Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans in Manhattan
Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans in Manhattan
1. Please Don't Tell
The iconic phone‑booth entrance inside a classic East Village hot‑dog shop leads to an intimate room of leather banquettes, taxidermy, and precision cocktails.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the quintessential hidden‑in‑plain‑sight Manhattan speakeasy experience, pairing playful secrecy with meticulous, seasonal drinks.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights shortly after opening or late night Sunday–Wednesday to minimize the wait.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter Crif Dogs, step into the vintage phone booth, pick up the receiver, and request entry; grab a hot dog while you wait for a seat.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the theatrical entry and balanced cocktails; expect praise for service and occasional frustration with limited seating.
2. Attaboy
In the former Milk & Honey space, bartenders craft bespoke, menu‑free cocktails tailored to your flavor preferences in a minimalist Lower East Side den.
✓ Why Go:
A purist’s paradise where the conversation guides the glass—ideal for aficionados who value technique and personalization.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evenings Monday–Thursday or after midnight on weeknights for a shorter queue.
✓ Insider Tip:
Have a few flavor notes ready (spirit, citrus, herbal, bitter); small groups move faster and fit the cozy room best.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Regulars rave about bespoke drinks and calm confidence behind the bar; some note lines on weekends.
3. Employees Only
A West Village institution with a vintage psychic’s window at the door, white‑jacketed bartenders, and spirited, supper‑club energy late into the night.
✓ Why Go:
It marries speakeasy mystique with lively hospitality—perfect for classic cocktails and a buzzing room.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Arrive early evening for bar seats; late night amplifies the scene and energy.
✓ Insider Tip:
Slip past the fortune‑teller, grab a perch at the bar, and ask for a bartender’s choice if you’re feeling adventurous.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests celebrate the consistent cocktails and vibe; occasional feedback mentions crowding during peak hours.
4. The Back Room
A genuine Prohibition‑era holdover tucked behind a discrete facade, serving cocktails in teacups and beer in paper bags as a playful historical nod.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a time‑capsule experience on the Lower East Side that leans into the lore and ceremony of the era.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights after dinner; weekends see longer lines, especially late.
✓ Insider Tip:
Look for the old toy company sign, head down the stairs, and follow the alley—teacup service is part of the charm.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the theatrical setting and teacups; some note the entrance can be tricky to find.
5. Death & Co
A dim East Village chapel to cocktail craft with attentive table service, refined glassware, and a deep menu of originals and reimagined classics.
✓ Why Go:
For serious cocktail lovers, it’s a benchmark of Manhattan mixology and technique.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening Sunday–Thursday or later at night midweek for easier seating.
✓ Insider Tip:
Unsure what to order? Ask for a bartender’s choice based on your preferred spirits and style.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Highly praised for creativity and balance; patience is required during peak times.
6. Raines Law Room
A plush Flatiron hideaway styled like a private salon, where you ring for service and sink into couches for intimate, low‑lit conversation.
✓ Why Go:
It delivers a romantic, hush‑hush speakeasy feel with polished, spirit‑forward cocktails.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights and earlier hours for a quieter experience; later slots suit date night ambience.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ring the doorbell to be seated; once inside, use the small table lamp switch to discreetly signal your server.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests adore the elegant setting and calm service; the controlled seating can mean a short wait.
7. Bathtub Gin
A Chelsea speakeasy hidden behind a coffee shop, featuring a gleaming claw‑foot tub centerpiece, vintage decor, and theatrical cocktails.
✓ Why Go:
It blends spectacle with solid drinks—great for groups who want atmosphere without sacrificing quality.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evenings Monday–Thursday; later hours bring a livelier scene and occasional entertainment.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter through Stone Street Coffee; check the calendar for live music or performance nights.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans applaud the immersive design and fun energy; some mention noise levels on busy weekends.
8. Patent Pending
A candlelit NoMad bar hidden behind a coffee counter, with Tesla‑inspired themes and inventive, electrically named cocktails.
✓ Why Go:
For speakeasy fans who love a strong concept, it delivers narrative‑driven drinks in a compact, stylish space.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Right at opening on weeknights for the best chance at a seat.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter through Patent Coffee and explore the signature section inspired by invention and current.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors highlight creative presentations and cozy ambiance; space can feel tight during prime hours.
9. Little Branch
A subterranean West Village nook with hushed conversation, classic technique, and occasional live jazz that amplifies the old‑New‑York mood.
✓ Why Go:
It’s an intimate masterclass in classics—perfect for purists and low‑key dates.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early weeknights or late night midweek; arrive near opening for bar seats.
✓ Insider Tip:
Look for the understated door and head down the stairs; keep voices low to match the room’s vibe.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Praised for precise classics and mellow atmosphere; some note a line forms quickly in peak hours.
10. Apotheke
An apothecary‑themed Chinatown hideaway where the back‑bar resembles a chemist’s shop and cocktails arrive as playful ‘prescriptions.’
✓ Why Go:
It delivers theatrical presentation with serious mixology—ideal for adventurous palates and design lovers.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Post‑dinner on weeknights for a smoother entry and space to linger.
✓ Insider Tip:
Menus are organized by effects—try a flight across ‘prescription’ categories to explore the spectrum.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests love the dramatic setting and inventive list; popularity means lines on weekends.
