Inside The Players, NYC's 128-Year-Old Private Theater Club

The Kinstler room, which now houses Edwin's, a Friday night-only restaurant for members<br>

The Kinstler room, which now houses Edwin's, a Friday night-only restaurant for members<br>

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The Kinstler room, which now houses Edwin's, a Friday night-only restaurant for members<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

The Alcove off the Kinstler Room, where musicians will play during dinners at Edwin's<br>

The Alcove off the Kinstler Room, where musicians will play during dinners at Edwin's<br>

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The Alcove off the Kinstler Room, where musicians will play during dinners at Edwin's<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

The Edwin, a signature cocktail made with vodka, St. Germain, coconut rum, triple sec, sour mix, pineapple and cranberry juices<br>

The Edwin, a signature cocktail made with vodka, St. Germain, coconut rum, triple sec, sour mix, pineapple and cranberry juices<br>

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The Edwin, a signature cocktail made with vodka, St. Germain, coconut rum, triple sec, sour mix, pineapple and cranberry juices<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

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Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

John Singer Sargent's portrait of Joseph Jefferson, the second president of Players Club, above the delft fireplace<br>

John Singer Sargent's portrait of Joseph Jefferson, the second president of Players Club, above the delft fireplace<br>

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John Singer Sargent's portrait of Joseph Jefferson, the second president of Players Club, above the delft fireplace<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

Helen Hayes (R), the first female admitted as a member of the Players Club<br>

Helen Hayes (R), the first female admitted as a member of the Players Club<br>

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Helen Hayes (R), the first female admitted as a member of the Players Club<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

The Player Club is the only place you can eat and drink outdoors overlooking Gramercy Park<br>

The Player Club is the only place you can eat and drink outdoors overlooking Gramercy Park<br>

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The Player Club is the only place you can eat and drink outdoors overlooking Gramercy Park<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

C Pierre Gaines, who's been working at Players Club for nearly 20 years<br>

C Pierre Gaines, who's been working at Players Club for nearly 20 years<br>

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C Pierre Gaines, who's been working at Players Club for nearly 20 years<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

Staircases are lined with portraits of former and current members<br>

Staircases are lined with portraits of former and current members<br>

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Staircases are lined with portraits of former and current members<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

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Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

Docent Giacomo Selloni explains the building's history<br>

Docent Giacomo Selloni explains the building's history<br>

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Docent Giacomo Selloni explains the building's history<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

Edwin Booth's suite<br>

Edwin Booth's suite<br>

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Edwin Booth's suite<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

Edwin 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>

Edwin 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>

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Edwin 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/Gothamist

The skull on the bookshelf belonged to a criminal who bequeathed his skull to Booth to perform with during Hamlet<br>

The skull on the bookshelf belonged to a criminal who bequeathed his skull to Booth to perform with during Hamlet<br>

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The skull on the bookshelf belonged to a criminal who bequeathed his skull to Booth to perform with during Hamlet<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

The rubbing is an original from Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare<br>

The rubbing is an original from Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare<br>

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The rubbing is an original from Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

The 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>

The 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>

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The 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/Gothamist

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Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

Poe<br>

Poe<br>

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Poe<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

The Library, which is often used for readings, as seen here<br>

The Library, which is often used for readings, as seen here<br>

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The Library, which is often used for readings, as seen here<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

Letter from Edwin Booth to the public, following the death of President Lincoln at the hands of Booth's brother, John Wilkes Booth<br>

Letter from Edwin Booth to the public, following the death of President Lincoln at the hands of Booth's brother, John Wilkes Booth<br>

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Letter 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/Gothamist

Letter from Edwin Booth to the public, following the death of President Lincoln at the hands of Booth's brother, John Wilkes Booth<br>

Letter from Edwin Booth to the public, following the death of President Lincoln at the hands of Booth's brother, John Wilkes Booth<br>

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Letter 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/Gothamist

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Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

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Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

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Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

A collection of theatrical artifacts, just a few of hundreds the Club owns<br>

A collection of theatrical artifacts, just a few of hundreds the Club owns<br>

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A collection of theatrical artifacts, just a few of hundreds the Club owns<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

Depictions of scenes from Shakespeare plays adorn the fireplace in The Card Room<br>

Depictions of scenes from Shakespeare plays adorn the fireplace in The Card Room<br>

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Depictions of scenes from Shakespeare plays adorn the fireplace in The Card Room<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

The Dining Room, which was added to the building after it was designated a landmark<br>

The Dining Room, which was added to the building after it was designated a landmark<br>

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The Dining Room, which was added to the building after it was designated a landmark<br>

Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist

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Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist