With dinner, cocktails and a live music set, Nirvana is bringing its restaurant to your driveway – and supporting Darwin musicians in the process

A DARWIN restaurant known for its live music is helping to keep Darwin musicians in work during the COVID-19 venue shutdown.

Scott Murphy performs for birthday girl Kristy Love and friends Sarah Makin and Christi Hamon. Picture: Che Chorley

A DARWIN restaurant known for its live music has helped to keep Darwin musicians in work during the COVID-19 venue shutdown.

Larrakeyah restaurant Nirvana is offering live music played at a customer’s home while they enjoy the eatery’s delicious food.

Nirvana owner Jason Hanna said the hospitality and entertainment industries needed to adapt to the unprecedented measures.

“Collectively as an industry, we had to start cutting musicians’ gigs about two weeks before the shutdown,” he said.

“So those poor buggers have been without anything for longer than us.

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“Although this isn’t a lot, it’s a little something, and they’ve really embraced it and let us create something that has a real ‘feel-good’ moment to it.”

Nirvana has aligned with musicians Mark Usher, Matt Hellak, Scott Murphy and Chris Clarke to play the gigs, with a potential for the service to extend beyond the Berrimah Line in future, which is the current zone limit for the offer.

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Kristy Love had musicians play at her birthday and said the experience was excellent.

“We had a great time, it was like glamping on your kerbside, and the food was amazing,” she said.

“It was great to enjoy a wine and dine with close friends, something we’ve been deprived of.

“It’s the most fun we’ve had in a month.”

Scott Murphy performs for birthday girl Kristy Love and friends Sarah Makin and Christi Hamon. Picture: Che Chorley

“I think it could be a huge hit for the families or the date nights out there.

“To have it as an option, it’s still romantic, but it’s low key and safe to do in your home, you don’t have to worry about heading out.”