What better way to celebrate the revival of nightlife and cocktail bars than with an ode to the original? We’ve rounded up New York City speakeasies to visit post-quarantine NYC. If you’re having a night on the town for the first time in a while, these great, sneaky spots most certainly won’t disappoint. Best of all, each is truly hidden, so you’re guaranteed to take in the full experience!
Little Branch
This first hidden bar (and an OG in NYC) is the definition of a secret. With no website or social media presence, the only hint of its existence is a black door located at the end of the street as its entrance. Little Branch is the speakeasy you visit when you truly don’t want to be found. Sip on a martini in the candlelit space, for the true experience of being in a bar during the Prohibition Era.
UES NYC
Add a little sweetness to your grand speakeasy tour. Make a reservation at UES NYC to sip on some real sweet treats that have been concocted to perfection. Hidden behind a wall of ice-cream, this speakeasy is a modernized and fun take of going out for a summer ice-cream run. Paired with creative names such as The Devil Wears Nada and Old Silk Stocking, we definitely expect to have a few of these sugary mixtures.
The Back Room
The Back Room is one of the only two speakeasies that actually operated during the prohibition era! So, you definitely have to pay a visit to a place that literally lived through this time period. Originally known as “The Back of Ratner’s” this sneaky spot hosted guests in the theater and movie industry and even one or two of your famously known gangsters. Take your turn by entering this spot through the gate and down a seemingly quiet and deserted alley.
Bathtub Gin
We love a good bath and a nice bottle of gin, but we never thought we’d see them in the same room (yep, there’s a bathtub in the middle of the room). Hidden behind a coffee shop, Bathtub Gin is a great spot to grab drinks in the heart of the Meatpacking District. As gin was one of the major spirits of choice of the time, this speakeasy delivers with several variations of the classic.
Death and Company
Death and Company began as a small intimate speakeasy down in the East Village and is now known for so much more! This cozy space looks like your average storefront to many, but that appearance is quickly diminished when you’re met with a bouncer who will happily sneak you inside.
Since this successful bar’s initial opening, it’s now expanded with much larger locations in both Denver and Los Angeles. Visit the OG spot and make sure to order a Snapdragon, made with Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal, Rhine Hall Mango Brandy, Aperol, Lime, and Macadamia Nut. It’s a must try!
Employees Only
Date night anyone? After being cooped up with your partner for so long, treat them to a luxe dinner and drinks to pair in the West Village. Employees Only is a speakeasy that pays tribute to the past with art deco decor and vibes. We recommend sipping on one of their espresso martinis to top off the night.
Obviously, you don’t want to look for a bar when really trying to find this place. Instead, search for a red neon sign that advertises a psychic and live tarot card reader. Play along by entering the space, through the curtain, only to find yourself a few cocktails and maybe a fortune-teller!
Raines Law Room
Not only is Raines Law Room a great speakeasy, but it also has a secret garden that not many other places in NYC can say they have too. So, how do you initially get in? There’s an unmarked stairwell on West 17th Street with a doorbell found at the bottom of the door that you need to ring. This concept is also reciprocated at your table as each private party is given their very own hidden button.
Take a friend out for the night for some luxurious cocktails, which change with the seasons, so there’s always something new to try! Note that there is also a location inside of the William Hotel.
La Noxe
One of the newest to the game, La Noxe was brought into the world with the goal to mix Mediterranean energy with the NYC location. It truly captures the essence of two unique cultures all while being tucked inside the 28th street subway station. Desire a cocktail with your evening commute? We bet you never thought something this cool could be found in an MTA train station. Try out the Forbidden Love, which is mixed with vodka, aloe, lemon, cucumber, and soda. Do expect a bit of a wait to book a table as their waitlist is pretty lengthy.
Attaboy
Hidden in plain sight, Attaboy is tucked right off of Eldridge Street. In fact, most people walk right past it while looking for this highly sought-after spot! Grab a group of friends to sip on a few classics in an intimate setting and catch up on the whirlwind of the last year. Also check out some of their bar-related merchandise, which can very easily be made into a fashion statement.
The Garret
Did you ever think a Five Guys would conceal your new favorite speakeasy The Garret? Head inside the fast-food joint, act like you’re walking into the kitchen, and then turn to the left for the passage to the concealed bar upstairs. Try out the Spiky Westchester, mixed with tequila, lime, pineapple, habanero, and mint. Later, come back down for a burger and fries to top off your night.
Patent Pending
Visit Patent Pending for a taste of pure history in itself! Nikola Tesla lived and ran experiments on radio waves, transporting them to his laboratory. Hidden behind Patent Coffee through a cafe and unnoticeable door, you’ll truly go back in time! Tesla was an immigrant and inventor and this bar pays tribute to him, hence the name. Make a toast to his work while sipping on the drink Light Me Up, which is infused with bourbon, Jamaican rum, mango black tea, amaro, yellow chartreuse, Szechuan peppercorn, lime, and pineapple.
