Inside The Players, NYC's 128-Year-Old Private Theater Club
28 photos
The Kinstler room, which now houses Edwin's, a Friday night-only restaurant for members<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistThe Alcove off the Kinstler Room, where musicians will play during dinners at Edwin's<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistThe Edwin, a signature cocktail made with vodka, St. Germain, coconut rum, triple sec, sour mix, pineapple and cranberry juices<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistJohn Singer Sargent's portrait of Joseph Jefferson, the second president of Players Club, above the delft fireplace<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistHelen Hayes (R), the first female admitted as a member of the Players Club<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistThe Player Club is the only place you can eat and drink outdoors overlooking Gramercy Park<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistC Pierre Gaines, who's been working at Players Club for nearly 20 years<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistStaircases are lined with portraits of former and current members<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistDocent Giacomo Selloni explains the building's history<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistEdwin Booth's suite<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistEdwin Booth's bedroom still holds the bed he died in and is said to be in situ since the night Booth passed away. The only addition: a portrait of his brother John, whose name was prohibited from being spoken during Booth's lifetime<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistThe skull on the bookshelf belonged to a criminal who bequeathed his skull to Booth to perform with during Hamlet<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistThe rubbing is an original from Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistThe term "black balled" comes from the Players Club tradition of voting in - or not voting in - new members using white and black balls. Orson Welles was famously black balled.<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistPoe<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistLetter from Edwin Booth to the public, following the death of President Lincoln at the hands of Booth's brother, John Wilkes Booth<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistLetter from Edwin Booth to the public, following the death of President Lincoln at the hands of Booth's brother, John Wilkes Booth<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistA collection of theatrical artifacts, just a few of hundreds the Club owns<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistDepictions of scenes from Shakespeare plays adorn the fireplace in The Card Room<br>
Sai Mokhtari/GothamistThe Dining Room, which was added to the building after it was designated a landmark<br>
Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist