NYC Speakeasy Guide | 17 Hidden Bars in New York

Here’s something most people don’t know: from 1920 to 1933, the United States enforced a 13-year Prohibition era. Bars were banned nationwide — and yet, paradoxically, that restriction gave birth to a thriving underground scene. Secret bars hidden in basements, back alleys, and abandoned spaces, where guests slipped in through code words, fake walls, and hidden entrances. That’s the origin of the speakeasy.

Modern New York lifted the ban long ago, but the mystique has lived on — and honestly, it’s only gotten better. Hidden behind a phone booth inside a hot dog joint. Concealed behind a mirror in a barbershop. Tucked inside a refrigerator in a grocery store. Each speakeasy has its own unique entry ritual, and that’s exactly what makes NYC’s speakeasy scene so endlessly fascinating.

This guide covers 17 NYC speakeasies I’ve personally visited — with details on how to get in, whether you need a reservation, rough price ranges, and what kind of occasion each spot is best for. First visit or not, this is your complete cheat sheet.

Before You Go: NYC Speakeasy Basics

Cocktails at NYC speakeasies tend to run a little pricier than your average bar — expect to pay around $18–$35 per drink. There’s generally no cover charge, but most places have a minimum spend or require at least one drink order.

Some bars require reservations, some accept both walk-ins and bookings, and some are strictly walk-in only — I’ll note this for each venue below. For walk-in-only bars, I recommend going on a weekday or arriving right before doors open. Weekend waits can be long.

If you’d rather have a guide take you around, you can also join a guided NYC speakeasy experience tour — a great way to learn the history and soak up the culture with local insight.

East Village Speakeasies

Please Don’t Tell (PDT)

This is almost everyone’s first NYC speakeasy stop — and for good reason. Hidden inside the iconic hot dog spot Crif Dogs, you walk in, find the vintage phone booth, pick up the receiver, and the wall swings open to let you in.

The space is cozy and every seat is comfortable because standing isn’t allowed. The cocktails are consistently solid — no duds here — and you can even order hot dogs from Crif Dogs and bring them inside to eat alongside your drinks. It’s a complete experience.

⚠️ Reservation update: The old phone-in method (nearly impossible to get through) has been replaced with online booking via Resy — much easier. Popular time slots still fill up fast, so book a few days ahead. No reservation? Show up before opening and join the walk-in queue.

📍 Address: 113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009 (East Village)
💰 Price range: ~$20–$25 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Resy / Walk-in (walk-in limited to groups of 4 or fewer)

Death & Co.

Compared to other speakeasies, this one isn’t quite as hidden — it sits right on the street, though the unmarked wooden door makes it easy to walk past. Step inside and it’s an entirely different world.

The cocktails lean on the stronger side but are beautifully balanced. Sweeter, fruit-forward options are available too, and I’ve never been disappointed here. The fries are also surprisingly amazing. It fills up fast, so reservations are strongly recommended.

📍 Address: 433 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009 (East Village)
💰 Price range: ~$20–$25 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Book on Google Maps

West Village Speakeasies

Angel’s Share

Note: Angel’s Share relocated from the East Village in 2023. The original East Village location is permanently closed. The new address is 45 Grove St in the West Village — it still features the original angel mural, keeping the spirit of the space alive.

Angel’s Share was named one of North America’s 50 Best Bars in 2025. The bar also holds a special place for Taiwanese visitors: a Taiwanese bartender once won a competition here with a signature cocktail called Venceremos — made with sesame oil, yet somehow in perfect harmony with the other ingredients. An absolute must-try. The FlirtiBird, crafted with Japanese shochu, yuzu, and plum powder, is another crowd-pleaser that works for nearly any palate.

📍 Address: 45 Grove St, New York, NY 10014 (West Village)
💰 Price range: ~$20–$28 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Walk-in only (weekdays recommended)

Little Branch

An unassuming corner in the West Village — step through a door and descend to the basement. Inside, it’s dim, the seating is close together, and the whole atmosphere invites you to lean in as the night goes on. Perfect for a date.

The cocktail menu covers all styles — sweet, savory, strong, light. Just tell the bartender your preferred flavor profile or base spirit and they’ll create something for you on the spot. The live jazz band is another major draw; highly recommended for music lovers.

📍 Address: 20 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014 (West Village)
💰 Price range: ~$18–$22 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Walk-in only

The Garret

Inside a Five Guys in the West Village, there’s a door that looks suspiciously like it leads to the bathroom. Head upstairs instead — and suddenly you’re watching the streets of the West Village from above. There’s something oddly peaceful about it, hovering above all the bustle.

