NYC: Drunk Shakespeare Ticket – Live Theatre and Cocktails

One actor takes five shots, then attempts a major role in Shakespeare while four sober castmates try to keep the story moving. At Drunk Shakespeare, the plot may wander, the jokes can get rowdy, and no two performances play out quite the same.

I like two things about the setup: the show unfolds in an intimate library room lined with more than 10,000 books, and you can order cocktails straight to your seat. There’s also a chance to join the fun, with audience members sometimes given king-and-queen powers to make decisions.

The main caution is the comic style. The humor can be broad and sometimes vulgar, and the drinking performer may play up the drunkenness. If you prefer subtle Shakespeare or a quiet theatre night, this may not be your show.

• One actor takes five shots: The central joke is watching one performer tackle a Shakespeare role while the rest of the cast tries to keep the play on course.
• The venue is a library-style speakeasy: The Ruby Theatre has more than 10,000 books and a full-service bar.
• Cocktails cost extra: Your $49 ticket covers entry, not drinks. Bar prices vary.
• You may get a say in the action: The king and queen for the evening receive decision-making powers.
• Plan for a 90-minute show: The performance is in English and intended for people aged 21 and over.

Shakespeare, with one cast member off script

The premise is simple and easy to grasp, even if you don’t know Shakespeare well. Five professional actors gather as members of the Drunk Shakespeare Society. One takes five shots before attempting a major part in a Shakespeare play, while the other four try to keep the script and story moving.

That contrast drives the comedy. The sober actors have to work with whatever their castmate does, so the play can veer into unexpected territory. The performer who has been drinking changes from show to show, and so does the choice of drink. That means you are not buying a polished, identical production each night. The format leaves room for mishaps and improvisation.

You don’t need to arrive knowing the plot or the names of the characters. The fun is in watching the cast make sense of the chaos, and in seeing a familiar theatrical form get treated with very little reverence. If you already love Shakespeare, you may catch extra jokes. If you don’t, the broad physical comedy and cast’s attempts to stay on track give you an easy way in.

A book-lined room near Bryant Park

The performance takes place at The Ruby Theatre on West 39th Street, near Bryant Park. Inside, the venue is styled as an intimate library speakeasy, with more than 10,000 books and a full-service bar. That setting gives the evening a different feel from a large, formal theatre: it is designed to be close-up, social, and a little mischievous.

The small-scale atmosphere matters here. Much of the show’s appeal comes from watching the sober actors respond to the performer who has taken the shots. In a room that feels intimate, those reactions are part of the action rather than distant details on a faraway stage. Seats are reported to have good views, so you needn’t assume you have to secure a particular spot to follow along.

The setting is part of the night, not just a backdrop. The books help establish the mock-serious society atmosphere, while the bar makes ordering a drink part of the theatre experience. You can settle in for a playful evening without expecting an elaborate production or a traditional Shakespeare staging.

Cocktails at your seat, with the bill to follow

A full-service bar is on hand, and drinks can be delivered right to your seat during the performance. That is a handy touch: you don’t have to leave the show to order, and the drinks fit the social, cabaret-like mood.

The ticket costs $49 per person, and drinks are not included. Bar prices vary by drink, so treat the ticket price as admission rather than the total cost of your evening. If you plan to order cocktails, allow for that extra spend. If you’d rather keep costs down, you can attend for the performance alone.

There is a useful distinction between the performer’s five shots and your own drinks. The central comic setup is part of the show; your bar order is optional and billed separately. You don’t need to drink to take part in the evening or enjoy the jokes.

How the 90 minutes are likely to unfold

The experience is a single 90-minute theatre performance at The Ruby Theatre. The supplied details don’t give a minute-by-minute schedule, so don’t expect a separately timed tour of the venue or a specified intermission. Think of it as one compact night out: arrive at the West 39th Street venue, settle into the library setting, and watch the cast play out the Shakespeare premise.

The show’s central event is the actor taking five shots before attempting a major role. The other four actors remain sober and try to keep the script on course. Since the drinking performer and drink can differ from one show to the next, the comedy is built around live reactions rather than a fixed sequence of gags.

During the performance, you can order from the bar and have drinks brought to your seat. Audience involvement is also part of the format: you might be named king or queen for the evening and given decision-making powers. The details of what those decisions involve are not specified, so enjoy the possibility without counting on a particular role or outcome.

