Question about Feinstein's at Loews Regency

[proportionalquotient]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 8:53am

Has anyone been to a show at Feinstein's? I'm interested in getting tickets to see Barbara Cook, but am concerned that the venue may be too elite for me. Is there a dress code? Is it snobby?

Would be grateful to hear what you're experiences have been like...thanks!

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 11:15am

They say that jackets for men are encouraged but not required. When I went, I saw some guys in nice jeans and shirts, no jackets, others in suits. The women seem to dress up more.

I wouldn't say it's snobby, but it is expensive. Cover plus $40 food/drink minimum, plus tax and gratuity.

For Barbara Cook, you're probably going to see some notables in the audience.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 11:57am

I dressed a lot more than I usually do for just a theatre event. Like skirt, heels and blouse. When I went (Emily Skinner) there was NO ONE in jeans. Some of the guys were in khakis with button down shirts and blazers, but no jeans.

I definitely agree that it is expensive. "Cover" is whatever the ticket price is. Plus there is that additional food and drink minimum (it varies from show to show...for Emily's shows it was $25 but for others it will be $40 or so). PLUS don't forget about tipping your wait staff.

That said, it's a great venue ~ intimate and cozy.

[danmag]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 12:13pm

I saw Adam Pascal there and people were dressed pretty casually. It was expensive, but a great venue because it's so small. Be advised you can be seated with people you don't know. They have larger tables in the back that seat 6 or 8 and we ended up sitting with some random people (it was fine though, they were very nice). Although the tickets say General Admission, they tell you where to sit (at least at the shows I've been to).

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 12:23pm

My guess is dress will likely depend on who it is. I wouldn't expect suits and ties for Adam Pascal (more of a rock image)...but I would expect it will be dressier for Barbara Cook.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 12:25pm

You're going to be spending a lot of money so you might as well dress up and make an event out of it.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 12:55pm

I went to the Lea Michele concert at Feinstein's and I think I just wore black pants and a button down shirt, nothing too fancy. I'll attest to Feinstein's being very expensive though. For example, 1 entree and water was $50 (after tax and tip).

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 1:57pm

Ive been there twice and people were wearing whatever they wanted. Most of the dudes there had jeans with a button-down shirt, some with ties-few jackets though. Most of the women were dressed like they were going to a club, lots of tight tops and cleavage. I think Cheyenne's crowd will be pretty young. I think the blue hair crowds are more of the type to wear suits and dresses.

If there is a choice between an early and a late show, go to the early one. I went twice to late shows and the level of service was despicable. I will never go back there unless it is someone I cant live without seeing. The late show patrons were held up like cattle, rushed to order their 40 minimum and treated liked crap. I really though the place was a let down, the quality of food,drinks and service was abysmal. Thats why I say you really need to be a devoted fan to deal with Feinsteins to see them. A waste of money in my opinion.

[nealb1]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 6:51pm

Wow, BettyBoy72, sounds like you had some bad experiences at Feinstein's. That's too bad. I've been there several times throughout the years and have never, ever had a bad experience. Everyone was kind, the service was terrific and the food was fantastic.

This topic does come up from time to time regarding Feinstein's. And, it's interesting to see what people think is "expensive" and what isn't expensive. You gotta look at the big picture. When you see an artist, it's not just them you are paying for, it also includes their band, as well. A $40 cover is dirt, dirt, dirt cheap. The artists that I've seen there, the cover charges were $75, and one time on New Year's Eve it was $250. Again.....a bargain.

Yes, there is a F&B minimum. But, you'd pay that anyway if you were going out to eat before to see a Broadway show.

It's such a wonderful experience all the way around, that's how I look at it - dressing up for the evening, a wonderful dinner and seeing a fantastic performer, up close & personal.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 10:30am

Neal, I hear your points, but my complaints were not necessarily about the prices, it was the quality of everything. If I am paying 35 bucks for a Caesar Salad with grilled shrimp, the quality should be exemplary. I have no problem paying bloated prices for an "experience." I've been there twice and I never got anything I couldn't get better at a seedy cabaret bar. Plus, people who were buying tickets at the door were given better seating than myself when I pre-ordered top price tickets. Like I said, I've never been happy there and find no reason to return unless someone I am dying to see goes there.

I am glad others like it. It just never suited me.

[nealb1]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 8:19pm

BettyBoy72, that's too bad that you had such bad experiences there. When you saw the people who were walking up to get tickets, and they got better seats, did you say anything to the host? I sure would have. That's completely not fair. NO WAY!

For New Year's Eve 2007, my 2 friends and I saw Linda Eder's 2nd show and it included a 5 course dinner. And, it was fantastic. Never had a filet that tasty and that delicious! The other times that I've been there, the food was great...especially the desserts!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/6/09 at 11:49am

Actually Neal, I did make a mention to the hostess and she was like "sorry, nothing I can do." We were also told we had to wait for menus because they "ran out."

It's funny both times I was there, the energy was just off. Everyone was frazzled and harried and frantic. Also, Feinsteins seemed to have a problem where if you buy your ticket online the day of the show, they have no record of it (no computer on site), so they were making people pay the cover again and then said they would get a refund. It was soooo disorganized.

I also emailed the management once with my concerns (not looking for anything, just to inform them) and I heard nothing. I also called there once and was hung up on.

So like I said I'll never go back unless Im desperate.

Lynda Carter was great though, if not a little loopy. :)

[nealb1]

Posted: 2/6/09 at 2:54pm

Sorry to hear that, Bettyboy. Sounds like you had a dark cloud hanging over you on those visits. Ha, ha...

A very similar situation happened to me a number of years ago here at great restuarant in Los Angeles. I had made a reservation a few weeks ahead of time, but people were walking up and getting better tables. The service was really bad, and it was just a bad night.

I wrote a letter to the owner, and he sent me back the nicest letter - apologizing for the night. As it turned out their computer system had erased 1/2 of the reservations, so the people who I thought were walking up with no reservation, actually had one - it just couldn't be located as the system was down. They enclosed a $100 gift certificate to come back and have a nice evening.

Had I been there at Feinstein's with you.....I would have made certain that you got what you were supposed to get. Absolutely!

Maybe you'll be back there again to see another performer.