Dinner Before
MJ the Musical
at QPAC
MJ the Musical is the hottest ticket at QPAC right now, and Poppies is right next door. We're a two-minute walk from the Lyric Theatre on Little Stanley Street — the perfect place for a relaxed pre-show dinner before the curtain rises.
Plan Your Evening
Dinner & MJ the Musical
A 7:30 PM show? Here's how we'd plan your evening — arrive at 5:30, enjoy a relaxed dinner, and walk to the Lyric Theatre with time to spare.
5:30 PM
Arrive at Poppies
Settle in with a cocktail
5:45 PM
Starters & Drinks
Share plates hit the table
6:15 PM
Mains Served
Plenty of time to enjoy
7:15 PM
Walk to QPAC
2 minutes, flat & easy
7:30 PM
Curtain Up
MJ the Musical begins
At the Lyric Theatre
About MJ the Musical
The multiple Tony Award-winning MJ the Musical brings Michael Jackson's artistry to the Lyric Theatre stage. Set in 1992 during rehearsals for the Dangerous World Tour, the show weaves together over 25 of his greatest hits with electrifying choreography and a story about the creative process behind the music.
It's one of the biggest productions QPAC has hosted this year, and South Bank comes alive on show nights. The precinct fills up early, which is exactly why booking your dinner ahead makes all the difference.
Venue
Lyric Theatre
Show Time
7:30 PM
Status
Now Playing
Walk from Poppies
2 Minutes
Get the timing right
Timing Your Pre-Show Dinner
MJ the Musical starts at 7:30 PM most evenings. That gives you a comfortable window for a proper sit-down dinner — not a rushed bite, but a genuine meal with time to enjoy it. Here's what we'd suggest.
Friday & Saturday
5:30 PM
Our busiest nights. Book for 5:30 and you'll have two full hours to enjoy cocktails, starters, and mains at a relaxed pace before the short walk to QPAC.
Weeknights
6:00 PM
Quieter evenings mean faster service and more flexibility. An hour and a half is plenty of time for a full dinner without watching the clock.
Our Promise
Seated, served & on your way in 60 minutes
Just mention your show time when you book. Our kitchen will pace your courses so you enjoy every bite without rushing. We've been feeding QPAC audiences since we opened on Little Stanley Street — pre-show dining is what we do.
Running tight on time? Give us a call on 0439 621 964 and we'll work something out. We can absolutely accommodate closer bookings — we just want to make sure you enjoy the evening.
From our kitchen to your table
What to Order Before the Show
You don't need to sacrifice quality for speed. These are our most popular pre-show picks — dishes that arrive quickly, taste incredible, and leave you satisfied without feeling heavy before the theatre.
Start With
Sourdough & Trio Dips
$15Butternut pumpkin hummus, chive cream cheese, and dill yoghurt. Perfect to share while you settle in.
Served in 5 minCoconut-Infused Calamari
$19Crispy coconut calamari with dried chilli and house garlic aioli. Light enough to leave room for mains.
Served in 8 minPulled Pork Bao Buns
$21Three BBQ pulled pork bao buns with cucumber, coriander, carrot and ssamjang sauce. A crowd favourite.
Served in 8 minFor Your Main
Snow Crab Linguine
$35Snow crab meat, garlic and chilli emulsion, house-made Japanese master stock and white wine. Our most popular dinner dish.
Crispy Skin Barramundi
$36Pan-seared barramundi with cauliflower puree, sauteed greens and miso emulsion. Light, elegant, and quick to the table.
Mushroom & Cream Risoni
$34Master stock with mushrooms, garlic, shallots, cream and pecorino. A rich vegetarian option that never disappoints.
Something to Sip
Espresso Martini
$22Classic espresso martini with Allpress coffee. The perfect pre-show pick-me-up.
Pink Poppies
$21Our signature house cocktail — vodka, Malibu, cranberry, lime and lemonade. Light and refreshing.
Aperol Spritz
$21The classic Italian aperitif. Bright, bubbly, and ideal for a warm Brisbane evening.
Right next door
The Walk to QPAC
Poppies sits on Little Stanley Street, right in the heart of South Bank. The Lyric Theatre is a flat, two-minute walk along the promenade. No hills, no crossing busy roads, no rushing. You'll pass the parklands and the river on the way — it's one of the nicest short walks in Brisbane.
2-Minute Walk
Flat path along the South Bank promenade, directly to the Lyric Theatre entrance.
Little Stanley Street
We're at Shop B11 — right in the middle of South Bank's dining precinct.
No Rush Needed
Leave Poppies 15 minutes before curtain and you'll still have time to find your seat.
Book Your Pre-Theatre Table
MJ the Musical is one of the busiest shows QPAC has seen this year. South Bank fills up on show nights, and our pre-show tables go quickly — especially on Fridays and Saturdays.
Mention your show time in the booking notes and we'll pace your service perfectly. No rushing, no stress — just a great dinner before a great show.
QPAC Dining Guide
See all upcoming QPAC shows and plan your pre-show dinner for any performance.
The South Bank Evening
Cocktails, dinner, and riverside walks — how to spend an evening on Little Stanley Street.
All South Bank Guides
Morning walks, family days, dog-friendly spots, and more — explore all our local guides.