NYC: Drunk Shakespeare Ticket – Live Theatre and Cocktails

One actor takes five shots, then tries to carry a Shakespeare play while four sober actors fight to keep the story moving. I like the 10,000-book library setting and the fact that cocktails come right to your seat, so the evening feels more like a theatrical party than a standard stage show.

I also like the audience role: you may be named king or queen and given decisions that shape the performance. The main caution is the humor. Some scenes are deliberately loud, vulgar, and overplayed, so this suits you best if you enjoy broad comedy rather than polished Shakespeare.

Key points to know before booking

• Five shots, one Shakespeare role: A professional actor drinks onstage before attempting a major part.
• Every performance can change: The actor who drinks, the drinks chosen, and audience decisions affect the show.
• A 10,000-book library: The Ruby Theatre provides an intimate speakeasy-style setting with a full-service bar.
• Drinks cost extra: Your $49 ticket covers entry, but cocktails and other bar orders are separate.
• Good sightlines from every seat: The compact room keeps you close to the action.
• Strictly for adults: You must be at least 21, and alcohol or drugs are not allowed to be brought in.

A Shakespeare show with a very different opening act

The evening begins with a simple premise: five professional actors gather as members of the Drunk Shakespeare Society. One actor takes five shots and then attempts to perform a leading role in a Shakespeare play.

The other four actors remain sober. Their job is to keep the plot moving, support the drinking actor, and respond to whatever happens onstage. That contrast creates the basic comic engine. You know the play has a script, but you also know the performance may veer far from it.

This is not a quiet literary reading or a traditional production of Shakespeare. The language, characters, and plot provide the frame, but the real show comes from watching trained actors handle mistakes, interruptions, sudden choices, and a performer who is genuinely drinking.

The performance lasts about 90 minutes. That is long enough for the joke to develop without asking you to commit to a full evening of theater. You get a complete night out, but the format remains quick and loose.

Inside The Ruby Theatre near Bryant Park

The venue is The Ruby Theatre on West 39th Street, close to Bryant Park. That location works well if you are already spending time in Midtown, and it makes the show easy to pair with dinner, a walk through the park, or other theater district plans.

Inside, the room is designed like an intimate library speakeasy. More than 10,000 books surround the performance space, giving the setting a theatrical character before the actors even begin. You are not sitting in a huge auditorium several rows away from the action.

The small-room format matters here. Since the comedy depends on expressions, reactions, and quick exchanges, close seating helps you follow the details. All seats are reported to have good views, which is useful if you are booking without knowing the room layout.

There is also a full-service bar. You can order drinks during the show, and staff deliver them directly to your seat. That is convenient, though it also means the final bill can be higher than the ticket price suggests.

How the five-shot performance works

The central actor takes five shots and then attempts a major Shakespeare role. The other actors do not simply wait for the drinking performer to fail. They work to keep the scene alive, preserve the story, and turn unexpected moments into material.

That setup gives the show a different shape each night. The identity of the drinking actor changes, and the choice of drinks can affect the rhythm and tone of the performance. Audience participation can add another layer, especially if you are selected to help make decisions.

You should not expect the same performance twice. The plot may remain based on a Shakespeare play, but the timing, mistakes, reactions, and audience choices can shift from one show to the next. If you enjoy live comedy that leaves room for accidents, this unpredictability is a major reason to book.

The sober actors are important. They provide enough structure to keep the action understandable, even when the drinking performer goes off course. Their work also keeps the show from becoming a simple drinking stunt. You are watching professional performers manage a difficult comic task.

Where Shakespeare meets broad comedy

The Shakespeare connection gives the show a familiar framework, but you do not need to know the original play to follow the evening. The basic pleasure comes from the performance itself, not from catching every literary reference.

The comedy can be physical, loud, and vulgar. That is part of the format, not an occasional surprise. If you enjoy stand-up or drag shows, you may be comfortable with the tone, but the exaggerated acting will not suit every audience.

One recent account found the performance funny and energetic but felt that some of the acting went too far. That is a fair warning. The drinking actor may really consume alcohol, but the performance also includes deliberate overacting. You are watching a theatrical version of drunkenness, not a naturalistic portrait.

I would book this for an adult group that enjoys irreverent humor and does not mind some rough language. I would hesitate to choose it for a formal theater night, a Shakespeare purist, or anyone who prefers subtle comedy.

Cocktails at your seat, with extra cost to plan for

The $49 admission price covers entry to Drunk Shakespeare at The Ruby Theatre. Drinks are not included. You choose from the bar menu, and the cost varies by drink.

