A fun bar to sing along, be yourself, enjoy the company of friends/family and strangers, and sip to your hearts content. They do not have a fee to enter, but they do require you to have two drinks minimum. There are nonalcoholic beverages available, so you can have a break or enjoy without requiring to drink alcohol. This piano bar is definitely different from the one back home. Everyone who works here sings. They deserve a tip for the entertainment they provide. You request via QR code/via Venmo. The higher the request, the more likely they will play the song. You can also pay for you to sing. People have tried to request without tipping, but they will get called out. Most of the songs requested are broadway hits. Some good oldies songs are sung though. We liked our drinks. Not too bad, not too ecstatic. Just enough to be satisfied. If you get a spot in the back, they do have a TV for you to watch whats going on in the front. They will also offer you a spot in the front if a spot opens up. There are more 2 people spots open vs 4 people spots, meaning you are more likely to sit separated up front than together. Overall, highly recommend for a good time! read more

This is a nice little cabaret spot in the heart of the theater district. In the front they have a nice bar and there's usually a performer there. It's always a treat to hear live music. We came to support our friends who were doing a show. They really pack people in and I'm good with paying to support the arts. For our friends' show, the cover was $35 each plus a two drink minimum with at least $20 required. We got drinks and two appetizers which were just okay but we weren't expecting gourmet fare. We got out of there for about $200 so a little pricey but it's nice to support artists. It's cash only so make sure you go before or else they send you to the sketchy ATM in the parking lot a couple of doors down and that charges a $4.75 fee. They are very good about notifying you that it's cash only, but bring more than you think you'll need. read more

Don't Tell Mama - Our friends have a show - Cabaret Near Me - New York, New York

We stopped here for a cocktail and to enjoy some live entertainment. Piano player and singer was great, and we also got a nice surprise when our bartender also belted out his rendition of "Don't Tell Mama", which is the inspirational name of the bar. I have been fortunate to catch a program on PBS regarding this venue. The owner was interviewed and discussed the origin and history through the years, which made this visit even more special. Worthwhile to revisit here during future NY visits. read more

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We popped into Don't Tell Mama randomly for the $10 cosmo happy hour and were really impressed with the food! The burger was super yummy on a pretzel bun, and we enjoyed the pretzel too. The crowd skews older and they have a pianist singing and taking requests. It's a nice, calm vibe during the day! read more

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09/2024: Had to check out the local piano karaoke bar scene! First thing we see is the bartender belting out Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin from behind the bar. The talent from the employees here is mind blowing! Patrons can also get up and sing but the emphasis is more so on the staff, which was fine by me. Had some time to kill before our show so stopped by for happy hour. $7.50 well drinks. Guac and chips. $2 oysters. Guac tasted like it was made in house. Went to see our show and then came right back after. They switch pianists after 9 PM and that's when the real party starts. Drinks are $20 apiece but they were strong! French fries and NY Cheesecake were delicious. We had an amazing time at Don't Tell Mama and would definitely return! read more

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Such a great bar. I came with my friend just for a drink and they have live music and the bartender and the server started singing and I felt like I was in a Disney movie ahaha So cuteeeee Loving it. read more

Don't Tell Mama - Cabaret Near Me - New York, New York

I had the pleasure of attending today's American Songbook Show at Don't Tell Mama, featuring the incredibly talented Marissa Mulder and Bill Zeffiro -- and it was an absolute smash! Their performance was everything cabaret should be: warm, engaging, and full of heart. What made the afternoon even more special was sharing the magic of live performance with two local public middle school choruses, many of whom were experiencing their very first show. Watching their excitement and curiosity was truly inspiring. A huge thank-you to the Cy Walter Foundation and Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth for championing this event and helping bring the arts to NYC middle school students. Don't Tell Mama continues to prove why it's such a beloved spot in the cabaret community. Highly recommend catching a show here. The environment is classic cabaret, and the service is excellent. read more

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Physical venue is a little dark and grimy-- IMHO. Performances are fine!--excellent, even!

