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Marie's Crisis
Categories: Nightlife Bars Gay Bars Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Gay Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
59 Grove St(between Bleecker St & S 7th Ave)
New York, NY 10014
Neighborhood: West Village
(212) 243-9323
- Nearest Transit:
-
Christopher St - Sheridan Sq (1, 2)
W 4 St (A, B, C, D, E, F, M)
14 St (1, 2, 3)
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
125 reviews for Marie's Crisis
Review Highlights
"But then, (full disclosure) I love show tunes."
(in 24 reviews)
"Who doesn't like a tiny, intimate piano bar."
(in 70 reviews)
"I'll definitely be back to sing when he's working."
(in 41 reviews)
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125 reviews in English
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Review from K C.
Madison, WI
12/23/2011 1 photo
Eight years ago I wondered into Marie's quite accidentally and I found my home away from home, thanks to Jim Allen. Six years ago today, the day before Christmas Eve, I met the most wonderful person and we dated for a very long time. A few months ago I moved away from New York City and each day I think of the wonderful (and genuinely talented) piano players and all of the superb friends I made there over the years.
Each night is different and depending on who you ask in the city, people will either love or hate it, but it truly a part of New York, and it will be a part of me forever. -
Review from Julie N.
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Late Friday night cameo for an hour or so with fun friends, and cheap entertainment. ;)
I was a little out of my element with mostly show-tunes being sung. Um, I know Grease....Lion King....Little Shop of Horrors? ;) I haven't even seen Mary Poppins?! ;) But this place is crazy fun if you come with friends who can enjoy themselves as well. DEFINITELY a place to people-watch, if anything. LOL We had some fun stories to share even after 15 min. Pretty much standing room only- we were huddled in a corner for awhile--and its so packed, we had to wait for the capacity to come down so we could go in.
Coat check was mandatory before you go downstairs to the singing lounge. Cheap- and some people had issues with this since it was a cold, late night--thought I was gonna see some drunk dude fight with the bouncer LOL.
Plus is its right across Zucca, great W.Village location. Go with a group of friends after dinner--not just a gay bar, its just a fun piano bar you can sing your heart out with the ENTIRE audience LOL. There are SOME big ol' queens that look like they wanna hate on you if you're not playing on 'their team", but for the most part, everyone is happy to just sing and have fun with their friends.
I had lots of LOL's in here....obviously its pretty entertaining, especially at 1am ;) LOL. -
Review from Mark F.
Manhattan, NY
11/29/2011
So, I joined Yelp, I figured I should probably write a review for my favorite bar in NYC. Wait, scratch that. Favorite PLACE in NYC.
So, growing up in the suburbs, I always had plenty of time in my car to sing along with all the show tunes I wanted. But in New York, you can't break out into "The Impossible Dream" on the subway unless you want everyone to instantly hate you with a fiery passion. Luckily, someone realized this was a problem, and created Marie's Crisis.
Is this place super dive-y and dirty? Yes. Would you want to ever take one of those CSI blacklights and shine it in here? No. Are the drinks super expensive and small? Yes. But it makes me so happy to just be able to go there after work and sing some Rodgers and Hammerstein that I don't care about any of those things. (Also, to be fair, drinks are only $3 until 9PM on weekdays.)
If you don't love showtunes, first of all, do you not have a soul, and second of all, I would recommend having a few drinks before coming here. But if you do love showtunes, come at happy hour - the pianist is much more likely to play your request, and the place isn't jam-packed with people. Don't get me wrong, Saturday nights are a great experience, but I'm usually in the mood for a slightly lower-key atmosphere.
A few tips for newcomers - don't forget to tip the pianist, and a smile and please and thank you go a long way; solos aren't sung often here, but when they are, it's polite to listen and applaud; nobody likes that guy who constantly yells out "Rent! Les Miz!" from the corner of the room. Don't be that guy. -
Review from Melanie B.
