“O Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore Art Thou Romeo?”: Is Watching a ‘Company of Drinkers’ Sober the Ultimate Test for a Shakespeare Lover?

If you find yourself in the heart of the Theater District in New York City, you’re probably looking for something a bit more “extra” than your standard Broadway play. Enter Drunk Shakespeare—a hidden library where professional actors drink a minimum of five shots of whiskey and then attempt to perform a Shakespearean masterpiece.

I recently headed over to the NYC production with a specific mission in mind: Can someone who doesn't drink still have a great time at a show literally centered around booze?

Before I walked in, I honestly didn't know what to expect. But the short answer? Absolutely. From the moment it started to the final bow, I genuinely could not stop smiling, and I was constantly on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next! Honestly, I’d come back every single day if I could—even if my bank account might never forgive me!

A Global Phenomenon

Believe it or not, this show’s reputation has traveled way beyond the five boroughs. During my visit, I met people who had traveled all the way from Belgium, Australia, Germany, and France just to see this troupe in action!

When you have people flying halfway across the globe to watch an actor take five shots of whiskey and stumble through iambic pentameter, you know they’re doing something right. I mean, if Shakespeare himself knew his plays were still drawing international crowds to a bar in 2026, he’d probably be asking for a shot of his own!

The Ultimate "Sober" Hospitality

One thing is for sure: these guys really know how to make every person in the room feel special. As someone who doesn't drink, there's always that tiny worry that you'll feel out of place at a "bar-themed" event.

But the staff? They were incredible. The waitstaff went above and beyond, even bringing me water to make sure I felt comfortable and included while everyone else was drinking. It’s those little touches that made me feel like I belonged there just as much as anyone else.

Modernizing the Bard (Without the Headache)

Let’s be real—Shakespeare can be hard to understand sometimes, even when you're stone-cold sober. I loved how they kept the core storyline of Romeo and Juliet and used the majority of the original language, but they weren't afraid to modernize it.

They took some serious creative liberties that made the play feel fresh and accessible. Whether they were playing Shakespearean Mad Libs with the audience or throwing in modern jokes, the energy was infectious.

A Quick Side Note: Because there is real drinking involved, the venue is strictly 21+. But honestly? I truly wish they had performances for high school-aged kids during the day! The show wouldn't even need to be modified—just a PG-13 version would be enough. If I had been able to have an experience like this when I was in high school, it would have made Shakespeare so much more fun and relatable.

Living the Royal Life: Caviar, Chocolates, and Chaos

They actually run three shows a day, and during one of them, I got the surprise of a lifetime: I was upgraded to the Royal Experience. And let me tell you, they really make you feel like royalty!

My "Royal" perks included:

• Gourmet Snacks: A spread of chocolates and caviar.
• The Bubbles: A bottle of chocolate champagne.
• The Power: Two free drink vouchers and—the best part—the ability to dictate how the show goes.

As the "King" for the night, I had the power to either cut the drunk actor off or allow him to take another shot. Since I don't drink, the staff was so sweet and offered to wrap up the champagne for me to take home to a family member. But honestly? The staff worked so hard to make me feel special that I decided to give it back to them. They were so appreciative, and they totally deserved it!

A Cast That Will Have You Doubled Over

The hook of the show is that they pick exactly one actor or actress to get drunk every night. When I went, that lucky person was Travis Raeburn, who played Mercutio! While the whole "drunk actor" thing is the main event, the entire cast was incredible:

• Travis Raeburn (Mercutio): Travis is literally the reason I stayed for the second show! Watching him navigate the role while drunk was a masterclass in comedy. At one point, he was doing the worm and getting the whole audience involved in chants.
• Ryan Farnsworth (Romeo): Ryan was absolutely incredible! He really took the part of Romeo and made it his own. He was so great at involving the audience—it was impossible not to root for him.
• Brandon Salerno (The Host): Brandon’s versatility is wild. He played his parts by impersonating different people—his take on Paris using a puppet was such a unique, creative highlight.
• Morgan Haney (Juliet): Morgan was so wonderful. She has this way of making everyone feel welcome and making sure the entire crowd is involved in the story.

Why You Should Book via Professional Accessible Travel Hub

It’s almost ironic that this is one of the most affordable shows in NYC, because the value you get is astronomical compared to the price of a ticket. Honestly, they could probably be charging twice as much for this level of entertainment and I’d still pay it!

If you want to experience this night of chaos with zero stress, you need to book through Professional Accessible Travel Hub. Best of all? When you book with me, my services are completely free!

• Personalized Communication: If you don't drink, I can communicate directly with the venue on your behalf to find alternatives that work for you. Everything is handled beforehand so you can just show up and enjoy.
• Door-to-Door Service: I can set up a private car service to take you from your house or hotel directly to the venue and back.
• Traveler Assistance: For those traveling from out of town, I can fully assist with all your hotel reservations to ensure your trip is seamless.
• The NYC Staycation: If you're staying overnight, I highly recommend the Intercontinental New York Barclay. When you book through the Hub, you get exclusive perks like:- Early check-in & Late check-out
  • A special welcome amenity
  • A complimentary room upgrade (based on availability)

The Final Verdict

Were there moments that were a bit risqué? Oh, definitely. But it totally worked and I loved every second of it! I don’t think I’ve ever laughed that hard at a show in my life.

Truly, everyone should go see Drunk Shakespeare at least once in their life. I'm telling you this as someone who genuinely had the best time I've had in a long time—the show was just that good! Whether you’re a teetotaler or a whiskey fan, this is an NYC experience you cannot miss. I’m already planning my next trip back!