Had a great time at this place. Love that the wait staff and bartenders join in on the fun and sing. Surprised that I didn't know more songs, but it was still a great time. Expect to be packed in line sardines, but it allows for some joint camaraderie. Great staff. Great times. read more

Don't Tell Mama - Cabaret Near Me - New York, New York

Left a song request plus tip (professional performer) and wasn't asked to sing so I took my tip back and request from the pianist Will ( a fellow AMDA) alum back. Won't return. read more

Totally started off on the wrong foot here. We booked Kitchen 46 so that we would be guaranteed seats here for the nighttime performance. Before dinner, I even popped by to remind them that we are a party of 8 and would kindly request a seat near the piano if possible. Once dinner was over, we were seated in the back room totally separate with zero view of the piano and the performers. Needless to say we were livid since we did everything they asked by making sure we had dinner at their restaurant for guaranteed seats. Of course after expressing our frustration and disappointment, they told us they would give us the next available table. Luckily it only took a couple mins and we were able to switch seats before our first round of drinks arrived. Lesson learned is always speak up when you think you're right. The staff was being super courteous about situation and understood why we were upset. Thank you staff! And now on to the real review! This place is hella FUN! Omg-I underestimated how much fun I would have with my girlfriends. The staff here are all so talented and their voices are unbelievable. Even the guests are invited to go up and sing as well. You can request songs for a tip. The venue requires a two drink minimum. Alcoholic or non alcoholic. The drinks are STRONG! Not sure if this is to hype up the crowd more but we were definitely hyped. Piano bars might be my new go to activity. read more

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Vocals and entertainment I have to say are AWESOME!!!!! That I would rate a 5! However, the food isn't that great. We ordered chicken tenders and some desserts. The desserts were a big miss especially the carrot cake. The drinks were okay, just on the pricey side. I would still come back and order drinks and listen to the amazing talent here. But I would eat elsewhere first. read more

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Let me begin by saying I have been to don't tell mama at least three other times while enjoying New York City. All three times it's been a great hit. I was looking so forward to taking my adult daughters there and having a great night. Surprise! The man playing the piano couldn't play the piano and his singing was atrocious. He was off key and loud. The speakers were over modulated so when the waitress who sang beautifully did sing, it was distorted. There was a couple next to us from London and she gave me an unusual look and said to me why did this place come highly recommended? I said well I'm disappointed too. It's usually been very good but this is terrible. And when I say terrible, I cannot stress terrible enough. read more

Always a must when I come to NY. The staff make it so much to listen to music and anyone who wants to sing with the piano. read more

Fun piano bar vibes and some wannabe Broadway singers even jump in to belt out a song. I was especially impressed by the bartender who had a great voice! read more

Don't Tell Mama - Cabaret Near Me - New York, New York

*tourist trap* Don't go to that place. The service is abysmal, the drinks are both overpriced and poorly made, and the room is saturated with the bitterness of artists who never quite broke through. What's presented as edgy or intimate instead feels awkward, stale, and badly managed. Night after night, the same tired material is recycled without a hint of invention or risk. Whatever spark once made it worth visiting vanished long ago--certainly since Minh owned it--and it has never recovered. My colleagues that work in Broadway community feel the same. I will direct anyone reading this to Brandy's on the east side or Marie's Crisis in the village. Both with their own imperfections but more local and warm. read more

Our favorite place to go in NYC. Amazing singing by the most talented people, cozy little tucked away ambience and great drinks.

