noun
tearoom attached to a theater (esp. kabuki)
Historical term for a tea house located within or adjacent to a kabuki theater, where patrons could rest and take refreshments during performances.
江戸時代、芝居茶屋は観客が幕間に休憩する場所だった。
In the Edo period, shibai-jaya were places where audiences rested during intermissions.
Compound of 芝居 (shibai, 'play, theater') and 茶屋 (chaya, 'tea house'). The reading ぢゃや reflects historical yotsugana usage.