Serve your sentence at Alcotraz Sydney where your cocktails are contraband, the guards are hilariously crooked, and you quickly discover that being an inmate can be a lot more fun than you ever imagined. Equal parts immersive theatre and drinking adventure, it’s a theatrical cocktail romp inspired by Hollywood prison tales and the world’s first speakeasy-style bar, full of mischief, drama, and mayhem served with a side of prison perks.
The black velvet rope on the footpath outside the menacing prison gates set the tone perfectly - part cocktail lounge - part penitentiary. The venue itself is cleverly laid out and impressively mounted, with prison rules plastered on the walls, warning signs glaring from corners, and atmospheric lighting and music wrapping everything in a slightly menacing hum.
It’s a warren of small rooms, the main space being the cell block itself, each area sprinkled with intriguing details that may or may not become part of the antics. After a quick set of instructions, my four inmates and I were herded into Cell Block H where we could just about squeeze in without elbowing each other.
From the moment we clambered into our oversized orange jumpsuits (much laughter, little dignity) the game was on. Before long, prison staff were dropping by, telling stories, sneaking code words or hoping we would snitch. Never a dull moment, part of the fun is not knowing what will happen next and just going with it as you’re ushered through a series of rooms and scenarios, each with its own delights.
Part of the buzz at Alcotraz is sneaking your “contraband,” cocktails, beer, or wine, cheekily nicknamed “chicken soup.” Served in classic prison-issue tin cups, they’re delivered through a covert prop and a special code that turns a simple drink into a secret mission.
The cocktails aren’t bespoke creations, a little sweet rather than tangy, but they do exactly what soup should: lubricate conversation and courage, which is essential because this place is built on interaction. By the start of the second hour, everyone was full throttle and the block was humming.
You can choose either the two or four-drink package, but be warned, there’s no food on site. Water is available if you ask, so it’s wise to load up on carbs beforehand or be ready to call an Uber after your 1 hour 45 minute stint in the clink.
The success of this experience relies entirely on the energy and conviction of the actors, experts at reading people and roping them into being extras and letting go. Guards Wilmot and Gilchrist, a bumbling Laurel-and-Hardy duo, keep the block in line with thick American accents and quick-fire improvisation, while the Warden and Top Dog troublemaker Cassidy stir up extra intrigue, ensuring every corner of the prison is brimming with surprises.
Alcotraz works best as a group adventure. If you come with the right chain gang; people who love cosplay, escape rooms, theatre restaurants, or just saying yes to silliness - it’s a full-blown prison riot. Couples or date nights take note: at least one of you has to be an extrovert, or you could end up doing hard time. The session flies by, and by the end, strangers are chatting like old friends.
Tucked away on Chippen Street in Chippendale, Alcotraz is easy enough to get to, a short walk from Central Station and evening street parking nearby is mostly free and untimed (a rare gift in the city).
Alcotraz Sydney is a cleverly staged, alcohol-fueled immersive escapade where the more you give, the more fun you’ll have. It’s an icebreaker in theatrical guise, where social walls fall fast. Not for the shy or snack-dependent, but if you’re up for moonshine, mischief, and a little prison roleplay, this bar behind bars might just parole your inner performer.
Reviewed by: Faith Jessel