Favourite post- theatre drink spots?

[Square Peg2]

So I'm heading to New York solo in September, and plan on seeing a truly tragic amount of theatre during my 3 weeks there, both Broadway and off-Broadway.
 

I'm a bit of a night owl, and like I said, will be travelling alone, so I'm keen to find some places I can go to after a show and have either a drink or a meal while I process whatever I just saw. Some places that are not too crazy busy but have a nice atmosphere would be great. Would love to hear what your favourite places are! I'll be staying in the East Village, so happy to hear about locations midtown and closer to where I'm staying.

Thanks in advance!

 

[fyeahmaria]

Wouldn't call it a drink or meal spot, but imo the best place to go after seeing a show is Marie's Crisis! Musical theatre piano bar in the West Village.

[sewhite2]

Probably total cliche, but I love Sardi's. There's just an energy there that is so exciting

 

[YvanEhtNioj]

Take a cab or train over to Marie's Crisis in the East Village! I think nothing beats it. The energy there is really good. 

There's also a small gay bar on 9th ave called DBL that my friend's and I go to after shows. $5 drinks and good music. 

[Robbie2]

We always go to Bar Centrale on Restaurant Row -46th Street either prior or after a show!

[Miles2Go2]

Most of the places that popped to mind are near Theater District.

I echo the Sardi’s recommendation. It’s a “must go” for me every time I’m in NYC. If you don’t want a sit down meal, you could grab a drink and snacks at the upstairs bar.

As far as post-theater drinks, I love The Rum Bar, but it can be crazy busy after shows let out. Bond 45 (they also have a full menu, but I’ve never eaten there, but food looked good) is easier to get into after a show.

Another place I tried for first time last month was Butter. Superb. Owned by a star chef from The Food Channel. Great drinks and food.

Other places I like that are not as close to the Theater District are Aquagrill (Soho), Philip Marie (West Village), Cuba (Greenwich Village), Blue Smoke (financial district), and ABC Cocina (Flatiron District). Other than Aquagrill, I’ve not been to these other places post-evening-theater. I usually eat at them for brunch/lunch/pre-theater-dinner.

Hope that helps!

[uncageg]

YvanEhtNioj said: 

"There's also a small gay bar on 9th ave called DBL that my friend's and I go to after shows. $5 drinks and good music."

 

DBL is on 10th and 47th on the corner.

My go to is HURLEY'S on 48th across from the Walter Kerr.

For a gay bar with food I hop the 1 down to Christopher and go to JULIUS. Decent drink prices and delicious burgers among other things.

 

[Miles2Go2]

I also love Red Rooster (Harlem), but it would be a bit of a trek after an evening show. And although I love their Obamatinis, I wouldn’t trek out there if you didn’t plan to eat too.

Another place I tried out and liked a lot before My Fair Lady was The Smith (Upper West Side), which is super conveniently located near Lincoln Center if you are seeing MFL. They also have a few other locations in Manhattan.

I do tend to make reservations ahead of time for my meals. Of course, if you’re only looking to get drinks at the bar that’s probably not necessary.

[YvanEhtNioj]

uncageg said: "DBL is on 10th and 47th on the corner."


 

Thanks, I always forget its on 10th and not 9th. 

[ahhrealmonsters]

I wrote a very long post with suggestions, but then my browser refreshed, and I lost everything. Here's what I remember writing:

Midtown West/Hell's Kitchen- Hourglass Tavern (next to the Brooks Atkinson, lots of Broadway sightings, if that's your thing), B Side & B Squared (sister restaurants; brick oven individual pizza)

East Village - The Library (restaurant/bar in The Public Theater), Swift, The Wren, Veselka (famous Ukranian Diner w/ delicious, albeit overpriced pirogies). If you want brunch one day, go to Clinton Street Baking Company on the Lower East Side for the best pancakes you'll ever have.

