Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans in the Lower East Side
Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans in the Lower East Side
1. Attaboy
A minimalist, signless den where bartenders craft bespoke cocktails based on your preferences—an heir to the neighborhood’s Milk & Honey legacy.
✓ Why Go:
It’s an LES rite of passage for speakeasy lovers: small, candlelit, conversation-first, and entirely curated to your palate.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Arrive right at opening on weeknights to shorten the wait; late-night industry hours hum after 10 pm.
✓ Insider Tip:
Come with a flavor profile in mind instead of a drink order; small groups (2–3) get seated fastest.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests praise flawlessly balanced drinks and an intimate, no-pretense vibe worth the queue.
2. The Back Room
A genuine Prohibition survivor pouring cocktails in teacups behind a discreet entrance—old New York mystery on Norfolk Street.
✓ Why Go:
For a living piece of speakeasy history with vintage décor, tucked-away nooks, and a transportive atmosphere.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evenings Sunday–Wednesday for lighter crowds; weekends get lively and line-prone.
✓ Insider Tip:
Look for the “toy company” sign and a gated stairway—part of the fun is finding the door.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the theatrical entrance and teacup service, calling it a quintessential LES speakeasy experience.
3. Garfunkel's
A library-like hideaway accessed through a vintage bank vault door above Clinton Street—perfect for plush, low-lit sipping.
✓ Why Go:
Its intimate booths, banker-era lore, and classic-leaning cocktails make it a date-night darling for speakeasy aficionados.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights after dinner; late-night weekends are cozy but can be standing room only.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check door policies and consider reservations; the small room fills fast.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Reviewers highlight the romantic ambience and thoughtful drinks served without rush.
4. Beauty & Essex
Slip through a working pawn shop into a glamorous bi-level lounge where LES grit meets 1920s sparkle.
✓ Why Go:
The reveal-from-the-street effect and polished cocktail program deliver speakeasy theater with modern comfort.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour to early evening for easier entry; prime-time weekends are buzzy and packed.
✓ Insider Tip:
Pause in the pawn shop for a photo before heading to the bar; the upstairs lounge is great for groups.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests rave about the dramatic entrance and festive vibe that still feels elevated.
5. Double Chicken Please
An LES star with a casual front room and a moodier back room serving inventive, food-inspired cocktails behind a discreet partition.
✓ Why Go:
Boundary-pushing drinks and low-lit design scratch the speakeasy itch while showcasing cutting-edge mixology.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Line up shortly before opening or target late-night seats after the dinner rush.
✓ Insider Tip:
Expect a wait—add your name early and explore nearby Orchard/Allen Street bars while you track your turn.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans call the cocktails unforgettable and the back-room reveal a highlight of the LES scene.
6. Bar Goto
A serene Eldridge Street refuge with Japanese-accented cocktails and meticulous hospitality in a sleek, subdued space.
✓ Why Go:
For speakeasy fans who prize craft over spectacle—precision, balance, and a calm, conversation-friendly room.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening weekdays; late-night seating is doable after neighborhood dinner service tapers.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order a seasonal special alongside a small plate; seats at the bar offer the best view of the craft.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors praise the zen atmosphere, polished service, and drinks that quietly dazzle.
7. Reception Bar
An Orchard Street hideout marrying Korean flavors and floral notes with minimalist, candlelit design.
✓ Why Go:
Herbal, soju-forward cocktails and whisper-quiet lighting make it a lovely LES alternative to louder speakeasies.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Post-dinner on weeknights for unhurried seats; weekends pick up after 9 pm.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask staff for off-menu pairings if you like savory or tea-inflected profiles.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests appreciate the thoughtful staff and inventive, delicate drinks that feel special-occasion without the fuss.
8. The Slipper Room
A red-velvet burlesque and variety theater channeling Prohibition-era cabaret energy right on Orchard Street.
✓ Why Go:
Speakeasy fans love the vintage stagecraft, cheeky performances, and cocktail-in-hand nightlife that nods to the 1920s.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late shows Thursday–Saturday for peak atmosphere; earlier sets are easier for snagging good seats.
✓ Insider Tip:
Buy tickets ahead and arrive early for balcony sightlines and quicker bar access.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Audiences call it delightfully risqué and quintessentially LES—with an intimate room that makes every seat feel close to the action.
9. Mr. Purple
A rooftop lounge atop Orchard Street with skyline views—ideal for a pre- or post-speakeasy nightcap.
✓ Why Go:
Craft cocktails meet sweeping vistas, giving speakeasy nights a cinematic LES backdrop.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunset for golden-hour photos; late-night weekdays for quicker elevator access.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check weather and dress code; a reservation helps during peak weekends.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the views and upbeat energy, noting cocktails are solid and scenery steals the show.
10. Tenement Museum
Immersive restored apartments and exhibits tracing LES immigrant life—the social fabric behind Prohibition’s rise and speakeasy culture.
✓ Why Go:
Context elevates the night out: understand the neighborhood’s past before sipping its present.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Daytime before bar-hopping; weekday mornings are the calmest.
✓ Insider Tip:
Book timed entry in advance and browse the shop’s NYC and Prohibition reads for a take-home primer.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers find the storytelling powerful and say it deepens appreciation for the LES’s nightlife history.
