What does one wear to a show at 54 Below?

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 5:54am

I'm going to see Patti LuPone at 54 Below on a Friday night later this month and I was wondering what kind of attire to wear (I'm a woman if that helps).

I've been there for dinner a few times but never for a show so I'm not sure if people get more dressed up for the shows?

[mjohnson2]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 6:24am

I recommend dressing up as one of Patti's earlier roles. Mrs. Lovett is a fun one, as is Reno Sweeney. It will show her that you really respect her as a performer and affirm the fact that you are a super fan.
Oooh the best idea is to dress up as Norma Desmond, that'll bring up some great memories, or maybe you can just dress up as Andrew Lloyd Webber. She loves him.
/s

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 8:25am

I wish I could take that seriously! I can make a Patti LuPone dress like Gail Maidman's Stephen Sondheim dress.

[Lmdtap]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 8:27am

Mjohnson2 thanks for the laugh!
OP personally I'd dress nicely, but I'd always rather be overdressed than underdressed. I've worn a nice dress or pants there before and been fine.

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 8:34am

^Thank you. I have a black/tan cocktailish dress that I might wear. You're right, I'd rather be overdressed than underdressed.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 9:46am

I've been there a number of times. Women wear dresses and others wear jeans (I've done both). I wouldn't wear sloppy jeans, ratty t-shirts and sneakers.. but if you are dressed "nicely", you can wear just about everything and feel comfortable.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 9:54am

Agree 100% with Kathy. I have also been numerous times, as recently as this past Saturday night. It's pretty much anything goes (though one guy was wearing a tee shirt from a musical that I thought was a bit TOO casual), so just keep it respectful.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 9:57am

Speaking of 54 Below (which I really enjoy), has anyone noticed the outrageous prices of wine by the glass? A large glass (8 ounces) costs more than a bottle of the same wine retail. Alcohol generally is marked up 2-300%, but their prices for a glass of cheap wine, $18-$23 are way out of line.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 10:03am

Since the decor is so elegant and the entertainment is usually so exciting, I think dressing up makes the 54 Below experience more fun.

For me (and this is just me), I have more fun there when I'm wearing a tie.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 10:39am

RaisedOnMusicals, I consider most of their food and drink prices to be outrageous, but yeah, especially the wine.

[brdway411]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 11:45am

When we go to 54 Below, we do the prix fixe menu. Great deal. Love the short rib.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 12:18pm

I usually do the shrimp appetizer (yum) and an order of fries - plenty of food for not that much.

[brdway411]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 12:27pm

As for what to wear, I usually dress nice, a nice skirt and blouse, sometimes a causal dress. I never get too fancy there. Have gone in jeans and t shirt, but that was for their late night piano bar/callback thing they did last year.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 12:36pm

I've noticed that how I dress for something at 54 Below corresponds to what kind of artist I'm seeing. When I've seen The Skivvies, for example, I'm more apt to wear nice jeans, heels, and a fun shirt. It fits the feel of the show. When I've gone for performances that are something really special--like seeing Patti LuPone will be--I'm more apt to dress up in a nice skirt or dress and insist that my date wear a tie:)

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 12:58pm

Exactly. I wouldn't wear a tie to the Skivvies.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 1:53pm

I usually dress up a little for 54 Below...it's fun and adds to the evening for me. I definitely wouldn't judge someone who was wearing a nice pair of dark jeans and a nice blouse/button-down shirt there, but I have seen people dressed very casually and in my opinion they stick out a bit.

[dreaming]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 1:59pm

It really depends on what you're seeing. If you're seeing something less formal (i.e., the Skivvies) then going very dressy might make you uncomfortable. I've worn everything from nice jeans and a shirt to a dress. It all depends on who's performing. For Patti LuPone I'd probably go on the higher end of the spectrum as I'm sure that will be the way most of the audience is dressed.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 2:08pm

I was surprised by the number of people who came to the 1776 concert in shorts and t-shirts. But it was the weekend of the Fourth, so it's all good. But yeah...I would err on the dressier side. Cocktail attire would be fine.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 2:45pm

Robbie--you mean a simple little cocktail dress like this?

Updated On: 7/8/14 at 02:45 PM

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 3:12pm

It's a little too Seventeen. I prefer one with a black lace cape.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 4:01pm

Yes, a pretty dress works great there. Have a great time!

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 4:08pm

You guys are fun! And thank you Sutton Ross!

[Melanie73]

Posted: 12/8/17 at 5:15pm

Hi everyone,

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm attending a show at 54 Below in the middle of January, and I'm having a little trouble thinking of what to wear.  I pretty much never had to dress up in the middle of winter before, so I was wondering if you ladies could help suggest clothing/outfit ideas for me?  If it helps, I'll be walking and taking public transport through the city to get to the venue.

Thank you!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/8/17 at 5:29pm

Wool skirt or dress. Warm tights. Cute boots!

Or nice dark pants with pantyhose underneath if you're not used to cold weather.

[starcatchers]

Posted: 12/8/17 at 7:16pm

The weather around here in the middle of January can be wonky. I would agree with Lizzy. Warm tights, a dress, and cute boots.