The large city of New York offers countless attractions and activities, although if you’re looking for something with a different flavor, check out a speakeasy from the prohibition era still operating in the hidden venues of New York City.
During the era of prohibition in the 1920s and 1930s when alcohol was outlawed, secret underground businesses called speakeasies illegally sold alcohol. They were usually challenging to locate since their whereabouts had to be concealed from the authorities. In the present time, some authentic NYC speakeasies from that period still exist, as well as a new wave of hidden bars.
Of course, this represents one of the prime activities to engage in NYC at night, so you can accomplish all the tourist attractions during daylight hours before discreetly departing to a clandestine saloon.
We have experienced some of these venues before, and it is always a fun time sipping experimental cocktails in an unusual bar hidden away from the rest of the city (after tracking it down, that is!) In this guide, I will share the 10 top speakeasies found in NYC so you can have your own adventure finding these concealed gems.
Table of Contents
1. Little Branch, one of the best speakeasies in NYC
Little Branch certainly emerges as one of the best NYC secretly-run lounges, owing to its outstanding cocktails and reside music. Not only that, but Sasha Petraske, the founder of NYC’s original secretly-run lounge, Milk and Honey, aided with Little Branch’s origin. As a result, it has an authentic feel that some more contemporary bars cannot match.
This dimly illuminated bar is intimate and pretty tranquil, with charming retro aspects like low ceilings and bartenders in suspenders. They’ll craft some of the most delectable cocktails in the city with fresh juices, chilled glasses, and every kind of liqueur you can imagine.
Little Branch offers classic cocktails like mojitos and Moscow mules, as well as innovative mixtures such as the ‘Pan American Clipper’ (Applejack, grenadine, absinthe, lime juice) and the ‘Gold Rush’ (bourbon, lemon juice, honey).
Patrons come here for the cocktails but stay for the live jazz piano and music performances. To access this establishment, find the steel door where Leroy Street meets 7th Avenue, then descend the stairway to the below-ground bar.
Along with being one of the bestspeakeasies in Greenwich Village, Little Branch is near Washington Square Park, one of the best parks in NYC.
2. Attaboy, a trendy speakeasy in New York City
Attaboy is a small and cozy establishment on the Lower East Side, which is renowned as one of the best neighborhoods in Manhattan. The bar replaced Milk and Honey, one of the first speakeasies in New York City, and was founded by two apprentices of Milk and Honey’s founder, Sasha Petraske.
While it`s a more modern concealed venue on the Lower East Side, Attaboy retains facets from the secret bars of the past. Those passing by will walk directly past its entrance, but individuals with insider knowledge will head to this hidden gem at 134 Eldridge Street. Don`t feel intimidated by Attaboy`s distinguished reputation, as the bartenders are highly welcoming, and the location attracts people from all backgrounds.
As one of the top secret bars in NYC, expect amazing cocktails here, like ‘Penicillin’, containing scotch, lemon juice, and ginger-honey syrup. Other popular drinks include ‘Paper Plane’ (bourbon, lemon, herbal liqueur juice, orange bitters) and ‘The Greenpoint’ (rye, vermouth, green herbal liqueur).
Moreover, the bartenders are receptive to recommendations, so if you want a concoction that’s not on the menu, they’ll prepare it for you.
3. The Back Room, a unique speakeasy in New York City
It’s worth exploring, as this is one of the authentic Prohibition bars in NYC that was operational in the 1920s. It has a distinct charm and elegance to it, not only because of the vintage decor, but also the cozy elements like wood paneling, chandeliers, and velvet armchairs and couches.
When I visited The Back Room, I was fascinated by the care put into the small details. Here, bartenders pour your cocktail into teacups and conceal beer cans in brown paper wrapping. It felt like stepping back in time!
4. Bathtub Gin, one of the coziest NYC speakeasies
Bathtub Gin is another speakeasy-style cocktail lounge in New York City that transports patrons back in time. It features retro design elements and decor that invoke the atmosphere of the 1920s. And indeed, there is an actual tub repurposed as a design piece.
