Drunk Shakespeare
Drunk Shakespeare
5
About
"To beer...or not to beer?" You are cordially invited to a meeting of The Drunk Shakespeare Society. The stage is set in a hidden library speakeasy near Times Square. Five professional actors meet as members of The Drunk Shakespeare Society. One of them has 5 shots of whiskey and then attempts to perform a major role in a Shakespearean tragedy. Hilarity and mayhem ensue while the four sober actors try and keep the script on track. Every show is different depending on who is drinking... and what they're drinking! Anything can happen! Drunk Shakespeare is a New York Times Critics Pick and “the best thing to ever happen to the theater” according to Slate Magazine. Craft cocktails are available for purchase throughout the show at our full-service bar and delivered right to your seat.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Theater District
How to get there
- 5th Ave • 3 min walk
- 42nd St – Bryant Park • 4 min walk
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10,000 within 3 miles
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2,958 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- Saul K1 contributionEnjoyed every second.The creativity of this show was amazing. Great writing, acting, dancing, singing. There is alcohol involved and it's a little risque at times. But the performers keep the audience laughing, clapping, and yelling the whole time. It was fantastic. I've never seen anything like it. Definitely put this on your list.Visited June 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 10 June 2024
- Adam S3 contributionsDrunk Shakespeare - F*CK YEAH!Show was amazing! Our second time attending and I’m sure we’ll be back. A fun twist of a classic that’s way more fun than high school English class! Nate Betancourt is awesomesauce!!Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 August 2024
- Curiosity596060646761 contributionShakespeare at it’s finestWow, what a hilarious hidden gem! Must see if you like a laugh and don’t take Shakespeare too seriously, sit in the front row or better yet the thrones! Highly recommend, 10/10Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
1,297 reviews
Excellent
1,165
Very good
64
Average
23
Poor
17
Terrible
28
Dan P.
Brooklyn, NY37 contributions
Jan 2020
The concept - a group of improv actors perform one of William Shakespeare's plays except one of the performers will take four shots of alcohol (and potentially two more during the play) before it starts. Very funny show and great job by all those involved including the red-headed actress (whose name I can't recall and was the lucky imbiber for the evening), delivering her 300th performance. The show was about an hour and a half but it flew by and included audience participation.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chelsea O
New York City, NY3 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
If I had laughed any harder I would’ve peed my pants. This is hands down one of the best shows I’ve been to and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. If you like you drink, if you like drunk people, if you like acting or Shakespeare or just fun in general, GO SEE THIS SHOW.
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SamJones
Orlando, FL6 contributions
Jan 2022
This show was absolutely fantastic! If you need a good laugh, look no further. The show is a mix of improve with a play thrown in. The actors/comedians are some of the best I've seen, and I have seen my fair share. You don't need to drink to have a good time, the actors drink enough for everyone! But if you decide to, their cocktails are delicious. Make sure to buy stage-side tickets if you want to be part of the show. They interact with audience members throughout the show, defiantly worth the extra couple of dollars. Other seats are good too if you don't want to splurge or are on the more shy side! You'll still have a great time.
Written 14 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maguirebarnes101
Birmingham, UK45 contributions
Dec 2019
Very funny part improv / Macbeth mash up. Really talented group who would not be out of place at the RSC. Plenty of audience participation, ad-libs, swearing ( which Shakespeare was a fan of ) all adds to what was a great craic. Highly recommended if you like fun.
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah H
Midland, MI99 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
This show would have been funny even without the alcohol. These young actors seem to really know their Shakespeare, but definitely don't stick to the classic presentation and it will definitely make you laugh. The setting is small and intimate and they involve the audience quite a bit. If you are prudish, skip it, but if you can appreciate a good joke you'll love it.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynda V
Long Beach, CA451 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We booked Drunk Shakespeare expecting it to be funny to see one actor try to perform Shakespeare while drunk, and four other actors trying to act around a drunk actor. It was so much more than that. It was hilarious, irreverent and bawdy, in an intimate setting with lots of audience participation and some incredible improv from the wonderful actors of the Drunk Shakespeare Society.