Brooklyn, NY
11/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This place.... seriously?? It's REAL? I love it. More than words.
Crowded around a piano to the point of not being able to move, so many people last night singing Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Grease, and Little Shop of Horrors tunes... I don't think you need to know much more other than that the waitress (an adorable gay man) asked us if we wanted "Bud, Bud Light, or Stella," and broke out into a solo before he returned with our drinks. Marie's Crisis is like a gaytopia, a perfect place where people can finally fit in among a sea of differences with their ability to recant famous and not so famous show tunes.
You know places like this are incredibly important historically to the gay community... but more pertently, you will have the time of your life. I did.Listed in: West Village!
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Review from Andy W.
Manhattan, NY
1/11/2012
I'm a big fan.
THE GOOD:
I go often. I go with friends from out of town... I like to sing. For those of you complaining about the drink prices, well, it's New York (and there is no cover)... so I don't mind paying $7 for a glass of Black Label.
THE BAD:
However, the smell is BAD. It's clearly an old basement smell.... not the nostalgic kind, but rather a funky moldy kind, so be careful if you are sensitive. No credit cards, really? How can you have high priced cocktails and not take credit???
Everybody should try it at least once. It's a place for show folk and people who love them. Make sure you get cash on the way. -
Review from Brendan N.
Manhattan, NY
1/21/2012
I used to LOVE Marie's Crisis. I'd go very regularly and bring friends from all walks of life who loved it too. I'm very sad to say that it has gone way down hill. The place is a tourist trap and the music being played is constantly Annie, Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors and Les Miz, rarely any of the lesser known gems.
But, what is most infuriating and what compelled me to post this review is how terribly my friends and I were treated last week. We arrived and had to wait about 5 minutes to be let in, which is not terribly unusual. Upon entering, I was told I needed to check my jacket. I asked if I could keep it on as it was just a short leather jacket and I was freezing. "Check your jacket!" I tried again and the man just kept yelling that I had to check it. On top of that, he was charging $1 an item. Sorry, but you can't have a mandatory coat check that you CHARGE for!
But wait...it gets better. I was with some friends from Europe who ordered a round of drinks. When given their change, they weren't given dollar bills with which to tip, so they did the best they could and gave as many one dollar bills as they could. Truth be told, it wasn't a great tip, but what can you expect when not given tip-able change and besides, in they're country, it was a perfectly fine tip. I know, they should tip what is appropriate here, but they certainly didn't deserve what came next. Lee, the terrible bartender who is unfortunately engraved in my mind said very, very audibly "Fucking assholes." When I confronted Lee about this very professionally, asking for an explanation, I was yelled at and told that we've been skimping on tips all night, something I couldn't believe since we'd been there for 20 minutes and I tipped him about 18-20% on the first round. Mind you these are Zemkoff Vodka and sodas served in plastic cups smaller than my fist that cost $6 each, so high tips can't possibly be expected, let alone fought for. I asked Lee who the manager was and he said he was. When I told him that he wasn't demonstrating anything close to proper customer service he told me he brings in a lot of money for the owner and that's why he's the manager. Never did my group and I stoop to his level and throw insults back, but we simply tried to resolve the problem and Lee wanted nothing to do with it and never apologized for his appalling behavior. I'm sorry, but I will never be going back to what was once one of my favorite bars. Being treated so, so badly in a place where I brought in so much money and so many new guests really put me over the edge. I hope this place cleans up its act, but something tells me management has other plans... -
Review from Claire F.
7/22/2011
OH. MY. GOD.
How did I just find out about this place? ::glares at theatre nerd friends::
::massages neck, due to crick::
This is not a review.
But it will be. -
Review from Jessica F.
Columbia, MD
7/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was seriously, deliriously happy that I had the Yelp app that led me here the night we were strolling through the neighborhood. I cannot tell you the last time that I have been that happy to be in a bar. This small intimate dive is perhaps some of the most fun I have ever had singing showtunes and.... wait for it.... I don't even like musicals!
