Forget Broadway for 90 minutes. Instead, head to Drunk Shakespeare at The Ruby Theatre, a small Theater District room where five actors treat Shakespeare like a live comedy experiment. One performer starts after five shots of whiskey, and the rest try to keep Macbeth (and the night) from falling apart.

I like the hands-on, go-with-the-flow feel. The show is built for audience interaction and improv, so even if you do not know Shakespeare well, you can still follow the comedy beats. I also love the mix of real Shakespeare dialogue with modern pop-culture and current-event humor, which makes the Bard feel surprisingly present.

One consideration: this is adult-leaning slapstick and it can be bawdy. The pacing is fast and the room is loud at times, so if you want gentle wit or careful plotting, this may not be your best match.

Key things to know before you go

• A one-hour-forty-ish off-Broadway comedy: About 1 hour 30 minutes, with the action happening close to you
• One performer starts very drunk: Five shots of whiskey before taking a major Shakespeare role
• Every show shifts based on who’s drinking: The humor and chaos can change night to night
• Craft cocktails and a full cash bar: Drinks are available, but the ticket does not include them
• Interactive, walking-around staging: The cast doesn’t stay fixed in one spot
• Small tour group size: Maximum of 10 travelers, which usually feels easier and calmer than big group outings

The Ruby Theatre: a small Midtown room where the joke lands fast

Drunk Shakespeare happens at The Ruby Theatre, 35 W 39th St (right in the Theater District). The first thing you’ll notice is the venue style: it’s not one of those huge Broadway halls with miles of seats. This is built like a hidden, tighter performance space, which matters because the show uses that closeness for comedy.

You’ll spend about 1 hour 30 minutes in the theater, in English. Since the tour group is capped at 10 travelers, it tends to feel more like a “grab a seat and get ready” night out than a formal excursion. That matters if you’re trying to fit NYC theater into a busy itinerary without losing time to big-group logistics.

Also, the show includes a special treat on arrival. The data doesn’t spell out every detail, but it’s there, and it sets the tone that this is meant to be a fun night, not a quiet literary lesson.

How the show runs: five actors, one hot mess, and Shakespeare on the verge

The whole premise is simple and it works: five professional actors perform as members of The Drunk Shakespeare Society. They start with a plan—then one actor’s performance goes off-script after taking at least five shots of whiskey. The other four are trying to keep the dialogue and structure on track while the drunk member pushes the role into chaos.

What you get is not a traditional straight-play staging. You should expect a constant back-and-forth between:

• Shakespeare dialogue fragments and recognizable scene energy
• improvised interruptions
• audience interaction that can pull you into the middle of the joke

A big part of the experience is how the cast adapts in real time. The show is designed so that the “who’s drinking and what they’re drinking” factor changes what happens that night. That means you’re not guaranteed the exact same gags twice, even though the core idea stays the same.

And yes, Macbeth is the name that comes up most often in this comedy format. You’ll feel the performers leaning on Shakespeare’s structure, but they’re also willing to derail it for the punchline.

Drinks during the show: what’s included, what to expect, and how to plan

The ticket includes the admission, plus that special treat when you arrive. What it does not include is alcohol during the show. There’s a full cash bar, and craft cocktails are available for purchase throughout the performance.

This is actually a nice way to keep control of your night. If you’re not drinking, you can still buy nothing and enjoy the show. The comedy is tied to the drunk performer setup—not to you personally needing a cocktail in hand.

Practical note: if you want drinks during the performance, keep expectations realistic. In tight theater settings, ordering can take time, especially during the busiest moments. If you’re the type who gets annoyed when service slows down, I’d make a simple plan: grab the drink-friendly moments early, then settle in and focus on the interaction.

If you do drink, go with the same common-sense approach you’d use at any comedy night. The show already includes intentional intoxication as part of the premise, so keep your own pace steady.

The comedy style: modern references, fast pacing, and an edge of raunch

This isn’t Shakespeare as a solemn art form. The humor is modern, and it frequently leans into pop culture and current-event references. That’s why it can feel funny and clever to many people: you’re getting the rhythm of theater with punchlines that hit today.

