Elaine’s Cape May

Dinner and a movie is a timeless combination that always dishes out a great evening. However, Elaine’s Boutique Hotel in Cape May takes that idea and makes it their own with their dinner theatre. Inside the white, Victorian style mansion, guests enjoy a full course meal and a show.

Elaine's Boutique Hotel is located in the heart of Victorian Cape May; two blocks from the beach, one block from the Washington Street Mall, and within walking distance of all of Cape May's attractions.

A Little History
Originally built in 1864, Elaine’s was the home of Dr. Reed and his family. Dr. Reed was a wealthy doctor from Philadelphia. He had a young daughter named Emily, who had tuberculosis. In those days, it was thought that the cure for tuberculosis was fresh air. Naturally, the sea breeze found at the shore was the best remedy. The house was built for her special needs, and included an elevator. Sadly, Emily passed away at a young age and, according to the staff of Elaine’s, she is the ghost that still lingers in the building.

After Emily’s death, the house became a restaurant and bar called The Winchester. Twenty years ago, Shirley Long and her husband Ron bought the house, and turned it into the Elaine’s of today. At first, only classic plays were performed at the theatre, but Ron has a theatre and entertainment background and writes plays. Now, you can see Ron’s plays at Elaine’s as well.

Elaine’s Boutique Hotel

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offers you everything you go to Cape May for. Each hotel room here at Elaine's features individual climate control at your fingertips, a private hand tiled Victorian bath, cable television, pillow top mattresses with luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets and impressive queen size beds, buried beneath clouds of pillows, duvets and comforters. Each room at the hotel is completely unique and lavishly furnished.

You can spend your visit exploring, shopping or discovering the many attractions that have made Cape May one of America's favorite getaways. Then light up your night with a visit to Elaine's dazzling dining and entertainment theater... or just sip icy ale, fine wine or any of our delicious cocktails and cordials at Phinney's Pub.

And then there's the Dinner Theatre!
Their dinner theater package includes a full course dinner and the show. All dinner reservations include your choice of soup or salad, entree, dessert and coffee. They also offer a full bar and appetizers for an additional charge. You will choose from a selection of entrees, cooked to order. Dinners include your choice of soup or salad, vegetables du jour and mashed redskin potatoes. There is a kid-friendly menu available. Reservations are recommended and must be guaranteed with a credit card. (Note: There is a 3-hour cancellation notice requirement or your card will be charged for the full amount of reservation.) Adults: $47.95; Teens (13-17): $37.95; Children (12 and under): $27.95 (when ordering from children's menu only). Evening Seating is at 7:30pm. Please call for more availability.

The Dinner Theater invites you to enjoy their production, Downtown Stabby, showing through July 1. A classic murder-mystery take on the acclaimed PBS series, Downton Abbey, featuring jokes, music, jokes, dancing, jokes, butlers, jokes, dowager countesses and jokes!

Elaine’s Special Events

Throughout the year, Elaine's hosts a number of special events.

Parkin' Lot Party Pig Roast By Sailor Jerry (September 26): Sponsored by Sailor Jerry, Elaine's is hosting our 1st Annual Parkin' Lot Party Pig Roast! Live country band Ashville will be kickin' some tunes outside! $20 for the pig roast, which includes a Sailor Jerry cocktail. Our regular porch menu will also be available. BUT, if you aren't hungry, come for the fun anyway! Cornhole, Ring Toss, Live Music, Pin-Up Girl Arm Wrestling, & More!

Murder Mystery Weekends (September 4 & 5, October 2 & 3): Who done it?! Elaine’s needs your help to crack the case! Join us for a weekend of mystery and mayhem. You will be provided with clues throughout your weekend stay at Elaine’s. Friday evening, there will be a meet and greet cocktail reception where you will meet the potential suspects. Saturday evening, enjoy dinner and a show at our Famous Dinner Theater. Stick around after the show for more clues. Complimentary, made to order breakfast is served each morning. During Saturday morning breakfast you will receive another clue and finally on Sunday morning you will submit your theory. Whoever guesses correctly will receive a prize. Do you have what it takes to untangle a murder mystery?

Ghost Hunter Weekends (October 16 & 17, and November 6 & 7): Elaine's is a well documented Haunted House built in the 1880s. Come spend a weekend searching for spirits with help from the pros! Enjoy a two night stay at Elaine's Victorian Inn (you will love our delicious complimentary breakfast!). On Friday evening there will be a Welcome Reception with champagne and dessert. You will enjoy a private reading from our psychic Laurie Hull who has been investigating haunted locations for decades. Your weekend also includes dinner and a show at Elaine's Famous Dinner Theater and a Walking Ghost Tour around Cape May. On Saturday evening, you will explore Elaine's in search of spirits, using professional ghost detecting tools!

Elaine's Bed & Breakfast Inn is located at 513 Lafayette Street in Cape May. For more information, please call 609-884-4358 or go to elainesdinnertheater.com.

6/10/15

Photo by Jessica Westerland

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Author: R. Cohen Ohlstein, Jessica Westerland