But it was hard not to get caught up in the fun of it all and I would honestly board the bus again just to come back here for an evening.Listed in: I love NY..., Dive on in!
-
Review from Andrew S.
7/6/2011
I had a horrible experience at this bar during a recent visit to NYC. I went on a Wednesday night, with a group of 9 people looking to have fun and sing at a piano bar. A few reasons that the experience was horrible:
-The 'regular' crowd at this bar was not very welcoming to our group upon our arrival - as if we were interrupting their fun
-The owner (or manager, I'm not sure) - a larger woman, made a point of controlling the musical playlist for the entire bar. Despite tipping the pianist and making several requests, they were trumped by this woman
-The same woman was generally unfriendly and made several remarks that our group should leave, which we did.
There were 9 people in our groupand only about 20 others in the rest of the bar - so if you run a bar and don't want to have 9 tourists spend money in it and would rather have a private party... you got your wish. I won't ever go back. -
Review from Allan M.
Alameda, CA
8/8/2011
After discovering this place a couple of trips ago, I make it a point to go one or two nights whenever I'm in town. Each night is a bit different -- different piano player with a different following and a different set of either old or new musicals. If you're an out-of-towner like me, you just have to take pot luck when you get there. I have rarely been disappointed.
Although it has a very gay following, it doesn't have the cruise-y bump 'n grind gay bar feel to it. The piano players often have a very gay patter, but it's a very welcoming place.
New York can be pretty alienating to visitors, but Marie's feels like home to me whenever I visit. -
Review from Luke R.
Manhattan, NY
6/2/2011
Ok... Just a few things to consider about this place:
1. They gave me really strong drinks (by gave, I mean, my hubby paid)
2. I met up with GREAT friends.
3. I got drunk.
4. They let me sing... a lot. And they announced that they love me.
5. Someone grabbed my bum.
6. I drank a lot.
To me that sounds like a really great date. Kudos to the pianist; he was a lot bit brilliant on the ivories. I believe he knew Proud of Your Boy by heart. -
Review from Jena B.
Los Angeles, CA
3/31/2011
My idea of heaven is EXACTLY like this bar (well, except that heaven will have at least a few people who are into chicks, because I don't want to not-get-laid for eternity).
Not only were there show tunes, but there were Muppets show tunes. There was some dude who, together with the piano player, knew all the words to "I Hope That Something Better Comes Along" including the spoken bits. Oh, and $3 drinks which would be cheap even outside New York, since the bartender had not only a fabulous singing voice but a generous hand with the vodka.
Seriously, I'm in love.Listed in: excellent places in New York…
-
Review from Keith T.
6/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
In theory, this place is right up my alley: a dark, old-fashioned ultra-gay underground piano bar with singing along considered almost mandatory.
However, it was so crowded when I went that my date & I could hardly move or breathe. I got to 3rd base with at least 7 people just squeezing back to the bar.
Also, they were singing what appeared to be the entire songbook from "Little Shop of Horrors," and since I don't know it well enough to sing along, I found myself bored.
We left after an ear-splitting rendition of "Suddenly Seymour." -
Review from jericha s.
Los Angeles, CA
9/26/2011
what a crusty fucking gem.
was there a 6'3", 250+, gay man singing "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid when i walked in??? pssh, you can bet your bottom dollar there was.
DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE. -
Review from Michael D.
Manhattan, NY
8/25/2011
don't be surprised when the wanna-be broadway performers who have nothing to offer but an off-key rendition of Les Miz classics give you attitude because you take their stool. LOL. better option is Splash Bar Monday night fabullousness!!! Skip this used-to-be-relevant has-been bar.
sorry but the truth hurts. -
Review from Johnny M.
