CABARET VILLE MAGAZINE. P199
ENTERTAINMENT/NIGHTLIFE
NEW YORK 12 BEST JAZZ, CABARET NIGHTLIFE VENUES
By Maximillien de Lafayette
1- DON'T TELL MAMA .343 W 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues. Phone: 212-757-0788. Rating: 4 STARS. Genre: Cabaret-Lounge. Clientele age: 30 to 50. Dress code: Smart Casual.
One
of the most captivating cabarets in New York City. Everybody seems to know
about their cabaret acts. This spot regularly offers the best cabaret
singers in the business. With its piano bar, two separate cabaret rooms,
this establishment rotates around high definition stage techno, funky
gadgets, light fixtures, dazzling spotlights, fancy 400-watt sound system,
the whole nine yard. The Front Cabaret room seats about 65 and the Back
Cabaret seats approximately 74 persons. But what counts here, is not the
large projection screen, the state of the art audio-video system and
technology stuff but, the faces and talents at Don't Tell Mama. And
talents they put on stage. Perhaps, they have the best nightly cabarets
acts and torch singers in town.
And
everybody takes part in this musical feverish explosion and implosion
beginning with the performers, going through the wait staff and wrapping
it up with customers who are having the best time of their lives. This is
a great place. A lot of fun. Don’t Tell Mama opens nightly from 4: 00 pm
to 4: 00 am, and the piano music stars at 9: 00 pm. Two drinks minimum and
a cover charge is "to be paid" even if you know the owners. A lot of
boozing and schmoozing in this place, but no food is served. This is a
super duper spot. You will love this place. Highly recommended. Two thumbs
up!
2- FEINSTEIN'S AT THE REGENCY. 540 Park Avenue, The Regency Hotel. Phone: 212-339-4095. Rating: 5 STARS. Genre: Cabaret-Lounge. Clientele age: 30 to 60. Dress code: Jacket or Tie.
A
very classy and chic
nightclub. The ambiance is intimate, elegant, refined and comfortable. The
room accommodates 140 seated guests. If you are having important guests from
out of town, you better take them to Feinstein's At The Regency. They would
be impressed. Everything seems to be perfect at that establishment; the
show, the music, the repertoire, the food, the service, the ambiance and the
clientele in general. New York needs a live entertainment venue like the
Feinstein's. The drinks prices and cover charge might scare some customers,
but this
is the whole deal! High prices would help eliminate the undesirable
riffraff. This is a world-class cabaret. La
crème de la crème, all the way! The list of distinguished artists who
performed at this super spot includes: Rita Rudner, Polly Bergen, Ann
Hampton Callaway, Rosemary Clooney, Barbara Cook, Linda Eder, Cleo Laine,
Melissa Manchester and Keely Smith.
3- OAK ROOM AT THE ALGONQUIN. 59 W 44th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues. Phone: 212-840-6800. Rating: 5 STARS. Genre: Cabaret-Lounge. Clientele age: From 20 to 50. Dress code: Smart casual.
The Oak Room is a landmark in New York City with a rich tradition of cabaret music excellence and high caliber of stage performers. It is elegant, classy, imposing, yet very comfortable. The musical acts are first class. The artists are top of the line and the service is impeccable. Every single detail is well crafted and meticulously paid attention to, by the staff and personnel of the Oak Room. This is, probably the finest cabaret in the United States. Everything is almost perfect. To many customers, the Oak is very expensive and the $50 cover charge is outrageous! Yes, they complain about the high prices but they keep on going to and coming back to the Oak Room. It seems that nobody in New York can compete with this venue. It appears that no entrepreneur in town is capable of coming up with a new cabaret concept or formula to compete with the Oak Room. Elegance dominates here, starting with the pricy hors d'oeuvre, magnificent appetizers, yummy sandwiches, fancy drinks, rich decor and ending the elegance tour de force with the gowns and dresses of the performers themselves.