Okay, this might be a very stupid question but I thought I read somewhere on this board that to order a pre-theatre fixed price dinner you have to show your theatre tickets. Is this true or did I read this somewhere else?

I've been checking out everyone's recommendations for dinner. We don't want to break the bank but would like to have a nice dinner each night we're in NYC. Also, just how expensive are cocktails in NYC? They are pricey in Boston but I don't think a drink costs $10 to $15 each unless it's really something. Comments are appreciated.

I've never heard of showing your theatre tickets to get a pretheatre special, unless maybe it is some sort of prepaid package deal for a particular show and dinner included.

Regarding drinks -- I drink dry Robroys. (Think a dry Scotch martini). Usually I specify Dewars, which may or may not run the price up by a dollar or so. I'd say at the many many places I've had them midtown, the average price is about $10 - $12. I have paid as much as $15 for one. I think the worst one I ever had (the bartender even wanted to pick a fight with me, insisting that a dry robroy is made with sweet vermouth -- but just a little bit -- WRONG) was at the Tribeca Grand Hotel -- and they charged me $15. Even though he finally took the first one back and agreed to make me one with dry vermouth, it was still lousy -- and tasted like half vermouth. Dry robroys are not the trendy drink of the month at the Tribeca Grand, where it's all about what's "in" at the moment.

You will not have to show theater tickets to get a prix fixe dinner. It usually does mean you have to eat early (it's a NY version of an early bird dinner ) There may be some special deal you read about where you have to show a ticket, but usually that's not the case.

Cocktails can be very expensive. It's a major profit center for most restaurants. Hotel bars are notoriously expensive. Places that cater to tourists and/or have a view are usually expensive. One place I discovered, fyi, with very reasonably priced drinks is McCormick & Schmick's on 52 st b/w 6th-7th. They also have very cheap happy hour appetizers ($1-2 a plate) and last I looked, they had a special pre theater dinner promoted on playbill.com. Make sure to register on playbill for free and check their restaurant offerings.

I read that the Landmark Tavern has buy one get one free drinks 4-7 pm. Here's what the NY Magzine listing said

With three-for-two buybacks, "Single-Malt Mondays" offer the best opportunity for cash-strapped connoisseurs to sample the Tavern's 70 fine scotches. Regular happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and features 10 cent buffalo wings and buy-one-get-one on all drinks.
• 626 Eleventh Ave., at 46th St., 212-757-859

Just returned from eleven days in midtown Manhattan. Saw lots of shows and ate lots of dinners - was never asked to show tickets prior to ordering.

I drink Cosmopolitans when in NY and they cost anywhere from $8 to $12 on this trip. Husband usually drinks wine which can run $6 for "house wine" in a small restaurant to whatever you want to spend. I thought one of the best "deals" in NY was the prix fixe lunch at Gotham Bar and Grill for $25. It is accompanied by a very nice selection of wines that are $25 per bottle.

Thanks to all for your comments. Hopefully we will be able to take advantage of the pre-theatre dinners.