It gets loud and crowded if you arrive late. The cocktails are decent if not exceptional. It’s a great spot for friends or coworkers, and there’s a small private area that fits around seven to eight people. Basically the perfect place to take someone when you want to impress them with how “in the know” you are.

📍 Address: 296 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014 (West Village)
💰 Price range: ~$18–$25 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Book on Google Maps

Lower East Side Speakeasies

The Back Room

The entrance looks like an abandoned building — a small iron gate, then a corridor that feels even more derelict, until you push open a heavy door into a surprisingly spacious and comfortable interior. This bar preserves the most authentic Prohibition-era tradition: cocktails served in teacups, beer hidden in paper bags — all in the spirit of the original deception. There’s also live jazz every Monday night.

Cocktail quality is on the plainer side — this is more of a history-and-vibe experience than a serious cocktail destination. Perfect for history buffs or anyone who wants atmospheric photos. (That said, a friend swears by the drinks here, so maybe I just caught an off night.)

📍 Address: 102 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002 (Lower East Side)
💰 Price range: ~$15–$18 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Available on their website

Fig 19

From the outside, it looks exactly like an art gallery — white walls, clean lines, artwork on display. Look for the seamless white door that blends into the wall, push it open, and you’ll find the speakeasy hidden within the art space.

The cocktails are honestly nothing special — ordering a beer might be the safer bet. The real draw? It makes for a brilliantly clever date spot. Bring someone to what looks like an art gallery visit, then surprise them with a hidden bar. A small and delightful twist.

📍 Address: 131 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002 (Lower East Side)
💰 Price range: ~$18 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Walk-in only

Double Chicken Please

Taiwanese-owned and consistently ranked among the World’s 50 Best Bars — this one is on my personal must-visit list every single trip. The space is split into two distinct areas: the front is a casual bar section where you stand and drink (cocktails here are served on tap, not handcrafted), and the back — “The Coop” — is the real secret room: seated, quiet, dimly lit, with a completely different atmosphere and a real sense of ceremony.

The cocktail concepts are genuinely creative and fun — many are inspired by food, like Cold Pizza or Japanese Cold Noodle. Full of surprises. Don’t skip the fried chicken sandwich either; it hits that perfect sweet spot of Taiwanese-American fusion.

📍 Address: 115 Allen St, New York, NY 10002 (Lower East Side)
💰 Price range: ~$22–$28 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Resy (slots open at midnight, 6 days ahead — books out almost instantly) / Walk-in also possible

Attaboy

A metal door on the Lower East Side with only “AB” and a doorbell as its signage. Ring the bell, someone comes out to confirm your reservation, then pulls back the curtain to let you in. It’s small inside, so skip this one for large groups — solo visits and dates are the sweet spot.

The signature experience: there’s no menu. Once seated, the bartender asks about your preferred flavors, your go-to spirit, or even just your current mood — then designs a cocktail specifically for you. The skill here is exceptional; I’ve never once been let down. Fun fact: the now-iconic Penicillin cocktail was invented here, which makes it an automatic order for me every time.

📍 Address: 134 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002 (Lower East Side)
💰 Price range: ~$22–$28 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Google Maps / Walk-in (arrive before opening for the best chance)

Chelsea Speakeasies

Bathtub Gin

Hidden behind a coffee shop, there’s a painting on the wall — and it swings open as the entrance. The centerpiece inside is an actual bathtub placed right in the middle of the bar. I’ve even seen guests hop in and sit in it when all other seats were taken.

The name says it all: gin cocktails are the specialty here, and the quality is solid across the board. The snacks are excellent too — the fries especially. Reservations are strongly recommended; otherwise getting a seat is nearly impossible.

📍 Address: 132 Ninth Ave, New York, NY 10011 (Chelsea)
💰 Price range: ~$20–$25 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Book on Google Maps

Flatiron / Midtown South Speakeasies

Undercote

Tucked beneath Cote, a Michelin-starred Korean BBQ restaurant, Undercote feels like stepping into a botanical research lab: low lighting, walls of lush greenery, ambient soundscapes — like a moonlit jungle.

My favorite detail: each table has a built-in light that illuminates your glass from below. A clear cocktail in a crystal glass photographs beautifully here. Beyond drinks, you can also order Korean BBQ from upstairs and have it brought down to your table — BBQ with craft cocktails in that atmosphere makes for an unforgettable date night.

