I had no idea this place existed until one of my friends found this spot for our monthly book club meet up. Since we read a Shakespeare inspired book, we decided to come by and watch Romeo and Juliet. Parking was easy to find since the Emory parking deck was right across the street. Upon entering, you could order a drink before heading inside the theater. We had balcony seats so went up to pick our seats and then came down the kitchen to order food. Food was pretty good as they had a variety of options and already made prior to ordering. I got one of the bread baskets which came with pumpkin bread, garlic bread, zucchini bread and a couple of other pieces. The garlic bread was absolutely delicious and super flavorful while the pumpkin bread had the right amount of sweetness. During intermission, I got the raspberry sorbet which was a huge portion size for the price and tasted delicious! The play itself was really good as all the actors did well and could tell how passionate they were through the act. I also enjoyed that they added some humor. I do recommend getting there early especially if you book a balcony seat so that you can get a good seat. Overall, a pretty cool spot in the city and would recommend to anyone wanting to watch a Shakespeare play! read more

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Good gentles all, lend me thine ears awhile, For I must sing the praise of a house most rare, Where wit and wine do walk in hand in hand, And mirth wears motley till the candles fade. This past Christmastide, in love's true spirit dressed, I bore my wife unto the Shakespeare Tavern. She, never yet acquainted with its cheer, And I, returned after long years astray. To fit the hour, I clad my queen in garb Of Renaissance delight, and so attired We crossed the threshold, not as common folk, But players in the age we came to see. Long ere this night, I owed this noble hall A debt of thanks: for here, in youthful days, I first did taste that shepherd's humble pie, A dish so rich it lodged within my heart, And now I seek it wheresoe'er I dine. Thus memory itself did set the table Before a single course was yet revealed. When tickets were secured, mine eye did spy A royal offer "King" bold in name. Some might cry out at such a stately sum, But mark me well: I am no peasant born, And for my wife, my world, my sun, my soul, No coin is dear, no luxury too high. Thus crowned, we were with wine and endless fare, A bottle fair and victuals without bound. Yet let me pause, for praise is due indeed To those kind souls who served us through the night. The volunteers, with smiles as warm as hearths, Whose courtesy outshone the candle's flame. With gentle word and eager helping hand, They made us feel not guests, but honored kin, Their cheer did season every dish we ate And lent the evening grace beyond all gold. O feast! O triumph of the kitchen's art! Each dish a sonnet, savory and warm. We sampled all, and still our hunger grew, For every bite did beg another verse. The price alone was paid in pleasure full, And gladly would I ransom it again. Then rose the play, "Twelfth Night" upon the stage. A comedy so fleet of tongue and limb That laughter leapt unbidden from my chest. The players brought their utmost to the boards, Each soul alive with timing, wit, and fire. Not once did mirth grow stale, nor joy sit still; The night flew past as if on fairy wings. We left with hearts made light and bellies glad, Already sworn to swift return again. Next time, with kin and blood and chosen friends, That they too may partake this joyful spell. So hear me, travelers of time and taste: If thou wouldst dine with laughter, love, and art, Seek thou this tavern where old words live new. I'll meet thee there anon, until that hour, I rest thy servant, smiling in recall. read more

Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse - Dessert - Performing Arts Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Shakespeare Tavern is the home of Atlanta Shakespeare Company - a professional theatre with hand-made period costumes, music and sound effects & thrilling sword fights. Actors directly address the audience and never disappoint! PARKING Pay for street parking via text or kiosk, first 30 minutes free ($6). Or use the Emory Hospital Deck across the street. Accessible parking is behind the theatre. TICKETS $25-$49 for adults. Buy in person, online or via phone. Opening night previews are discounted & general admission. Discounts for seniors, students, educators, military, EMS etc. Volunteer for free entry! SEATS You pay to reserve a section, not a specific seat. The balcony upstairs has a small area for dining but seats are cheap & intimate with stellar views! Box seats are behind and to the sides of the main floor, mildly mobility friendly. In back there's no line during intermission but the actors voices compete with the music. Main Floor is best for mobility. So close you could end up interacting with the cast! Sold out show? You may share a table unless you're in the balcony. Restrooms are near the box office. FOOD/DRINKS Tasty, affordable Café' style food is made on site. Full bar before the show. Kitchen's closed during performances so arrive early! Order 75 - 10 minutes before curtain. Menu - $7.50 soup, $6.50 salad, $15 Shepherd's pie etc. I love the $8.50 Tavern sausage with potato salad. Intermission? Treat yourself to $6 hot apple pecan crisp with ice cream or $4 Sorbet. Chef's kiss! SHOWS We've seen Romeo and Juliet and Belle Esprit's Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice. Plays are 2.5-3 hours. ASC actors are high energy and hilarious! They throw in modern references and we always have a great time! SPECIAL EVENTS Shakespeare Out of a Hat plays are "part improv, mostly Shakespeare. " Casting is gender-blind, actors don't know who they are playing until 2 minutes before the play starts! Redesigned "Relaxed Performances" make art accessible for everyone. Autism spectrum disorder audience members are especially welcome! ASC Belle Esprit co-productions recenter historical plays through a feminist lens, uplifting the voices of women & nonbinary people. Purists beware, this ain't your momma's Jane Austen! SUM I highly recommend Shakespeare Tavern, I'll see you there! read more

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I recently saw Hamlet at The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, and it completely exceeded expectations. The production itself was outstanding. The gender-blind casting was thoughtful and effective, adding depth without feeling forced. Costumes and staging were excellent and immersive, the kind that pulls you fully into the story from the first scene. What I did not expect was how good the dining experience would be. Dinner was genuinely delicious, and dessert was the kind of surprise that makes you pause and reassess your life choices. It felt like a full evening experience, not just a show with food on the side. I also appreciated learning more about their volunteer program. Volunteers help make the magic happen and, from what I understand, receive tickets and a meal in return. You can feel the care and community behind the scenes. Some truly wonderful people give their time there, and it shows. This is a place that clearly values art, inclusion, and hospitality. A fantastic night out and one I would happily recommend. read more

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Oh was this an experience! We had never been here before. With the courtesy of the library, we decided to visit. The directions leaving the parking lot was very confusing. Overall attending this show was fantastic. You can order food at this establishment and eat inside before the play starts. They change their menu seasonally. The food is catered in. We ordered the Pull BBQ pork sandwich with the choice of chips or a side salad. We chose the salad. We had sweet tea to drink. The have table servers will come by and take your plate when you are finished eating. The ambiance of the place is an Old English Pub look. Check it out. read more

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My husband wanted to do something special for my birthday. He knew that watching a play, rockin' out at a concert, or chillin' at the arcade was both of our favorite pasttime. We are truly kid at heart. When you didn't grow up enjoying your childhood, you get to make it up when you are able and an adult, lol. We had watched Hamlet in the past and it was really good. Since Valentine was around the corner, he got us tickets for Romeo and Juliet. I mean, who doesn't love a good Shakespeare story that ends in tragedy, lol. This tavern offers dinner for their attendees. We dined and had a great time. The staff at this Tavern are so nice and graciously took care of us and made sure we had a great time! I highly recommend this place for a date night. I'm sure we'll be back for more shenanigans, winks. read more

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I LOVE Shakespeare Tavern! They put on such high-quality productions of such old shows in a way that still resonates with audiences! I have yet to see a show that I didn't love here, and am always so glad to come back! Check out their offerings, because they almost always have a new show happening every month! They also have a cafeteria-style line with super high-quality food! Get to the show early to treat yourself to dinner/lunch, and then dessert at intermission! The Ratatouille is my favorite meal I've had here, but it's all so tasty! Can't be beat! read more

Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse - Beautiful theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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We went as a family for the first time to see the Twelfth Night and it was fantastic! Signatures cocktails for adults, we sat in the balcony and honestly, there's not a bad seat in the house. Wonderful service. The food was to die for, we got the fruit and cheese plate, the shepherd pie, Cornish pastry, beef guydon and rice, and the tavern sausage. It was all delicious! As far as the play goes, the acting was amazing! We will definitely be back, this is a fantastic experience for all! read more

Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse - Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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This was my first visit here, but not my last. We came to see Pride and Prejudice, and it was so much fun. The actors are great and high energy. When purchasing tickets, you're reserving a section, so get there early to get the seats you want. The food was pretty good as well. I had the mac and cheese and tomato soup. The zucchini bread was phenomenal. I'm looking forward to coming back and seeing another play! read more

The Shakespeare Tavern is always a good time, it's a place to suspend reality and let the worries of your day slip away. Each time I attend a performance I leave happier and more relaxed than when I arrived. read more

This was our first time here. First impression was they didn't absolutely rake you over the coals at the bar, drinks were actually reasonably priced. We went to see Mid Summer Nights Dream. This was my first play ever, and I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. The food may have been a little overpriced for what it was, but not in comparison to other event food. The zucchini bread was awesome btw. The cast did a fantastic job, the modern references throughout made it extremely fun and easy to follow for us non-Shakespeare fans. My favorite character was Puck, she simply was amazing. I loved the feel and ambiance as the actors were sometimes walking through the audience during the performance, even interacting with us. I'm sure we will return now that we have experienced it once. Highly recommend this if you are looking for something unique to do in Atlanta that won't break the bank. read more

Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse - Beer menu. - Performing Arts Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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The food is reasonably priced and the staff is efficient. The actors are amazing. I've been to several performances and have thoroughly enjoyed each one. read more

Went to my fifth show yesterday and I am just continuously blown away by this wonderful place! The shows are always so incredible, the food is delicious, and the energy and atmosphere here is always so kind and welcoming. It's the perfect place to locally enjoy theater and spend a nice night or afternoon. read more

Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse - Performing Arts Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

I have lived in the ALT and OTP for a long time, am a big Shakespeare fan, and just never seemed to make it to this venue. Well, so glad this birthday brought us here! Cannot say how great the space is! Food is well thought out with, lots of GF and vegan options - thank you! Parking was easy down from the theater. It's an intimate space so get your tickets ahead of it's a show you have to see. If not take your chances, who knows? we went to a Sunday matinee and that is the sweet spot of the weekend for us so was perfect. The bar is nicely appointed with character inspired mixed and non- alcoholic beverages. We sat in the balcony and I could see getting one of the main floor tables some time, but I do like to see the whole stage and watch the blocking . The website is easy to use and very up to date for show times and explanations of events. You can volunteer to usher, etc. Was the first of hopefully many visits. Thank you all for such a wonderful show. read more

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If you like theater I imagine you'll love anything you see here! I was visiting Atlanta (from CA) for work and wanted to get out of the hotel for a night. I'm so glad we were able to catch a performance from their "out of a hat" series. The actors came out on stage, chose their roles from a hat, and had two minutes to prepare. Obviously, after rehearsing the show, and iambic pentameter what it is, some lines roll off the tongue, but most of the actors carried scripts throughout. The show, Romeo and Juliet, was hilarious when performed this way and they even gave it a happy ending. We didn't have dinner here, but dessert was delicious. The cocktails, performers, audience, and food were great! Nerdiness abounds- so who would ask for more!? read more

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Cool experience in the city! Family friendly, and perfect for large groups. It's such a unique theatre experience, and I love that you can enjoy a meal while watching the performance. Don't miss the food, my tomato soup was packed with flavor and was the perfect consistency, plus it was served with a slice of Zucchini bread. Affordably priced! The seats were very uncomfortable and it's difficult to get up if you're not sitting on the ends, very narrow walk way. Floors were also dirty, so not sure how often the theatre is cleaned. The volunteers were extremely helpful, friendly, and I would love if they had a tip jar because they were working hard. Full bar, draft beer inside, hard cider, and mead. I watched Romeo and Juliet, and personally it was ok, not great or something I would see again. Some actors were better than others but they all seemed to enjoy themselves. Some of the sexual humor was unnecessary. read more

