NYC: Drunk Shakespeare Ticket – Live Theatre and Cocktails

One actor takes five shots before attempting a major Shakespearean role, while four sober cast members try to keep the plot on its rails. The show takes place in a small library speakeasy, where more than 10,000 books and a full-service bar create a setting that feels more like a secret club than a traditional theatre.

I like the close-up seating, since every seat has a good view, and I like that cocktails can be delivered right to you instead of forcing you to miss part of the show. The main caution is tone: the comedy can be loud, vulgar, and deliberately overacted, so this is not the right pick if you want a polished, faithful Shakespeare production.

Key points

• Five shots, one Shakespearean role: A different professional actor takes on the drinking challenge at each performance.
• Small library theatre: The Ruby Theatre on West 39th Street sits near Bryant Park and holds more than 10,000 books.
• Drinks at your seat: Cocktails are available from the full-service bar, but they cost extra.
• Audience participation: You may be asked to make decisions, including taking on king or queen duties for the evening.
• Ninety-minute running time: The compact format fits neatly into a night in Midtown.
• Adult comedy: The show is for people age 21 and over and may include vulgar humor and broad physical comedy.

A Shakespeare show with five shots on the clock

Drunk Shakespeare takes a familiar theatre idea and gives it a reckless twist. Five professional actors meet as members of the Drunk Shakespeare Society. One actor drinks five shots, then attempts to perform a leading part in a Shakespeare play while the other four work to keep the story moving.

That simple setup creates the show’s main engine. The script provides a framework, but the evening changes depending on who is drinking, how that performer reacts, and how much the sober cast decides to encourage or contain the chaos. You are not signing up for a fixed performance where every pause and gesture has been polished to the same shape.

I like this format because it gives the cast room to respond in the moment. The four sober actors have to listen closely and adjust quickly. The actor who has been drinking may exaggerate, forget a line, play with the audience, or turn a normal exchange into a comic crisis.

The tradeoff is just as clear. The performance can feel messy by design. One recent account found the actors too over the top, with humor that felt vulgar and a drinking performance that seemed partly acted. If you prefer dry wit, restrained acting, or a serious treatment of Shakespeare, you may find the style tiring.

Finding The Ruby Theatre near Bryant Park

The meeting point is The Ruby Theatre on West 39th Street, near Bryant Park. This location puts the show in a useful part of Midtown, close to one of Manhattan’s easiest central areas for combining dinner, sightseeing, and evening entertainment.

The venue itself is part of the appeal. Instead of a large auditorium with rows stretching into darkness, you enter an intimate library speakeasy filled with more than 10,000 books. The setting gives the show a theatrical identity before the first line is spoken.

The library atmosphere also fits the premise nicely. Shakespeare is presented in a place that feels bookish and theatrical, but the bar and close seating make the mood informal. You are not simply watching a play from a distance. You are close enough to see the performers react to each other and to the audience.

The supplied information does not give detailed directions from subway stations or a named entrance, so you should check the exact meeting instructions before setting out. The practical landmark is clear: look for the theatre on West 39th Street, close to Bryant Park.

The first drinks and the full-service bar

The ticket covers entry to the show, not your drinks. The theatre has a full-service bar, and cocktails can be delivered directly to your seat during the performance. Drink prices vary by selection, so your final cost depends on how much you order.

This arrangement is useful for two reasons. First, you do not have to leave the room during the performance to get a drink. Second, the bar service adds to the relaxed, social feel of the evening. One account specifically praised the cocktails as delicious, which makes the drinks more than a decorative extra for many people.

Still, you should budget for them separately. At $49 per person, the ticket is reasonable for a 90-minute live show in Midtown, especially when every seat has a good view. But the value changes if you add several cocktails, since the ticket price does not include them.

The drinking challenge belongs to the performer. Audience members should not assume that alcohol is part of the ticket or that they need to drink along. The stated rules prohibit alcohol and drugs, and the activity is not suitable for anyone under 21.

Watching one actor attempt the impossible

The central performance begins when one actor takes five shots and prepares to play a major Shakespearean role. The other four actors remain sober and attempt to guide the story through whatever happens next.

You can expect the comedy to come from several sources at once. There is the contrast between Shakespeare’s formal language and the performer’s altered state. There is the effort of the sober cast to stay in character while managing an unpredictable colleague. And there is the audience’s awareness that the night cannot follow a perfectly controlled script.

The show’s structure also makes repeat performances different. The drinking actor changes, and the drinks may change as well. That means the comic rhythm depends on the cast combination rather than just the title of the Shakespeare play.

The acting is clearly professional, but professional does not mean restrained here. The point is not to disguise every mistake. The point is to turn mistakes, interruptions, and unexpected choices into the material of the show.

I would think of it as a comedy event built around Shakespeare, not as a standard Shakespeare production with a few drinks added. You may recognize the play, but the evening is driven by improvisation, audience response, and physical comedy.

Audience decisions and the king or queen role

Audience participation is part of the promise. You may have a chance to help decide what happens, and the show describes audience members becoming the king and queen for the evening with decision-making powers.

That can add a pleasant feeling of risk. You are not only observing the performers lose control of the script. The audience may also influence the direction of the scene. For some people, this makes the night more memorable than a conventional theatre ticket.

