Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig – Restaurant and show visit

Leipzig is a city of culture with a wide and varied offer. A visit to the Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig should definitely be part of your plans for your stay in the city.

History of the Krystallpalast

In 1881, a Leipzig businessman acquired a large area of land on which a number of leisure activities were already offered to the people of Leipzig. He commissioned an architect to erect a building there in an iron and glass construction that was to be based on a building at the World Exhibition known as the Crystal Palace.

The result was a building with a two-storey theater hall and a restaurant at its center. There were also extensions in the form of terraces and verandas for smaller events. The building was unveiled at the Leipzig Easter Fair as the Krystall Palace.

Other buildings such as a conservatory and rooms with exhibition areas were added later. The special highlight, however, was a large domed hall with a height of 36 meters and space for 3000 visitors. Circus Renz performed here, for example, and later the hall was used for various events (concerts, variety shows, theater, exhibitions). As cinema became increasingly popular, a cinema hall for 2300 spectators was built into the building.

The entire Krystalpalast complex was one of the most famous entertainment venues in the region and unique in Germany. In its heyday, there was room for around 15,000 people in the various halls, restaurants and beer gardens.

Unfortunately, air raids in December 1943 destroyed the entire complex.

After the Second World War, the area around the Krystallpalast was not rebuilt. A circus leased part of the site and built a permanent venue. After nationalization in 1953, a new event building was built in which various events were held.

After reunification, the building stood empty for a while and burned down completely in 1992. Investors then built apartments there, among other things.

Was this to be the end of the Krystallpalast?

This was exactly the question some people asked themselves and decided to found the Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig and offer full-length shows there, continuing the tradition. What was missing at the beginning was a venue. Eventually, a suitable building was found in Magazingasse, which could be converted into a stage with an adjoining restaurant.

Since 1997, changing variety programs with international artists have been offered in a hall that seats around 300 people. A colorful and varied program is shown, great artists perform and the audience can expect one or two surprises.

Restaurant JOSEPHINE in the Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig

Before we were able to enjoy the show, we were delighted to visit the in-house restaurant JOSEPHINE. The restaurant is located in the Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig and is not only open to visitors to the show.

Our table was reserved and we were able to look forward to a 2-course menu in a very pleasant atmosphere. If you prefer, you can also book a 3-course menu. We could choose whether we wanted a starter or a dessert. Not really a question for us – it’s always dessert!

The restaurant was very busy and I later discovered many of the other guests in the Variety Hall. But it’s also a great offer to book food and show as an “all-round happy package” and enjoy a wonderful evening.

Patrick had opted for the dish “Ranchen von der geschmochten Lammkeue”. This was served with pea puree, pumpkin and potato dumplings and fried mushrooms. The meat was very good and cooked to perfection – he really enjoyed it.

Dessert was clearly the highlight and crowning glory of the menu. We were served a small semolina cake, a scoop of pomegranate yogurt ice cream and mango ragout. The ice cream was rolled in a slightly crunchy layer (the menu said sellou). The combination not only made it melt less quickly, but also gave the ice cream a certain zing.

After the first part of our visit to the Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig, we were already very satisfied and of course very excited to see what would await us in the show.

Visit to the show “ RISKANT – Variety of Extremes”

The Varieté hall is right next to the restaurant. We had enough time after our meal to enter the hall, which was still quite empty at first. There are tables with 2, 4 or 6 chairs directly in front of the stage. At the back of the hall, you sit a little higher up and there are also seats on the tier.

Drinks and snacks can be ordered before the show (and during the interval). You can then enjoy these during the show, if you don’t forget to do so in your amazement!

Even the show before the show is quite varied. A performer sat on stage in really unusual show clothes and polished huge knives and swords. Then an artist appeared who was making candy floss. This artist’s outfit reminded me a lot of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and made me want to see and learn more. The cotton candy was handed out by another artist, who I would have initially put in the clowning category. It later turned out that he was performing a show act with table tennis balls, which left me open-mouthed in amazement.

Of course, I don’t want to give too much away about the show. But I would like to whet your appetite for a visit. There were various artists who put on a breathtaking show: swords were swallowed, a bowling ball was hurled at the earlobe, body parts were bent in directions that I would never have guessed were possible and artistry at its finest was on display. The whole show was not for the faint-hearted and at times I asked myself “why is this done and how does it work”?

It was an entertaining and varied show that was over after what felt like 10 minutes and yet lasted 2 hours. We really enjoyed it!

If you want to spend an entertaining evening at the Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig, you should check the website for the current program.

Visitor information

Address

Magazinstraße 4
04109 Leipzig

Good to know

The visit to the Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig was part of the program of a press trip to Leipzig.