Dining out in New York City will almost always provide restaurant-goers with a great experience, but this is usually made even better when the delicious meal is paired with some unforgettable, out-of-the-box live entertainment. Here is our roundup of the ten best places in New York City to enjoy dinner and a show.
Bateaux New York Dinner Cruise
Restaurant, American, $$$
The Bateaux New York is an all-glass vessel that features absolutely breathtaking views of the famous New York City skyline as well as major city landmarks, including the Empire State Building, Battery Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Lady Liberty herself. A live pianist, vocalists, and soft jazz accompany the luxurious three-course candlelit dinner, which ends with an artistically crafted dessert. This three-hour cruise is one of the most romantic ways to view New York City.
With the ambiance of a 1920s supper club, Feinstein’s/54 Below offers classic cocktails and world-class seasonal meals as Broadway’s biggest talents perform on the cabaret stage every night. Known as ‘Broadway’s Supper Club,’ 54 Below hosts solo performances, musicals, and holiday concerts featuring Broadway stars such as Patti LuPone and Matthew Morrison, who return to the stage time and time again.
Looking for a laugh? Caroline’s on Broadway is a place where you can ‘wine and dine’ while watching some of the biggest stars in comedy perform on stage. Saturday Night Live‘s Jay Pharoah and popular standup comedians Louis C.K., Jo Koy and Marlon Wayans are just some of the comedians who have graced the stage. Perfect for a night out with your friends, family or significant other, Caroline’s is a place that needs to be crossed off your bucket list.
Mingle with mobsters and molls, break bread with some wise guys, and raise a glass with the goodfellas. This two-and-a-half-hour interactive mystery comedy show includes a three-course dinner of rigatoni a la vodka, chicken parmigiana, warm Italian bread, coffee, and dessert (with vegetarian options available). Diners even have the chance to solve the case and win some prizes. General tickets are $99 per person, and include dinner, dancing, and a show.
Swing 46 brings guests back to the Rat Pack era with amazing ambiance, live music, and delicious food. If you’ve ever wanted to teleport back in time to a 1950s swing club, Swing 46 Jazz & Supper Club is the place for you. Swing 46 offers dining, dancing and dance lessons, a live Swing band, and mixologist-concocted cocktails every night. Party packages are available for a four-course meal and a 2-hour open bar, or for a five-course meal and 4-hour open bar.
Travel back in time and enjoy handcrafted cocktails, a delicious three-course Southern-inspired meal, and tunes from a roarin’ jazz band. Tap dancing, strip teases, and comedy are just some of the acts that draw large crowds to Duane Park NYC year-round. On Friday and Saturday nights, enjoy live music and the fabulous, feather boa-wearing ladies who put on spectacular burlesque performances.
Dress in your finest attire and prepare yourself for a seriously fun murder mystery dining experience. The Truffle Mystery show transports guests inside of the five-star, world-renowned, and totally fictional restaurant, Ciacco’s, where a three-course meal, live music, and an immersive dinner theater experience are provided. Who stole the wealthy Donati family’s two-pound truffle? You’ll never guess “whodunnit.”
Located in East Harlem, Amor Cubano offers traditional Cuban cuisine such as Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, tostones, calamari, pepito, and more at reasonable prices. This restaurant captures the true spirit of Cuban culture with a hip yet classic atmosphere full of live music and dancing – even the waiters and servers are entertaining. A popular place to host engagement parties, birthday parties, brunches and more, Amor Cubano has continued to attract lovers of Cuban cuisine and culture from all over the city.
Bar, Pub, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar, Diner, Gastropub, Coffee Shop, Irish, $$$
The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, New York
The Dead Rabbit may be the most fascinating bar in this neighborhood and perhaps the most unique in all of downtown Manhattan. Situated a stone’s throw away from Wall Street, this cozy bi-level bar recalls an Old New York characterized by dirt roads, a communal spirit, and a propensity to share a drink with your friends and neighbors. At this Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award winner, choose from the ground-level taproom or upstairs parlor and imbibe a wide array of pristine drinks; a well-known craft beer, a slightly mysterious punch, or one of their 72 historically accurate cocktails.
A New York staple for over two decades, Lips offers something for everyone – birthdays, bachelorette parties, sweet 16s, and everything in between. Enjoy a cocktail at the bar with Lips’ famous bartender, who’s now serving her 20th year behind the bar, or enjoy a Vegas-style stage show from some of the best drag performers in the world. This friendly and inviting atmosphere, along with some exceptional unique entertainment, makes Lips the go-to dinner-and-a-show destination for all New Yorkers and visitors nationwide.
