Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans in Long Island City
Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans in Long Island City
1. Dutch Kills
A cornerstone of LIC cocktail culture, Dutch Kills channels Prohibition-era cool with a low-lit room, tight booths, and a simple neon “BAR” sign that you could easily stroll past. Inside, it’s all about precision classics—from stirred-and-strong to crushed-ice swizzles—served over immaculate, hand-cut ice.
✓ Why Go:
For speakeasy fans, this is a pilgrimage: meticulous technique, vintage ambiance, and a backroom feel that nails the Old New York fantasy without the fuss.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening on weeknights (5–7:30pm) for easier seating; late nights Friday–Saturday bring a buzzy, after-hours vibe.
✓ Insider Tip:
Skip the menu and tell the bartender your spirit and style—they excel at bespoke classics. Look for the modest neon sign; the entrance is intentionally understated.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Beloved by cocktail purists and date-night duos; guests rave about balanced builds and the transporting, time-capsule setting.
2. 56709
Hidden inside Taiwanese spot Gulp, 56709 is a neon-dream den inspired by Japanese City Pop—think chrome, retro telephones, and vinyl energy—with cocktails that riff on yuzu, sencha, and genmaicha.
✓ Why Go:
If you love the clandestine thrill of discovering a bar behind another business, this concept-driven lounge delivers secret-entrance fun and inventive East Asian flavors.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Tuesday–Thursday after 6pm for room to linger; weekends get lively with DJs and a later crowd.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter through Gulp and ask for the bar; pair a citrus-forward cocktail with Taiwanese bites for the full experience.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans praise the transportive design and playful drinks, calling it a hidden LIC gem for music lovers and cocktail explorers.
3. Record Room
A vinyl-first, speakeasy-style listening lounge tucked behind a coffee bar on the waterfront. Plush seating, glowing neon, and an audiophile sound system set the stage for classic cocktails and curated DJ sets—all spun exclusively on records.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the speakeasy ideal updated: a discreet door, a living-room vibe, and a serious music program that pairs perfectly with high-quality drinks.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Reserve for prime-time Friday or Saturday; otherwise, arrive at opening (6pm) for smoother walk-in chances.
✓ Insider Tip:
Secure a couch via Resy and request a stirred whiskey classic to sip while the DJ warms up—sound is a highlight here.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests love the intimate ‘house party with hi-fi’ feel and call it a quintessential date spot for music-forward cocktail nights.
4. Bar Enzo
A true hidden room up a side stair, Bar Enzo feels like stepping into a 1960s Italian-American living room—leather sofas, family photos, vintage light fixtures—serving Negroni variations and amaro-forward signatures.
✓ Why Go:
Speakeasy fans will appreciate the hush-hush entrance and living-room intimacy married to a refined, heritage-driven cocktail list.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Wednesday–Sunday evenings; book ahead for the last-Sunday ‘Sunday Sauce’ gatherings if you want a convivial crowd.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ring the bell and head to the 2nd floor; ask about the Enzo Negroni or an off-menu amaro sipper.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors gush over the hospitality and story-rich space, calling it a cozy, conversation-first hideout.
5. The Newsroom
Slip past a vintage newsstand facade and through fridge doors to enter this theatrical speakeasy. Expect mahogany, leather, live music or aerialists, and polished cocktails alongside Latin–European bites.
✓ Why Go:
For a password-nightclub thrill without leaving Queens—immersive entrance, glamorous room, and showtime energy ideal for celebrations.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Thursday–Saturday evenings; reservations recommended for performance nights.
✓ Insider Tip:
Look for the ‘newsstand’ at the Station Lounge; the hidden entry is part of the fun. Dress up—photos pop in this space.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests call it ‘movie-set magical’ and love the spectacle-meets-cocktails combo that still feels intimate.
6. The Infamous
A moody speakeasy tucked behind a men’s boutique on Jackson Avenue. The snug bar pours spirit-forward signatures in a candlelit nook sprinkled with Queens rap nods.
✓ Why Go:
It checks all the boxes—hidden door, tiny footprint, and bartender-driven drinks—perfect for a low-key, two-top night.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Go early evening on weekends; seating is limited and fills fast.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask for a bartender’s choice Old Fashioned riff; the team leans into inventive tweaks without losing balance.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Regulars call it a ‘small but big on vibe’ hideaway with friendly service and potent pours.
7. The Beast Next Door
A rustic-elegant café-by-day, cocktail den by night with church pews, salvaged wood, and low, flattering light. While not secret, it delivers a speakeasy-adjacent ambiance and well-executed drinks.
✓ Why Go:
When you crave the cozy, romantic feel without the hidden-door logistics, this neighborhood staple hits the mark.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour to early evening for oysters and cocktails; late nights on weekends bring DJs and a lively crowd.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order a tea- or oolong-accented cocktail—house infusions pair beautifully with charcuterie.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Praised for date-night vibes and hospitable staff; guests linger over playlists and candlelight.
8. The Huntress
A dark, whimsical whiskey-and-wings lair near Queens Plaza, with fairy-tale touches and a serious brown-spirits shelf. Not hidden, but its transportive decor and classics-led list appeal to speakeasy sensibilities.
✓ Why Go:
For whiskey lovers, it’s a must—ample selection, playful signatures, and a room that feels like storybook noir.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights for relaxed tastings; weekend late nights if you want a spirited, social scene.
✓ Insider Tip:
Explore the whiskey list via a mini flight before landing on your nightcap.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests applaud the welcoming team, generous pours, and unexpectedly great snacks alongside the cocktail program.
9. The Baroness
Victorian-leaning wine-and-cocktails haunt with a flirtatious edge—low lighting, plush corners, and the occasional sabrage spectacle. The back patio adds secret-garden energy.
✓ Why Go:
When your speakeasy mood calls for sultry lighting and a refined glass—be it bubbly, a classic spritz, or a stirred gin number—this LIC favorite delivers.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evenings Thursday–Saturday; swing by earlier for a quieter, lounge-like experience.
✓ Insider Tip:
If sabrage is on offer, it’s a memorable party trick—pair with a simple, dry cocktail to let the moment shine.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Locals love the seductive setting and patio hangs; many call it their ‘grown-up’ pre- or post-dinner stop.
10. Dominie’s Hoek
A long-running neighborhood standby with a back-garden hideaway, jukebox tunes, and dim barroom glow. It’s not a secret bar, but the lived-in character scratches the speakeasy itch.
✓ Why Go:
For an unpretentious nightcap in a vintage-feeling space—cash-friendly specials and late hours keep it reliably in the mix.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late evenings any day; Sundays sometimes bring live music for a mellow close to the weekend.
✓ Insider Tip:
Head straight to the garden when weather allows; order a classic highball and let the night unfold.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests appreciate the no-fuss service, local crowd, and ‘old LIC’ charm that feels increasingly rare.
