New York’s Top 10 : Cabarets – Top 10 Comedy Clubs

Café Carlyle

Chic
and classy Café Carlyle is New York at its best and is well worth the
steep cover charge; Eartha Kitt was a regular, and Woody Allen is often
part of Monday night jam sessions. Bemelmans Bar features pianists like
Barbara Carroll, and a cheaper tab.

• Carlyle Hotel, 35 East 76th St at Madison Ave

• Cover charge

Café Pierre

An
elegant setting for talented singers performing Broadway and pop
favorites. The food, while pricey, is first rate. Jackets are required
in the evenings.

• Pierre Hotel, 5th Ave at 61st St

• No cover

The Oak Room

Settle
into a banquette and look forward to top entertainers like Maureen
McGovern or Julie Wilson. The repertories usually favor American
classics, such as Gershwin, Berlin, or Cole Porter. Look around the
Algonquin too, a hotel famous for the “round table” of writers who met
here in the 1920s.

• Algonquin Hotel, 59 West 44th St, between 5th & 6th Aves

• Cover charge

Don’t Tell Mama

No
telling who will be at this fun spot in the Theater District – singers,
comics, or magicians. There are no big names, and abilities range from
amateur to destined-for-stardom. Sometimes even the waiters get into the
act.

• 343 West 46th St, between 8th & 9th Aves

• Cover charge

Feinstein’s at Loews Regency

This
is a fashionable spot to hear artists like guitarist John Pizzarelli
and Grammy-nominated vocalist and song writer, co-owner Feinstein.

• Loews Regency Hotel, 540 Park Ave at 61st St

• Cover charge

Café Sabarsky

On
Thursday nights, this Viennese confection becomes the city’s most
beautiful setting for contemporary cabaret. Shows are at 9pm; a
prix-fixe dinner is available at 7pm. Check for current dates and
reserve tickets at the museum.

• Neue Galerie, 1048 5th Ave at 86th St

• No cover

Joe’s Pub

This
intimate oasis, attached to the Public Theater in the East Village,
hosts an eclectic range of arty performers, from beginners to big names.
Without dinner reservations, seating or standing is on a first come,
first served basis.

• 425 Lafayette St, between East 4th & Astor Place

• Cover charge

The Metropolitan Room

Opened
in 2006, this sleek newcomer is winning praise for its warm vibe and
top performers, including jazz legends Annie Ross, Marilyn Maye, and
Billy Stritch.

• 34 West 22nd St, between 5th & 6th Aves

• Cover charge

The Duplex

The oldest cabaret in town features a broad range of entertainment, from early versions of Nunsense or Mark Twain Tonight, to singers, comedians, drag diva Lady Bunny, or the troupe Funny Gay Males. The raucous shows attract straight and gay.

• 61 Christopher St at 7th Ave South

• Cover charge

Laurie Beechman Theater at the West Bank Café

The
room here hosts regular cabaret series. Some performances are open,
which means the headliners may ask audience members to help out on a
song or two.

• 407 West 42nd St between 9th and 10th Aves

• Admission charge

The Comic Strip Live

A leading venue for up-and-comers; Eddie Murphy and Jerry Seinfeld are alumni.

• 1568 2nd Ave

Caroline’s Comedy Club

In the heart of the theater district, Caroline’s features big names as well as beginners.

• 1626 Broadway

Dangerfield’s

One of the oldest and best; former testing ground of the legendary Rodney Danger-field.

• 1118 1st Ave

Gotham Comedy Club

A spacious setting for top talent from Comedy Central and other sources.

• 208 West 23rd St

Comix

This ambitious upscale newcomer is a massive hit with comedy fans.

• 335 West 14th St

People’s Improv Theater

You can laugh here, and take a comedy class too.

• 154 West 29th St

Stand-up New York

Novices and pros feature in this intimate space.

• 236 West 78th St

NY Comedy Club

Top NYC comics and a low cover charge.

• 241 East 24th St

Upright Citizens Brigade Theater

Mainly improv; their regular Sunday night show,

Asssscat 3000
, is hilarious.

• 307 West 26th St

Chicago City Limits Theater

Timely improvization in this long-running review.

• 318 West 53rd St