Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans in DUMBO
Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans in DUMBO
1. Gair
A dimly lit, design-forward cocktail bar set on the iconic Washington Street corridor, Gair pairs meticulous, stirred-and-strong classics with inventive seasonal signatures in a room framed by exposed brick and industrial bones.
✓ Why Go:
Speakeasy fans will love the intimate bar seats, low light, and balanced, spirit-forward drinks without leaving DUMBO’s postcard block.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Arrive at golden hour (5–7pm) for easier seating and dusky views of the Bridges before the evening rush.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask the bartender for an off-menu variation on your favorite classic—Gair’s team excels at bespoke riffs.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests praise the polished yet unpretentious vibe and cocktails that lean refined rather than flashy.
2. bar56
Tucked inside the landmark Empire Stores complex, bar56 is a low-lit restaurant and bar with a deep wine and cocktail program—perfect for a quiet martini under brick arches that feel delightfully old New York.
✓ Why Go:
It scratches that Prohibition-adjacent itch: civilized, intimate, and serious about the pour.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late evening (after 9pm) midweek for a mellow bar scene and attentive service.
✓ Insider Tip:
The entrance is on Old Dock Street—slide onto a bar stool and start with a classic Martini or Manhattan before dinner.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Dinosaurs of cocktail culture and curious newcomers alike call it elegant, cozy, and reliably well-made.
3. The Hull
A nautical, 1920s-tinged hideaway off Water Street with dark-wood accents and a whisper of speakeasy aesthetics—think oysters, dim light, and classic highballs.
✓ Why Go:
It blends game-night energy with vintage styling, offering a sneaky-lounge vibe right in central DUMBO.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights after 8pm when crowds thin and the lighting settles into full mood.
✓ Insider Tip:
Look for the understated entrance and grab a booth; order a whiskey-forward old fashioned with your oysters.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Patrons like the comfortable, slightly clandestine feel and dependable, unfussy cocktails.
4. 68 Jay Street Bar
A longstanding neighborhood haunt with muted lighting, arched details, and a conversational hush—exactly the kind of unfussy, low-key bar speakeasy lovers seek between flashier stops.
✓ Why Go:
For a classic glass-of-wine-or-whiskey setting that feels timeless and a little clandestine.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Happy hour on weekdays until 7pm for wallet-friendly drinks and local color.
✓ Insider Tip:
Claim a corner table near the front windows for people-watching under the bridge.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Regulars laud it as an authentic DUMBO standby—subtle, friendly, and pleasantly dim.
5. Olympia Wine Bar
An intimate corner spot two blocks from the waterfront pouring classic martinis, seasonal cocktails, and a tight list of wines—set to soft lighting and hushed conversation.
✓ Why Go:
The room’s warmth and pared-back elegance channel a speakeasy’s romance without the theatrics.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening (4:30–6:30pm) for a seat at the small bar before date-night crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask for a spirit-forward house old fashioned or a suggested martini style (Vesper/Gibson) to match your mood.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests call it cozy and welcoming—ideal for a pre- or post-dinner nightcap.
6. Kinjo
A discreet omakase counter and cocktail lounge in a former factory under the bridge, Kinjo pairs Japanese spirits and highballs with a moody, minimalist room that feels quietly exclusive.
✓ Why Go:
Speakeasy fans will appreciate the unassuming entry, intimate bar, and elegant, low-light ambiance.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late reservations or bar walk-ins after 9pm for a serene nightcap vibe.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order the yuzu-leaning Negroni or shiso highball—both read classic with a refined twist.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Diners rave about the hush, the craftsmanship, and a bar program that’s equal parts refined and adventurous.
7. Hildur
Scandi-inspired bistro with a clean, minimalist room and a cocktail list leaning on aquavit, herbs, and subtle fermentation—ideal for fans of restrained, aromatic drinks in an atmospheric nook under the bridge.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a sophisticated change-up for speakeasy lovers who appreciate craftsmanship over flash.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekend brunch for spritzes in daylight; evenings for the full low-lit glow.
✓ Insider Tip:
Request an aquavit-forward martini or a Nordic-leaning spritz to explore the bar’s point of view.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors highlight the serene setting, thoughtful cocktails, and a tucked-away garden that feels like a secret.
8. Cecconi’s DUMBO
Inside the brick-and-timber Empire Stores, Cecconi’s bar delivers aperitivo culture with a touch of velvet-draped drama—perfect for Negronis, Americanos, and martinis with skyline views.
✓ Why Go:
The room channels old-world glamour in a historic warehouse—a natural fit for speakeasy sensibilities.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunset hour for terrace views, then retreat to the bar as night falls.
✓ Insider Tip:
Slide into a bar seat for a classic Negroni Sbagliato before dinner; ask about off-menu amaro pours.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests love the scene-meets-substance balance and the transportive, golden-hour glow.
9. Time Out Market New York Rooftop Bar
A fifth-floor terrace bar perched over the East River with cinematic bridge views; order a classic stirred cocktail, claim a corner, and enjoy the skyline like it’s your private lounge.
✓ Why Go:
Even speakeasy devotees need a view—this is the neighborhood’s easiest high-perch nightcap.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Clear evenings after 8pm for fewer families and a calmer, date-night pace.
✓ Insider Tip:
On hot days, ask for rooftop spritz or frozen specials; in cooler months, go spirit-forward and wind-blocked near the interior bar.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers call the views irresistible and the cocktails reliable—an easy add to any DUMBO crawl.
10. Superfine
A beloved DUMBO mainstay with a roomy bar, live-music nights, and a dim, brick-and-beam interior that keeps the focus on conversation and a well-made drink.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the neighborhood’s dependable last-stop—laid-back, unpretentious, and comfortably low-lit.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late night on weekends when the room warms up but the bar stays approachable.
✓ Insider Tip:
Grab the bar for a classic whiskey sour or mezcal old fashioned; the team does the basics right.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans describe Superfine as friendly, local, and enduring—exactly the energy you want to end a DUMBO speakeasy-style crawl.
