Gayle’s Broadway Rose
Singing Waiters and Waitresses in NYC
As of May 2019, New York is home to yet another fun experience. At Gayle’s Broadway Rose in Midtown Manhattan, waiters and waitresses will sing Broadway songs to you while you are enjoying good food and some of the best milkshakes in the city.
What to expect at Gayle’s Broadway Rose
Gayle’s Broadway Rose is a restaurant whose servers are anything but regular waiters and waitresses: they are exceptionally talented, aspiring Broadway performers. The restaurant is conveniently located on the corner of 8th Ave and 44th St in Midtown Manhattan. I mean hey, what could be a better location than the Theater District itself? Gayle’s Broadway Rose shares a kitchen and menu with a New York staple, Roxy Delicatessen. You’ll find the café on the second floor with a perfect view of the Majestic Theatre which features The Phantom of the Opera – the longest-running Broadway show!
Broadway all the way
During your visit, you’ll get to listen to a variety of Broadway songs, from classics to modern hits. There’s certainly a song to suit everyone and don’t hesitate to make a request with your server as our experience demonstrated that they are more than eager to please. You should know that every performer has their own playlist and if the Broadway stars have aligned, they may be able to accommodate your request. As a “Hamilfan”, I hoped to hear a Hamilton song and I was not disappointed when Jesse serenaded the entire restaurant as King George III. Each actor is visibly having fun, not only reciting the lyrics but also interacting with the crowd and channeling the mannerisms of the character. It’s a whole show!
That’s not all, though. The emcee at Gayle’s Broadway Rose truly knows his stuff. Before every song, he sets the stage with a short introduction that contains little known facts and some background knowledge about the musical. With this added component, the performances felt more rounded out and the patrons look forward to each new act with added anticipation.
The ensemble performances are my favorites!
When the company came together to perform the final moments of Wicked’s seminal song “Defying Gravity”, I can still remember the chills I felt. Other songs that we heard were from Phantom of the Opera, Oklahoma, RENT, Wicked, Hamilton, and Lion King, just to name a few! Though each performer has their own playlist, they also play it by ear to satisfy the crowd. If you take your kids here, you’re very likely to hear a few Disney songs.
Before you go
The venue can accommodate up to 200 people and can get really crowded, especially considering the limited opening hours. Gayle’s Broadway Rose opens its doors from 5 pm to 8 pm from Wednesdays to Saturdays. However, as they are planning to expand their hours, be sure to keep an eye on their website. The word about this fantastic place is spreading quite quickly, so I recommend making reservations if you plan to visit Gayle’s Broadway Rose during your trip to New York.
Bring some cash if you want to tip the performers!
While you can conveniently pay your dining bill by credit card, you may want to carry some cash when you come here. Every now and then a hat gets passed around and those who enjoyed the performances can feel free to leave a tip for the performers. That being said, there is no pressure for you to tip. It’s totally up to you!
What’s on the menu at Gayle’s Broadway Rose?
While you may visit Gayle’s Broadway Rose for the singing waiters and waitresses, the food will not disappoint. Whatever we ordered off the menu came out great. We had sliders, chicken fingers, a quesadilla, and meatballs and enjoyed all of it. The prices are pretty average for New York.
The milkshakes are a MUST!
Gayle’s Broadway Rose has already become quite known for their over the top signature milkshakes that are all over Instagram. The menu features 8 irresistible variations. After struggling to choose only one flavor, we ended up ordering 3 different ones. All of them were amazing! A visit to this establishment would not be complete without trying at least one. The pricing is similar to Blacktap‘s milkshakes with the difference that Gayle’s Broadway Rose also serves you stellar Broadway performance in an upbeat atmosphere.
Is Gayle’s Broadway Rose worth a visit?
From everything I wrote, you can probably already tell that I am a big fan of Gayle’s Broadway Rose. Coming here was so much fun that I already planned a second visit. The staff is kind and exceptionally talented. The food is good, the milkshakes are fantastic. I’d choose Gayle’s Broadway Rose over Ellen’s Stardust Diner anytime. Overall, a visit to Gayle’s Broadway Rose is one of the most fun things to do in Manhattan!
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