HK & EV are both great areas, filled with lots of options. In both neighborhoods, you can get food in nearly every cuisine. Have a look at Yelp, or just walk around. Also, not sure how far east you'll be in the EV, but just a heads up that once you get into Alphabet City, it's a bit of a walk to the trains. The NR at 8th Street will take you straight to Times Square, but if you're all the way east on, say, Ave C or D, you'll need to leave yourself time (~20 min) to walk to the trains. It's very safe, if that's a question. Very different from the East Village depicted in Rent. I never felt weird walking around at night, but I also was a female in my early 20s during my time in the village, so it was a question for me.

[MarkBearSF]

Nothing like Sardi's post-theater.

[uncageg]

I also meant to add Sardi's. If the second floor is open, looking out over 44th is really cool. With Dolly at the Shubert I am sure it is extra special.

[Square Peg2]

Thank you so much everyone! I am busily taking notes and looking forward even more to checking some of these places out! Keep 'em coming if you think of any more, or any recommendations for someone who's been trapped in Australia for ten years and finally gets to return to New York City  

[Phillytheatreguy10]

The Glass House Tavern on 47th is fun and you just might get lucky and hob nob with Broadway folk- it’s an industry fave in the theatre scene. Also, Haswell Greens on 52nd across from the August Wilson is great and has live music.

[Miles2Go2]

Square Peg2 said: "Thank you so much everyone! I am busily taking notes and looking forward even more to checking some of these places out! Keep 'em coming if you think of any more, or any recommendations for someone who's been trapped in Australia for ten years and finally gets to return to New York City "

i do hope you will come back and post to let us know where you ate (and your impressions).  BTW, I love vacationing in NYC alone. 

 

[Miles2Go2]

Also, in reference to The Rum Bar, the rum punch is delish and $10 if you can get there during happy hour (Noon to 6 p.m., I believe).

[uncageg]

ahhrealmonsters said: "I wrote a very long post with suggestions, but then my browser refreshed, and I lost everything. Here's what I remember writing:

Midtown West/Hell's Kitchen- Hourglass Tavern (next to the Brooks Atkinson, lots of Broadway sightings, if that's your thing), B Side & B Squared (sister restaurants; brick oven individual pizza)

Is there another Hourglass Tavern? I was going to suggest the the Bettibar on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the Hourglass Tavern at 46th and 9th on Restaurant Row. Fun place.The two times I went there were a number of people there from the theatre community. And the "Brown Bag special" is fun if they still do it. A mystery beer in a bag and a shot for something like 10 bucks.

[bwayphreak234]

^ Are you guys thinking of Glasshouse Tavern, maybe?

[ahhrealmonsters]

bwayphreak234 said: "^ Are you guys thinking of GlasshouseTavern, maybe?"

Yes, thank you!

[ghostlight2]

"Is there another Hourglass Tavern? I was going to suggest the the Bettibar on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the Hourglass Tavern at 46th and 9th on Restaurant Row. Fun place.The two times I went there were a number of people there from the theatre community. And the "Brown Bag special" is fun if they still do it. A mystery beer in a bag and a shot for something like 10 bucks."

Hourglass Tavern has been around for decades, w 46th between 8th and 9th. It has been under new management for going on another decade, and its 2nd floor is a bar known as Bettibar. It is very thearter oriented, and is a great late night place. Happy hour is from 5-10. Yes, they still do mystery beer and a shot, and there are selections for $5. Great brunch, too. Highly recommended.

[mailhandler777]

I'm probably weird but I prefer to buy beer at Duane Reade and drink it in the comfort of my hotel room.

[(Insert Clever Name)]

Not a drink spot but a meal spot, Pongsri, it’s a little Thai place and it’s amazing! Never really a wait.

[BroadwayNYC2]

I usually head up to the UWS or down to the East Village for drinks. 

[ACL2006]

I've had several beers at Penn station while waiting for my train home.

[TheatreRocks]

Please Don't Tell on St. Mark's Place. You enter through a phone booth door in a hot dog restaurant. Very long wait times now due to increased popularity, but I've been going there for post show drinks for atleast 2 years now.