As the name indicates, this speakeasy in Chelsea, NY serves all types of gin & tonic varieties, but it also has a listing of intriguing beverages inspired by the city. ‘Banananana Manhattan’ is a delightful drink with rum, banana, amaro juice, and chocolate bitters, while ‘Harlem Sunset’ is the perfect evening beverage with rum, spiced coconut water, demerara, lime, clementine juice, and pineapple syrup.
VooDoo Beach Resort at Rio Hotel & Casino is one of the scarce places on the Strip where you can place your feet in the sand. Inspired by Brazil’s Copacabana Beach, this hotel pool complex has a genuine sand beach and numerous pools with waterfalls and grottoes.
To access Bathtub Gin, enter through Stone Street Coffee at 132 9th Avenue. A dummy wall contains a red light that can be pressed, but requesting assistance from the doorman is acceptable if needed.
A non-descript Five Guys sits at the corner of Barrow Street and 7th Avenue, but if you go upstairs, you’ll find The Garret, a secret NYC speakeasy. Located in an old attic, this hidden bar is a tranquil hangout venue where you can enjoy a hand-crafted beverage in an unpretentious setting.
The Garret has a welcoming atmosphere, so you won’t have to deal with pretentious patrons or bartenders here. The bar serves beer, wine, and creative cocktails, but does not provide food, so grab a burger on your way up! Or first stop at John’s of Bleecker Street a block over, whose New York-style pizza is considered to be some of the finest cuisine in New York City.
In addition to drinks inspired by The Beatles, The Garret offers classic cocktails like ‘The First Lady,’ with gin, triple sec, matcha, lemon, egg white, and basil. The more innovative beverages are also worth sampling, like the aptly named ‘The Bar Above Five Guys,’ which contains mezcal, vermouth, aquavit, Aperol, passion fruit, hibiscus, and lime.
To wrap things up, this former underground drinking establishment located in Greenwich Village has a beautiful atmosphere with natural lighting from above and a cozy fireplace for warmth. It’s a lovely place to gather around a candlelit wooden table and spend a couple hours conversing over beverages.
6. PDT (Please Don’t Tell), another one of the best speakeasies in NYC
Dark and moody, Please Don’t Tell (PDT) is one of the most unique speakeasies in New York City. I’ve visited PDT in the past, and its creative touches like taxidermy animals are an odd contrast to the super-friendly bartenders.
To gain entrance, access through the phone booth located in Crif Dogs, then lift the phone and dial 1 to connect with the staff, who will allow you inside. I advise booking a reservation on the website beforehand; otherwise, it may prove difficult to secure a seat.
This covert NYC establishment was one of the initially current speakeasies to emerge in the city. In accession to its dependable reputation, it has wonderful cocktails that make locating the appearance to the bar well deserving of the labour. Try ‘The Shark’ (Bacardi and overproof rum, Frangelico liqueur, blue curacao, lemon and pineapple juice, bitters, cream) or ‘The Cascade’ (vodka, champagne, grapefruit, lemon, and pineapple).
You’ll also find a selection of beers and wines here, so if you’re seeking things to experience as a couple in NYC’s East Village, don’t miss it.
7. Apotheke, an NYC speakeasy with amazing cocktails
Apotheke is an underground establishment in NYC’s Chinatown, located in a former opium den, so it possesses abundant character. As individuals walk through the centuries-old entrance, they’ll be welcomed by a bar modeled after an historic European pharmacy. The bartenders also wear medical jackets.
The details in this establishment have clearly been well thought out, from the interior decor all the way to how the menu is arranged. The walls are covered with fabric art, murals, and delicate light fixtures, while the custom marble bar is backlit and detailed with gold leaves. Take a seat on a plush loveseat or ottoman and browse the cocktail list, which has been organized into medical classifications like “pain relief,” “health & beauty,” and “stress reducers.”
The establishment features an extensive selection of beverages, as well as imaginative libations like one composed of several alcohols and natural ingredients and another combining rum with additional components. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most fascinating places to imbibe in the renowned city.
