Guide to Greenwich Village theatres: Experience the Manhattan neighborhood’s Off-Broadway scene

Learn about the many Off-Broadway theatres in Greenwich Village, as well as restaurant and attractions to visit in the area before or after your show.

While many New York City visitors flock to Times Square to catch a large-scale Broadway production, there are dozens of other theatres around the city showcasing incredible talent as well. If you’re a fan of Off-Broadway shows — or you’re interested in traveling a little bit off the touristy path to catch a lesser-known gem of a show — one excellent destination is Greenwich Village. The historic neighborhood is home to several well-known Off-Broadway theatres, some of which have been operating since the early 1900s.

But Greenwich Village has much more to offer in addition to its vibrant theatre scene. You can spend a full day in the area to soak up all it has to offer, from hundreds of eateries and bars to excellent museums and historic locales, from the famous Washington Square Park to plenty of shopping and entertainment.

No matter what you’re looking to do on your trip, there is something for everyone in Greenwich Village — especially top-tier Off-Broadway theatre. Read our full guide to the neighborhood below.

Famous theatres and shows in Greenwich Village

Because there are many different theatres spread throughout Greenwich Village, here are some of the most famous where you might want to catch a show during your visit.

Minetta Lane Theatre

Opening in the 1980s, the Minetta Lane Theatre has been home to numerous Off-Broadway productions over the years. The intimate space, which holds just under 400 people, is where The Last Five Years (coming to Broadway in 2025) made its Off-Broadway debut in 2002. Other notable shows at the Minetta Lane include Marvin’s Room, Jeffrey, and Balm in Gilead.

Today, the venue is owned by Audible Theater, which puts on productions that are later recorded and released as audio dramas. You can often catch stand-up and limited-run solo engagements in addition to traditional plays and musicals at the Minetta Lane.

Get tickets to Minetta Lane Theatre shows now.

Cherry Lane Theatre

Even more intimate than the Minetta Lane is the Cherry Lane Theatre, which holds 179 people in its mainstage space and just 60 people in its studio, where you can catch experimental shows. Like many buildings in this area of the city, Cherry Lane’s history dates back to the early 1800s, when it had another function entirely: as a farm silo.

In 1924, it became an entertainment venue known for putting on avant-garde performances and pushing the boundaries of what theatre could be. Many famous artists have been involved with the Cherry Lane, with works by American legends like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Eugene O’Neill, Gerturde Stein, Tennessee Williams, and many more gracing the stage.

Some of the most famous productions that got their start here include Godspell, Nunsense, and The Rimers of Eldritch. In 2023, film studio A24 purchased the theatre.

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Greenwich House Theater

Another theatre that dates back to the early 1900s, the Greenwich House Theater has been a neighborhood fixture for a long time, beginning as a children’s theatre that offered classes and crucial resources to the local community. In addition to its theatrical work, the Greeenwich House provided important education and resources about AIDS during the 80s and still hosts a long-term HIV survivors support group.

The theatre has been home to many different production companies over the years, but most recently, Barrow Street Theatre resided there, notably putting on an immersive Sweeney Todd production set in a pie shop. Today, Ars Nova, the group that launched the Tony-winning Broadway musical Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, produces shows at the theatre.

Get tickets to Greenwich House Theater shows now.

Lucille Lortel Theatre

Originally a movie theatre, the Lucille Lortel Theatre became an Off-Broadway theatre in the 1950s and has gone on to host countless Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning plays since. One of its early successes was The Threepenny Opera, which ran for six years and marked a record for the longest-running musical at the time.

The list of famous writers and actors who have been involved with the Lucille Lortel over the years is extensive, including legends such as Helen Hayes and Bea Arthur. Recent celebrities to grace the stage include Christopher Abbott and Aubrey Plaza in 2023's Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Cole Escola with their hit comedy Oh, Mary!, and in fall 2024, Adam Driver in Hold on to Me Darling.