No idea why Don't Tell Mama would get anything less than five stars. Sure the drinks are nothing to write home about, and the food isn't setting the world on fire....but the music? Oh my the music is fun and the singing waitresses and bartenders are a joy. Saw some reviews mention $20 minimums and cash only but not sure what that's about as we were there late and didn't encounter either situation! Come here post-show or late night and you won't be disappointed! read more

I celebrated my 45th birthday with a girls' theatre trip to NYC. One of our brunch servers told us about Don't Tell Mama, and I am so grateful to her! We spent our last night there, and it was the perfect ending to a perfect trip! The music was fantastic, and we just loved the energy! I feel like I would spend a lot of time there if I lived in NYC. Being there made me feel joyful! Thank you to everyone there who have created such a welcoming and fun space! read more

0 Stars. This place should be shut down and the people who own it should be arrested. A complete and total scam. I only came here to see my friend perform but was forced to pay a 20 dollar minimum when there for drinks alone. On top of that i dont drink alcohol so i had to get soda meaning they charged 10 dollars for each soda. The sodas were flat and in small glasses . the place was stuffy and small. I downloaded yelp again after a while just because of how absolutely disgusting this place was. The waitresses were snarky and rude. Awful . I included here a picture of the 10 dollar flat soda. Update: They tipped themselves and there wasn't any say in it. Real scoundrels read more

Don't Tell Mama - 10 dollar flat diet coke - Cabaret Near Me - New York, New York

Had a night time cocktail prior to bedtime with my dinner date on a recent work trip to New York City. It was my first time to a piano bar located right on Restaurant Row or 46th Street in Hell's Kitchen between 8th & 9th Avenues. It's a really cute and quaint lounge for those wanting to listen to live show tunes performed by local broadway actors and actresses. Their voices are amazing and even the bartenders would sing live as they are making cocktails for customers. Their kitchen does serve food as well as desserts, but neither of us ordered anything from the kitchen as we came straight from dinner earlier. My friend she ordered a glass of wine as I was in the mood coffee drink with Bailey's, which The Latte Boy seems perfect for me! I think if you have a large group of people that you may have a challenging time fitting your whole entire party with you. Although the staff that greets you at the door will readjust tables and chairs to accommodate your group depending on how many other people are already in the bar. Will definitely go back again on another trip and maybe request some songs by the performers. It's a lot of fun and you'd probably bring more friends and stay out late too! read more

Don't Tell Mama - The Latte Boy Jameson, Bailey's Irish Cream, Ruby Red Slipper Cold Brew Coffee, Whipped Cream - Cabaret Near Me - New York, New York

Honestly.. make sure to check which show you signed up for. We reserved a show thinking it was going to be a typical piano bar atmosphere. The reservation required cash only, $20 cover charge plus minimum two drink purchase. The back room was completely empty except for seven people. The performer started playing offbeat love songs while talking about love, death and existentialism. Not only that, but he was completely off key and did not sing well. We honestly felt trapped there for the hour. We couldn't leave until we paid our bill at the end of the show and also we didn't want to be rude. The whole time we can hear people cheering and whistling for the piano players in the main room. We told the end that we thought we were going to a piano show, she replied that if we wanted to see the piano show in the main room, we would have to have another two drink minimum. It was a complete waste of money on a Saturday night in New York. read more

Dueling piano bar at its funnest! Sunday night this place was jam packed and so much fun. Great relaxed laid back atmosphere, nice service,great bar And nice selection of food. The music was great and even some of the servers were singers. As the night went on it just got busier. We had a few rounds of drinks, the bubbly was plain good! And my friends had some fun colorful champagne cocktails. We got a charcuterie which hit the spot, and a great chocolate raspberry mousse, and we just had a great time. Lively , fun, great food and drinks. The music was excellent, and they honor requests. Was a great end to our day! read more

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Stopped by for a quick drink before a show. The space is cute with live music, with a tiny menu for food and drink. From the other reviews, I think we got an off-night because the service and drinks were pretty lackluster. However, we enjoyed the live music as we were chatting. read more

Don't Tell Mama - Cabaret Near Me - New York, New York

Food is okay. People come, I imagine, for the entertainment. There's something about singers with simple piano accompaniment. Overall, a good pick for vibes and the bar. read more

I've been to several really good cabaret bars in the city, and I was really excited to see a friend-of-a-friend perform here. Honestly, the venue is a little complex and each room has separate "rules". Please note that it's cash only with a $20 cover and $20 food minimum that MUST include two drinks. Regular coke products count but they're just as much as the booze. They do have a happy hour from 5-8pm, but we found out that it didn't apply to our room after-the-fact... sooo make sure you read up on your room before! I will say that my chips and guac were really good. read more

