Irish Repertory Theatre
Looking for a quality theater experience in an intimate space at a reasonable price? Try the Irish Repertory Theatre. It ranks high on our list. Located at 132 West 22nd Street in Manhattan, the Irish Rep produces Irish and Irish-American plays year-round, many of them classics. Orchestra seats (priced around $75) place you inches from the actors, and since this is New York City, what actors they are! Featured from now through May 2024 are three works by Brian Friel (above), the Irish Chekhov according to some.
Irish Repertory Theatre entrance on West 22nd Street, New York City
Irish Repertory Theatre stage
El Quijote Restaurant
Two blocks from the Irish Rep is the newly renovated El Quijote restaurant adjacent to — and owned by — the Chelsea Hotel. Founded by Spanish exiles in the 1930s, El Quijote gradually morphed into a go-to dive bar and cheap eatery for hotel residents like Dylan Thomas, Patti Smith, and Bob Dylan. While keeping much of its kitschy decor, the new pared-down space boasts a decidedly sophisticated menu. You can’t go wrong with their paella and sangria, but many other dishes (anchovies and boquerones, anyone?) delight the senses. A perfect complement to the Irish Repertory Theater.
El Quijote restaurant entrance on West 23rd Street, New York City
El Quijote restaurant bar
El Quijote restaurant dining room