See a Play at the Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta

Want to see a Shakespeare play in Atlanta? The best place is the Shakespeare Tavern in Midtown! See what what a night out is like at this iconic Atlanta playhouse.

As a literature nerd, I have been introducing Kevin to the wonderful world of Shakespeare and taking him to see a new play every few months. I was thrilled to find out that Atlanta has a whole playhouse dedicated to the plays of Shakespeare!

And the building is made to look like Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, so it’s like being transported straight to England!

The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse

The Atlanta Shakespeare Company began in 1984 at Manuel’s Tavern on North Highland Avenue before moving to its present location on Peachtree Street.

The Shakespeare Tavern at this new location was designed with a Globe-inspired stage to better connect the players and the audience for what the playhouse calls “Original Practice” performances.

The Original Practice approach to theatre centers around the audience experiencing a play in a manner consistent with its creator intent.

For an Elizabethan and Shakespearean play, this means that the audience is acknowledged. When a cell phone goes off during the performance, the actors will acknowledge the interruption and mock you, particularly during a comedy. If you walk in front of the stage during the performance, you will become part of the performance, even in the midst of a sword fight.

In 1999, the tavern was renovated and expanded to include a balcony. Today, you’ll enter the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse through a gorgeous Globe-inspired façade added in 2006 that sticks out on this strangely deserted stretch of Midtown Atlanta street.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry at the Shakespeare Tavern

The Shakespeare Tavern features a British pub-style menu put together by Chef For A Night Catering.

Food service is cafeteria-style and is available1 hour and 15 minutes before the performance; food service ends 10 minutes before show time. Dessert and beverages are available during intermission.

They also have a bar with select wines, beers, and soft drinks.

For seating, you can choose from the Main Floor (seating with table and chairs within 25 feet of the stage), Box Seats (slightly raised behind and to the side of the main floor, within 30 feet of the stage), and Balcony Views (three levels upstairs, within 40 feet of the stage). Seating is first-come, first-served within each section.

The Plays

The Shakespeare Tavern specializes in Shakespearean plays.

In 2011, the Atlanta Shakespeare Company became the first American company to perform the entire canon of Shakespeare’s plays: the 37 plays attributed to Shakespeare and the 2 plays of questionable Shakespearean authorship, Edward III and Double Falsehood.

Shakespeare is obviously the main focus of the Shakespeare Tavern, but if you need a break from the bard, they also sprinkle in a few non-Shakespearean plays, from A Christmas Carol every Christmas to The Crucible to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).

The Shakespeare Tavern produces 12-14 plays each year, the majority of which are Shakespearean plays.

Shakespeare Tavern Info

Location: 499 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Box Office Hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Will Call is open 1 hour and 45 minutes before performances for ticket pick up. The front doors are locked 30 minutes after each performance begins.

Live Performance Hours: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Price: Ticket prices range from $26 to $46 depending on the day of the week, the show, and availability.

Discounts Available: You can get discounted tickets for preview performances, student tickets, educator tickets, seniors 65+, groups, and student matinee performances during the school year.

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Cheers!

Paige

Have you seen a play at the Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta, Georgia? Let me know in the comments!