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Seriously the best Shakespeare I've seen. This was our second trip and we loved it just as much. Last time we had dinner at the tavern, which was ok. So this time we skipped dinner and just went for the show to save some money. All seats are good seats. We arrived an hour before the show and enjoyed the preshow music. The actors are so physical and expressive, it's easy to follow the plot. I brought 3 teens and they had no trouble following. I will probably come back again. read more

This is a beautiful set up. English Irish pub fare and Shakespeare plays in action. They have Guinness on tap, poured perfectly. We tried the turkey chilli and clam chowder. The portions are huge, and pretty good for tavern fare. It's counter serve options and the volunteers bring it to your seat. Definitely check this spot out. read more

I can't say I exactly knew what to expect going to Shakespeare Tavern to see Shakespeare Out of a Hat, but it was a lot more fun than I anticipated. The actors were hilarious. There was lots of audience participation and everyone was into it and having a great time. The service was friendly, everyone there was super nice, and bonus points for the selection of Samuel Smith beers available, which you don't see too often. My wife and I are fans and we'll be returning for one of their regular productions in the future. Shakespeare Tavern is a nice change of pace and not your typical night out at a bar or a restaurant in the city, and I recommend it for anyone that wants to switch it up for a night and see some dinner theater. read more

Oh wow! How did I not write a review about this place after the first time I went. Shame on me. During our holiday tour of this and that I surprised my gf by taking her to see Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at Shakespeare Tavern. It was magical! The cafe food isn't that great overall, but the fact that they offer food is a plus, so I'm not going to knock them for that, anyways, you are there for a play, not for food! The actors are on point. I've been in couple of plays and am a member of the Thespian society, and the way they were able to bring every scene to life on such a small stage was surreal. I love the fact that they interact with the audience. They offer different packages for seating and tables, I think the most expensive is $300, but the fact that a normal production is about $25 per person with the option to donate, which you should!, it is definitely worth the price. The second production I was The Three Musketeers. The actors just don't miss! How they are able to make the time go from 2:30 to 5 in the span of what felt like minutes is simply amazing. I mean everyone has read or watched Three Musketeers, but they brought the story to life! Love, love, love this place! Even the weirdly positioned tables, honestly they just add character to the Tavern! read more

My daughter and I have been going to the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse in Atlanta, Georgia for many years now. We went to see "a Christmas Carol" for the fourth time, and The performance was just as amazing as in the past. The service that we received before the show was absolutely, hands-down, fantastic! We were there early enough to get the seats that we wanted, the food was Renaissance\pub style, hot, delicious, and served cafeteria style so that there was really no wait. The staff behind the counter went over and beyond to make sure you were happy! read more

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I had such an enjoyable experience here! The atmosphere was on theme, food was great, and the acting was comedic and well performed. This is a great place to take friends and family, no matter if they're familiar with theater or not. Will definitely be visiting again! read more

This place is a hidden gem and it's always a pleasure to come and enjoy any of their performances. Go early and have dinner, then dessert during intermission. It's small and cozy inside, very much like a community theater which is why I like it so much. read more

There's a handful of words that come to mind to describe this place, amazing, outstanding, awesome, wonderful, fun... This is probably my favorite place to just enjoy an evening. A great time, always a great show, good food and with a great person, just a wonderful time. read more

