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NYC's Best Bars for Broadway Fans

Where to dine and drink with the Broadway elite in Manhattan's Theater District

The food and drink surrounding a trip to Broadway should be just as memorable as the show. Broadway fans, before or after a show, head to the Theater District to experience it all firsthand. Check out these venues, all of which provide a place to grab a drink, relish the nightlife, and encounter the magic of Broadway all at once.

Best of NYC Broadway Bars: The Rum House (Theater District)

A well-regarded signature cocktail and jazz establishment in the Theater District, the handsome Rum House is a throwback to the earlier days of NYC, located in the Edison Hotel entrance. The swanky, candlelit, wood-paneled piano bar draws the well-heeled pre-and post-theater crowds, and it's just around the corner from Times Square. 228 West 47th Street, 646-490-6924, therumhousenyc.com

Best of NYC Broadway Bars: Lillie's Victorian Establishment (Theater District) 

The bar's namesake, Lillie Langtry, was a British thespian and socialite of the late 19th century, who came to the United States in 1882 to see her acting dream come true. On the evening of her debut, An Unequaled Match, at the New York Park Theatre, the building burned to the ground, leaving only a charred sign bearing the words “Lillie Langtry.” Stepping into Lillie's is like entering another time, with decor created from pieces from an 1800s Northern Ireland estate. The bar includes a range of more than 50 domestic and imported beers, as well as a large selection of whiskeys, scotches, and wines. 249 W. 49th Street, 212-957-4530, lilliesnyc.com

 

Best of NYC Broadway Bars: Playwright Tavern

For more casual fare in a cheery setting, Playwright Tavern is a warm two-story Irish pub, featuring American fare and live music Thursday through Sunday, 10pm-1am. The wood-paneled dining room is adorned with Broadway memorabilia. Participate in special events too, such as National Scotch Day, and more. A weekend brunch is also available if you're catching a matinee. 202 W 49th St, playwrighttavern.com

Best of NYC Broadway Bars: Haven Rooftop

Offering a welcoming respite from the bustling Broadway crowds below, The Haven Rooftop is located in the Sanctuary Hotel. A variety of trees and floral arrangements accent the 2500 square-foot space, with plush earth-tone seating areas & sheer white fabric draped among the intimate cabanas, creating a sultry and inviting aesthetic. In the winter months, it's enclosed and heated. 132 West 17th Street, 212-466-9000, havenrooftop.com

Best of NYC Broadway Bars: Don’t Tell Mama (Theater District)

Don’t Tell Mama is at the heart of Restaurant Row, and puts patrons in the middle of all the theater action. This bar boasts a restaurant, live piano, and two cabaret showrooms, so you’re covered no matter what kind of time you seek. You'll be entertained by a talented singing waitstaff and pianist — and you're welcome to sing along. From 9pm onward (after the live piano music from 5pm to 9pm and happy hour from 4pm to 8pm), the Broadway-belting staff is there to keep you entertained and well served. If you believe life really is a cabaret, there's also an open mic night that welcomes audience members. 343 W. 46th St., 212-757-0788, donttellmamanyc.com

Best of NYC Broadway Bars: Bar Centrale (Theater District)

Have you ever wondered what it felt like to hang out in a covert speakeasy? Bar Centrale unlocks the mystery. The entrance is unmarked, so anyone who isn't in on the secret would think this bar is simply another vintage brownstone. Don’t pass by this unassuming nightspot if you need a sip of something special before or after a show — especially if you’re also feeling peckish. In addition to the wine and beer menu, Bar Centrale has a wide variety of food to sample, including the shrimp cocktail, a Maine lobster quesadilla, and a dependable favorite, the flatbread pizza. 324 W. 46th St., 212-581-3130, barcentralenyc.com

Best of NYC Broadway Bars: Sardi’s (Theater District)

Sardi’s is synonymous with Broadway, and it’s known worldwide as a terrific watering hole — although you may find yourself staying for lunch or dinner. An icon in the Theater District, you’re sure to catch fans of the stage shooting the breeze here. Caricatures of Broadway celebrities hang on the walls, including the immortal Kermit the Frog, who dropped by when the Muppets took Manhattan. 234 W. 44th St., 212-221-8440, sardis.com

Best of NYC Broadway Bars: Joe Allen (Theater District) 

Fans of Bar Centrale should also be sure to check out the related Joe Allen restaurant for an extensive menu of wines, beers on draft and by the bottle, and genuinely great grub. It's a singular venue with a Broadway-themed décor celebrating a deep dive into the shows of yesteryear. Since being gifted a poster for the less-than-memorable show “Kelly” back during the restaurant’s opening year, more and more memorabilia of shows that flopped have come to take one last bow here. 326 W. 46th St., 212-581-6464, joeallenrestaurant.com

 

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