Joe's Pub - Less Broadway?
Joe's Pub - Less Broadway?
macbeth
Broadway Star Joined: 5/7/03
#1Joe's Pub - Less Broadway?
Posted: 4/16/26 at 6:41am
I remember years ago that Joe's Pub had Broadway artists doing concerts there all the time, and I even attended a couple of this site's benefits there (please bring those back!).
It was always a much preferred venue for me to 54 Below, but it seems like no Broadway artists are playing there regularly. Is that a venue decision or just the competition of 54 Below?
#2Joe's Pub - Less Broadway?
Posted: 4/16/26 at 8:29am
I don’t think it’s either. It’s a case of two decidedly opposite vibes.
54 Below is an uptown, supper club-type cabaret space, which caters to higher-end patrons (mostly) - which is reflected in their prices. I’m sure location is a small factor, but you also have Green Room 42 in the same vicinity.
Joe’s Pub, for my money, has always been the scrappy, downtown cabaret spot that feels accepting to artists of all stripes - alternative, raunchy, experimental, and traditional. It has the vibe of the on-campus bar I had at my college (before the renovation) - an inherent “cool” factor.
All this to say - I’m sure a show like Paulo Szot singing with the American Pops Orchestra would be just as much of an odd fit downtown, as Bridget Everett swinging her ta-tas while belting out Janis Joplin would be an odd fit at 54 Below.
#3Joe's Pub - Less Broadway?
Posted: 4/16/26 at 8:39am
I think there was a thread very recently where we were talking about this. Either that or I was just having a conversation with some people about missing the old Joe’s Pub. I wish we could bring back the early/mid 2000’s where tons of Broadway and off broadway people would stop by all the time.
Yes, 54 Below has pretty much replaced it as far as theater people go, but i don’t always want to spend $100 to see something there (with the minimum). At Joe’s back in the day, $20 could get you into “Don’t Quit Your Night Job” and meet the minimum. Those were the days.
#4Joe's Pub - Less Broadway?
Posted: 4/16/26 at 10:03am
54 Below and Green Room 42, honestly. The Laurie Beechman has also been around but the vibe there is.. kind of all over the place, really. Joe's still gets some Broadway performers but even then it's typically with some kind of alt angle.
EmceeHammer
Understudy Joined: 4/27/24
#5Joe's Pub - Less Broadway?
Posted: 4/16/26 at 3:46pm
On the plus side, Broadway has gotten more "Joe's Pub."
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