Cabaret
The cabaret scene in New York is amongst
the best in the world. A sophisticated night on the town in
Manhattan certainly includes a drink in one of the classic
cabaret venues. You can’t do better than Bobby Short and the
Café Carlyle, but there are plenty of other talented performers
around too. Expect to pay between $10 and $25 in cover charges
for most venues, along with drink or food minimums.
Café Carlyle
Carlyle Hotel
781 Madison Ave. (At 76th street)
Phone: 212 744-1600
It’s no accident that the Carlyle is listed here first. Café
Carlyle is the best cabaret venue in the city bar none. This is
the home of cabaret legend Bobby Short and on Mondays you
can hear the Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band, better known as
the band for whom Woody Allen play clarinet. Besides the obvious
star power, Café Carlyle features an intimate and classy room.
You can’t do better for a special evening, but expect at least
a $50 cover.
Lucky Cheng's
24 First Avenue
New York, NY 10009
Phone: 212-473-0516
Lucky Cheng’s is a fun restaurant with a few surprises. The
surprises aren’t found in the food, but rather in who’s
serving it. In the spirit of La Cage aux Folles, the servers are
all female impersonators. Although not genuine cabaret venue,
the Lucky Cheng staff performs nightly to the delight of the
patrons. An interesting mix of people visit Lucky Cheng’s,
making it a great place to have a couple of drinks and enjoy the
atmosphere.
The Supper Club
240 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 921-1940
On Friday and Saturday the Supper Club is one of the premier
Cabaret venues in the City. There is a pre-theater dinner
beginning at 5:30pm. At 8:00Pm The Supper Club Big Band begins
featuring Swing music from the 1940’s. There is also a Swing
review (in 2 sets of 30 min. each), a tribute to the performers
of the 1940’s that involves singing and dancing. There is also
a jump swing band that plays late night from 1:00am to 4:00am.
Danny's Skylight Room at the Grand
Sea Palace
346 W 46th St. between Eighth and
Ninth Aves (265-8133).
No cover for Piano Bar; $6
to $15 for Skylight Room, food-and drink minimum $10.
This terrific room is located inside the Grand Sea Palace. It’s
one of the best venues in the city to sit, have dinner, knock
back a couple of drinks and listen to some great music. The
Skylight room features locally renowned talent in a room that
has the appropriate atmosphere. Also check out the piano bar, it
has good performers without the cover.
Don't Tell Mama
343 W 46th St between Eighth and Ninth Ave.
(212) 757-0788
Cover varies, two-drink minimum.
Not really the classic cabaret experience, Don’t Tell Mama
features singing waitresses who take turns stealing the
spotlight. The atmosphere is casual and the staff is friendly,
as well as talented. The cover varies, but it’s always worth
it.
Duplex
6I Christopher St at Seventh Ave South
(212) 255-5438
Cover $3-$12, two drink minimum.
The Duplex is a fun place where the show isn’t always on
stage. Formerly an almost entirely gay establishment, the Duplex
now brings in an eclectic, but consummately hip crowd. It’s
gone upscale with a stylish interior and outdoor seating, but
the general mood is anything goes. The cabaret acts aren’t
exactly waiting for the call from the Carlyle, but they’re
always entertaining.
Eighty Eight's
228 W 10th St between Bleacher and Hudson
Sts
(212) 924-0088
Cover $8-$15, two drink minimum.
This is one of the under-appreciated cabaret venues in the city.
The covers are usually cheap and the performers are mostly good.
Mostly. The talent level is inconsistent, but the room is
attractive and it’s a nice place to have a cocktail.
The FireBird Cafe
363 W 46th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves
(212) 586-0244
Cover $30, two drink minimum.
The Oak Room
Algonquin Hotel, 59 W 44th St between Fifth and
Sixth Aves
(212) 840-6800
Cover $30, minimum $15.
Dinner required Fri, Sat at early show.
Located inside the Algonquin Hotel, the Oak Room is one of the
classic cabaret venues in the city. Along with the incomparable
Café Carlyle, it defines the quintessential New York cabaret
experience. You can’t go wrong here, but if you’re going to
spend $50 on a cover, you might think about going to the source
a.k.a. The Carlyle.
