Broadway theatre drinks!

[Saralou]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 11:53pm

Kind of a random question but I thought it might interest others as well and there is not a lot of information online about the bar menus at the theaters.

I know many of the shows have special/themed cocktails in souvenir cups, but I assume they are pretty pricey. I am seeing a few shows this weekend when I'm in town from Florida and may splurge on one, but dont want to get many if they're $20+ apiece and especially if they dont taste particularly good.

Does anyone have any pictures of drink menus, insight on pricing or even recommendations for cocktails that were tasty?

Thanks!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 12:45am

There are entry of bars in the theater district. Treat yourself to a nice cocktail at one of them after the show. It'll be much cheaper.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 5:47am

I don't even think buying a soda is worth it from bway concessions, so the prices of a cocktail are out of question for me. I dont think too many have a specialty drink - although its not unheard of. So other than the one they might have, the bar is pretty standard.

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 7:43am

I don't have photos of drink menus (perhaps if you look through instagram someone may have posted them) but they're definitely at least $25 for cocktails (and at least $10 for mocktails and at least $7 for sodas/seltzer.) For a double (equivalent to half-bottle of wine the cost is at least $40). If you just want the souvenir cup, it costs $5 (that's why when you come back for refills, the bartender always tells you it's $5 off since you're just paying for the drink; not the drink and souvenir cup.) They make it sound like a discount though. On top of that, make sure to tip!!! If you're buying a round of drinks, the total can easily go over $100. A lot of places can also take preorders during the pre-show so your cocktail would be ready at intermission without any wait. 

It is crazy pricing but the way I think of it is it's similar pricing at a fancy hotel bar and let's face it, having a Broadway theatre experience is a luxury. Also, I always see a line at the bar during the pre-show and intermission of any show I watch so even at those prices people are still willing to spend $$$. Drinks at off-bway theaters and off off off off off off bway places are a lot cheaper.

Updated On: 1/9/19 at 07:43 AM

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 8:42am

I almost always get a drink (soda) and pay from $7-$10, I like to get the souvenir cup.   90% of the  time the bar as a list of specialties drinks that have "cute" names tied to the show.   These are pricey $15 and up.    I would say them NOT having a specialty drink list (usually 3 or 4) would be the exception.   

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 9:04am

OKBroadwayFan said: "I almost always get a drink (soda) and pay from $7-$10, I like to get the souvenir cup."

I just smuggle my drinks in and grab a cup off the floor on the way out.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 11:28am

Enjoy a cocktail at the upstairs bar at Sardi's across from the Shubert. Enjoy the famous caricatures, particularly the ones done by Hirschfeld.

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 11:36am

OP, what is it that you're interested in - the drink, or the souvenir cup? If the cup, you can often find them littering the floor of the theatre at the end of the show. Just pick one up and pop it in the dishwasher when you get home. :)

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 11:52am

Lot666 said: "OP, what is it that you're interested in - the drink, or the souvenir cup? If the cup, you can often find them littering the floor of the theatre at the end of the show. Just pick one upand pop it in the dishwasher when you get home. :)"

I've done that before and never had issues. In fact, when I have friends over for drinks at my place, I use my Broadway souvenir cups and each person gets a different show cup (to avoid any confusion as to the owner of the drink!) 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 12:00pm

Stage Door Sally said: "Enjoy a cocktail at the upstairs bar at Sardi's across from the Shubert. Enjoy the famous caricatures, particularly the ones done by Hirschfeld."

Though he frequented Sardi’s, Al Hirschfeld never did a caricature for Sardi’s.  He was approached but as he solely drew his work in black and white, it didn’t fit the full color concept Sardi’s uses.   

 

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 12:04pm

Thanks for that, I thought a lot of the good ones were by Hirschfeld!

[Kitsune]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 12:52pm

Slightly off-topic, but I'd like to point out that Groundhog Day had the perfect opportunity to serve Sweet Vermouth on the Rocks with a Twist as one of its signature show drinks, and didn't (there were some other signature drinks). I've never had it before myself, but it must be disgusting 

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 1:11pm

Kitsune said: "Slightly off-topic, but I'd like to point out that Groundhog Day had the perfect opportunity to serve Sweet Vermouth on the Rocks with a Twist as one of its signature show drinks, and didn't (there were some other signature drinks). I've never had it before myself, but it must be disgusting"

Did that make it into the show or just the movie?

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 1:14pm

haterobics said: "Kitsune said: "Slightly off-topic, but I'd like to point out that Groundhog Day had the perfect opportunity to serve Sweet Vermouth on the Rocks with a Twist as one of its signature show drinks, and didn't (there were some other signature drinks). I've never had it before myself, but it must be disgusting"

Did that make it into the show or just the movie?"

It was in the show!

[Browneyes142]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 1:18pm

Lot666 said: "OP, what is it that you're interested in - the drink, or the souvenir cup? If the cup, you can often find them littering the floor of the theatre at the end of the show. Just pick one upand pop it in the dishwasher when you get home. :)"

 

There's never a guarantee of leftover cups, especially at a popular show. 

Also, some places won't let you buy just the cup, but at $7-10, cheapest souvenier you can get. I've also had theaters where they offer a free refill at intermission, so you're paying $10 for 2 sodas and get to keep the cup. Just think of movie theater pricing or souvenier prices and it's a good deal .

 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 1:52pm

Browneyes142 said: "Also, some places won't let you buy just the cup, but at $7-10, cheapest souvenier you can get. I've also had theaters where they offer a free refill at intermission, so you're paying $10 for 2 sodas and get to keep the cup. Just think of movie theater pricing or souvenier prices and it's a good deal ."

I know for sure at Shubert houses you get the cups with a soda for $5 (whether it the production has chosen to make a show specific cup or it's the generic Shubert cup) and you can then re-use those cups at any other Shubert house for a discount. I believe it's a $5 discount or a free soda.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 1:58pm

Stage Door Sally said: "Enjoy a cocktail at the upstairs bar at Sardi's across from the Shubert. Enjoy the famous caricatures, particularly the ones done by Hirschfeld."

 

I was up there a few weeks ago. I love to sit by the window. unfortunately that scaffolding was up and blocked part of the view. I think it is still up.

 

[Batgirl478]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 2:49pm

I just saw Mean Girls this past weekend and I did get a themed cocktail, On Wednesdays We Wear Pink. It was ok. I got a single and I don't remember the exact price but it was more than $20 and I think the double was around $31. 

[Saralou]

Posted: 1/9/19 at 9:38pm

Thank you for all the responses! I know there are more affordable and better quality drinks elsewhere, obviously you pay a premium for the convenience and novelty of having the drink in the theatre. I was more looking for opinions on what drinks were worth trying and approximately how much to expect to pay. I got some good insight! thank you.

[MediumSonya]

Posted: 4/21/20 at 1:58pm

At the last couple shows I've been to, I picked up cups from under the seats afterwards ("Thrift, Thrift Horatio!". Are they dishwasher safe? Is it safe to put hot drinks like tea or coffee in them? Thanks!

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/21/20 at 2:02pm

At least when I was working at the Barrymore the bartenders there always said hand wash them. I don't know if they ever said anything about hot drinks, but they are a relatively thin plastic, so I'm not sure that I would personally use them for a hot beverage, especially since it means they would go cold pretty quickly.

[MediumSonya]

Posted: 4/21/20 at 2:35pm

Thanks for the advice!