We’ve all faced the dilemma: You have tickets for a show at 8pm but you’re 45 minutes early. You rushed so as not to be late; now you’re too early—and you skipped dinner. Not to worry. Many of New York’s best theaters offer pre-show drinks or bites that give you proper fuel (or buzz) to get your through the show. Whether you're catching a Broadway show, something Off-Off or out in Brooklyn, you can find someplace to grab a table and unwind before the curtain goes up. Our handy guide is even more useful if you’re not catching a show around Times Square, where tourist-trap eateries abound.
East 10th Street Coffee, an excellent purveyor of first-class beans, keeps the patrons caffeinated for the classics. There aren't a lot of tables in Classic Stage Company's somewhat cramped lobby, so you may have to enjoy your cup of joe standing. Watch out for the scrumptious rich brownies—they're classics of a different sort.
The Lounge at Dixon Place has a funky, scrappy, old-East-Village vibe that is sometimes hard to find in that ultra-gentrified student/hipster zone. As the site says, “you can even take your drinks into the theater, or stay put and catch free readings or live music while enjoying hand-crafted cocktails.” It’s open Monday through Saturday starting at 6pm—and best of all, your booze money for a tasty “Humping Dog” or “Dixon Drop” goes to support the artists and the space.
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