Cabaret in The Witcher 3: Boudoir or Theatrical, the Crimson Avenger, Polly and Rautlec's Race
Witcher 3 Cabaret quest: boudoir or theatrical and what each changes, how to let the Crimson Avenger win, Polly's fiancé and Rautlec's race. Best choices first.
In this article (0 sections)
Updated October 2026. Cabaret is the Novigrad side quest where Geralt helps Dandelion turn the old Rosemary and Thyme into a cabaret. It is short, but it has four choices, and the one most players look up is Boudoir or Theatrical. Here is what each choice changes and the full walkthrough. It starts after A Poet Under Pressure, the suggested level is 14, and it fails if you haven't finished it before The Isle of Mists.
Quick answer
Boudoir or Theatrical: pick Theatrical if you want Dandelion happy. If you pick Boudoir yourself, he grumbles. Letting Priscilla choose is random, and he loves whatever she picks. Only the decor and his reaction change.
Crimson Avenger fight: let Dandelion win. It's 50 XP instead of 25, and parrying lets you lose without taking damage.
Polly's fiancé: let Dandelion talk. Polly takes the job either way.
Rautlec's debt: win the race for him for 80 crowns and a Mastercrafted saddle.
All Cabaret Choices and What They Change
| Choice | Options | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Fake fight with the Crimson Avenger | Lose to Dandelion / beat him / run | Losing (or running) is 50 XP, winning is 25 XP. Nothing else changes. |
| Cabaret style | Theatrical / Boudoir / Priscilla decides | The interior, plus Dandelion's reaction |
| Polly's fiancé Hubio | Let Dandelion explain / beat Hubio up | Whether Polly and Hubio stay together; she joins the cabaret either way |
| Rautlec's debt | Race for him / pay 200 crowns / leave him | Race win: 80 crowns + Mastercrafted saddle. Leaving him: no placards, but the quest still completes |
Boudoir or Theatrical: Which Style to Pick
The next morning, the dwarven builders ask Geralt and Priscilla how to redo the place. There are three answers:
- Theatrical: Dandelion's favorite. He's delighted when he sees it.
- Boudoir: if you pick it yourself, Dandelion says he had "something more theatrical" in mind.
- Let Priscilla choose: she picks at random. If it comes out Boudoir, Dandelion complains for a second, hears it was her idea, and loves it.
There is no reward difference and no later consequence. The choice only sets how the Chameleon looks inside for the rest of the game, and how Dandelion reacts. If you want the "right" answer, Theatrical is the one that fits him. Letting Priscilla decide is the most in-character option for Geralt.
Cabaret Walkthrough
1. The Loan from Sophronia
Dandelion needs money and has a plan to get it from Sophronia, an old flame. First, borrow a prop sword from Madame Irina, the theater troupe leader from The Play's the Thing. She asks for it back, but there is no way to return it. Then meet Dandelion outside Sophronia's house after dusk.
Geralt plays a masked brigand who "attacks" Sophronia, and Dandelion bursts in as the Crimson Avenger. You can use the lines from his script or ignore them. Then fight him with the blunt sword:
- Let him win (50 XP): parry his blows until the scene ends, so you don't take damage. Running away counts the same.
- Beat him (25 XP): Sophronia jumps in to protect him. Everything else plays out the same.
Unequip the wooden sword after the fight. It doesn't swap back on its own. With enemy upscaling on, Dandelion hits harder than you'd expect.
2. The Builders and the Style
Meet Dandelion at the Rosemary and Thyme in the morning (meditating inside triggers the scene). He isn't there, but Priscilla and the builders are. Pick the style as explained above. Priscilla says Dandelion went looking for the choreographer.
3. Polly the Choreographer
Dandelion is hammering on Polly's locked door. Use your Witcher Senses to find the key, which is in a bucket nearby. Inside, her fiancé Hubio won't let her work at what he thinks is still a brothel. Let Dandelion explain, or punch Hubio. Either way, Polly takes the job; the only difference is whether she and Hubio stay together.
4. Rautlec and the Placards
Dandelion ordered placards from a halfling artist, Rautlec, in Silverton. At his house, debt collectors are waiting. A fistfight starts whatever you say, but even if you lose, they tell you where he is: at the races near the Vegelbud Residence. There, Count de Luverten offers to cover Rautlec's debts if he wins one last bet. You can:
| Option | Cost | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Race for him and win | Free | 25 XP, 80 crowns, Mastercrafted saddle; debt cleared |
| Race for him and lose | 270 crowns, or give up | The debt grows because he bet on you |
| Pay his debt | 200 crowns | Debt cleared |
| Leave him to it | Free | No placards, but the quest doesn't fail |
Clearing the debt in any way gives another 25 XP, and Rautlec goes off to make the placards.
5. The Chameleon
Back in Novigrad, the place has its new look and a new name: the Chameleon. After a few words with Dandelion (70 + 50 XP), a messenger runs in: Priscilla has been attacked. That starts Carnal Sins.
Rewards
About 195 XP for the main steps, plus 25 XP for the placards and 25 XP for winning the race. Winning the race also gives 80 crowns and a Mastercrafted saddle. Letting Dandelion win the fake fight is worth 25 XP more than beating him.
Known Bugs
- No option to accept the quest: refuse, then talk to Dandelion again right away. The option usually appears.
- Rautlec's door stays locked with the thugs inside. On PC, the console command xy(533,1899) puts you inside the house, and xy(550,1900) gets you out.
- You spawn under the map when the race starts. Reload a save.
Video: Cabaret Best Choices
Frequently Asked Questions
QShould I choose boudoir or theatrical in Witcher 3?
Theatrical, if you want Dandelion to be happy with it. Boudoir only gets a grumble when you pick it yourself. Neither changes rewards or later quests.
QWhat happens if you let Priscilla choose?
She picks randomly. If she chooses Boudoir, Dandelion loves it once he hears it was her idea.
QShould I let Dandelion win the fight?
Yes. Letting the Crimson Avenger win gives 50 XP instead of 25. Parry his attacks to lose without taking damage.
QDoes Cabaret fail if you wait?
Yes. Finish it before The Isle of Mists, or it fails.
QWhat happens after Cabaret?
Priscilla is attacked during the opening of the Chameleon, which starts Carnal Sins.
Sources: in-game quest text and journal; quest details checked against the Witcher Wiki page for Cabaret. Screenshots: our own gameplay captures.
Kai Mercer covers game news, free games, release calendars and guides for xGamerss.
More from Kai Mercer →
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first!
Sign in or create an account to earn karma — or comment as a guest.