Beamliving
Best Speakeasies Near East Village and Kips Bay
While many trends from the 1920s are now out of fashion, the speakeasy is not one of them. With their clandestine entrances and mysterious atmospheres, these secret cocktail spots pique our curiosities while making our taste buds salivate. New York City is not short of superb speakeasies, with a wide range of creatively themed spots to choose from. To help you navigate New York City’s speakeasy scene, we’ve compiled a list of the best speakeasies beneath 16th street:
East Village
The Hidden Tiger
Concealed by a shelf of beans inside the coffee shop Café Joah, The Hidden Tiger is an Art Deco, jungle-inspired speakeasy offering innovative cocktails and Korean fusion dishes. The mixology bar, with its eclectic design and energetic vibe, lies at the intersection of fun and fantastic flavors. There’s no other bar in the city where you can find yourself sipping on a Hidden Tiger Martini while eating a delicious kimchi arancini ball.
Website: https://hiddentigernyc.com/
Address: 212 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Hours: Tue-Wed, 6:00pm-12:00am
Thu-Sat, 6:00pm-2:00am
Sun, 6:00pm-11:00pm
Lower East Side
Attaboy
Behind an unlabeled steel door next to a tailor shop lies Attaboy, the speakeasy recognized by World’s 50 as the Best Bar in North America. Walking into this cocktail bar, with its dark design and intimate vibe, feels like a walk back in time to the Prohibition era. When you take your seat, don’t expect to receive a menu. Instead, you’ll speak to your bartender about your tastes and preferences and leave all the decision making to them. It may be hard to score a seat at Attaboy, but if you do, it will be well worth thewait.
Website: https://attaboy.us/
Address: 134 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002
Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:00pm-3:00am
Ye’s Apothecary
Unlike other speakeasies in this guide, Ye’s Apothecary is lauded more for its authentic Asian dishes than its superb drinks. This speakeasy celebrates culture through cuisine, paying homage to the flavors and traditions of different cities across Asia. The bold and spicy flavors of Szechuan culinary traditions take the spotlight on the menu, where traditional dishes are given a unique and modern twist. The Dan Dan Noodles and Szechuan Dumplings are staple dishes to try, especially when paired with a Jasmine Green Tea Martini or Plum Old-Fashioned. To top it off, the classic Asian decor gives the bar an intimate and inviting energy, making it the perfect place to indulge in quality cocktails, quality cuisine, and quality conversation.
Website: https://yes-apothecary.club/
Address: 119 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Hours: Tues-Thu, 5:00pm – 12:00am
Fri-Sat, 5:00pm – 1:00am
Sun, 5:00pm – 12:00am
Banzarbar
At the end of Freeman’s alley, hidden on the second floor of Freeman’s Restaurant, lies the Banzarbar, a nautical-themed speakeasy that embodies the seafaring traditions of old-world voyagers. The tiny, dimly lit cocktail bar encourages exploration, bringing guests a global selection of cocktails and dishes amidst a backdrop of an upscale sailors pub. Guests can delight in Japanese, Norwegian, and Spanish flavors all in one night. If you are having trouble deciding what to order, you can’t go wrong opting into their tasting menu, which pairs a selection of cocktails with small bites.
Website: https://www.banzarbar.com/
Address: 191 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002
Hours: Sun-Mon, 5:00pm-10:30pm
Tues-Sat, 5:00pm-11:30pm
Garfunkel’s
Only treasures belong in a bank vault and Garfunkel’s is truly a hidden gem. Located behind a bank vault door, the cozy, Gatsby-esque speakeasy is the perfect spot to visit for a plethora of occasions, whether you’re looking for a late-night drink or a new afternoon tea spot. Gin and whiskey are featured in many of their cocktail concoctions, but their comprehensive menu caters to everyone’s taste buds. The TNT (tequila, Ancho Reyes, tamarind, and habanero bitters) and the 1933 (aged rum, pear liqueur, angostura, and black mission fig bitters) are fan favorites, but if you’re in the mood to be adventurous, you can trust the bartenders to create a custom drink adhering to your personal predilections.
Website: https://www.garfunkelsnyc.com/
Hours: Cocktails – Tues-Sun, 6:30pm-Late
Tea with the Duchess – Sat-Sun, 12:00pm-5:00pm (reservation required)
West Village
Employees Only
Sneaked behind a fortune teller’s lair, the coveted speakeasy Employees Only honors and elevates the art of mixology. The laid back and lively vibe is enhanced by the Art Deco decor, white-jacketed mixologists, and crowd of customers conversing around the bar. The exquisite drink selection will make your mouth water as you read the menu, which boasts modern takes on classic cocktails and innovative concoctions blending vibrant flavors. Their dining menu is equally worthy of praise, offering bone marrow poppers, ricotta gnocchi, and truffle grilled cheese among other delicious dishes. The fact of the matter is simple: you can’t go wrong with a visit to Employees Only.
Website: https://employeesonlynyc.com/
Address: 510 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:00pm-4:00am
Do Not Disturb
If you are both a seafood lover and cocktail aficionado, then you need to queue Do Not Disturb to your list. Located on the bottom floor of what appears to be a typical townhouse, the West Village cocktail bar is quite larger than your typical speakeasy. Yet it still sustains a warm and intimate atmosphere, with its dim lighting, button-tufted velvet couches, and cackling fireplaces that give it its reputation as a “lover’s den”. The speakeasy’s theme of romance naturally seeps its way into the drink and dining menus, inspiring dishes like the mussels and tostones and cocktails like the Rose-Colored Glasses (London dry gin, rose water, lavender, egg white foam, and house-made yuzu syrup). Whether you’re looking for a new place for a romantic date or simply in the mood for a quality craft cocktail, Do Not Disturb will leave you love-bombed by delicious liquid libations.
Website: https://www.dnd-nyc.com/
Address: 285 W 12th St, New York, NY 10014
Hours: Mon-Wed, 6:00pm-12:00am
Thu, 6:00pm-1:00am
Fri-Sun, 5:00pm-1:00am
Chinatown
Apotheke
If you are looking for both a refreshing cocktail and an entrancing experience, then Apotheke is just the place you’re looking for. Previously an opium den, the cellar is now home to a luxe cocktail bar taking mixology to new heights. When you enter, you’ll immediately notice how the speakeasy draws inspiration from a vintage apothecarium, with mixologists dressed in lab coats and cocktails listed under prescription categories. Each drink is crafted using a mix of organic herbs and botanicals, and their absinthe selection is truly unrivaled. Once you step foot in Apotheke, just know it will be your first of many visits.
Website: https://www.apothekemixology.com/
Address: 9 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013
Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:30pm-Late
Written by Sophia Tazerouni
Photo of Garfunkel's: https://www.garfunkelsnyc.com/