Blue Bar Restaurant & Lounge is now open

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celebrating literary brillianceThe Round Table

The Round Table at Algonquin Hotel

Stroll restaurant row in NYC and discover one of the city’s most celebrated hotel restaurants at The Algonquin. A Times Square fine dining draw for New York’s literary, artistic and theatrical elite for over 80 years – including the original “Vicious Circle” of the Roaring 20’s – The Round Table Restaurant still inspires with a tasteful and modern take on American cuisine.

Please note: The Round Table is now open.

grayscale photo of woman with brown wooden frame

Dorothy Parker

Parker’s career began as a theater critic writing for Vogue and Vanity Fair. After being dismissed from Vanity Fair she went to Life Magazine. The Round Table grew her fame and daily newspapers where publishing her sharp and witty phrases. She became known for her short stories, poems and screenplays.

grayscale photo of Franklin P. Adams

Franklin Adams

Known simply as F.P.A., he was one of the most famous writers at the time. He contributed to the New York Tribune, New York World and New York Evening Post. Adams’ most celebrated columns were “Always in Good Humor” and “The Conning Tower” which often shared insight into his personal life.

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Robert Benchley

Tapped as the first managing editor of Vanity Fair, Benchley went on to work for Life and became known for his humorous writing. After appearing in a revue in 1922 Benchley sought to become an actor and began a stage career. He gained famed in Hollywood and in 1935 he won an Academy Award.

grayscale photo of Harold Ross with gold-colored wooden frame

Harold Ross

Founder and Editor of The New Yorker, Ross was involved in the magazine from its inception in 1925 until his death. The Round Table members often played poker in the hotel and with a winning hand; Ross won a generous sum of money which he used to finance the magazine.

Sherwood using typewriter

Robert Sherwood

The tallest member of the Round Table, Sherwood stood at six foot seven. His career began as an editor at Vanity Fair and then Life alongside Parker and Benchley. He found success as a playwright and went on to win four Pulitzer Prizes. In 1946 he won an Oscar for best screenplay.

Photograph of Woolcott in an old bronze frame

Alexander Woollcott

Woollcott was the central member of the Round Table. He was the New York Times theater critic and for some time wrote his reviews in a room on the third floor of the hotel. His eccentric personality was the inspiration for the character Sheridan Whiteside in “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”

Kaufman in men's black-framed eyeglasses

George S. Kaufman

Kaufman started his career as a columnist but found huge success as a playwright. He wrote and co-wrote 46 plays (26 hits) and won two Pulitzer Prizes. He collaborated with other Round Table Members such as Ferber and Connolly. Kaufman’s and Connolly’s play

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Heywood Broun

Broun was a sports writer for the New York Tribune and also wrote for New York World. He was a founder of the Newspaper Guild. Broun was very politically active through his entire life and was also married to feminist Ruth Hale, who founded the Lucy Stone League.

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Marc Connelly

Like Kaufman, started out writing for the papers (New York Sun and Morning Telegraph) but grew to success when the two collaborated and wrote several hit plays. Not only did their work launch the career of Fontanne but also Helen Hayes. He won a Pulitzer Prize for his play, The Green Pasture.

greyscale photo of Edna Ferber

Edna Ferber

Ferber was one of the most successful writers of the group. She won a Pulitzer prize in 1924 for So Big. She collaborated with Kaufman and wrote four hit plays including The Royal Family. Several of her books were adapted into movies and musicals including, Show Boat, Giant and Ice Palace.

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dine with the vicious circle

Be in Good CompanyReserve a Table

“When I was growing up, I had three wishes – I wanted to be a Lindbergh-type hero, learn Chinese and become a member of the Algonquin Round Table.”

– John F. Kennedy