📍 Address: 16 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10010 (Flatiron)
💰 Price range: ~$20–$26 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Walk-in or book on Resy

Patent Pending

During the day, Patent Coffee is just a regular coffee shop — nothing out of the ordinary. But at night, walk in and tell the person at the door you’re there for drinks, and the coffee menu wall swings open to reveal a whole separate space behind it.

The cocktails are carefully crafted and genuinely good, and the hand-drawn menu is charming. The space isn’t large, and they generally don’t take reservations — you’ll need to queue. However, their website offers a $105/person package (includes a welcome drink plus three cocktails) that lets you book a time slot in advance. A solid deal that also skips the wait.

📍 Address: 49 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001 (Chelsea / Midtown South)
💰 Price range: ~$20–$35 per cocktail; package $105/person
🔖 Reservations: Walk-in only without the package

Midtown Speakeasies

The Campbell

Located inside Grand Central Terminal, you’ll need to walk through a restaurant to find the door — or enter from the side via Vanderbilt Ave. This space was once the private office of financier John W. Campbell, and the decor is spectacularly opulent: painted vaulted ceilings, wooden bookshelves, Persian rugs. Walking in feels like accidentally crashing a high-society soirée.

The drink menu is curated rather than extensive, but everything is well-executed. I’d suggest stopping in while visiting Grand Central — and dress a little nicer to match the atmosphere.

📍 Address: 15 Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017 (inside Grand Central Terminal)
💰 Price range: ~$20–$28 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Book on Google Maps

Bo Peep

In the basement of The Ragtrader restaurant, near Koreatown — reservations are almost always necessary, so plan ahead. The decor is classic and grand, with live music performances throughout the evening.

But here’s the real showstopper: every server is secretly a performer. One moment they’re delivering your food, the next they’re picking up a microphone and performing on stage. And we’re not talking amateur karaoke — these are genuinely professional-level voices singing familiar crowd favorites. The energy is electric and completely contagious. It’s one of the most unique dinner-and-drinks experiences in New York, and whoever you bring will absolutely be blown away.

📍 Address: 70 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018 (Midtown / near Koreatown)
💰 Price range: ~$18–$24 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Book on Google Maps

Seaport / Financial District Speakeasies

The Little Shop

From the outside, it’s a completely ordinary-looking convenience store. Open a cabinet door in the back, and you’ll find the passage into the bar. Once inside, you’re greeted with a complimentary welcome drink — a lovely touch. The cocktails average around $18, and both I tried were above average. The vibe is relaxed and works equally well for a night out with friends or a low-key date.

It’s a bit further from the main tourist areas (down in the Seaport), which means noticeably fewer crowds — making it one of the few NYC speakeasies that genuinely feels secretive and unhurried. Booking ahead is recommended since the space is small.

📍 Address: 252 Front St, New York, NY 10038 (Seaport / Downtown)
💰 Price range: ~$18 per cocktail + welcome drink
🔖 Reservations: Book on Google Maps

Overstory

This one’s a bit different — not a traditional speakeasy in the strict sense, but it might actually be better hidden than most. Located in a Financial District skyscraper at 70 Pine Street, you take the elevator up to the 63rd floor, climb a staircase to the 64th — and arrive at a cocktail bar with a panoramic view over all of New York.

Overstory was ranked #46 on the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2025. Cocktails are on the pricier end at $25–$35, but the experience more than justifies it. There’s an indoor section and a 360-degree outdoor terrace — on a clear day, you’ll see the Downtown skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty all at once.

How to get in: Enter 70 Pine St (look for the red marble lobby), let the front desk know you’re heading to Overstory, and they’ll direct you to the dedicated elevator.

📍 Address: 70 Pine St, New York, NY 10005 (Financial District / Downtown)
💰 Price range: $25–$35 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Book on Google Maps

Brooklyn Speakeasies

The Hidden Pearl

Tucked behind Wanpaku, a Japanese ramen shop in Greenpoint, this tiny gem seats only about 20 people. The cocktail menu leans heavily on Japanese-inspired flavors, and there are light Japanese-style bites to pair with your drinks. Perfect for a solo drink or a quiet evening for two.

The Brooklyn speakeasy experience feels noticeably different — calmer, more intimate, and refreshingly free of the tourist energy you’ll find across the bridge in Manhattan. A great change of pace.

📍 Address: 621 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222 (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
💰 Price range: ~$18–$20 per cocktail
🔖 Reservations: Walk-in only

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