Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans near Hudson Yards
Top Things to Do in New York City for Speakeasy Fans near Hudson Yards
1. Bathtub Gin
Slip through the back of a Chelsea coffee shop to a 1920s-styled room of polished wood, vintage fixtures, and a gleaming tub centerpiece. It’s a short stroll south of Hudson Yards and a quintessential “hidden door” moment.
✓ Why Go:
For purist gin cocktails, burlesque nights, and an immersive Prohibition vibe that speakeasy fans crave—complete with low light and plush banquettes.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Arrive right at opening (5 pm) on weeknights to secure a seat without a long wait; later hours suit date nights and small groups.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter through Stone Street Coffee and ask discreetly for the back—reservations help on weekends and dress smart-casual.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests praise the theatrical atmosphere and well-balanced gin-forward drinks, noting it delivers the classic NYC speakeasy fantasy.
2. Patent Pending
Buzz into a coffee shop in the historic Radio Wave Building and slip behind a secret door to a candlelit cellar inspired by Nikola Tesla—minutes east of Hudson Yards in NoMad.
✓ Why Go:
The inventive menu riffs on energy, frequency, and vibration—perfect for cocktail geeks who love narratives with their drinks.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening Sunday–Wednesday for shorter waits; late night Thursday–Saturday for a lively, intimate hum.
✓ Insider Tip:
Look for the buzzer at street level; small parties fare best. Ask about off-menu classics—bartenders here love a challenge.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Reviewers rave about the storytelling cocktails and polished service, calling it a bucket-list speakeasy near Midtown.
3. The Tippler
Descend beneath Chelsea Market to a cavernous, rail-and-water-tower-accented hideaway with a speakeasy feel—ideal before or after a High Line walk from Hudson Yards.
✓ Why Go:
Strong classics, sessionable highballs, and a subterranean setting that channels old New York industry and Prohibition flair.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon to early evening for seats; after 10 pm for a buzzy, locals-meet-travelers scene.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter from W 15th Street and look for the glowing “OPEN” sign; it’s first-come, first-served so arrive early on weekends.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the moody cellar vibe and consistent cocktails, calling it a reliable hidden-feeling stop near the High Line.
4. Dear Irving on Hudson
Ride up to the 40th and 41st floors of the Aliz Hotel for a time-traveling lounge with vintage rooms, skyline terraces, and refined cocktails just north of Hudson Yards.
✓ Why Go:
It blends speakeasy sophistication with sweeping Midtown views—think plush seating, low light, and precise classics.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunset into early evening for golden-hour views; late night Friday–Saturday for an elegant, high-energy crowd.
✓ Insider Tip:
Reservations are typically required; request a window perch for skyline theatrics with your martini.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests highlight the cinematic interiors and meticulous drinks, often calling it a favorite Midtown date spot.
5. Bar Centrale
Hidden on a second floor brownstone along Restaurant Row, this unmarked haunt whispers old Broadway glamour a pleasant walk from Hudson Yards.
✓ Why Go:
For speakeasy devotees who love discretion—hushed vibes, classic cocktails, and post-theater buzz with industry regulars.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
After curtain call (around 10:30–11 pm) for star-spotting; early evening for a calmer, romantic atmosphere.
✓ Insider Tip:
It’s often reservation-only and there’s no standing room—plan ahead and keep the doorway low-key.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors swoon over the insider feel and martinis, calling it a quintessential hidden Midtown experience.
6. Bo Peep Cocktail & Highball Store
A plush, red-velvet piano lounge tucked beneath The Ragtrader in the Garment District—vintage tailoring motifs meet highball culture near Penn Station and Hudson Yards.
✓ Why Go:
Live piano, theatrical decor, and fizzy classics make it a speakeasy-adjacent gem for cocktail lovers.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights after 8 pm for music and seats; weekends get lively with late-night singalongs.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter through The Ragtrader and head downstairs—ask for a spot near the piano for the full throwback experience.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests applaud the atmosphere-first approach and balanced drinks, praising it as a cozy Midtown hideout.
7. Apotheke NoMad
This chic “apothecary” bar mixes botanically driven cocktails in a dim, transportive space on W 26th—an easy hop from Hudson Yards.
✓ Why Go:
Menu sections read like a potion list, perfect for speakeasy fans who enjoy storytelling, technique, and dressy vibes.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late evening Thursday–Saturday for a scene; earlier on weeknights for a quieter, reservations-friendly visit.
✓ Insider Tip:
Dress to impress—door discretion applies. Ask staff to guide you to a style category that fits your palate.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Reviewers love the dramatic room and herbaceous cocktails, calling it an elevated NoMad standout.
8. Sid Gold’s Request Room
A retro piano-karaoke lounge in Chelsea where strong classics meet showtunes and torch songs—playful, convivial, and a quick walk from Hudson Yards.
✓ Why Go:
Speakeasy lovers who enjoy live, intimate entertainment will relish belting standards between cocktails.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
From 7–9 pm for cocktail piano, then 9 pm onward for spirited singalongs that stretch late on weekends.
✓ Insider Tip:
Have a song ready and tip the pianist; the room fills fast—arrive early for a banquette.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests call it irresistibly fun and welcoming, with quality drinks and a nostalgic NYC vibe.
9. Lantern’s Keep
Tucked behind the Iroquois Hotel lobby, this petite salon channels turn-of-the-century cocktail craft just east of Times Square and north of Hudson Yards.
✓ Why Go:
A sanctuary for classicists—intimate tables, attentive bartenders, and properly executed pre-Prohibition recipes.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening for a serene aperitif before a show; late night for whisper-quiet nightcaps.
✓ Insider Tip:
It’s small; reservations recommended. Ask for stirred, spirit-forward house takes if you love Manhattan variations.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Patrons praise the refined, hushed ambiance and expert technique—ideal for serious cocktail fans.
10. Raines Law Room Chelsea
Ring for entry to a parlor of tufted sofas and lamplit nooks where servers come to you—an enduring Chelsea speakeasy a short ride from Hudson Yards.
✓ Why Go:
Table-side craft and no-standing intimacy deliver the pure speakeasy experience: conversation-forward and meticulously mixed.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon into early evening on weekends, or weeknights after 9 pm for a more relaxed pace.
✓ Insider Tip:
Reservations open two weeks out; if you’re walking in, smaller groups have better odds.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors laud the quiet elegance and flawless classics, often naming it a top NYC speakeasy.