2/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I don't even know where to start. If you a) enjoy a medley of Chorus Line and enjoy belting it at the top of your lungs OR b) enjoy watching old gay men give a winning performance of "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story, then there really is no excuse for you to miss a Friday night at Marie's Crisis. It sorta feels like you're in your mom's basement, hoping she won't find out about your musical obsession. The pianist goes all night long (that's what she said), playing a pretty wide range of showtunes. The drinks come in little plastic cups, and the waiter's enjoy a solo every now and then. Oh, and look for me...I'll be the one warbling all the songs from Pippin.
Note: Cash Only! -
Review from Scott J.
New York, NY
5/1/2011
A great place if you are a show tune queen. The space is small and fills quickly, so get there early. It is a basement bar, so it can get kind of stuffy because the air conditioning is lacking.
When I say show tunes, I REALLY mean show tunes. They get pretty far into the songbook. If you are expecting top 20 show tunes you will hear many songs you haven't heard before. And, some of the customers' voices are AMAZING. Sometimes the waitress or bartender will sing in addition to the pianist. -
Review from Claire G.
Washington, DC
5/30/2011
I fell in love instantly. This place is absolutely amazing!
I love simple, cozy, divey bars and that's exactly what this place is. But there's the added bonus of amazingly talented patrons singing along with every word of whatever Broadway hit is being jammed out on the piano. The atmosphere here is so happy and wonderful, I honestly can't say enough about it. I had warm fuzzies the moment I walked in. -
Review from Jim M.
Manhattan, NY
10/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went there tonight as I love the piano bar but the drinks are ridiculous at $10 for a tiny glass that holds about 4 ounces. Tomorrow night we'll go to the Duplex for a piano bar with real drinks that aren't a rip off.
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Review from Doug C.
Brooklyn, NY
1/1/2011
This bar has a man stand outside dressed as a thug. He tells people he's joining them at another bar and follows them. When you try to politely get him to stop following you he corners you and gets in your face until the only way you feel safe is to go to the closest public place. (I was visiting with two friends, one from the Netherlands and one from South Korea. He got in the South Korean's face and then knocked his hat off into the snow) The closest public place just happens to be Marie's Crisis.
Once you pay the cover you realize he's working with the a**hole bouncer to get customers. Inside it's $8 for a Bud Light. Would give it zero stars if I could -
Review from Andrew S.
Medford, MA
1/15/2011
Sure it's historical, so if you must, stop by and take a peek, but if it were up to me this place would be shut down.
I understand (and expect) a certain spirit of entitlement for a socially-significant landmark of what was once an underground community, but the fact is that if I had brought a black friend to a "white" bar and seen this level of arbitrary anger directed at an individual for no reason, I would do my non-violent best to have the place shut down. This is 2011 in NYC, nobody needs this level of hatred anymore.
While sitting quietly at the back of the bar with a beautiful and sweet female friend who was (for an unrelated reason) not in the most upbeat of moods, we were approached by an employee (or perhaps a patron) aggressively looking for tips for the piano player.
We obliged, collectively tipping more than 25 dollars. Without warning or explanation he ripped into my friend, calling her a sour bitch and taunting her.
The vibe of deep misogyny follows you to the filthy bathrooms covered in what is (lets be honest here) violent hate speech (IE "bitches need stitches") that other reviewers have repeated here, and to the coat-check where the surly attendant (perhaps overwhelmed by his incredibly difficult job of hanging coats) loudly blamed the bitches for f**king everything up.
As it is, I've tried to let this go, but the experience was probably the worst I've ever had in bar (conservative or "alternative") in any city (and I've traveled a lot). I'll say it ruined our night.
If that's not enough to convince you, the place is a dump with lousy drinks (think crappy beer and the off-brand stuff your friend's dad might have left in the back of the liquor cabinet). And while the piano player can play, the patrons can't carry a tune.
If you're a washed up, bitter and angry old man it might be a fun place to dump on people, but there are far better places in the city to have a drink, sing and flirt. And now I need to go take a shower to feel less icky. -
Review from Melody G.
