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From dimly lit jazz lounges to futuristic cocktail labs hidden behind ramen shops, the best NYC’s speakeasies make each visit a night to remember—and to rediscover the enchantments of the city.
More than excellent non-alcoholic beverages and classic drinks—the best NYC speakeasy delivers full-fathom sensory experiences to mix secrecy, creativity, and nostalgia into delicious, signature cocktails. Far from the thrills of the best speakeasies on the Pacific Coast, NYC’s top list of high-concept bars with craft drinks are home to the best speakeasies in the US.
Look at this list of beyond-the-norm drink spots. They will change your mind about what taste, fun, and polish looks like in the city known for its cosmopolitan concepts.
Key Takeaways
Whether through a phone booth, back alley, or subway corridor, the journey into the bar can be half the fun of getting to order a drink which itself feels elevated by sophisticated “inner” knowledge.
- Unreal Atmospheres: Velvet couches, candlelight, dark wood, leather, bound books, live jazz, neon art, and more helps each bar curate a distinct mood to transport guests.
- Artistic Drinks: Many menus are custom or conceptual, with mixologists tailoring drinks to taste or theme.
- Elevated Stylings: Stylish, futuristic, or vintage attire isn’t required at all spots, but a sense of occasion elevates the experience and fits their immersive vibe.
- Past, Present, and Futuristic: NYC speakeasy bars masterfully fuse Prohibition-era nostalgia with modern approaches to flavor, bar design, and the attitude and entertaining evenings out.
Please Don’t Tell (East Village)
113 St. Marks Place
Go into this Manhattan phone booth, pick up the receiver, and wait for instructions. Whether you order the Bacon Old Fashioned, or try one of their other inventions, PDT keeps the night inventive and interested. One the best NYC speakeasy’s well-known to travelers and residents, this East Village spot is low-lit and cozy enough to keep the vibe small, intimate, and almost forgetful of the big bad world “outside” its sensual drinks and casual whispers.
Attaboy (Lower East Side)
134 Eldridge St
Knock, knock. If there’s room, you’ll be let inside. Here you find bartenders with cocktail ingredients and recipes that have left pretentiousness at home. From their shaker cocktail classics like “Penicillin” or the “Paper Plane”—you’ll find each visit is unique, styled to your tastes with the help of expert service. The steel door is impressive, serious, and says it all: “no menu, just ask.”
The Back Room (Lower East Side)
102 Norfolk St
This room has been in operation since the Prohibition era drinks themselves, which few can earnestly boast. But, going through the hidden alley and stepping back in time toward the “Toy Shop” is just the way to enjoy beer in brown bags and cocktails in discreet little tea cups. True to their history, The Back Room is ready with craft talent—and their mission to inebriate is appealing as ever.
Madame George (Midtown)
45 W 45th St (Basement of Hotel Elysée)
Can you figure out where Madame George is pointing you? Follow “the signage” here to locate high-art, popular cocktails inspired by the likes of New Yorkers such as Andy Warhol and Basquiat. Under the Midtown building, the projections of Madame George are moody movies and just the thing to give your night that artistic moment of pause.
Nothing Really Matters (Midtown)
117 E 42nd St (Subway Station)
Arrive, and take the escalator down to an unassuming little door. Here, among the 1 train’s subway station is Nothing—at its best. Climb aboard and you’ll see there’s as much surprise as there is secrecy inside. This spot focuses on fun, bold, colorful cocktails that bring a modern sensibility to the idea of the speakeasy.
Apotheke (Chinatown)
9 Doyers St
Watch out for the dress code—here, it’s strictly enforced. A speakeasy with an incessant line and eagerness to enter, bartenders gather in lab coats to serve up herbal, medical-grade cocktails. Descriptions of aphrodisiac drinks and painkillers contrast beautifully with lush candlelight. People seem to agree: believing in the medicine is half the way it works!
Patent Pending (NoMad)
49 W 27th St
Patent Coffee looks closed. But if you use the keypad after dark, you’ll discover more than meets the daytime eye. In here, the scientific theme of electric brilliance comes first. Each drink is named after an iconic invention of the modern world, and the atmosphere gives off whiffs of the moody, inventive, and never before imagined world of the limitless and futuristic.
Raines Law Room (Chelsea)
48 W 17th St
There you see an unmarked black door. Press the buzzer. Find out. What sheer curtains, brass bells, and velvet upholstery awaits you on the other side. Check out this 19th-century inspired space that makes the serious cocktail look serene in a setting good enough to contemplate LSAT questions and make a professional quip in sophisticated company.
Sincerely, Ophelia (East Village)
221 2nd Ave (Under The Burgary)
An innocent dumpling shop, or a neon-lit modern speakeasy at the edge of art? Here, tucked away, Sincerely, Ophelia lives for music, the house-made, and the most on-vibe seltzers. You’ll find Ophelia less vintage than her namesake, but nonetheless full of intriguing secrets and fresh ideas.
SAINT Downstairs (East Village)
136 2nd Ave
Bring your fashionable self to the counter of SAINTS, where fine dining hides a sultry underside. Ask the upstairs host for directions. Once you find yourself under the quiet dining of SAINT, you might step into a live DJ set, complete with velvet banquettes, and flower-garnished gin cocktails like “Gin N Roses”—making the spot ideal for those who live at night.
The Hidden Pearl (Greenpoint)
621 Manhattan Ave
Enter through the ramen place (Wanpaku), and look for the speakeasy door at the back. Back here, you’ll find yourself entranced by the calm, minimalist, and Japanese themes of this tranquil bar. For a refined experience of sake cocktail ideas, this is a smart speakeasy to reflect on the bright possibilities of less being more—in a world of maximal aesthetics. Take a sip, and relax.
Frequently Asked Questions about Best NYC Speakeasies
Curious about what to wear, how to get in, or where to start your speakeasy journey in NYC? No problem, Old Sport, these quick answers will help you plan the perfect night out.
What is a speakeasy, and how are NYC speakeasies different today?
A speakeasy is a hidden or discreet bar that originated during Prohibition. Modern NYC speakeasies preserve the secretive vibe while elevating the experience with custom cocktails.
Vintage decor, immersive themes, a blend of modern and historic inspiration with contemporary hospitality practices bring these creative concepts to life.
How do I find the entrance to a NYC speakeasy?
Look for clues like unmarked doors, hidden passageways (like phone booths or bookcases), or enter through other businesses like hot dog joints, coffee shops, or ramen restaurants.
Some venues require reservations or passwords, and part of the fun is solving the puzzle of how to get inside for that first sip of a craft cocktail.
Do NYC speakeasies have dress codes?
Many speakeasies prefer or enforce stylish attire, especially upscale spots like Apotheke or Raines Law Room. While not all require vintage clothing, dressing smartly enhances the experience and ensures entry.
Most places don’t require any strict clothing adherence in the city, but sensible, smart fashions enhance the experience and ensures entry, and some venues may even host themed nights that encourage retro or creative outfits
Which NYC speakeasies are easiest to access without a reservation?
Attaboy, Sincerely, Ophelia, and Nothing Really Matters operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Go early to avoid long waits, especially on weekends.
You may also want to keep in mind that some popular spots may still fill up quickly due to limited seating and high demand.
What are the must-try cocktails at NYC’s best speakeasies?
Favorites include the Bacon Old Fashioned at PDT, Penicillin at Attaboy, and themed concoctions at Patent Pending or Madame George.
Most speakeasies offer personalized creations based on your flavor preferences, so don’t hesitate to ask the bartender on duty for a custom recommendation or try their signature house specials.
