NEW YORK — Penny Lane and Wolverine walk into a bar and sing “Sweet Caroline.”
This might sound like something out of a fever dream, but it’s exactly what happened when Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson surprised fans at a New York City bar with a lively performance of Neil Diamond’s greatest hits on Monday night.
The performance was in anticipation of their upcoming musical film, “Song Sung Blue,” which is about a real-life Neil Diamond tribute band.
Earlier in the evening, Hudson and Jackman attended the 2025 Gotham Awards, where they received the inaugural Gotham Musical Tribute. Other celebrities followed the stars to Old Mates, an Australian pub in NYC’s Financial District known for hosting big names from down under. Chris Rock was spotted ahead of the pair’s performance, and throughout the night, “Heathers” actor Christian Slater and actress Zoey Deutch also made their way to the star-studded pop-up.
Jackman took the stage just after 10 p.m., and the bar was packed from wall to wall. He introduced Hudson, who walked on stage holding a beer. The pair kicked off their three-song set with Diamond’s “Forever in Blue Jeans” and “Crunchy Granola Suite.”
Fans were in for a treat for the finale with the classic “Sweet Caroline,” during which Jackman climbed on top of the bar.
“Raise the roof,” Jackman cheered ahead of the chorus. “One more time, here we go!”
Afterwards, the crowd cheered for an encore, with some attendees hoping Hudson would sing “Tiny Dancer” like her character in “Almost Famous,” but to no avail.
Instead, Jackman, an Aussie himself, was honored by Old Mates and rang a bell behind the bar (which an Old Mates team member said was reserved for “special guests”). As the bell tolled, silver confetti burst over the bar, showering patrons in the festivities.
Jackman then served a few beers to fans, and Hudson joined her friends, sitting on top of a booth seat and sipping on her beer.
Good times truly never felt so good.
‘Song Sung Blue’ release date, trailer
“Song Song Blue” releases in theaters on Christmas Day. Watch the trailer here.