Life is a Cabaret, Old Chum!
Want to see a great musical performance without splurging on Broadway tickets? We went old-school and checked out one of the best cabaret theatres in NYC!
Seeing a Broadway show is an amazing way to spend a night in the Big Apple. But unless you know the secrets to scoring well-priced tickets (and provided the show hasn’t sold out for eternity, hello Hamilton), Broadway may not exactly be in the cards.
So what are two musical-loving gals to do? We opted for a more classic experience and set our sights on a night at the cabaret.
Come to the Cabaret!
In our search for the perfect spot to get our fill of show tunes, comedy, and an all-around good time, we stumbled on The Duplex. This multi-venue space offers a piano bar and live entertainment every day of the year. It also just so happens to be New York City’s oldest cabaret theatre, first established in the 1950s.
Unassumingly tucked away in a little corner of the West Village, with a romantic, French-inspired exterior, you would never guess that The Duplex houses a stage that’s been graced over the years by the likes of Barbra Streisand, Woody Allen, and Joan Rivers.
Come Hear the Music Play!
We made our way up the steep steps to the upstairs theatre and were promptly led into the small but bustling room, just large enough to hold a stage and about 30 seats scattered around cozy bistro-style tables. The walls were adorned with evergreen striped wallpaper and littered with advertisements for past performances by A-list celebrities.
We placed our order for drinks for the night (there’s a 2-drink minimum per person) and people-watched as other guests greeted each other and settled in for that evening’s performance of Oh, You!. While the entertainment at The Duplex varies from night to night, this particular performance was an homage to the alumni of Oklahoma University’s musical theatre program. Every performer was introduced with a funny story recounting their college years.
With songs from Avenue Q to Rent to an amazing, jaw-dropping performance of “I’m Here” from The Color Purple, the performances had the entire audience laughing, shedding some tears, and singing along.
And We Love a Cabaret!
All of that laughing and singing really worked up our appetites by the close of the show, so stepping out into the crisp fall night, we began our hunt for a late-night snack. We quickly discovered that one of our favorite ice cream places, Big Gay Ice Cream, was just around the corner — and we simply couldn’t resist indulging in one of their delicious signature cones, the Salty Pimp.
After the amazing, entertaining night we had at The Duplex, we can’t wait to go back and enjoy another performance with all of our friends! If you’re looking for a great show but don’t want to wait in line, check out The Duplex’s calendar, book your tickets, and come to the cabaret!