Get tickets to Lucille Lortel Theatre shows now.

Players Theatre

Another long-running New York City theatre with a building that dates back to the early 1900s is The Players Theatre. Originally a carriage house, it eventually became a theatre in the 1950s, offering several performance spaces and even a historic music club, Cafe Wha?, underneath the main venue.

The Players Theatre hosts tons of different types of performances, as it has both a main stage theatre and a black box space where you can find more experimental shows. One of the most famous productions at the theatre was Ruthless!, which premiered in 1992 and featured Natalie Portman and Britney Spears.

Get tickets to Players Theatre shows now.

What to do before seeing a show in Greenwich Village

Much like its long list of historic theatres, Greenwich Village has a limitless variety of activities that will appeal to a wide range of interests. Here are of the most popular things to do in Greenwich Village.

Whitney Museum of American Art

This museum requires a bit of a walk, as it sits all the way to the west by 10th Avenue, but it’s worth it for art lovers. The Whitney is home to contemporary American pieces and installations as part of various permanent and rotating exhibits. It also offers a few roof decks with beautiful views of the city.

The Stonewall Inn and National Monument Vistor Center

These sites are both places of interest as landmarks in LGBTQ+ history. You can visit the center and learn more about the Stonewall Rebellion and its legacy of kickstarting the gay liberation movement in the 1960s, and then visit the famous bar next door.

Washington Square Park

The park is a great place to visit and rest your feet after walking all day. Grab a coffee and sit in the park, which is a perfect place to people-watch (and dog-watch, thanks to the dog park!).

Friends apartment

At the corner of Bedford and Grove Streets in Greenwich Village is the famous building which provided the exterior for the Friends apartment on the hit sitcom. Wander past it, then continue your walk on the beautiful cobblestone streets lined with brownstones, the elevated High Line park, or through the clothing shops and record stores along Bleecker Street.

Where to eat and drink before seeing a show in Greenwich Village

There is an almost overwhelming variety of bars and restaurants in Greenwich Village, with just about any type of cuisine you could be after. Here are some suggestions for where to grab a drink and a bite before or after your show:

Via Carota

Greenwich Village is home to the famous (and sometimes infamous, if you’re trying to score a hard-to-get table) Carbone, but there are many other excellent Italian restaurants worth checking out if you can't get a reservation there. While Via Carota can also require a sometimes two-to-three-hour wait, reviews consistently say it's worth it. Among the menu of traditional and reimagined classics, The Infatuation says it has the best cacio e pepe in the city.

Pepe Rosso

For a more low-stakes Italian option, check out Pepe Rosso, a cozy spot serving everything from focaccia paninis to pasta and chicken milanese. Get a bottle of the house wine and dine al fresco to feel like you’ve traveled to Europe.

Ras Plant Based

Vegetarian and vegan eaters (or just foodies!) will want to visit Ras Plant Based, an Ethiopian restaurant on Bleecker Street. With a lunch, brunch, and all-day menu, this spot has a lot to offer, with delicious platters and traditional dishes as well as a creative cocktail menu.

Joe’s Pizza

There are tons of grab-and-go dining options in Greenwich Village, but Joe’s Pizza is a staple for a classic New York slice, especially its original location on Carmine Street.

Tacombi

Another casual New York City favorite is Tacombi, a popular taco spot with many locations. You can rely on this taqueria to offer delicious eats and drinks, including fresh agua frescas and delicious birria tacos.

Marie’s Crisis Cafe

Any theatre lover needs to visit Marie’s Crisis at some point in their life. This famous piano bar is the place to visit after your show, where you can sing along to showtunes alongside fellow theatre fans.

Get tickets to a show in Greenwich Village

With so much to do and see in Greenwich Village, you’re bound to find shows, activities, and eateries to satisfy any group. Get tickets to one of the many productions happening in the area today and enjoy a full day enjoying one of Manhattan’s most historic neighborhoods.