Empress Tavern

Name: Empress Tavern
Address: 1013 K Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, US
Telephone: +19164763356
Rating: 4.5

The owners of Empress Tavern are partnering with Alchemist CDC to launch a truly unique Sacramento food venue. Grand Opening July 2025!
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Private dining, private events, special events, regular community programming, and more: grand opening in July 2025! In addition to hosting private dining and special events, Alchemist CDC is committed to scheduling regular programming and welcoming the community back into Empress Tavern. We will have a calendar of events of all kinds including cooking classes, "Dinner and a Movie" nights, game ni

ghts, live music and art - truly something for everyone. Our culinary program for these events will be built around featuring businesses and entrepreneurs in our Alchemist Kitchen programs, farmers and vendors from our farmers' markets, and collaborations with other chefs and restaurants. Empress Tavern, located beneath the historic Crest Theatre on K Street in Sacramento, opened in 2015 as a bold reimagining of a former underground movie auditorium. With its dramatic vaulted brick ceilings, open kitchen, and a focus on hearty, meat-centric fare, the tavern quickly earned a reputation as a destination for both locals and visitors. The restaurant’s name honors the original Empress Theatre, the early 20th-century predecessor to the Crest. After a brief pandemic-related closure, Empress returned in 2023 with a renewed energy and commitment to providing a vibrant, welcoming space in the heart of downtown Sacramento. With its distinctive blend of atmosphere and culinary craft, the tavern continued to evolve while remaining rooted in the character and history of its unique location. In 2025, Empress Tavern will enter a new chapter through a partnership with Alchemist CDC, a local nonprofit dedicated to connecting communities to local food and economic opportunity. This collaboration will bring a fresh culinary concept to life, blending the creativity and quality Empress is known for with Alchemist’s mission-driven approach. Together, they aim to create a space that not only celebrates Sacramento’s diverse food culture, but also supports local farmers, food entrepreneurs, and equitable access to good food for all. The space itself, situated in the basement of the historic Crest Theatre, is eclectic, unique, and beautiful with an open kitchen, 170 dining seats, large booths and a chef’s table for private dining.

05/26/2026

Long weekend making you feel like this Tuesday is a Monday? Chana has a fix for that! Come get tacos from 5-8 tonight! Taco Tuesdays at Empress with Chana at the grill and DJ Tee Tee on the decks.

05/21/2026

Join us for an intimate, hands-on pasta-making class with Chef Jason of Pasta Therapy.

Inspired by recent training at the Vecchia Scuola Bolognese in Italy, you'll learn to make ravioli, tagliatelle, and hand-shaped pastas from scratch, enjoy a pasta tasting, and take home the pasta you’ve created.

Expect flour, laughs, and plenty of pasta.

Tickets at bit.ly/pasta-therapy

05/19/2026

Chef Najeary of Jerkies 916 is back with a Sunday dinner. Experience an immersive taste of Jamaica at Empress Tavern on Memorial Day.

Chef's famous Jerk chicken, oxtail, curry goat, and vegan coconut curry are all on the menu. Don't miss it. DJ Kfacil on the ones and twos spinning all evening.

Sunday, May 24, 5-8 at Empress on K Street in downtown sac.

05/12/2026

Your weekly wait is almost over. Countdown to Taco Tuesdays with Chana's BBQ at Empress Tavern (below The Crest) on K Street in Downtown Sac. Birria, quesabirria, street tacos, and killer vegan options. From 5pm til' 8 or we sell out! See you tonight? Alchemist Community Development Corporation Crest Sacramento

05/08/2026

One of our newest partners has quickly become one of our favorite partners - Juma Ventures!

Juma provides restaurant and hospitality workforce development and paid, on the job training for young adults ages 18-24.

We launched Alchemist Events Empress Tavern with Juma in 2025 and are looking forward to expanding our partnership at Alchemist Public Market in 2027!

We're working together to train and empower Sacramento's next generation of hospitality professionals!

Support this dynamic collaboration: https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/organization/AlchemistCDC

05/07/2026

Alchemist Kitchen programs help small food entrepreneurs get their start in the Farm to Fork economy. We're especially proud to work with entrepreneurs creating packaged products.

As Director of Economic Development, Jacob Sacks, shares, "when they get their first product made, in a package, with a beautiful label on it...getting on the shelf of a grocery store is a dream come true."

Thank you to our friends at Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op for featuring TWELVE Alchemist Kitchen entrepreneurs on your shelves!

Big Day of Giving donors who give between 1:00pm and 3:00pm today will be entered into a drawing for a gift box of Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program packaged items (valued at $50.00).

Give now: https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/organization/AlchemistCDC

05/05/2026

Happy Cinco De Mayo! It's a Taco Tuesday Takeover. Chef Chana behind the grill, DJ Tee Tee behind the decks.

$2 movie night at Crest Sacramento and Pulp Fiction is playing. No $5 shakes, but we will have $3 carnitas tacos! See you tonight.

05/03/2026

What are you doing next Sunday? Celebrate with Caribe Azul at Empress Tavern. bit.ly/caribeazul

Tickets are going quickly!

03/31/2026

Looking to host something unforgettable?

Empress Tavern isn’t just about amazing meals, we also make the perfect spot for private events, large groups, or corporate gatherings! 🥂

We’ll craft a menu and experience that fits your group and leaves everyone talking. Let us handle the details while you and your guests enjoy the food, drinks, and vibes. 🍽️✨

Check out our private event options and book your date now! 👇
https://www.empresstavern.com/private-dining

03/26/2026

From Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program entrepreneur kitchen takeovers to special events and everything in between, there's always something worth celebrating!🍸🎶

Got an Alchemist Events at Empress Tavern on your radar? Tag the friend you’re bringing with you! 👇

We’ll save you a seat at the bar. 😉

Address

1013 K Street
Sacramento, CA
95814

Telephone

+19164763356

Website

https://www.empresstavern.com/

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