Manhattan boasts some of the best plays in the city with its famed lineup of Midtown theaters, but Broadway isn’t the end-all-be-all when it comes to catching great theatrical performances in New York City. There are plenty of off-Broadway (and even off-off-Broadway) theatres that offer avant-garde performances and top-notch lineups that you should consider next time you’re looking to enjoy a night out on the town. To discover several of the best Off-Broadway theaters in NYC, simply scroll down – whichever you choose, you’re bound to enjoy a show to remember.
| Name | Location | Description |
| Here | 145 6th Ave | After its recent remodeling, Here has adopted a “come-one-come-all” attitude. This multi-level experimental venue hosts hybrid performances, dance shows, puppetry, and multimedia theater. It’s home to popular plays like The Lily’s Revenge and the black box on the second level has also played host to artists like Karinne Keithley and Tina Satter. Upcoming viewings include Beep Boop, a romp about technology, and Suddenly, a play based off a movie starring Frank Sinatra. There’s always something new rotating, so check out the show list before you make any final decisions. |
| Cherry Lane Theatre | 38 Commerce St | Cherry Lane was once home to a 19th-century farm and now is Off-Broadway’s oldest theatre to continually be in operation. Since its opening in 1924, big names like Gene Hackman, Bea Arthur, James Earl Jones, and Barbra Streisand have all graced its stage. Nowadays, you’ll find plays like Final Follies, which honors playwright A.R Gurney, or Downstairs, a thriller about two siblings starring Tyne and Tim Daly, on the main stage. In the smaller studio, you can catch showings of The Hurricane Party, a love story set in a coastal town. |
| New Ohio Theatre | 154 Christopher St #1E | After losing its lease on its former Soho building, The New Ohio Theatre is back stronger than ever in its new West Village location. Home to the legendary Ice Factory talent showcase each summer, this indie theatre debuts short and experimental shows that run for weeks at a time, so there’s always fresh talent on display. Playing right now is Dear Diary LOL, a comedy based on real teenage diaries. Upcoming, you’ll find Stained running for a couple of days in October. Be sure to check the website for new offerings! |
| La Mama E.T.C | 66 E 4th St | La Mama was opened by Ellen Steward in 1961 and has been inviting major figures like Tadeusz Kantor, Andrei Serban, Ping Chong, and other avant-garde artists to its stage. The space is all-red and reminiscent of the 1960s theater days, and you’ll catch the Ellen Stewart Theatre and Club Theater nearby. At La Mama, you can stop by to enjoy the annual puppet festival in November, sculpture exhibitions like La Galleria, and brief viewings of experimental performances like Wildflowers, which explores femininity. For a deal on tickets, stay tuned for their 10 for $10, where you can get a ticket to a performance for only $10. |
| The Connelly Theater | 220 E 4th St | The Connelly Theater embraces the fact that it was once a 19th-century school auditorium, using the balcony and seemingly limitless space to enhance its program offerings. Popular shows put on here in the past include Apparition by Anne Washburn and Monstrosity by Lucy Thurber. Currently on view is Mandy Patinkin in concert, but you can also find upcoming musicals like Shadows, which describes itself as a “gothic ghost story.” There’s even an opportunity to occasionally volunteer as an usher here, so you can give back to the community and catch a free show. |
| The Wild Project | 195 E 3rd St | The Wild Project is known for putting on shows like A Bright New Boise and 33 to Nothing. The space seats just under 100 people, includes an art gallery with rotating exhibits, and is constructed entirely of wood and concrete with eco-friendly sensibilities in mind. Currently on view is a dark comedy about women’s choices called Hope, and starting in November you can visit the International Human Rights Festival, which features workshops and community programs. No matter what you see here, you can’t beat the $4 glasses of wine. |
| Ars Nova | 511 W 54th St | Ars Nova is home to many creative types looking to take risks in the beginning of their careers. Its doors have seen Lin Manuel Miranda, Liz Meriwether, Jesse Eisenberg, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson all pass through. The venue stands out from the lack of artistic options along 10th avenue and performances are turned around quickly, with tickets as cheap at $15. Check out the upcoming Cities Used to Be Here by Ryan King or keep an eye on the calendar to get a first glimpse at whatever interesting performances pop up throughout the fall. |
| Astor Place Theatre | 434 Lafayette St | Astor Place Theatre made a splash in the NYC theater world with its first play The Indian Wants the Bronx starring a then-unknown Al Pacino in 1968, a few years before The Godfather rose to fame. The theatre was then purchased by the Blue Man Group in 2001 and has been hosting their talents ever since. More of a musical hybrid, it’s home to one of the only shows in the city that is unique enough to involve the audience in the performance. You can buy tickets directly through Ticketmaster. |
| Daryl Roth Theatre | 101 E 15th St | Daryl Roth Theatre features a main stage, a cozier and more intimate theater called DR2, and even a cabaret bar called D-Lounge, so there’s no shortage of entertainment options to enjoy when you pay this place a visit. On the main stage, you’ll find In & Of Itself, which tackles topics of memory and modern allegory, and Neurosis, a musical about finding happiness and love. Downstairs in the D-Lounge, you’ll find rotating jazz performances and other musical stylings. |
| McKittrick Hotel | 530 W 27th St | This Hitchcock-esque hotel is actually a series of warehouses placed together to create an interactive world for guests. It puts all traditional theatre conventions aside and produces truly spectacular experimental shows, in addition to holiday-themed events, like a Nightmare Before Christmas dance party and a Halloween extravaganza with an open bar. The actual main attraction is Sleep No More, a theatrical performance which takes on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The audience is asked to keep quiet as they are walked throughout the warehouse spaces to see silent actors performing throughout. |
CHEAT SHEET
For more on the best Off-Broadway Theaters and places to catch a play in NYC, also check out:
Time Out – Best Off-Broadway Venues NYC
Wheretraveler – 40 Notable Off and Off-Off Broadway Theaters NYC
NYC Theater – Best Off-Broadway Shows in September
Assistant editor Christina Elia is currently pursuing her BA in Art History Communications at Fordham University, and writes about various topics ranging from arts and culture to practical tips and how-to advice. She has been published on online platforms such as The Odyssey. You can follow her on Twitter via @stinaelia
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