Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans in Little Italy
Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans in Little Italy
1. Onieal's Grand Street
Across from the landmark former NYPD HQ, this handsome saloon occupies a onetime speakeasy, brothel, and gambling den. The candlelit room, carved ceiling, and snug booths set the stage for classic cocktails and late-night chat.
✓ Why Go:
For living Prohibition lore—there’s a storied tunnel-turned-wine-cellar and a bar program built for Negroni and Boulevardier lovers.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights after 9pm for a relaxed tipple; weekend late night if you want the buzz without a long wait for a booth.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask politely if you can peek at the wine cellar where the old tunnel ends; then order a bitter-leaning Italian classic to match the room.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests rave about the gilded, old-New-York atmosphere and solid, spirit-forward drinks that feel perfectly in step with Little Italy history.
2. La Esquina Brasserie
Behind a busy corner taqueria, descend to a cavernous brasserie where DJs hum softly and bartenders shake agave-forward cocktails amid tile, arches, and low light.
✓ Why Go:
It scratches the speakeasy itch: a hidden-feeling entrance, subterranean dining room, and strong tequila and mezcal cocktails served with ceremony.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late seatings (after 9:30pm) Sunday–Thursday for an easier door; prime-time weekends book out well ahead.
✓ Insider Tip:
Reserve specifically for the Brasserie; while you wait, grab a margarita at the street-level cantina and watch the neighborhood whirl by.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Diners love the ‘in-the-know’ entry and moody vibe—many call it a downtown classic for date-night drinks.
3. Mother’s Ruin
A Nolita standby with an ever-changing cocktail list, slushies for grown-ups, and a bar team that nails bartender’s-choice requests in a brick-and-tin-ceiling room.
✓ Why Go:
Speakeasy fans appreciate the craft-first, unpretentious style and the option to ask for a bespoke classic with modern tweaks.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening before 7pm for space to chat; late-night post-11pm for a lively neighborhood crowd.
✓ Insider Tip:
Let the bartender riff on your favorite base spirit and flavor profile; pair it with the spicy chickpeas from the snack menu.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Regulars praise the no-attitude hospitality and balanced cocktails; many consider it their go-to downtown bar.
4. Spring Lounge
Liquor has flowed on this corner since the 1920s. Today it’s part dive, part clubhouse—perfect for whiskey-and-beer nights under a retro shark sign.
✓ Why Go:
For a taste of Little Italy’s barroom lineage—less hidden, more historical—where simple pours and good conversation still rule.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday afternoons for a mellow, old-New-York feel; weekend nights if you want raucous neighborhood energy.
✓ Insider Tip:
It opens early—ideal for jet-lagged travelers or those chasing a classic boilermaker away from crowds.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors call it authentic and storied, a place where time feels slower and the neighborhood still shows.
5. Mulberry Street Bar
Also known as the old Mare Chiaro, this film-famous watering hole keeps tin ceilings, vintage photos, and a jukebox vibe that channels Little Italy’s past.
✓ Why Go:
Cinematic cred plus heritage—perfect for a classic cocktail or beer where mob-movie lore and neighborhood memory meet.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evenings Monday–Thursday for easier seating and a more local crowd.
✓ Insider Tip:
Slide into a back booth, order something stirred, and soak up the movie memorabilia between rounds.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans love the straight-shooting bar feel and nostalgic atmosphere that pairs naturally with stiff drinks.
6. Peasant Wine Bar
Downstairs from chef-driven Peasant, this stone-and-beam cellar pours Italian wines and classic aperitivi in a space that evokes an old-world enoteca.
✓ Why Go:
Speakeasy lovers will appreciate the vaulted, tucked-away setting that makes a Negroni or Americano feel timeless.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening (5:30–7pm) to snag a corner table before dinner crowds arrive.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about off-menu amari flights—ideal for a bitter-forward nightcap journey.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests highlight the cozy cellar ambiance and thoughtful pours that encourage lingering conversation.
7. Torrisi Bar Counter
Inside the Puck Building, Torrisi’s grand bar counter welcomes walk-ins for polished cocktails in a glam, throwback setting that nods to NYC’s gilded dining eras.
✓ Why Go:
For meticulously made classics at a spectacular bar without a dining room reservation—perfect for an upscale pre- or post-stroll drink.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Line up just before opening for bar seats, or slip in late night after 10pm on weekdays.
✓ Insider Tip:
Tell the bartender your preferred spirit and bitterness level; they’re adept at tailoring house specialties to speakeasy palates.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Patrons rave about the refined service and showpiece bar that still feels welcoming to solo sippers.
8. Italian American Museum
This renewed Mulberry Street museum anchors Little Italy’s story—immigration, resilience, and the neighborhood culture that birthed backroom bars and social clubs.
✓ Why Go:
To ground your speakeasy crawl in context—exhibits illuminate the community roots behind Prohibition-era hangouts and Italian spirits traditions.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Thursday–Saturday afternoons during open hours to pair culture with an early aperitivo nearby.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check current exhibits, then explore Mulberry Street bakeries for cannoli to complement an amaro later.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors appreciate the intimate scale and heartfelt storytelling that deepens a Little Italy night out.
9. The Police Building
The domed former NYPD headquarters looms over Little Italy—a Beaux-Arts icon tied to early-1900s policing, vice, and the era that spawned hidden bars.
✓ Why Go:
A must-snap façade on your stroll between drinks; its history adds color to the neighborhood’s Prohibition narratives.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour for photos as light rakes across the limestone and dome.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stand on Grand Street for the best dome shot, then walk to nearby Onieal’s to connect the dots between the buildings’ intertwined pasts.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Architecture lovers and history buffs call it a breathtaking anchor that enriches any Little Italy walk.
10. Mulberry Street Cigars
A tiny, memorabilia-lined shop hand-rolling cigars for decades—step in for the aroma of leaf and the old-country craft that often accompanied backroom bars.
✓ Why Go:
Even if you don’t smoke, the heritage and craft are fascinating; aficionados can pick up a hand-rolled stogie for an al fresco post-dinner puff.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon or early evening before dinner rush on Mulberry Street.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask when a roller is on; watching the process pairs nicely with a plan to sip amaro nearby afterward.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers call it a slice of authentic Little Italy—friendly, old-world, and steeped in neighborhood tradition.