Additionally, it’s located in the heart of Chinatown, so you may want to start your day at this spot with a two-hour walking tour. It`s one of the top tours in NYC, and then you can sneak into the concealed saloon.
8. Dear Irving, one of the best speakeasies in Midtown NYC
Dear Irving is one of the premier speakeasies in Midtown NYC, specifically in Gramercy Park. It`s worth multiple visits since it features a seasonal cocktail menu where you can always find something novel.
Depending on your mood, you may try one of the classics, a spicy beverage, or something indulgent and sweetened. ‘The Gibson’ is a martini variation with Tanqueray gin, vermouth, and pickled onion, while the ‘Nomadic Old Fashioned’ contains rye, aquavit, chai honey, and flavorings.
The menu contains various drinks like liqueurs, rums, wines, beers, and ciders, as well as shareable food items such as avocado toast and sesame tuna.
Another notable feature of Dear Irving is its theme involving time travel, as each of its four lounging areas transports you back to a specific era. Visitors must choose not only their beverage but also whether to sit in the room honoring F. Scott Fitzgerald, JFK, Queen Victoria, or Marie Antoinette.
I`d recommend visiting if you`re searching for an intimate prohibition-era themed lounge in New York City. Here, you can relax and curl up close to your loved one in a glittering and fanciful social area or dimly lit nook.
9. UES, an NYC speakeasy with a sweet twist
UES derives its name from its location, but many are unaware of this concealed Upper East Side speakeasy since it’s disguised by a fun ice cream shop. While the desserts here are delicious, if you go to the ice cream counter and say the secret password, “I would like to visit the storage room,” you’ll be taken to this hiddenNYC speakeasy.
Situated behind the colorful façade of sundaes and sprinkles, there is a Prohibition-style bar with historical details referencing the Upper East Side. From the wall murals to the trinkets behind the bar, it’s a fascinating place.
It makes logical sense that UES has a more youthful atmosphere, and this is intensified by the actuality that you can request dessert from the ground floor to go along with your beverage. Certainly, some of the drinks already feel akin to desserts, such as ‘UES is Happy to Serve You,’ which includes bourbon, chocolate wine, maraschino liqueur, Campari, and orange bitters topped with coconut crema.
Another indulgent drink is `El Lado Este Superior,` containing spiced rum, lemongrass stems, lime leaves, galangal honey, and turmeric powder, served in a cigar box along with a chocolate cigar.
10. La Noxe, a laid-back speakeasy in New York City
Finally, La Noxe is a Mediterranean-inspired underground establishment in New York City. It draws inspiration from the founder`s time living in cities like Barcelona, France, and Tokyo, so the menu offers some intriguing choices.
Some stand-out cocktail choices at this establishment include the `Secret Garden` (mezcal, kale, lemon, agave, chili salt) and `More Passion More Problems` (vodka, passion fruit liqueur, lemon juice, orange zest). The espresso martini makes a great late night pick and contains vodka, cold brew liqueur, cinnamon, and vanilla, topped with espresso beans.
La Noxe also serves non-alcoholic beverages and small dishes, like Galician octopus and smoked salmon with cucumber, yuzu mayonnaise, and furikake.
That said, what is even more intriguing about this Chelsea hidden bar is its situation at the 28th Street subway station near the Empire State Building. To arrive there, go to the station’s southeast corner of 28th Street and 7th Avenue, descend the initial flight of stairs, and knock twice on the black door to the right. It is a tiny space, accommodating only 30 people, so book a reservation in advance.
(821)”” “
If you prefer to avoid public transportation, you can utilize the shared GO Airlink airport shuttle from EWR to NYC at around $40 per person. Or you are able to book a private car service from the airport to New York Cityhere. Again, this makes a lot of sense especially if you’re travelling as a group.
While Long Island is relatively near to New York City, if you intend to do substantial sightseeing on Long Island, you may want to remain overnight. You can look at our guide on where to lodge in NYC, or book one of these places specifically on Long Island:
If you have any other inquiries about these hidden NYC establishments, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d be pleased to provide assistance. Until then, have fun discovering these concealed gems!
