Speakeasy in New York – a guide to hidden bars

What is a speakeasy?

A speakeasy is a bar inspired by the Prohibition era (1920–1933), when alcohol was illegal in the USA. Today, these are hidden venues with sophisticated cocktails, accessed through secret entrances – behind a phone booth, through an ice cream cabinet, or through a seemingly ordinary pawn shop. New York has dozens of them, many of which are among the best bars in the world.

How to prepare for your visit

Before you set out to find secret bars in NYC, remember a few rules:

• Reservation – at most popular speakeasies, a reservation is necessary, especially on weekends. Check Resy or the bar's website.
• Dress code – there is no official dress code, but dress neatly. Flip-flops and shorts may not be accepted.
• Patience – lines are common, especially on Friday and Saturday. Arrive early (before 8:00 PM) or during the week.
• Budget – cocktails usually cost between 18–28 USD each. Bring a card – cash may not be accepted everywhere.
• Behavior – speakeasies are intimate places. Speak quietly, do not take flash photos, and respect the atmosphere.

1. PDT (Please Don't Tell) – East Village

Address: 113 St Marks Place (inside Crif Dogs)

How to get in: Enter the hot dog shop Crif Dogs. On the left side, you will find an old wooden phone booth. Pick up the receiver and give your name – if you have a reservation, the back wall of the booth will open.

What to know: PDT is one of the most famous speakeasies in the world. It has only about 20 seats, so a reservation (through the website or Resy) is necessary. The cocktails are top-notch classics. Prices: 20–26 USD per drink.

2. Beauty & Essex – Lower East Side

Address: 146 Essex Street

How to get in: From the street, it looks like an ordinary pawn shop with a display full of jewelry, guitars, and watches. Walk through the shop – deep inside is a large, luxurious restaurant with a bar.

What to know: Beauty & Essex is more of a restaurant-speakeasy than a typical hidden bar. New York cuisine, tasting menu, impressive interior with crystal chandeliers. Founded by chef Chris Santos. Reservation is highly recommended – the venue is very popular. Without a reservation, you can sit at the bar.

3. UES (Storage) – Upper East Side

Address: 1707 2nd Avenue

How to get in: Enter the ice cream shop UES. Order ice cream (it’s delicious), then ask the staff to show you the "storage room". A wall of ice cream cups opens like a door and lets you into the hidden bar.

What to know: An intimate bar styled like the 1920s with an ice cream theme. All cocktails reference ice cream and desserts. The walls are adorned with celebrity photos, dark interior, and atmospheric music. The venue is small – a reservation is recommended, especially on weekends. An unofficial dress code applies.

4. The Back Room – Lower East Side

Address: 102 Norfolk Street (between Delancey and Rivington)

How to get in: Look for a metal gate with the sign "Lower East Side Toy Company". Walk through the gate, down the alley, and up the stairs to the second floor.

What to know: One of the few New York bars that actually operated during Prohibition. Cocktails are served in teacups, and beer in paper bags – just like in the 1920s. The venue has been open since 1920. The atmosphere is vintage: plush sofas, crystal chandeliers, dim lighting.

5. Bathtub Gin – Chelsea

Address: 132 9th Avenue

How to get in: Look for the Stone Street Coffee café. Secret doors on the wall lead to the speakeasy. A doorman often stands at the entrance.

What to know: The interior is decorated with old photos and art deco wallpaper. Inside is a real bathtub – a nod to "bathtub gin" from the Prohibition era. Burlesque shows take place on weekends. Cocktails: 20–26 USD.

6. Employees Only – West Village

Address: 510 Hudson Street (between Christopher and West 10th)

How to get in: Look for a discreet sign and entrance next to a fortune teller – you must pass through a real fortune teller in the foyer to get to the bar.

What to know: Open since 2004, it has won multiple awards (including #4 on the World's 50 Best Bars list). Classic cocktails priced at 21–24 USD. Popular dishes: steak tartare and Bone Marrow Poppers. Subway: 1 to Christopher Street.

7. Attaboy – Lower East Side

Address: 134 Eldridge Street (near Delancey)

How to get in: Look for unmarked doors with a small sign "AB". No sign, no menu outside.

What to know: Located in the former space of the legendary Milk & Honey. Recognized as the best bar in North America (World's 50 Best Bars). There is no fixed menu – tell the bartender what you like, and they will prepare a cocktail just for you. Walk-in only (no reservations), groups up to 6 people. Open daily from 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM.

8. Angel's Share – West Village (new location)

Address: Grove Street, West Village (new location since 2023)

How to get in: The original location on Stuyvesant Street closed in 2022 after a rent dispute. The new location on Grove Street opened in June 2023, retaining the original angel mural and vintage chandelier.

What to know: A pioneering Japanese speakeasy open since 1993. Bartenders use precise Japanese techniques for mixing cocktails. Groups larger than 4 are not admitted. Still on the list of 50 Best Bars in North America (2024, 2025).

9. Little Branch – West Village

Address: 20 7th Avenue South (corner of Leroy Street)

How to get in: No sign – look for unmarked doors on the corner. Stairs lead down to a basement bar.

What to know: A dark, intimate interior perfect for a romantic date. Some evenings feature live jazz. Ask the bartender for "dealer's choice" – they will choose a cocktail based on your preferences. Hours: Mon–Sat 7:00 PM–3:00 AM, Sun 7:00 PM–2:00 AM.

10. La Esquina – SoHo/Nolita

Address: 114 Kenmare Street

How to get in: From the street, it looks like an ordinary taqueria with a takeout window. Go inside and ask for a reservation in the basement (brasserie). Secret doors lead to stairs down to the underground restaurant.

What to know: The basement is an elegant brasserie with Mexican cuisine, DJs, and a speakeasy atmosphere. Without a reservation, you can only access the taqueria on the ground floor. Reservation is mandatory for the brasserie.

Speakeasy map in NYC

All the described venues can be found on our interactive map in the Places and Discoveries section. Look for the category "Bars and speakeasies".

Tips for Poles

• Age – in the USA, you must be 21 years old. Bring an ID (passport or driver's license).
• Tips – in bars, we leave an 18–20% tip. For one drink: a minimum of 2–3 USD.
• Subway – most speakeasies are close to subway stations. Buy a MetroCard or use OMNY (contactless).
• Safety – Lower East Side and East Village are safe in the evening, but stick to the main streets.
• Groups – most speakeasies prefer small groups (2–4 people). Large parties may have trouble getting in.