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Rude and not accommodating hostess when there was clearly open seats. It took a lot of convincing. Turned away a lot of customers

Piano bar as interactive entertainment, with the pianist -- a great entertainer on his own -- roping in waitstaff and guests to sing sets and requests, usually with the house singing along on the choruses. Terrific fun. We didn't try any food, but were happy to fulfill the two drink minimum. Drink consistency between rounds was a bit off, but it was still all good. Lots of talent, lots of fun, a wonderful way to wrap the evening after a good dinner elsewhere. We'll definitely be back. read more

Don't Tell Mama - Decor - Cabaret Near Me - New York, New York

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Such a cool spot! While strolling the city we saw the epic sign and decided to make a quick pit stop. Our bartender, Randy, welcomed us right in and starters the visit on a great note. Ambiance is super upbeat and you can feel the positivity in there. We were hoping to order some oysters, but were informed the kitchen had already closed. Totally understandable since it was a a little past midnight. Ordered a few of their cocktails and enjoyed the piano show accompanied with the great singing by the bartenders. read more

Don't Tell Mama - Don't Tell Mama... - Cabaret Near Me - New York, New York

My friend and I love piano bars so we made it a point to come here during a recent trip to NYC. We were able to grab some spots at the bar and found the service excellent. The drinks were good but average and we didn't order an food so I can't comment on that. The employees were great at entertaining and many from the audience that chose to perform were good as well. read more

So incredible, everyone there was so sweet and was laughing with the guests. All workers are incredibly talented. The lava cake was to die for, and the drinks were very good. read more

there is a cover charge of $20 for each person who attends a show at Mamas. Three guests were comped for the show by a performer.which means the comp was paid in advance. When the check arrived the cover of $20 was still on the tab and the guests paid as well as service charge for the whole amount. So, who got the extra money paid...I guess the servers. The operation is all in cash so there is no paper trail. BUYER BEWARE. read more

This place is fabulous! The bar food is fun and varied; the drinks are pricey, but the price is reasonable given the show put on by staff and sometimes guests! High end "karaoke" by some local off broadway talent with a live musician on the baby grand - makes for a great night. Only reason I held back a star - they need to provide more than one bartender on a Sat night, even before 9pm so that the wait time for drinks is reasonable. After 9 they seem to have plenty of staff! read more

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Still a classic historic place to see local cabaret acts in NYC. Drinks are a little pricy and the place smells like a toilet, but free cover and oftentimes great entertainment. read more

Don't Tell Mama - Interior - Cabaret Near Me - New York, New York

Amazing time last summer. Can't wait to visit again next week! So fun and drinks were great. Staff was so fun and talented!! read more

Great drinks! Amazing staff! Broadway quality singing. Espresso Martini was my favorite!

We went on a Sunday afternoon to listen to our friend sing her last show. Unfortunately there were at least two families with very rude, loud annoying children. And the parents did nothing. Should I quit while I'm ahead. Probably. The service and food were great!! read more

Never disappoints, amazing voices, and hospitality. You'd think it would be filled with tourists but late night becomes a refuge for talented locals read more

We had dinner next door, and it was absolutely delicious. Had the chicken and some oysters. Because we had dinner we were escorted to a fantastic table right in front of the piano. The whole experience was just tons of fun and ran very smoothly. Did I spy Marilyn Maye leaving the back room? We will be back!! read more

Came here on a Friday night from approximately when they opened at 5pm to around 8pm. Started out great. The bartender was amazing! Kudos to Alison. Problem started as the night went on and more people came into the bar. It was PACKED at about 6:45pm and still only had one bartender. Poor girl was handling making the drinks, prepping the garnishes, and being her own bar back literally the entire night. Talk about management fail. If there was a manager, they needed to roll up sleeves and help. Useless. Alison was very capable but obviously needed an extra hand. I've uploaded a video of just how busy and crowded it was. read more