Café Carlyle: Cabaret in New York’s Finest Location

The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, is the home to one of the greatest and most elegant performance spaces in New York City, Café Carlyle. For decades this exclusive cabaret spot has been one of the most esteemed venues for performing artists to showcase their talents, and for the “who’s who” of NYC to see and to be seen. I managed to see the great musical theater star Chita Rivera perform there several years ago and was taken aback by the intimacy and design of the space. It was a magical evening to say the very least. Chita was in top form that night and the crowd showed their love for her as she shared her stories and songs throughout the evening.

The hotel was designed by Bien & Prince, opened in 1930, and has maintained its Art Deco appearance to this day. The luxury rooms, bar, and banquet space have hosted luminaries from all over the world, including presidents, members of the British royal family, and kings and queens from Greece, Spain, Denmark, and Sweden. Today the building has 32 owned residences, all of whom have access to all the amenities of a modern luxury hotel.

Tony Danza performing at Café Carlyle (David Andrako/@davidandrako/Instagram)

Café Carlyle first opened in 1955 and has changed in appearance very little. The murals on the walls by French artist, Marcel Vertes are music-inspired and offer a perfect backdrop to the performances. George Feyer, pianist, was a very popular guest at the Carlyle from its opening until 1968, and Bobby Short, perhaps one of the best cabaret artists of all time, performed there from 1968 to 2004. Eartha Kitt, musical theater actress and famous for playing Catwoman in the 1960s Batman television series, was a favorite guest, as was Elaine Stritch. Café Carlyle was for so many New Yorkers one of the last truly authentic venues of old-school nighttime society. I also love that the first tenant of the hotel was the famous composer Richard Rodgers. It is apparent that his musical spirit still survives and attracts the most incredible talent to perform in the historic hotel and cabaret venue.

The cabaret season is just returning this September and Café Carlyle will be treating its audiences to the talents of Tony Danza, singer and television actor; Maria Friedman, the British actress, singer and director; singer Julio Iglesias; and actress and singer Rita Wilson. I have always been partial to jazz music when looking for performances to attend, and this October and November you can see the fantastic duo of John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey. It is sure to be a sensational performance of jazz music and stories.

For those who want to experience the hotel in a slightly more casual way, the Bemelmans Bar is an excellent place for a cocktail and casual music. It is also a great place to see plenty of socialites, television and movie stars, and politicians. It is an equally beautiful space and similarly, you will feel like you have stepped back in time.

Café Carlyle maintains the authentic spirit of traditional cabaret. This genre originated in France in the late 19th century, typically held in small, cozy venues with limited seating. The intimate setting fostered a closer connection between performers and the audience, creating a sense of direct interaction between them. The style of music performed in these cabaret settings has changed with the times, but the standards remain popular, with tunes by Porter, Berlin, Weill, and Rodgers & Hammerstein sung by some of the greatest and most beloved artists of our time.

As some theatrical events get more technically complicated and oversized, I certainly appreciate the nod to the past, where storytelling and a good melody can resonate with an audience. Café Carlyle exceeds expectations in that regard and remains one of the finest places to experience cabaret at the highest level.

For more information: https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/the-carlyle-new-york/dining/cafe-carlyle