This place is a hidden gem in Atlanta. They have plays just about every week. And they are amazing. I have gone with people who don't like plays and they loved it. Parking: There are one or two maybe three places in front of it where you can parallel park but the majority of the people are going to have to park at a lot what you have to pay to park. There is a lot immediately Next door so you don't have to walk far. Took my girlfriend here for her birthday. One things I like about this location if you are celebrating someone's birthday you can buy the royal upgrade package which is an additional $150 on top of the price of the tickets. They put a nice tablecloth and roses on the table. It comes with a bottle of champagne. My friend felt so special when she got there. It was worth the price. Food: I really like the food options here a lot of them are healthy and whole Foods. They have foods that are more likely to be served back in that time like shepherds pie. They have really good shepherds pie. They also have dessert and plenty of alcoholic drink options. The only con of this place is pictures are prohibited. read more

Shakespeare Tavern is one of the hidden gems of Atlanta. People get intimidated by Shakespeare because reading it can be challenging, but Shakespeare wasn't meant to be read. They are plays, they're meant to be performed. When the words come alive through the actions on stage it's super easy to follow what's going on. The quality of the acting here is top notch, the environment is relaxed and welcoming, and even the food is good. Plus- ticket prices are very reasonable. No ticketmaster price gouging here. 100% would recommend visiting regularly, they do a new play every month, so there's always something new to see. A trip to Shakespeare Tavern is one of our family's favorite activities. read more

For a fun date night out with dinner and a play, you can't beat this place. Ambience =========== From the street, this place reads like a hole in the wall. Don't be scared. Arrive early and budget a bit extra for drinks: they have a full bar and a gift shop here while you wait to be seated. I regularly get a rum and coke - my wife likes the "civil orange" - the Tavern's take on a fuzzy naval. In a bit - you can pick your table & seats and be ushered into 1600's England. Food & Drink =======****** This is definitely dinner theater, so you'll want to leave the kids at home and bring your wallet. They have an excellent selection of food and drink - many of the choices keeping with the theme of jolly old England. I always get the Shepards Pie (a tavern favorite). Food is served cafeteria style in the rear of the theater space - so get in line, pick your food and drink and pay. Don't forget to save room for dessert and coffee (served at intermission). For dessert, you can't go wrong with Apple crisp and ice cream). The worlds a stage ==========******* The plays and musicals range from solidly B-rated to "wow, this is pretty dang good". The performance will be split into 2 main sections, separated by an intermission. Expect the entire performance to be around 2.5 - 3 hours. Performances are sometimes interactive, especially if you're in the tables closest to the stage. Parking ======**** My biggest gripe is parking. There isn't any. As with many downtown venues, you should be comfortable finding your own parking or arrange for drop off / pickup by a ride sharing service. Summary ==***** This is really a uniquely Atlanta gem. I highly recommend checking out at least one traditional Shakespearean play and at least one "Christmas Carol" (only available around Christmastime). read more

I love Shakespeare's Tavern. The food is okay, the atmosphere is wonderful. We've made an annual tradition of seeing A Christmas Carol since at least 2008. I was sad that Drew Reeves would not be portraying Scrooge this year, but was certainly open to the change. The new Scrooge had incredible shoes to fill so it's unfair to compare him to Reeves. Honestly, he was fine, good not great. As for the rest of the cast, something must have been going on last night. There were 3 understudies performing, one of which was reading directly from his script. Again, some grace is due...I've never seen this before at the Tavern and guessed that perhaps people called in sick or were otherwise unable to make it. Again, it was fine. The travesty of the night was Tiny Tim. Tiny Tim was a ... wait for it ... puppet! A puppet? How? Why? The humanity! Or rather, the lack of humanity! This is always the thing that gets us in the Christmas spirit. Instead, we left with a resounding Bah...Humbug. read more

This place is the BEST!! Fabulous plays, stellar acting that's hilarious and pulls you into the action, homey space, friendly staff who are passionate about what they do, and delicious food!! (I especially recommend the shepherd's pie and apple crisp.) You literally can't find a better date night activity in Atlanta! read more

