Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans in Brooklyn
Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans in Brooklyn
1. Le Boudoir
Descend behind a concealed door in Chez Moi to a Marie Antoinette–inspired subterranean lounge of velvet banquettes, gilt mirrors, and whisper-level lighting.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a true hidden-entry experience with theatrical, history-minded cocktails and absinthe service that channels Prohibition-era intrigue.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Wednesday–Thursday 6:00–8:00 pm for easier seats; late Friday–Saturday for a buzzy, secret-salon vibe.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter at Chez Moi and look for the bookshelf door; ask about vintage spirits and absinthe drips for a period-perfect nightcap.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests rave about the dramatic reveal, meticulous classics, and intimate soundscape designed for conversation.
2. Clover Club
A pioneering Brooklyn cocktail institution with tin ceilings, a roaring fireplace, and bartenders who treat pre-Prohibition recipes like gospel.
✓ Why Go:
For benchmark martinis, punches, and flawless stirred drinks in a room that feels both timeless and neighborhood-warm.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening daily for bar seats; weekend afternoons for a leisurely, low-lit cocktail session.
✓ Insider Tip:
Sit at the marble bar and give your flavor profile—bartenders excel at bespoke classics.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Regulars praise precision, service, and a ‘Brooklyn origin story’ feel for modern cocktail culture.
3. Leyenda
A Pan-Latin cocktail den across from Clover Club, glowing with candles and tropical touches; agave and cane spirits take center stage.
✓ Why Go:
Speakeasy fans love the transportive vibe, bold flavors, and deep mezcal and rum lists executed with craft-bar finesse.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights or early weekend evenings; arrive early for a courtyard spot in warmer months.
✓ Insider Tip:
Explore mezcal or rum flights and seasonal limited menus; spicy-salty rims elevate citrus-forward highballs.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors celebrate the festive energy, balanced spice, and imaginative Latin-influenced cocktails.
4. Sunken Harbor Club
A shipwreck-chic hideaway perched above Gage & Tollner, with nautical lore, portholes, and elaborately garnished tropicals served in custom vessels.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a narrative-driven cocktail bar that marries speakeasy intimacy with transportive tiki tradition—without leaving Downtown Brooklyn.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Tuesday–Thursday right at opening for walk-in luck; late nights for an atmospheric, candlelit hum.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check in at the Gage & Tollner host stand and head upstairs; bar seats offer a front-row view of the craft.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans applaud the world-building décor, polished service, and balanced, not-too-sweet tropical profiles.
5. Maison Premiere
A New Orleans–inspired absinthe and oyster bar with a horseshoe marble counter, garden courtyard, and antique barware.
✓ Why Go:
For absinthe drips, impeccably shucked oysters, and classic cocktails that whisk you to a bygone era of salon-style drinking.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour for patio ambiance; late nights for languid, old-world romance.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about oyster specials and absinthe-forward classics like the Sazerac or Improved Whiskey Cocktail.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests gush over the transportive setting, refined service, and sea-to-spirit pairing ritual.
6. Fresh Kills
A dim, brick-walled cocktail bar where the menu is minimal but the bartender’s choice is maximal—tailored to your mood.
✓ Why Go:
Speakeasy lovers appreciate the bespoke approach, expert ice, and quietly serious technique without pretension.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunday–Thursday after 9:30 pm for relaxed conversation; arrive early on weekends.
✓ Insider Tip:
Offer a few tasting notes—spirit base, citrus vs. stirred—and let the team do the rest.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Regulars praise consistently dialed-in drinks and a true craftsman’s bar vibe.
7. Hotel Delmano
A faux–Belle Époque ‘hotel’ bar (no rooms) with etched mirrors and candlelight that turns every seat into a date-night nook.
✓ Why Go:
For refined house cocktails, oysters, and a soft-spoken ambiance that channels clandestine rendezvous energy.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening for window seats; late nights for a low, romantic glow.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order spirit-forward house specialties and pair with small seafood plates for a classic New York pairing.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Patrons love the hush, polished service, and photo-ready vintage setting.
8. St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club
A supper club with a vintage barroom up top and a sultry basement where live jazz and candlelight set a Prohibition-era mood.
✓ Why Go:
It marries speakeasy atmosphere with nightly music and supper, ideal for a full evening out.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Reserve early shows for seated listening; arrive late for lively standing-room sets.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the music calendar and consider the garden for a quieter pre-set drink.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors highlight soulful performances, cozy corners, and cocktails that complement the music-first vibe.
9. The Narrows
An understated Bushwick hideaway with a sleek, narrow bar and a leafy backyard—perfect for clandestine rounds.
✓ Why Go:
For balanced, seasonal cocktails in a neighborhood spot that feels like an insiders’ address.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Warm evenings for the garden; late-night weekdays for the locals’ vibe.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about amaro highballs or a bartender’s-choice sour to match the season.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Neighborhood fans praise fair prices, deft mixing, and the quiet back patio escape.
10. Bar LunÀtico
A tiny, musician-owned Bed-Stuy gem where nightly live sets, candlelight, and classic-leaning cocktails create an intimate, speakeasy-adjacent scene.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the platonic ideal of a neighborhood listening room and cocktail nook—unpretentious, soulful, and transportive.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights for easier seating; weekend first sets for energy without the crush.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring small bills for the band tip jar and grab the bar’s corner seats for the best sight lines.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests adore the welcoming hosts, excellent musicianship, and cocktails that respect the classics.