New York, NY
12/22/2010
I love this bar! I came here because of my fellow yelpers recommending it so highly, and was really happy about it. at first its a bit sketch but the music starts and everyone is singing, then it is christmas magic.
Everyone was really nice, the bartender didnt know how to make our shots so i gave him the recipe and he poured them nice and big :)
Cons - only 3 beers! Bud, Bud lite, or Stella! Also, the bartender who came in when happy hour was over was a jerk, and was really rude to the nice bartender who was leaving. Finally, seating not so comfortable.
Pros- SHOWTUNES! Mostly regulars in there so a very homey feel, and nice and hidden away -
Review from yo sub k.
8/8/2010
The vibe here reminds me of the show "Cheers." They don't know my name but they're trying to get into my pants, and it's a heck of a lot more gay but so what? Who cares?
It's funny how people hit on you while they're belting out songs to Little Shop of Horrors.
I believe this bar is where the straight guys bring their dates to score points. Lesson learned. -
Review from V J.
New York, NY
12/15/2010
* First of all, here's my low rating coz you just tried to rip me off... 9 bucks for a bottle of heineken!!!! 9 bucks!!! Evidently, you just attempted to fuck around with me...
* The dive bar setting, live music, limited seating and all other features dont make sense to me if the bartender is sly and cunning...
* No matter what happens, I wont come back to you... goodbye for life! -
Review from Joe M.
San Francisco, CA
9/4/2011
What a novel place. Believe all the good things you read about Marie's Crisis. Lots of talent here. Downside, is that I thought I knew a lot about shows, but in the face of 100+ people who know ALL the lyrics, this isn't the case.
-
Review from Kirsten S.
New York, NY
2/28/2011
There are piano bars, there are karaoke bars, and then there is Marie's Crisis.
Unlike anything I have experienced before, this bar centers around a small piano and the showtunes that are played on it by the talented pianists. Replacing TV screens with sheet music, this is the ultimate sing-along bar for people who know and love Broadway. While I felt a little dumb requesting Rent and Hairspray, neither the crowd nor the pianist acted like musical snobs and we all got to sing Seasons of Love together.
A one-drink minimum is not a lot to ask at all for a no-cover bar with such great entertainment. But be sure to bring cash-- they don't take cards. The only reason I didn't give five stars is because our waitress hardly waited one second before asking for her tip. It was weird. Everyone else, though, was wonderful.
One last thing-- people here are good singers, so warm up those vocal cords and have a blast! -
Review from Rebecca O.
San Francisco, CA
Any piano bar whose raison d'etre centers around a show tunes sing along scores major points in my book. But then, (full disclosure) I love show tunes. If you don't share my fondness for all things Andrew Lloyd Webber, or you don't feel comfortable frequenting a gay bar - this is not the place for you.
Only in New York could such a unique place exist where 90% of the crowd can really really sing. It feels like the patrons headed straight over to the Village directly from Broadway - love it! I thought Marie's Crisis was absolutely fabulous and I can't wait to pop in again the next time I'm in NYC.Listed in: Rebecca O. in NYC
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Review from Austin H.
New York, NY
8/13/2010 15 Check-ins Here
Marie's Crisis can quickly become the "Cheers" of any musical theater queen in the city. The bar is a hangout for regulars and a revolving cast of outrageous characters.
Happy hour (till 9pm) offers some of the cheapest drinks in the city. $3 vodka sodas, anyone?
I prefer to go during the week, as the weekend tends to become very crowded with the bridge-and-tunnel crowd of the hetero variety.Listed in: The West Village--The Original…
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Review from Alex D.
Brooklyn, NY
8/1/2010
Pretty much the most awkward 20 something white guy bar i've ever been to and i'm an awkward 20 something white guy.
