Tolstoy Lounge at Russian Samovar

256 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019 –
50th St (150 yd)

About this space

Russian Samovar is a one-of-a-kind restaurant with a unique style of cuisine and lives music nightly.

We are the only restaurant in the country that offers Russian cuisine and vodka, and our decor is rich in Russian style.

A great place to have fun, eat delicious food, and have a drink. Enjoy with cozy atmosphere in our Tolstoy Lounge.

We stand with Ukraine!


Prices

Sunday
12:00 pm – 4:00 am
from $150 per person
Per session
12:00 pm – 4:00 am
from $150 per person
Note: Alcohol licence until 4:00 am. All prices include sales tax.
Monday
12:00 pm – 2:00 am
from $150 per person
Per session
12:00 pm – 2:00 am
from $150 per person
Note: Alcohol licence until 4:00 am. All prices include sales tax.
Tuesday
12:00 pm – 2:00 am
from $150 per person
Per session
12:00 pm – 2:00 am
from $150 per person
Note: Alcohol licence until 4:00 am. All prices include sales tax.
Wednesday
12:00 pm – 2:00 am
from $150 per person
Per session
12:00 pm – 2:00 am
from $150 per person
Note: Alcohol licence until 4:00 am. All prices include sales tax.
Thursday
12:00 pm – 2:00 am
from $150 per person
Per session
12:00 pm – 2:00 am
from $150 per person
Note: Alcohol licence until 4:00 am. All prices include sales tax.
Friday
12:00 pm – 4:00 am
from $150 per person
Per session
12:00 pm – 4:00 am
from $150 per person
Note: Alcohol licence until 4:00 am. All prices include sales tax.
Saturday
12:00 pm – 4:00 am
from $150 per person
Per session
12:00 pm – 4:00 am
from $150 per person
Note: Alcohol licence until 4:00 am. All prices include sales tax.

Capacity

Standing
up to 102
Dining
up to 64

Catering and drinks

In-house catering
External catering not allowed
Venue provides alcohol
BYO alcohol not allowed

Facilities

Wi-Fi
Free parking is available on-site
Free on-street parking
Paid parking facilities available nearby
Proof of vaccination required
All staff fully vaccinated
Vegan Options
Outdoor Seating
Live Music
Happy Hour Specials
Full Bar
Gender-neutral restrooms
Offers Military Discount
Dogs Allowed
Projector
Flatscreen TV
Whiteboard
Flipchart
PA system / speakers
Conference call facilities
Air conditioning
Natural light
Storage space
Quiet space
Accommodation available

Music & sound equipment

Own music allowed
Bring your own DJ
Noise restrictions

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible

Rules of the space

Allowed events

Promoted and ticketed events
Wedding licence
Temporary event notices (TENs) available

Russian Samovar is located in the theatre district of NYC on West 52nd Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue.

Before it was Russian Samovar…

The history of Russian Samovar starts well before the restaurant itself. Originally Jilly’s Canteen, and owned by a friend of Frank Sinatra, Jilly Rizzo, Samovar was the go-to hot spot for Sinatra and The Rat Pack. In homage to Sinatra, Johnny Carson, and the good old boys, we decided to maintain the original red banquettes from back in those days. We also preserved the original bar as featured in The Manchurian Candidate and even unearthed original artwork from the talented people who frequented Jilly’s before we were fortunate enough to acquire this landmark location.

​In 1986, Roman Kaplan, founder of Russian Samovar acquired the property and was joined in 1987 by friends and business partners: Legendary dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and Nobel Award Winning poet Joseph Brodsky. Baryshnikov’s baby grand piano is still used daily by our performers and guests can still request the Brodsky table, where the legends used to sit and drink away the hours. Guests of private events also enjoy our private dining room, where Baryshnikov filmed Sex in the City.

​Samovar has remained a celebrity hangout over the years. We’ve been lucky enough to feature impromptu shows by Liza Minelli and rumor has it that Mel Brooks adapted The Producers to film while sitting at our bar. Voice actor Kieth David pops in for dinner and a song whenever he’s in town. And the cast of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 awaited nervously until the sun rose for their first review.

​Despite the history literally adorning our walls, we like to think of ourselves as a family. We haven’t given up on the old values of comfort and acceptance, and we hope to share our family with you.

Thank you for joining us today, and we hope you will return soon!


Other spaces and event packages at this venue

from $150
per person / per session
from $150
per person / per session

Location