Joe's NYC Bar

See it if You want to be a part of a lively conversation at a bar. Not a show really, more a platform for improv and audience engagement.

Don't see it if You want a narrative or don;t like bar settings.

See it if You enjoy talking politics in a bar setting. There weren't "actors" there were facilitators, there to get the conversation flowing.

Don't see it if If you go to the theater to escape the current insanity of the world. I don't want to pay to drink in a bar and talk politics.

See it if You want to engage in lively conversation, hate the 4th wall, and are up for some heated and relevant discourse

Don't see it if You like your theatre to happen on a stage. This is entirely immersive and much improvised. But hey, there's a bar!

Also Super interesting and enjoyable. An introvert like me even spoke up. A planned moment in the second half felt a little forced which made it difficult for the audience to participate since it was pre-constructed. A few small adjustments would make a huge difference.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy less structured theater, improvised dialogue, topical discussions, and unusual performance spaces

Don't see it if You don't want to see a show about current events or sit in a bar for the entire show

See it if you want to sit, drink, and listen to strangers meander through hot-button issues. You miss a neighborhood watering hole.

Don't see it if You live on internet forums or want something plotted or immersive but non-participatory.

Also I had very high hopes for the concept, but the execution was ultimately lacking. The disconnect for me was taking the middle ground with the audience participation. The actors tried to draw spectators into the conversation, but they either tried too obviously (railroading) or not hard enough (it was very easy to stay disengaged). The moments when the crowd really jumped in, I thought the crew did a great job of improvising the dialogue while steering the evening on track, but there were also long stretches of either slightly off-course audience rants or participationless chatter between actors. I almost fell that by avoiding both extremes (completely scripted or not), the piece failed. I imagine it is very crowd dependent (maybe there were too many people).

Still, I think the point that common gathering places where friends/neighbors/strangers may disagree, but still congregate and converse -- public forums -- are dying out is well-taken, and it's worth lamenting in shows like these.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to vent

Don't see it if You're uncomfortable expressing yourself in a group of strangers

See it if You are interested in a participative experience where you may not know the actors from the audience.

Don't see it if You don't like conversations in a bar.

Also Excellent! It's like a bar experience to the nth degree, where you can interact with anyone, not just the person on the stool next to you. Definitely cathartic!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be part of an interactive, immersive evening that changes every night, you want a platform to vent or speak out.

Don't see it if You don't need to vent, rather see a show than an interaction, or you don't want to possibly hear about politics.

See it if you want to live something very interactive, personal and interesting.

Don't see it if you don't want to share your personal life with an audience.

Also The show is in a second floor of a restaurant bar. It is a big bar. The show starts when the barman talks about the story of its bar.
Some actors you don't now if they are audience or actors, they talk, interact, and tell you their stories. It is intense, with real life stories, real sharing of anxieties, problems, love lives, emotional status.
Very interesting.... Read more Read less

See it if Its different, & not quite a play-more of a guided discussion. Characters challenge the bar patrons to discuss issues & themselves. Was fun~

Don't see it if Night I was there discussion went dark & angry a few times leaving me w/a sour taste. I understand most nights were much more encouraging.

See it if You like to be immersed in interactive conversations. I have no idea if this is really a "show," but let's see.

Don't see it if You don't like bar talking, which can sometimes be superficial & boring.

See it if You want to talk politics with a bunch of white liberals at a bar, your individual life is not affected by the current political atmosphere.

Don't see it if You want actual theater and not "actors" instigating cliched and overly done conversations about the election

See it if Sitting in a bar drinking and discussing politics mostly entertains you It is much more seat of the pants than improv-one mans opinion

Don't see it if No script, no storyline and little or no continuity disappoints you - If you don't care for drinking and arguing in a bar don't go

See it if you appreciate interactive relaxed conversation with audience. Hindrance free participation. Actors and audience blend in spontaneously.

Don't see it if you don't like unstructured shows. Don't like audience participation and adlib conversation with strangers.

Also At the same time it is nice to enjoy (inexpensive) drink or two. Or few words with the actors on smoke ( outdoor) brake.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to go into "the bar of our collective imaginations" and have a god-honest conversation with people.

Don't see it if You want to see a story be told; this play has no traditional narrative/throughline.

See it if You enjoy political convos (and being part of them), you enjoy the immersive experience. Funny at times, deep at others. If you like beer

Don't see it if You dislike debates, you prefer more story driven plays, you don't like the cramped feeling of a bar

Also This was the heightened experience of being at Cheers. Everyone in a conversation, bringing up different points. The story is insidious, catches you in a way that feels very real.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to engage in a thoughtful entertaining discussion about relationships, life, and NYC. Performances were uncannily naturalistic

Don't see it if you feel uncomfortable in immersive settings where actors try to engage you directly

See it if If you are open to a couple of hours of interactive conversation with regulars at a bar.

Don't see it if You are not willing to participate in intimate conversation

See it if You want an incredibly clever spin on immersive theatre and like the idea of participating along with the cast in thoughtful discussion

Don't see it if You're really wanting something more traditional/scripted. If you're on the fence, I'd say give it a go -- it was really a neat experience!

See it if You like a completely immersive experience and enjoy discussions about current events.

Don't see it if You want to know for sure actors from attendees or are expecting a "show".

See it if You want to have a great night out seeing something completely unique, entertaining and engrossing! MUST-SEE!

Don't see it if You do not like an immersive experience, improv, or you are not open-minded/willing to hear the opinions of others.

Also I am a HUGE theater geek and this was by far one of the most unique and fascinating experiences that I have had in NYC. Such a brilliant way to tell a story that can change with every performance. I am taking another friend tomorrow.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to support the actors and crew in their efforts.

Don't see it if you expect real improv. Too much is staged and the topics of conversation are far from thought provoking.

See it if you want to be involved in a good conversation in a bar without loud music in the background, or like to watch others have interesting ones.

Don't see it if you don't want to have a conversation or will get bored of others having a conversation, which could be about anything.

Also This show is entirely improvised, the actors are playing characters of their own devising which they seem very fond of. The conversations they start can be about ANYTHING and the audience can interrupt and be involved in the conversation as much or little as they want. You can choose to just watch if you want. You might be spoken to, but if you really don't want to talk I'm sure nobody would be offended if you decline. It's entertaining enough, but honestly not sure if it's worth the price.

Here's something you should be aware of. I thought this was going to be one of those things where you walk around the room and talk to different people and you get a story as the show goes on. I've gone to a lot of those and I thought that would happen. That is not what this is. This is a focused conversation between everyone in the bar. I'm sure it could get chaotic depending on the audience, but when I went it was just everyone having a good talk about dating, morals, careers, etc.... Read more Read less

See it if Like improvisational theater with audience participation

Don't see it if Like to sit in a theater and be entertained conventionally

See it if you like to engage or watch an interesting conversation unfold

Don't see it if you are sensitive about certain topics. anything can come up and my show got dark & deep with talk about depression. may not be for everyone

Also there is no plot so there's nothing to follow. it is improve and random topics of conversation that come up. so if you want more, you wont get it. you can probably walk into a bar and talk with random strangers for free and get a similar experience.... Read more Read less