You know when you find yourself in a zombie movie and you don't want to tip off all the other zombies that you're not undead so you have to put on your best zombie act? Limp wrists, arms extended 90 degrees, eyes rolled back, pretending you know the words to "My Fair Lady"?
Its like that. And dont look now because when your zombie facade starts to crack, and you cant hold it together any longer, and you start laughing at the absurdity of it all here they come circling round; all sunken eyes and singing jaws agape: BRRRAIIIIIIINNNNNSSS -
Review from Tammy L.
11/1/2010
LOVE this place. If you love to sing show tunes at the top of your lungs and hang out with some drunk gay men (and the women who love to befriend them), this is the place for you. Ok, obviously, you may never have been in a situation to do both of those in the same place, but hey, that's why Marie's Crisis is so amazing. You'll get cred if you actually know the lyrics, or if you can really sing. I feel terrible singing so loudly because there are some great singers in the crowd. If you're a musical theater fan like myself, this is the place for you. And wow-- can the "singing waiters" really belt out some great numbers. Whether you're a tourist, local, or regular, if you love musicals, get over to Marie's crisis. If you're going to be a lame straight person who sits in the corner and sulks, don't come. Everyone is so friendly and at Marie's to have a good time.
Also-- the first pianist we saw, Kenny, was so engaging, that he had his own following who left when he did. He was awesome and does Thursday and Friday happy hours. I'll definitely be back to sing when he's working! -
Review from Carly O.
San Francisco, CA
2/21/2011
I love this place. It's so unique. It's a historic basement with incredible history, housing some great music. We had a piano player named Franca who was incredible and so, so nice. She even let me sing by myself! Normally it's a group night, and so many awesome voices showed up and we all shared the "Stage" (floor) and sang through our favorite scores. My mom and my friend Jonathan and I had a wonderful night. Go to this bar and enjoy the company of the singing bartenders and great atmosphere. Sing your heart out even if you're not a professional vocalist- no one judges and you can sing your favorite tunes.
Yay Marie's Crisis! -
Review from Jeff W.
8/8/2010
I'm going to warn the people who see this listed in the Dive Bar listings: While Marie's Crisis IS a dive bar, it is a piano bar that only does showtunes, with the intent that most everyone sings along if they know the words. If you don't like showtunes, DON'T GO. It's like you are in the basement of someone's house in college with a bunch of drunk people from the theater department with and the friends who love them.
I was in NYC for 11 days, and I went to Marie's 4 of those nights. Three of those I closed the place, almost so drunk that I couldn't see straight. And let me tell you, there are times you will hear obscure songs from musicals that practically no one knows (Seesaw, anyone? ANYONE?), but, you know it's a guilty pleasure when you sing along with every word to "My Favorite Things", "I Feel Pretty" or "Let Me Entertain You". If you can really sing, you can pay to do a solo. The piano players are amazing, but, I agree - Tuesday, Friday and Saturday are the nights to go. I can't wait to go back. -
Review from Tom K.
Manhattan, NY
2/15/2011
Marie's is the one gay bar I feel comfortable going to by myself in all of NYC. It is one of a kind, and friendly and I've met so many wonderful people here. It's non-judgmental and embraces you like an old friend, and has people of all ages in attendance. Everyone I've brought here - gay, straight, male, female - has been fascinated by the place, whether or not they are completely into show tunes (as I admittedly am).
Dexter is by far the best of the piano players, though he sticks to all the traditional musicals on the Friday and Saturday nights that he plays. He is the one player who has the ability to command the entire bar and get everyone singing in unison. However, I've heard he has been out lately so that is a shame.
The drinks are comparable to other bars in the city - $5 for a beer, $6 for a vodka cranberry/tonic. I never noticed that they're small.
And to the reviewer who wrote about being shushed - yes, it happens here when solos are happening. It's not your average bar and you don't come here for an average bar experience. Also, the lines can get long on a Saturday night because the place is so good, though 9 times out of 10 there is not a line.