If you can’t handle profanity and bawdy humor, this isn’t the show for you.but if you are fine with it, I can highly recommend. We have had loads of fun during our trip to NYC, including seeing Moulin Rouge on Broadway (which we loved), but this was the highlight, an evening we will remember in years to go.
If you can’t handle profanity and bawdy humor, this isn’t the show for you.but if you are fine with it, I can highly recommend. We have had loads of fun during our trip to NYC, including seeing Moulin Rouge on Broadway (which we loved), but this was the highlight, an evening we will remember in years to go.
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacki S
Wilmington, NC10 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Irreverent and hysterically funny! We saw the show on our last night of vacation, I wish we had gone earlier because I would've seen it again before our trip ended. The cast was wonderful and the drunken antics both wiithin and outside the actual play's structure was brilliant! 5 stars from both myself (an English major) and my husband who mainly knows Shakespeare from movies and/or me convincing him to attend. Go see Drunk Shakespeare...you'll be glad you did. (Small warning: you will have to go up and down a narrow and somewhat steep set of stairs to got to the performance. I have to use a crutch and cane and was able to get up there, just be prepared)
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becca R
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Couples
This was the by far the worst display of “acting” I have ever seen, but for it being the cheapest off broadway show to see in nyc (charging $20 a head), I guess you get what you paid for. A free shot at the entrance and the entertainers basically doing their best impression of only god knows what with one another while getting drunk. A disappointing event to waste your money on for sure & There was barely any Shakespeare!!!!
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Englewoodian
Las Cruces, NM66 contributions
Jul 2022
We LOVED this show. The actors are very talented and fun and mixed Macbeth with pop culture and improv. We were upgraded to stage-side seating in an already intimate performance space and also got to be part of the show. We laughed a lot and yes, got to hear some legit Shakespeare. It's an unconventional but fabulous night of theater and discounted tickets are available.
Written 28 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChristianYoung
London, UK43 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
Went along for the evening not knowing too much and it was great fun. They say they’re a drinking society that loves Shakespeare and it definitely makes the bard a lot more accessible.
It’s immersive so your can get involved with the performance but there’s a hands off option for those who’d rather just watch. I won’t say more but if you like immersive theatre, drinking and a little culture definitely one to visit
It’s immersive so your can get involved with the performance but there’s a hands off option for those who’d rather just watch. I won’t say more but if you like immersive theatre, drinking and a little culture definitely one to visit
Written 1 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the performance a modern interpretation of Shakespeare? I struggle understanding the original, Old English style of language.
Written 25 February 2020
It’s a very condensed version of Macbeth with lots of improb and Adult humour. It’s very funny if you don’t mind swearing etc.
Written 27 February 2020
Are drinks included in admission or separate?
Written 6 August 2019
sorry, I just saw this! They are separate. if you arrive early, the bar is set up outside of the theater room. after, they have drink service during breaks.
Written 7 January 2022
No casual is fine....everyone is drinking so no-one cares!! We did go a bit smarter as we were having a last night out in NYC.
Written 13 June 2019
Me gustaria saber si con un nivel medio de ingles se puede entender y seguir el desarrollo de la obra. gracias
Written 24 February 2019
I actually went to the play last march. and even if I missed some lines, undestood enough to follow the play and enjoyed! great actors!
Written 9 July 2019
Do they have a food menu or do they allow food to be brought in? How expensive are the drinks?
Written 18 August 2018
No food menu. Eat dinner beforehand. They do have several drinks you can sample during the show though. It makes it more funny I guess. We order 2 mixed drinks and it was like 20-22 dollars. If you don't want to drink, it is not mandatory. They do give you a shot before the show though. Please do go and enjoy the show, it is the best thing you will ever see and so very hilarious. I would definitely return for a second and third show.
Written 19 August 2018
What if you don't know much or anything about shakespeare will you still enjoy this show?
Written 15 January 2018
absolutely. being familiar with Shakespeare informs the show and adds another layer, but it's a great performance either way.
Written 16 January 2018
It depends on your preference. It is small enough that there aren't any bad seats. If you sit on the lower level you will be right in the action and will probably become part of it. If you sit up maybe a better view and you can hide if you don't want to participate but the participation is definitely good fun.
Written 14 September 2017
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