That said, the comedic tone isn’t for everyone. Some audience members find it more slapstick and sophomoric than witty. If you’re hoping for clean, low-silliness comedy, you may want to think twice.

Here’s how I’d frame it to you:

• If you enjoy improv energy, heckle-level playfulness, and slightly messy humor, you’ll probably have a great time.
• If you strongly prefer tight wordplay and gentle humor, and you dislike adult-leaning content, this might feel like too much.

Also, the dialogue can be fast and loud in the small room. One review note highlighted that not everyone is able to catch the references or keep up with the speed. If you’re sensitive to loud audio or fast talk, plan to focus on the cast’s physical comedy too, not only the words.

Where the value really comes from: an alternative to Broadway that you can repeat

This is “value” in the travel sense: you’re buying a night out in Midtown that’s different from the standard musical-or-drama routine. Instead of another song-and-dance schedule, you get a living, changing performance built around audience energy and in-the-moment adaptation.

A few reasons this often feels like good value:

• You’re not locked into drinking. The show’s premise includes the drunk role, but your ticket is still complete without buying alcohol.
• The venue size supports the comedy. In a small room, you get more direct interaction than you’d get in a bigger theater.
• It’s designed for spontaneity. Since each show can vary based on who’s drinking, it doesn’t feel like you’ll see the same thing if you return later.

And because it’s English and off-Broadway style, it works well for visitors who want theater without needing to understand Shakespeare academically. You’re paying for performance skill, timing, and the ability to make chaos funny without losing the thread.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

I think Drunk Shakespeare fits best if you’re:

• going with friends or your partner and you want a shared laugh
• looking for an adult night out with a modern twist on a classic author
• comfortable with an interactive performance where the cast may pull in audience participation
• okay with a comedy style that can be bawdy and slapstick

It’s also clearly adult-only with a minimum age of 21. So if your group is mixing ages, this is one of those NYC experiences you’ll need to align carefully.

If you’re traveling solo, it can still work, as long as you’re comfortable being part of the room’s energy. But if you hate audience interaction or dislike fast, loud dialogue, I’d steer you toward a more traditional show.

One more fit check: some jokes are built on pop culture references. That doesn’t mean you need to be plugged into everything, but if you know you miss those references, you may get less out of the comedy layer and only enjoy the broad humor.

Getting there: 35 W 39th St and the hidden-venue feel

This performance is at The Ruby Theatre, 35 W 39th St. Public transportation is nearby, so you can keep it simple: get yourself to Midtown and then follow local signage and staff directions once you’re in the theater area.

Because this is described as a hidden venue, I’d give yourself a little buffer time. Tighter entrances and smaller rooms can slow down your start if you’re rushing. Arrive early enough to settle in, take in the pre-show atmosphere, and get your bearings before the cast starts working the room.

Also, pre-booked tickets are part of how you secure your spot. If you’re traveling during peak NYC season, plan to treat this like any other limited-seat show: don’t try to wing it last minute.

Should you book Drunk Shakespeare in NYC?

Book it if you want a fun, interactive off-Broadway night that treats Shakespeare like a comedy engine. You’ll likely enjoy the close-up, cast-led energy, the real professional performance skill, and the modern humor that makes the Bard feel like tonight’s entertainment, not a museum piece.

Skip it if you strongly prefer clean, carefully plotted theater, or if adult-leaning humor and fast, loud pacing won’t work for you. This is a comedy with an edge, not a calm literary evening.

If you’re trying to decide in one sentence: if you’d rather laugh and play than sit quietly appreciating classical text, this is one of the more memorable alternative theater options in Midtown.

FAQ

How long is Drunk Shakespeare?

It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where does the show take place?

It’s at The Ruby Theatre, 35 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018.

Is the show performed in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 21.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

No. Drinks during the show are not included. There is a full cash bar.

Are craft cocktails available?

Yes. Craft cocktails are available for purchase throughout the show.

What group size should I expect?

The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

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