The exact amount of participation is not fixed in the information provided, so you should not book this expecting a guaranteed role or a specific form of interaction. You might be called on, or you might simply watch other audience members become involved.

If you dislike being singled out, keep that in mind. The interactive element is part of the appeal for an outgoing group, but it can make a nervous audience member uneasy. The setting is intimate, which means participation may feel more personal than it would in a large theatre.

Why the intimate seating matters

All seats are reported to have good views. That matters here more than it would at a conventional play because so much of the entertainment comes from small reactions.

You will want to see the drinking actor’s face, the sober performers trying to hold themselves together, and the quick exchanges between the cast. A huge stage would weaken some of that contact. The small room helps you read the performers’ expressions and follow the action without relying on a distant view.

The intimate layout also supports the bar service. Your cocktail can come to your seat, and you can remain part of the show while ordering and drinking. The setting is less formal than a standard theatre, though the comedy can be more direct and less polished.

For a date night or small group, the close room can work well. You have a shared event to talk about afterward, and the show does not ask you to commit to a full evening of serious theatre. For a family outing, however, the adult subject matter and language make it unsuitable.

A 90-minute evening that fits Midtown plans

The performance lasts about 90 minutes. That is long enough for a full theatrical experience but short enough to pair with dinner, a walk through Bryant Park, or another Midtown plan.

I like this length for a comedy based on controlled chaos. The idea is funny because it is unusual, but the format probably works best before the premise wears thin. A compact show keeps the pace moving and gives you a clear ending rather than stretching the joke across an entire night.

You should allow extra time to reach the theatre and find the entrance, but the activity itself does not require a full-day commitment. The location near Bryant Park also gives you flexibility. You can plan the show as the main event or place it between other activities in central Manhattan.

Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want. The host or greeter speaks English, and the performance itself is in English.

The $49 ticket and what you really pay for

The listed price is $49 per person. That includes admission to Drunk Shakespeare at The Ruby Theatre, but not drinks from the bar.

I consider the ticket a fair buy if you enjoy live comedy and want something less predictable than a conventional play. The price pays for a professional cast, a 90-minute performance, an unusual venue, and the chance to see a different version of the show depending on the drinking actor.

The value is weaker if your main goal is Shakespeare in its original form. You are paying for comic disorder, audience interaction, and the cast’s ability to respond in the moment. You are not paying for a quiet literary interpretation.

The venue’s seating is another reason the price makes sense. Since all seats have good views, you are less likely to feel that you paid for a distant or obstructed position. Add cocktails carefully, though. A couple of drinks can change the total cost quickly, and the bar menu prices are separate.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 31 ratings, and the strongest praise centers on the atmosphere, acting, drinks, and the fun of the night. One account called it a highlight of a New York trip, while another described the actors as funny and amazing. That praise fits the show’s target audience: people who want an energetic, social night rather than quiet theatre etiquette.

Who will enjoy Drunk Shakespeare most

I would recommend this experience to you if you like:

• Live comedy that changes from night to night
• Strong audience interaction
• Broad, physical, or slightly vulgar humor
• Small theatre settings
• Cocktails and a social bar atmosphere
• Shakespeare treated with irreverence
• A short evening activity in Midtown

You may want to skip it if you prefer serious drama, subtle comedy, or a faithful reading of Shakespeare. The alcohol-based premise is central, not a side detail. If exaggerated drunken behavior bothers you, the show may not be comfortable.

The 21-and-over rule also narrows the audience. This is an adult night out, and you should not treat it as a family-friendly theatre option. The venue is wheelchair accessible, which is useful for visitors who need an accessible setting, though you should confirm any specific seating needs when booking.

Practical details before you book

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your New York schedule is still shifting.

The host or greeter speaks English, and the show is presented in English. Since the performance relies on dialogue, comic timing, and Shakespearean language, a strong grasp of English will help you catch the jokes and follow the plot.

The activity does not list transportation as part of the ticket. You make your own way to The Ruby Theatre on West 39th Street near Bryant Park. Drinks are not included, and prices vary by order.

The key practical point is to arrive ready for an interactive adult comedy show. You might be asked to take part, and the cast may use the audience as part of the evening’s decisions. If you want a quiet seat with no attention on you, this may not be the best match.

Should you book Drunk Shakespeare?

Book it if you want a funny, unpredictable night in a small Midtown venue and you can accept broad humor, audience participation, and a performance that may get gloriously messy. The library setting, close views, seat-side cocktail service, and changing cast dynamic give the $49 ticket a solid case.

Skip it if you are looking for serious Shakespeare, family entertainment, or polished acting with no vulgarity. For the right audience, this is a lively 90-minute break from standard sightseeing. For the wrong audience, the overacting and drunken comedy may feel forced rather than funny.

FAQ

Where does Drunk Shakespeare take place?

It takes place at The Ruby Theatre on West 39th Street in New York, near Bryant Park.

How long is the performance?

The show lasts 90 minutes.

What does the ticket include?

The ticket includes entry to Drunk Shakespeare at The Ruby Theatre.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

No. Drinks are ordered from the bar and cost extra, with prices varying by drink.

Is the show in English?

Yes. The host or greeter speaks English, and the activity language is English.

Can audience members take part?

Yes. Audience participation is part of the experience, and audience members may receive decision-making powers as king or queen for the evening.

Is the activity suitable for people under 21?

No. The experience is not suitable for people under 21.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.