That pricing is reasonable if you treat the ticket as a 90-minute theater experience in a distinctive room. It is less of a bargain if you expect the ticket to cover a full evening of drinks as well. Two or three cocktails can change the total quickly, so I would set your budget before ordering.

Seat service is a useful feature. You do not have to leave the room during the performance to visit the bar, and a drink can make the evening feel more like a night out than a conventional play. At the same time, ordering and delivery can briefly distract you or the people around you.

The show is built around alcohol, but the audience is not expected to drink. You can attend without ordering a cocktail, although the bar is a major part of the setting and experience. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed to be brought in, and the event is only for people aged 21 and over.

Audience choices and the chance to become royalty

The show can involve the audience in more than simple cheering or laughing. You may become the king or queen for the evening, with decision-making powers that affect what happens onstage.

That possibility is worth considering before you book. Some people love being pulled into the action and helping shape the chaos. Others prefer to watch from a safe seat without speaking or making choices in front of a room.

The audience role is not guaranteed for every person. The information provided describes it as a possibility, so you should not book on the assumption that you will receive a special title or direct participation.

Even if you are not selected, you can still enjoy the uncertainty created by audience decisions. The show feels less fixed than a standard production, and that makes the room’s reaction part of the entertainment.

What the 90-minute schedule means for your night

A 90-minute duration makes this easy to fit into a New York evening. You can plan it as the main event, or place it between dinner and another Midtown activity.

The short running time also keeps the premise from wearing thin. Watching someone attempt Shakespeare after five shots could become repetitive in a longer production. At 90 minutes, the pace has a better chance of staying lively.

Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want. The meeting point is The Ruby Theatre on West 39th Street near Bryant Park. The host or greeter speaks English, and the performance is in English.

Because the venue is close to Bryant Park, you can use the park as an easy landmark while finding the theater. The supplied information does not give a detailed arrival procedure, so allow enough time to locate The Ruby Theatre rather than treating the address as a large, obvious theater entrance.

Who will get the most from this show

I would recommend Drunk Shakespeare to you if you like:

• Adult comedy with a strong improvisational feel
• Live performances that can change from night to night
• A compact, unusual venue
• Cocktails and bar service during a show
• Audience participation and playful risk
• Shakespeare treated as a source of comic material rather than solemn drama

It is especially suited to friends, couples, and groups planning a relaxed night in Midtown. The atmosphere is social, and the combination of theater and drinks gives the evening a clear identity.

I would think twice if you dislike vulgar humor, exaggerated acting, or being addressed by performers. The show is not designed to deliver a restrained interpretation of Shakespeare. It uses the plays as a launching point for comic disorder.

The alcohol element also deserves a clear look. The central performer really drinks, but the show is still carefully shaped theater. If the idea of drinking onstage makes you uncomfortable, the premise may distract you from the jokes.

Value, flexibility, and practical details

The ticket includes entry and nothing else. At $49 per person, the price buys a 90-minute live performance in an intimate, highly themed venue. I consider that fair for New York if you value the setting, the unusual format, and the fact that every show can develop differently.

The value is weaker if you compare it only with a standard play ticket and do not plan to order anything. The bar is part of the experience, but you pay for each drink separately.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your New York schedule is still changing. The experience is wheelchair accessible, though the supplied details do not explain the exact layout or seating arrangements.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 31 reviews, with strong praise for the acting, fun, drinks, and atmosphere. One person found the tone too vulgar and the drunken acting too exaggerated, which matches the main caution I would give you: this is broad, adult comedy, not traditional Shakespeare.

Should you book Drunk Shakespeare?

Book it if you want a lively 90-minute night with cocktails, close-up theater, and a real chance that the performance will go in an unexpected direction. The library setting, strong cast structure, and audience decisions give it more substance than a simple drinking gimmick.

Skip it if you want quiet literary theater, restrained performances, or drinks included in the ticket. For most adults who enjoy loud comedy and do not mind crude humor, the $49 admission offers a distinctive Midtown night out. Just budget separately for the bar and arrive ready for the show to become unruly.

FAQ

How long is Drunk Shakespeare?

The performance lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Where is Drunk Shakespeare held?

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

What does the ticket include?

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

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Drinks are ordered separately from the bar menu, and prices vary by drink.

Is the show suitable for people under 21?

No. The experience is intended for people aged 21 and over.

Is the performance in English?

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

Can I take part in the performance?

You may be selected as king or queen for the evening and receive decision-making powers, but audience participation is not guaranteed.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.