Yes, the staff can be a bit cantankerous - especially the door man - but overall it is an amazing place that is one-of-a-kind. I hope it will continue for years to come. -
Review from Marc B.
Boston, MA
7/27/2011
If you're looking for a dive piano bar, this is the place.
It appeared to be filled with a lot of regulars but that's to be expected in a place like this.
The drinks were both strong and reasonably priced.
It's small and cramped, but that's what adds to the atmosphere.
I'll definitely return. -
Review from Ryan D.
11/30/2010
Oh, Marie's Crisis. How I don't remember you. Seriously... I got kind of black out drunk at this place. I don't even know how it happened, since the drinks were kind of tiny and expensive. But did I LOVE it? Of course I did. I can thank Rose Y. for raving about this place, then finally making me go the day after Thanksgiving.
We were celebrating Rose getting to be a full-time librarian FINALLY. I predictably arrived early. The heat wasn't on. The only people there were a group of a the bartender's friends and some English people trying to decide where to go out to dinner. Did I mention this was like 6:00 PM? We start the party early, Rose and I. So I got some whisky and patiently awaited my ladies.
The heat soon went on, and the singing shortly followed. It was pretty much exactly what Rose said it would be; if you want a quiet, relaxed place where you can sing some show tunes - - this is it. I guess in my memory loss, however, somebody ganked a lot of Rose's things. This included her phone and her wallet, I think. So watch your stuff. I wouldn't go here alone, but I would totally go with some musically-inclined friends. You should probably be prepared to sing. -
Review from Howard W.
Linden, NJ
9/12/2010
I always love going to Marie's Crisis. it is my go to spot when we're in the city and just asking "what should we do now?" The drinks are inexpensive ($6 for a gin & tonic is good by me) and the atmosphere is fantastic.
If you don't know the place it is a basement (the only two windows look out onto people's feet walking by) with Pride flag-colored Christmas lights strung up across the ceiling. It's a small space so wear shoes you feel comfortable standing in unless you luck into on of the stools by the piano or the bar.
The repertoire is almost exclusively Broadway tunes, and depending on who is playing, they range from the old and obscure to the shows that just opened yesterday. Franca and Dexter are my favorites, but all of the pianists are great and have their own style.
Everyone sings together and has a great time, and you'll be blessed to hear a song by Maggie, Andrew or others on the waitstaff or one of the talented patrons. That is when everyone gets quiet and just listens...know this etiquette before you go!
This is a good time for a little money. -
Review from Gabby M.
Brooklyn, NY
12/21/2009
WARNING: this musical review was written while drunk from $6 rum & cokes and singing a highlight from Chicago.
LOCATION: Marie's Crisis, where the only crisis you'll experience is your sexual identity.
HOW TO PLAY: Sing "Nowadays" from Chicago to the best of your memory! If you don't know the words, just make it up and sing along because that's how we roll in this joint.
Now everybody in the key of C major! Ahem...
[piano starts] 5,6,7,8!
Marie's Crisis is good, isn't it?
Grand, isn't it?
Great, isn't it?
Swell, isn't it?
Fun, isn't it?
Nowadays
There's men, everywhere
Jizz, everywhere
Cheap booze, everywhere
Dikes, everywhere
Boy toys, everywhere
Nowadays
You can love the life you're living
You can live life as a dike
You can even marry Gonzo
But mess around with my mic...SIKE!
And it gives you wood, doesn't it?
Bland, that's not it!
Gay, isn't it?
Late [look at watch], isn't it?
Queer, isn't it!
But no one's straight...
In 50 years or so
It's gonna change, I don't know
But, oh, it's heaven on earth in a dingy basement piano bar
Nowadays!!!!!
(whispers) Fosseeeee :::twirls & blows kiss::: -
Review from Sam P.