Excellent venue, wonderful staff, a genuinely wonderful experience. I appreciate the staff (including the volunteers) and the troupe. Thank you for a wonderful evening, will be recommending it to everyone who comes to Atlanta! read more

We had an awesome experience! The setting, food, drinks, staff & volunteers as well as the hilarious, skilled & professional performances all made for a delightful evening! It is incredibly easy To give an enthusiastic review when you've had a wonderful evening of comedic surprises!! read more

I would give the Shakespeare Tavern six stars if that was an option. We had an absolutely amazing experience. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and you could tell that they really enjoyed what they were doing. We saw a performance of Sherwood, and found it to be incredibly fun. The actors were funny and talented, and actually engaged with the audience. We felt as though we were a part of the performance. It was a one of a kind experience, and I cannot give the Shakespeare Tavern a higher recommendation. We will definitely be back for future shows. read more

Excellent service, nice people, awesome atmosphere. I had an awesome time coming here. read more

Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse - a stage with people sitting at tables - Performing Arts Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Went here as part of a date night on a quick trip to Atlanta. Had a wonderful time. A great price with great seats. There are three sections where you can sit, one being the floor, one being behind the floor (on the same level) and lastly the balcony. You buy the tickets for the section and the individual seats are first come first serve the day of the show. The doors open about an hour before the show and you can get drinks either from the bar or the kitchen. The staff was very hopeful and approachable. The kitchen is in the back of the theater hall with two sides, both starting with someone serving drinks, followed by someone serving food, followed by someone who at the cash register. Very efficient, and it made things very easy to get food and drinks. The kitchen closes right before the show starts, but opens briefly for intermission so you can get more drinks for dessert. The food itself was OK, I but I had also eaten two hours before so I wasn't all that hungry. There is a bathroom next to the kitchen which closes during the show, but there is still an open bathroom at the entrance to the venue. The play was fantastic, and the actors were amazing. They incorporated the crowd a lot and it was really engaging, kinda like how a comedian will poke fun at people on the front row. They threw in their own jokes to keep the laughs going (a lot of physical comedy) and must have improvised some too. They did a great job of putting inflection on things in such a way to make some of that outdated language come to life. The only time I was confused was the beginning, but that was really just for a little while and it was just setting up some of the characters personalities which I got from the actors anyway. At the end of the show, we saw one of the actresses at the bar and it felt like seeing a movie star around town, very cool and I wish we had say hey. read more

Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse - This was taken from our floor seats. We were close enough that the actors would gesture at me specifically when they were leaving. - Performing Arts Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

My daughter and I love this place. It's super affordable and fun. The food is awesome and very fresh.

From the Shakespeare Tavern's web page: "Never seen a Shakespeare play? Or maybe it's been a while and you're afraid you won't understand what's going on? We promise you'll get the jokes!" When taking a group of older teens this was broken promises! We were looking for a fun experience! And received a night of jokes in bad taste! Even as an adult I was disappointed in the sexual jokes made in reference to Shakespear's works that have no such translation! It wasn't funny at all! This is just the tip of the iceburg when reviewing "The Complete works of William Shakespeare". The only thing I enjoyed was the food! Our group left during the first half because there was no way we were going to expose ourselves or our teens to the continual slanderous material this group of actors exprssed! There was no Shakespeare in this mockery! Our teens and parents alike were very uncomfortable, anxious and disappointed. This Shakespeare done in poor taste! "The word of Shakespeare is just the beginning of the Atlanta Shakespeare Company's interpretation." We were expecting more Shakespeare and less gross improvisations. read more

For many years, we have made it a family tradition to go see "A Christmas Carol" every year at the Shakespeare Tavern. This year was an extreme disappointment. There has been a huge change in the actors/actresses, and unfortunately, a change in the skill level as well. Our entire group felt that using a puppet for Tiny Tim was just creepy. The food was still good and being with family was wonderful, but all of us were bitterly disappointed. I simply cannot recommend this show anymore. read more