Hanging out before curtain call or enjoying some post-show merriment, a good cocktail bar comes in handy on a night in the Theatre District. Here are 10 bars in the area with expertly crafted drinks and optimal atmosphere, pre- or post-theatre.
The Ribbon & Blue
After dining at The Ribbon, dance the night away downstairs at Blue.
An exceptional cocktail program can be found across from the Shubert Theatre. At The Ribbon, enjoy house cocktails like a Pineapple Mule and the Strawberry Fields Forever with gin, rosé, lemon, and strawberry. Downstairs, dance the night away after your show, and share the blue, bowl-sized Diamond in the Rough with a friend. The Ribbon: 220 W. 44th St., 212-944-2474, theribbonnyc.com; Blue: 220 W .44th St., 212-944-2470, bluemidtown.com
The Long Acre Tavern
The Long Acre Tavern serves fantastic cocktails from its upscale pub near Times Square. Catch a game between work and your show, and sip a Smoke Show (mezcal, bitters, and orange) or a Rose Garden (gin, St. Germain, rosemary, and grapefruit). Relax in this spacious tavern, and don’t miss the appetizer menu if you’re hungry for snacks like spicy sesame cauliflower. 146 W. 47th St., 646-649-3587, longacrenyc.com
Patrick's Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Patrick’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a new classic from the creators of Tony’s DiNapoli. Its location on 42nd Street makes it a perfect match for Broadway theatre. They're serving Pat LaFrieda burgers and USDA prime steaks alongside some of NYC’s best oysters, craft beers, and cocktails. For the latter, you can opt for a Patrick’s Pain Killer for a tropical drink to take the edge off, or a new twist on an Irish coffee made with nitro draft cold brew, Jameson, and coffee liqueur. 259 W. 42nd St., 212-776-9100, patricksnyc.com
The Polynesian
Tiki time? Head to The Polynesian for tropical drinks in a throwback bamboo-covered setting. Try a Marama Mama Punch, The Derelict (rum, bourbon, and absinthe), or an Exotica Bowl served like a huge pearl on an oyster platter. This cocktail list is impressively deep and even includes some fruity non-alcoholic drinks. In good weather, there’s also an outdoor terrace. 400 W. 42nd St., info@thepolynesiantiki.com, thepolynesiantiki.com
Dutch Fred's
The spirit of Prohibition cocktails lives on at Dutch Fred's. The intricate creations from behind the bar include the smoking Working Class Hero and the Willy Wonka made with Godiva chocolate. You’ll find an extensive, diverse list of cocktails—sweet, spicy, smoky, and everything in between—and a cozy, 1920s-inspired interior, plus a very useful late-night menu in case you’re craving Parmesan Truffle Fries at 1am. 307 W. 47th St., 646-918-6923, dutchfreds.com
Valerie
For all things juniper, head to Valerie. This 1920s-inflected bar serves lots of G&Ts—all of them in attractive balloon glasses—with evocative names like Spiced, Citrus, Oaked, and Naked. Non-gin cocktails are just as creative, including the Champs Elysees with champagne cognac and green chartreuse, or the Bird Cage with rye, citrus, and five-spice. Valerie’s high ceilings and mood lighting make it an atmospheric winner, located a short walk from theatres like the Minskoff and the Belasco. 45 W. 45th St., 212-302-4545, valerienewyorkcity.com
The Rum House
You’ll likely run into a crowd of other theater-goers, as well as 9-to-5-ers, imbibing tropical cocktails at The Rum House a couple of hours before curtain. The extensive rum list, matched with frequent live jazz performances, make this bar inside the Edison Hotel a favorite every night of the week. Order one of their four daiquiris or Her Name is Kiki Bridges, a fruity drink listed with a mysterious phone number on the menu (in case you’re feeling extra-adventurous). 228 W. 47th St., 646-490-6924, therumhousenyc.com
Bar Centrale
If you’re looking for Broadway star sightings, you may want to book a spot at Bar Centrale. Located in an unassuming brownstone on West 46th Street, this low-key Theatre District favorite serves its cocktails with extra decanters on ice so you can top off your old fashioned yourself. Reservations recommended; accepted one week in advance. 324 W 46th St., 212-581-3130, barcentralenyc.com
Bar SixtyFive at The Rainbow Room
The most famous rooftop bar in the city just so happens to serve a winning cocktail. Head up to the 65th floor of 30 Rock for a Prohibition-inspired drink, served indoors or out. Enjoy a Doctor No. 5 (rum, cachaça, and mezcal) or one of the five NYC borough-inspired creations before a show at Radio City Music Hall or another nearby theatre. You won’t get a much better view anywhere in the city—which is also why reservations are highly recommended. 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Fl., 212-632-5000, rainbowroom.com/bar-sixty-five (Bar SixtyFive is a 2019 CCA Award winner for Best Rooftop Bar.)
Russian Vodka Room
Not to be confused with the Russian Tea Room, this bar offers a more casual take on Russian libations. Mingle with martini-drinkers and sample one of the many vodka varieties on offer (the bar’s facade boasts 101). The horseradish vodka gets high marks, and you may be treated to live music on select evenings. 265 W. 52nd St., 212-307-5835
Gabriel Kreuther Bar & Lounge
For an upscale experience, visit the celebrated Gabriel Kreuther on 42nd Street for a drink at the busy Bar & Lounge. This cocktail menu is based on the park across the street, Bryant Park. Choose something from Chapter I like the Green Stork with vodka, spice, and tomatillo, or jump to Chapter III for a GK Martini with blueberry vermouth. If you’re going to eat, know you’ll have two-Michelin-starred food like Kreuther’s signature Tartes Flambees. 41 W. 42nd St., 212-257-5826, gknyc.com/bar