Audience participation, without a guarantee

The chance to become king or queen adds a playful twist. Instead of sitting back as a completely separate audience, you may be asked to help shape the evening. That can make the show feel more personal and gives the cast another opportunity to turn the situation into comedy.

But participation is a possibility, not a promised feature for every person. If you enjoy being noticed or called on, this is a welcome part of the premise. If you strongly prefer to watch without being involved, keep in mind that the show invites audience participation, even though the details of how often or whom the cast selects are not specified.

The best approach is to be open to the idea without feeling you need to perform. You are buying a seat at a show, not signing up to act in Shakespeare yourself. The cast’s central task remains the same: keep the story going while one of their own tries to play a major role after five shots.

The humor is broad by design

This is not a reverent classical production. The comedy can be loud, exaggerated, and vulgar, with the drinking performer playing up the premise. That style works best if you are comfortable with physical comedy and jokes that push beyond polite theatre manners.

It is worth knowing that the staged drunkenness is part of the act. One viewer felt the drinking performer’s portrayal was overdone, even while acknowledging that the actor really drank. That reaction points to a genuine question of taste: you may find the excess funny, or you may feel the performance leans too hard on it. The format depends on that comic exaggeration, so subtlety is not its main aim.

The show has also earned enthusiastic responses for its acting, atmosphere, and fun tone. The praise focuses especially on how well the cast delivers the premise, the room’s good views, and the cocktails. Those are the strengths to weigh against the occasional over-the-top humor.

Is $49 good value for a New York night out?

At $49, the ticket buys a 90-minute live performance in a distinctive, intimate venue. You are paying for a complete evening of theatre with a clear comic hook, not simply a drink in a bar. The book-lined room and the possibility of audience involvement give the experience more character than a standard stage show.

The total value depends on what you want from a night out. If you enjoy live comedy, a playful setting, and the chance that a performance will take an unexpected turn, the ticket price can feel reasonable. If you are seeking a faithful Shakespeare production, a quiet drama, or a night where every joke is carefully restrained, this is probably a poor match at any price.

Remember to add drinks to your budget if you plan to order them. Since prices vary by drink, there is no fixed total beyond the $49 admission. The ticket is the main expense you can count on from the information available.

Who is likely to enjoy the show

I’d put this on the list for adults who like comedy with a theatrical frame and don’t mind a little vulgarity. It can suit a couple’s night out, a small group looking for something different, or Shakespeare fans who are willing to see the plays treated with irreverence. The English-language performance is also a practical fit if you are comfortable following spoken English.

It is less suitable for anyone under 21, and it may disappoint people who want a traditional production or prefer not to be drawn into audience interaction. The key question is not whether you know Shakespeare. It is whether you enjoy broad, improvisational comedy and the sight of performers trying to manage a deliberately unruly premise.

The venue is wheelchair accessible, which makes the experience available to more visitors, though the information provided does not specify further details about access arrangements. If you need particular seating or access information, check with the venue before booking.

A few practical details before you book

The show lasts 90 minutes, takes place at The Ruby Theatre on West 39th Street near Bryant Park, and is performed in English. Entry is included in the $49 ticket; drinks are extra. The activity is for people aged 21 and older, and alcohol and drugs are listed as not allowed. As the show itself involves a performer taking shots and the venue has a bar, follow the venue’s rules about what you may bring.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date rather than assuming a fixed schedule.

Should you book Drunk Shakespeare?

Book it if you want a lively, unusual theatre night and enjoy jokes that can be broad and a little vulgar. The best reasons to go are the cast’s live balancing act, the intimate library setting, and the chance to order cocktails without leaving your seat. Keep the extra drink cost in mind, and don’t expect a traditional Shakespeare performance.

Skip it if you want restrained comedy, a faithful reading of the play, or a show with no audience involvement. For the right mood, though, this is a distinctive 90-minute New York outing, and the changing performer and drink give the evening room to surprise you.

FAQ

How long is Drunk Shakespeare?

The performance lasts 90 minutes.

Where is The Ruby Theatre?

It is on West 39th Street in New York, near Bryant Park.

What does the $49 ticket include?

It includes entry to Drunk Shakespeare at The Ruby Theatre.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

No. Drinks are available from the bar, and prices vary by drink.

Is the show performed in English?

Yes. The performance language is English.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes. The experience is not suitable for people under 21.

Is The Ruby Theatre wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the venue is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The booking option lets you reserve without paying immediately.

Can I bring alcohol or drugs?

No. Alcohol and drugs are listed as not allowed.