Midtown – Culture

Jack Benny made famous the old joke: how do you get to Carnegie Hall? (Practice, practice, practice, in case you’ve never heard it before). But while Benny told the joke, he probably didn’t write it. According to the New York Times, it first appeared in print in the 1950s, but more likely originated in vaudeville acts decades earlier. Midtown is, of course, famous for entertainment, with famed venues like Carnegie Hall and Radio City and all the Broadway theaters. But here are a few selections you might not have heard of before.

 

Museum of Broadway

Trace Broadway’s history from 1732 through today or see the history from the backstage of your favorite shows. The museum is dedicated to groundbreaking moments of Broadway’s history and includes set pieces, costumes, and props. There are rooms dedicated to specific shows, like one dedicated to Ziegfeld Follies. The museum opened in 2022 just off Times Square.

 

Taci Opera Nights

 On Saturday nights at Papillon Bistro, hear some of the best opera arias, ensembles, and Classical and Broadway songs performed by professionals in a casual bistro environment. Eat dinner or enjoy cocktails while performers mingle in the dining room while singing. Performers are paid through a pass-the-basket approach, offering quite a discount from the usual night at the opera. The relaxed atmosphere is a great way to sample opera performances in a low-stakes way.

 

Museum of the Dog

Celebrate dogs and their role in our society at the American Kennel Club’s Museum of the Dog. The museum showcases objects from the 1,700-piece permanent collection and contains exhibits focused on the human-canine bond. Rotating exhibitions include shows like Canine Couture or focus on specific breeds, like a recent exhibition on Fox Terriers. The museum also hosts a library dedicated to dog-related books.

 

Spyscape

Spyscape offers immersive spy-craft puzzles with 17 different escape rooms that include code-breaking and spy-themed challenges. Spyscape now also hosts Spygames, which combine puzzles and physical challenges. Whether corporate team-building or hosting private birthday parties, Spyscape offers bespoke programming to keep challenges interesting.

 

K-Town Karaoke

Just off Herald Square, karaoke fans will find more than a dozen bars offering private rooms and pay-per-song public singing. Each of the bars offers a unique experience. RPM Underground offers 18-themed rooms and features a vinyl record store inside. Karaoke Anytime offers better-than-average food, and Chorus Karaoke is great for larger parties with capacity for up to 50 guests. At Karaoke Duet, on 35th Street, private rooms are available for all size parties, from couples to groups as large as 25, with reservations recommended to secure a spot. Everyone, regardless of their age, must show identification.