Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans around Central Park
Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans around Central Park
1. UES.
Behind a working ice cream shop lies a glamorous, neon-lit speakeasy where Uptown lore meets playful cocktail craft—perfect for starting a Central Park night out just a few blocks east.
✓ Why Go:
The hidden-door reveal and cheeky, city-themed drinks scratch the true speakeasy itch without trekking downtown.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights 6–8pm for easier entry and space before peak late-night crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask to see the storage room to access the bar; smart attire is expected, and reservations help on weekends.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests love the surprise entrance, polished service, and creative cocktails; some note a dress code and a buzzy, social vibe.
2. Keys & Heels
Disguised as a locksmith and shoe repair on Second Avenue, this Upper East Side hideaway delivers sultry lighting, a retro soundtrack, and speakeasy-worthy cocktail riffs.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a true ‘in-the-know’ bar near the park, with inventive drinks and occasional close-up magic nights.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late evenings after 9pm for dancing and a lively scene; earlier for date-night conversation.
✓ Insider Tip:
Look for the faux repair shop frontage; sign up for the venue’s list if you want seats for monthly magic shows.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Patrons rave about the transportive entrance and balanced classics-with-a-twist; expect volume to rise as the night goes on.
3. Sugar East
A sleek, midcentury-style subterranean lounge on the east side of the park with a smoky Havana mood and late-night energy.
✓ Why Go:
Speakeasy aesthetics, strong cocktail technique, and one of the city’s rare spots with legal indoor smoking make it a time-capsule experience.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Post-dinner (9–11pm) when DJs or a fuller crowd dial up the ambiance.
✓ Insider Tip:
Dress smart-casual and request a booth for the full retro-lounge effect; smoke-averse visitors may prefer an earlier stop.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans praise the throwback atmosphere and presentation; some mention it can be lively and scented with smoke by design.
4. Bemelmans Bar
Inside The Carlyle on Madison Avenue, this candlelit classic wraps you in whimsical Central Park murals and live jazz—Old New York without leaving the Upper East Side.
✓ Why Go:
It’s cocktail history with piano and trio sets, perfect for speakeasy fans who love refined, Prohibition-adjacent glamour.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon to early evening to avoid long waits; later for live music and a dressier crowd.
✓ Insider Tip:
A cover often applies during music; jackets are preferred and dress codes are observed—arrive early for bar seats.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors swoon over the martinis, murals, and romance; lines can form at peak hours.
5. The Jazz Club at Aman New York
A subterranean, reservation-only jazz den with speakeasy spirit just south of Central Park, accessed via a discreet West 56th Street entrance.
✓ Why Go:
High-caliber live music, polished service, and an intimate, low-lit room channel the clandestine thrill speakeasy fans crave.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Wednesday–Saturday evenings; later sets feel most atmospheric.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use the private entrance at 9 West 56th Street and book ahead; dress to impress.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests call it luxe, exclusive, and transportive; prices match the setting, but the experience is memorable.
6. Flûte Midtown
A cozy, below-street-level champagne lounge a short stroll from the park, with alcoves and candlelight that read like a classic hidden salon.
✓ Why Go:
Champagne flights, sparkling wine classes, and quiet corners create a refined speakeasy-adjacent date night near Central Park South.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Pre-theater (6–8pm) for a calm sip or late-night after 10pm for intimate bubbles.
✓ Insider Tip:
Request one of the semi-private nooks and explore a tasting flight before moving on to cocktails.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Reviewers love the romantic vibe and attentive staff; space is snug, which adds to the hideaway feel.
7. Bar Centrale
An unmarked brownstone lounge tucked off Restaurant Row, this insiders’ haunt feels like a private apartment with Broadway buzz.
✓ Why Go:
For speakeasy aficionados, the stealthy entrance, strict no-standing policy, and perfect martinis nail the clandestine brief near the park’s southwest corner.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
After-curtain (around 11pm) when theater folk drift in; earlier for a hushed pre-show cocktail.
✓ Insider Tip:
Reservations open only a week out and go fast; look for the second-floor doorbell entry in the townhouse.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests praise the serenity, craft drinks, and chance Broadway sightings; limited seating keeps it exclusive.
8. The Carnegie Club
A wood-paneled Midtown lounge with soaring ceilings, cigars, and live ‘Sinatra Saturdays,’ evoking Rat Pack-era sophistication minutes from Central Park.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a living love letter to mid-century nightlife—big-band vibes, classic cocktails, and a clubby speakeasy mood.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Saturday for the Sinatra shows; weeknights for a quieter dram and cigar.
✓ Insider Tip:
Business-casual attire, 21+ only; Sinatra shows often book out, and a music fee with drink minimum typically applies.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Regulars highlight the band’s energy and timeless ambiance; smoke-friendly policy is a plus for aficionados.
9. Dizzy’s Club
Perched in Frederick P. Rose Hall at Columbus Circle, Dizzy’s pairs modern jazz with dazzling window-wall views over Central Park.
✓ Why Go:
Speakeasy fans get the music-first spirit in a sleek room where the skyline becomes part of the show.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late sets for twinkling park views and walk-up availability; earlier sets are prime for dining and sound.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask for a seat near the glass to frame the band against Central Park; check the rotating artist schedule in advance.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Beloved for its acoustics, courteous service, and iconic vistas; popular nights can sell out.
10. New-York Historical Society
Across from the park on Central Park West, this museum adds context to the Jazz Age with city history galleries that deepen any speakeasy crawl.
✓ Why Go:
Round out the cocktails with culture—learn how Prohibition shaped nightlife, then toast the past at an Upper West Side lounge nearby.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning or mid-afternoon to avoid school groups; pair with an evening show or bar on Columbus/Amsterdam.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check current exhibitions for 20th-century NYC themes; the café and gift shop make for an easy pre-drink stop.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors value the clear storytelling and manageable scale; location by the park makes it an effortless add-on.