New York, NY
12/4/2008
Sometimes you have to announce your arrival back to New York by getting drunk and singing "Suddenly Seymore" at the top of your lungs at 1am on a Monday night. And thankfully, Marie's Crisis is there for you.
I have an odd relationship with Piano Bars in that despite my penchant for all things musical theater, I don't happen to frequent them all that often and when I do, it's almost definitely after copious amounts of alcohol.
But this I will say for Marie's Crisis. Though it is undoubtedly disgusting - under-the-bottom-shelf liquor, truly nasty bathrooms, a complete absence of decor or lighting beyond what you'd find in a typical suburban basement - everyone is always welcome. Between the queeny middle-aged regulars and the newbie BFA in Musical Theater students...
Ahem... There's a place for us, somewhere a place for us....
Thank you - don't forget to tip your pianist. Seriously, girlfriend is working hard for the money.Listed in: Keep it Gay, Theatery Stuff
-
Review from roderick A.
Jersey City, NY
8/26/2007 ROTD 10/6/2007
I must confess, I had no idea what this place was. The only thing I knew is that Thomas Paine, or Thomas Edison or St. Thomas of Aquinas, or some Thomas dude died here.
Walking in, I was surprised to hear people singing with a piano right in the middle of the floor. It also doubled as a mini-bar, because there were glasses on the sides. I come in, and I'm hearing "All That Jazz" from "Chicago" and I see fellow musically-inclined Yelpers Lynn and Yosh really getting into it. I just started singing along, and really enjoying myself. (NO, not that way, you bastards!)
Had an amaretto sour because there was no midori sour. NO MIDORI in a bar?!?!?! The hell is that about? Thats okay, because that's when the piano player started pulling out selections from "Little Shop of Horrors". He even played "Skid Row", how great a song is that!?!?!?!
But yeah, everyone was around the piano, men with their arms around each other, I swear I......
oh, excuse me..
*talks to friend*
Marie's Crisis is a gay bar? NO ITS NOT!!!!! its a place where all of these guys are singing show tunes, with their arms around each other. What's gay about that?
*comes back to writing review*
Well now, I had no idea that Marie's Crisis is considered a gay bar, I really did not. No wonder the guy next to me, with a white sports jacket, had his arm around me for a few more seconds than I was comfortable with, and kept whispering sweet nothings in my ear. But enough about Adrian......with a right hook, BAM! -
Review from Brett W.
Manhattan, NY
1/27/2010 ROTD 12/25/2010
As a testament to how great Marie's Crisis is, let me state a few "shocking" (sarcasm alert, sarcasm alert) facts about myself:
1. I have a restraining order against all microphones that try to get within 20 feet of my singing voice. It isn't pretty, okay? Do not amplify this voice!
2. How do I say this without losing my Friend of Dorothy card? I don't . . . really . . . like show tunes. THERE. Are you happy? I'm uncultured. Yet at the same time breaking stereotypes, oh hey!
Anyway, I don't know, the Broadway thing just never happened for this little 'mo. Sure, I found my way to the stage a number of times--like any confused outcast--but I avoided musicals. Probably due to my phobia of singing.
Yet, there's something about Marie's charm that suggests you should know more tunes. That way, you too can belt your heart out like the drunk girl falling all over the piano. Man, she's having a blast!
There are few things I love more than a cheap drink with a heavy pour. The bartenders know how to get you liquored up while pinching pennies. That alone is reason enough for me to go back time and time again. It's also liquid encouragement. Have you ever seen a person naturally-inclined to singing Broadway tunes drunk? It's 10x the crazy!
Weekday happy hours (and even weeknights) seem to be less crowded than weekends, so be aware. It's a small space. When it gets really full, there's a mandatory $1 coat check.
In the end, it's all worth it. Because at some point they might humor you with some Disney. And lucky for you, Disney IS something you've taken a liking to. (Even if you'll never fill out that vest the way Aladdin did.)Listed in: What's the Hardest Part of…
