Located beneath the historic Crest Theater, Alchemist Events at Empress Tavern is home to a dynamic culinary program led by celebrated Sacramento chef Dennis Sydnor. Here, chef-driven menus meet rotating kitchen takeovers and exciting pop-ups, giving guests the chance to experience the creativity of Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program entrepreneurs - some of the most innovative emerging culinary talents in our region!

Our menus highlight farms and food producers from Alchemist CDC Certified Farmers’ Markets, keeping Sacramento’s food system at the center of every dish. And through our partnership with Juma Ventures [link to website], young adults gain hands-on hospitality training and real, paid career pathways - building a stronger and more inclusive future for Sacramento’s food and restaurant industry.

Whether you’re joining us for a public event, discovering the next big food trend, or hosting a milestone celebration, every experience with Alchemist Events at Empress Tavern supports a Sacramento where everyone is invited to the table and our city’s abundance reaches every fork.