Goofballs, weirdos, and other lovers of nonsense, rejoice! The wackiest show in Manhattan is gearing up for a revival and you’re not going to want to miss this.
Wara, Batsu! was an incredibly popular dinner theatre spot in the Lower East Side. Fusing traditional Japanese variety shows with the edge of NY comedy, Wara served light Japanese bites alongside a robust selection of sake while it hosted the popular Batsu! show.
Named after a tradition of punishing Japanese game shows (Batsu literally translates to punishment), Batsu! is a kind of game show that invites four comedians to compete in absurd endurance challenges just to entertain the audience. Rather than winning a fabulous prize, the winner of a Batsu game simply avoids the punishment’s that the losers face. Hosted by comedians Eric Robinson, Joe Texeria, Jay Painter, Giulia Sindler, and Sharon Perazolli, Batsu was one of the most popular attractions in Lower Manhattan before the pandemic hit.
Thankfully, Wara Batsu will be returning to its original location at 67 1st Avenue, between East 4th and East 5th streets. Featuring live performances every night except Sundays and Mondays, Batsu will be returning with its iconic stage alongside the wara kitchen. Together, the kitchen and performance unite to create a truly unique experience that can never be forgotten.
While they haven’t specified when precisely they intend to reopen, fans are seriously relieved to learn that their temporary closure was indeed temporary. Not many restaurants (or live performance venues for that matter) can say the same. For further updates, be sure to follow the Batsu team on Facebook to be the first one back at their grand opening.
