Broadway's Longest-Running Show

Sardi’s Restaurant is one of New York City’s most enduring cultural landmarks and a fixture of the Broadway theater district. Founded by Vincent and Eugenia Sardi, the restaurant opened at its current location on West 44th Street in 1927, just steps from many of Broadway’s most prominent theaters. Over nearly a century, Sardi’s has become synonymous with the theatrical community, serving as a gathering place for actors, producers, directors, writers, critics, and theatergoers.

From its earliest years, Sardi’s functioned as far more than a restaurant. It became a central meeting place where Broadway business was conducted, productions were celebrated, and opening-night traditions were established. The restaurant is widely recognized as the birthplace of the Tony Awards, the American theater industry’s highest honor, and for many years hosted Tony Award nominee events and other industry gatherings.

Perhaps the restaurant’s most distinctive feature is its collection of celebrity portraits. The tradition began when Vincent Sardi hired Russian-born artist Alex Gard to draw various Broadway personalities. Over time, successive artists expanded the collection, which now includes well over a thousand illustrated portraits displayed throughout the restaurant. These drawings have become an honor within the theater community, with a new caricature traditionally unveiled to recognize notable achievements on stage.

The portraits depict an extraordinary range of performers, producers, playwrights, and public figures associated with Broadway and New York entertainment. Among those represented are legends such as Barbra Streisand, Stephen Sondheim, Angela Lansbury, Lauren Bacall, Paul Newman, Liza Minnelli, George Clooney, Denzel Washington, and many others whose careers have shaped American theater and popular culture.

Sardi’s dining rooms and second-floor bar have long attracted a mix of theater professionals, celebrities, journalists, and visitors seeking a connection to Broadway history. The restaurant has served as a favored destination for pre-theater dinners, post-show gatherings, opening-night celebrations, and informal meetings among members of the entertainment industry. Its red banquettes, theatrical atmosphere, and walls filled with caricatures have made it one of the most recognizable restaurants in New York City.
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In 2026, longtime owner Max Klimavicius sold Sardi’s, including its name and celebrated caricature collection, to The Shubert Organization, Broadway's largest theatre owner and producer of hundreds of plays and musicals. The Shuberts' mission is to preserve the restaurant’s historic character and its unique relationship with Broadway, while ensuring its continued operation for future generations. The transfer strengthened the historic connection between Sardi’s and the theater industry it has served for 100 years, ensuring that Sardi's remains a beacon of community for theatre professionals and fans alike.

The Shubert Organization

The Shubert Organization is America’s oldest professional theatre company and the largest theatre owner on Broadway. Since the dawn of the 20th century, Shubert has operated hundreds of theatres and produced hundreds of plays and musicals. Shubert currently owns and operates 17 Broadway, six Off-Broadway venues, the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia, and the newly-announced Olympia Theatre in London.

Under the leadership of Robert E. Wankel, Chairman and CEO, and Jeff T. Daniel, President, The Shubert Organization continues to be a leader in the theatre industry. Shubert delivers innovative ticketing solutions via its Telecharge interface, ticket distribution network, and private-label technology, offering unparalleled distribution and marketing to the theatre industry and beyond. Its consumer-facing brands—Telecharge for retail ticket sales and Broadway Inbound for group buyers, tour operators, and the travel industry—sell millions of tickets each year.

The Shubert Foundation, sole shareholder of The Shubert Organization, Inc., is dedicated to sustaining and advancing live performing arts in the United States. The Foundation provides general operating support to not-for-profit theatres and dance companies. Foundation grants in 2025 totaled $42 million to 672 grantees.

​For more information, visit www.shubert.nyc.

La Masseria

La Masseria Group is a New York City–based restaurant group built on a love of authentic Italian cuisine and genuine hospitality. Founded in 2004 by Edward Ricci Sr., Eduard W. Ricci II, and managing partners Giuseppe Iuele (Peppe), Giuseppe Coladonato (Pino), and Vincenzo Ruggiero (Enzo), the group was created with a simple goal: to make every guest feel welcome and every dining experience memorable.

Over the years, LMG has grown to own and operate five restaurants and two cafes and bakeries across the United States, with locations in New York City, Rhode Island, and South Florida. Each destination reflects our passion for quality, comfort, and the timeless traditions of Italian dining. La Masseria in New York City is our original restaurant and flagship location. Like each of our sister locations, it offers authentic Italian cuisine, thoughtfully crafted cocktails, extensive and curated wine list, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that invites guests to relax, connect, and savor every moment.

Through our food and beverage offerings, we share La Vera Cucina Italiana—authentic Italian cuisine—by thoughtfully curating every detail, from the menu and wine program to the cocktails and ambiance. At the heart of it all is our exceptionally dedicated team, whose passion, culinary integrity, and commitment to service help create the elevated experiences our guests return to again and again.