Favorite spots for Pre-Broadway Drinks/Dinner

I remember there was a thread about this, but I can't seem to find it. Considering many places have opened and closed since the pre-pandemic era, I'm curious to know about your favorite spots to visit before a show (apart from Sardi's, of course).

One of my go-to spots, Vodka Soda/Bottoms Up, sadly didn't survive the pandemic (RIP). Recently, I've been enjoying The Dickens on 8th Ave. It's a new gay bar/restaurant with a cute little rooftop, prompt service, and easy bites.

I'd love to hear about your favorite spots to hang out before a show (bonus points if you can get a cocktail for less than $16)

Emmy Squared. 48th and 8th.

• Hurley's > Glass House (because you can actually hear yourself think)
• Everyone seems to like Haswell Green's
• Dolly Varden (51/8th)
• Hold Fast and Blue Lady on Restaurant Row
• Valerie and its sibling bar are great for theaters closer to 6th Ave, but probably best not to show up without a reservation.
• The Independent (40&7)
• For a real quick drink, the multitude of Irish bars in midtown can get the job done (especially for theaters closer to 6th Ave) and often have some seating.
• 9th in the high 40s-50s has a number of great Mexican, Thai, and Mediterranean spots
• Drama Bookshop for coffee

What are the bars like in the Marriot Marquis? Obviously more touristy, but there's never a huge crowd on the occasions when I've gone up to use the public bathroom.

Updated On: 4/11/24 at 05:30 PM

You can't beat Junior's right on Shubert Alley, or their 2nd location further up Broadway near The Winter Garden. Delicious food, great prices and a perfect location when going to the theatre. The majority of my meals are always eaten at Junior's when going to NYC. Will be there at the end of the month for 8 days, and seeing 13 shows.

Bodega on 47th and 9th. The couple behind the much missed VYNL opened this spot in December and it has a nice mix of breakfast all day, burgers, some old favorites, and specialty drinks at reasonable prices.

https://www.bodegahk.com/

VIV (Thai)

Glass House

Hold Fast

As Is, 50th &10th

Usually Joe Allen , Bar Centrale , Glass House and La Grande Boucherie has a lively bar and great pre-theatre menu

Updated On: 4/12/24 at 11:10 PM

Our new favorite spot is Cafe Un-Deux-Trois on 44th between the Belasco & Hudson. Great happy hour between 5-7 and several 3 course prix fixe dinners for $48. I believe that during happy hour drinks were less than $14:)

I love The Dickens for drinks. And its nice to have an upscale gay bar where you can actually order quality food, some of their apps can serve as a light meal. Though I wish their happy hour was better (I dont want to order cheap high noons at a nice bar...cant they include at least ONE cocktail option? I usually end up with the happy hour wine).

For another gay bar: Vers has a decent happy hour with cocktail and food specials (addicted to their frozen painkiller and the pretzel bites). But usually I only do this one on a weekday because it is usually PACKED on weekends and too stressful for preshow.

If its a sit down dinner:

Becco (nothing beats the pasta symphony. nothing), Marseille, Nizza, VIV Thai, and (if there isn't a wait) Arriba Arriba.

If seeing something east of Broadway, I'll check in to see if Valerie has space. If it's not overrun by finance bros (which sadly, it often is), its actually a lovely restaurant and bar with delicious cocktails. And one of the only bright spots in that area of midtown.

I would plan ahead and not eat anywhere near Times Square.

Carbone in Greenwich Village is delicious although can be hard to get reservations.

Soho House in Meatpacking or Ludlow House are great as is Zero Bond.

Try Rick Bayliss' Tortaza on 40th and Bway. Great Mexican bites with a contemp twist, beautiful food and drinks. Service is great, too.

It depends on which theater I plan to go to. Other posters have already listed some of my favorites (Bar Centrale, Cafe un deux trois, becco, dickens, dutch fred's, etc.)

The bar my friends and I went to after watching Heart of Rock n Roll is called Woo Woo lounge. It's an 80s speakeasy cocktail bar on 47th street between Broadway and 8th avenue (right next to Mean Fiddler bar and SIX musical). You need to go to their website to get the passcode to enter. I've taken friends from out of town here so they get the idea of what NYC was like back in the 80s and everyone has had a great time. Cocktails are $18 though so not the cheapest.