had anything other than the most glowing feedback about the Playhouse.
For these reasons I always try and secure a date at the Playhouse when organising a tour, and build our South Island leg around it. I am happy to be contacted for discussion.
yours faithfully
Andrew London

Madsen Promotions have been performing at the Playhouse for around 3 years.
Our first impressions on Nic and Manu were that they would have this Venue humming !
3 years down the track its a happening Entertainment hotspot ! Its isn’t easy promoting a Venue thats situated slightly of the “beaten track” bit Nic and Manu have won through with great food and hospitality topped of with carefully selected Entertainment.
The decor of the cafe is great with a Rustic /contemporary feel to it ….
It could now be said ”What would we do without the playhouse?
Good on ya Nick and Manu ! A dynamic Team!
Paul Madsen , Manager / Director Madsen Promotions

I have been performing as an actor at the Playhouse since it first opened in December 2007, and I have to say it’s my favourite venue for dinner theatre in the Nelson region. I love the immediacy and intimacy of the venue, the fact that as a performer you are so close to your audience. It’s quirky look ticks all the boxes as far as I’m concerned.
Hugh Neill Theatre Alive Nelson

The Playhouse is a lovely place to play. Great hospitality, good stage and system and lovely people.. the kind of venue that makes you feel like you’re on holiday rather than on tour!Flip Grater

“The Playhouse Café at Mapua has hosted a number of our touring acts, both theatrical and musical, with considerable success.
They offer a quality stage area for the performance  and treat the acts with respect. They work hard to attract an audience, who appreciate quality artistry and entertainment.
They are careful to create a supportive environment for the artists to perform to their best abilities, while also providing patrons with a quality dining experience.  
This is not an easy thing to do and they accomplish it with flair.”
Steve Thomas, Arts on Tours Director

“I have performed  in venues all across NZ and Australia and the Playhouse Cafe still stands out in my top 10. Lovely atmosphere and staff are always friendly & well organised. To present our music in venues like this is simply an honour and I hope they win the award.” Bryce Wastney (NZ Singer/songwriter) www.brycewastney.com

Fri 28th March
Louis TM (wellington)

Sat 29th March
Paul Madsen’s 7 Star Salute

Fri April 4th:
80s Night, Free entry

Sat April 5th:
Burlesque Night

Fri April 11th:
The Doors Tribute Night

Sat April 12th:
Nirvana Tribute

Sat April 19th:
King Leo and Oscar LeDell

Fri 24th and Sat 25th April:
A Very Gay Cabaret

Thurs 1st May:
Andrew London Duo

Sat 3rd May:
Jackie Clarke!!!

Fri 17th Jan
Ampersand Blues Trio

Sat 18th Jan
Woman Who Rock…5 bands!

Thurs 23th Jan
All You Can Eat Ribs Night

Fri 24th Jan
Ben Hurley and friends SOLD OUT

Sat 25th Jan
ABBA and Disco Hits Presented by Paul Madsen

Sun 26th Jan
Zambuko Marimba Motueka

Thurs 30th Jan
All You Can Eat Ribs Night

Friday 14th Feb
Mundi Jazz Trio

Sat 15th Feb
70’s Vs 80’s DISCO NIGHT

Fri 21st Feb
Booze & Craic: A Night Of Irish & Scottish Comedy with Alan McElroy

Sat 22nd Feb
The Underground – Mid – Summer Britfest!

Feb Friday 28th 2025
Fleetwood Mac and Billy Joel Tribute Night by Craig Allot and Friends

March 1st
Miami Vice

March 9th
MY BABY Acoustic Blues Club Tour

April 11th
The Doors Live

22nd (soldout) + 23rd Nov (still space) and 13th (soldout)+ 20th Dec (still space)
The Best 80s Christmas Party Ever!
FREE ENTRY,
Massive $48 2 course buffet
Relive the glory days and Wake me up before you go, because with or without you, we’ll be dancing with somebody, as we live on prayer with girls just wanting to have fun in Africa!

29th (still space) + 30th Nov (booking up)
Craig Allot presents Fleetwood Mac and Billy Joel
Show $20, Dinner from 6pm, Show starts at 8pm,
Massive $48 2 course buffet
Some of the South Island’s best entertainers gather for a night of amazing music from the world’s best acts.
Join Craig Allot, Hannah and Chris for a fantastic night out!
Please call us to book your tables as this will definitely sellout

6th (still space)+ 7th (soldout) December
Paul Madsen Presents The Super Star Show
$30pp, Dinner from 6pm, Show starts at 8pm,
Massive $48 2 course gourmet buffet additional.
The ever entertaining Paul Madsen plays all the favorites, BeeGees, Queens, The Eagles, and much much more. Paul Madsen is the real deal, he travels the length of New Zealand showing off his skills. He often travels to Las Vegas with his officially endorsed BeeGees act.
This show sells out, so be in quick!!