14 Secret and Sexy Speakeasy Bars in New York (Sshh!)

Would you prefer the roaring 1920s or the roaring 2020s? As the city opens up post pandemic, the plethora of rooftops have mushroomed, as have the prohibition era speakeasies, a mainstay culture of New York. Here are our favorites. 

Angel's Share
@angelssharenyc
Our favorite, Angel’s Share is tucked behind an East Village restaurant called Village Yokocho, up the stairs and in a wooden door. With an Asian twist to each drink the hidden nook with sparkling gems and strong cocktails truly comes to life. Our favorite is the Flirtibird with Mizo No Mai Shochu, yuzu, shiso, agave nectar and a delicious plum salt rim.

Apotheke
@apothekenyc
Your science class, without the homework! A wooden door marked Chemist takes you into an intimate mixologist's lab, with bartender's in white lab coats making prescription based cocktails that are potent and decadent. We are a fan of both their names (think Paid Vacation) and ingredients, including a kale gin drink with a kale garnish!

Attaboy
@attaboy134
No menu, no problem! Formerly Milk & Honey, an institution in the speakeasy scene, is an entrance marked AB. The best part is, there is no menu, and the bartender will answer the door and make you something based on your tastes and preferences. Slick.

The Back Room
@thebackroomnyc
An actual speakeasy that was used by actors and gangsters since the 20s (1920s, that is). An actual prohibition experience with vintage decor, plush velvet couches, clinking chandeliers, dim lighting, and extremely strong cocktails - served in tea cups! Because, prohibition. 

Dear Irving
@dearirving
With four theme rooms to choose from, you can very much experience the glitz of an era in Manhattan. Luscious lighting, crystal curtains and strong cocktails make the mood for the Scott Fitzgerald room, the JFK room, the Victoria room, and the Marie Antoinette room. Fun fact, it's a sister property of Raines Law Room, another spot on this list! 

Garfunkel's
@garfunkelsnyc
Located inside a burger spot The Burgary, it's convenient to have a second floor bar behind a bank vault door. History has it that the spot is occupied by a former corrupt bank from the vintage era, so expect velvet couches, a library (likely where tellers sat), and more. Alongside stellar strong cocktails with names like "All the Loot", "TNT" and "Butterflies. 

The Garrett
@thegarretbars
The West Village Five Guys holds a secret... more like a secret staircase that goes up to the second story bar! The setting is intimate after a comical path to get there, with strong cocktails and a more casual vibe than the others on this list. Try the signature cocktails including The First Lady, with buzz words like gin, matcha green tea, fresh basil, lemon and egg whites.

La Noxe
@lanoxenyc
You'll never look at subway stops the same way again. La Noxe is hidden in the 28th St. subway station behind a door in a gritty location. With a luscious interior on the inside, it is one of the most unusual, intimate and sexiest speakeasies in town. What's more, you need to make reservations by sliding into their Instagram DMs.

The Little Shop
@thelittleshopny
Entirely hidden inside a building... actually inside a bodega behind a sliding door! With artistic, eclectic wallpaper that requires no other focal point, the vintage furniture and cocktails are so strong you are guaranteed to shop at the store on your way out!

Patent Pending
@patentpendingnyc
A cafe by day for that caffiene fix transforms into a candlelit speakeasy by night. The mixologists conjure cocktails from an inventor's book under bright exposed lighting, reminiscent of an old cellar of the Radio Wave Building. The cocktails match the theme for an a la carte or prix fixe tasting menu - of cocktails!

Raine's Law Room
@raineslawroom
One of the original iconic speakeasies has two spots, one inside the Shakespeare, and another in Chelsea, which is a favorite pick for the experience of walking down an underground stairwell to ring a bell and step into a vintage ambiance. Named after a law that was banning drinking in the city, it preserves the hushed ambiance as you have to ring a bell and pull a string on a wall for attention. A sensual, intimate spot with strong, ever-changing libations by talented mixologists.

The Ragtrader & Bo Peep NYC
@ragtraderbopeepnyc 
A subterranean cocktail and piano bar that pays homage to the intimate tailor’s fitting room that once existed here. A plush banquette seating, dimly lit lampshades and a bar made from the tailor’s work table creates an ambiance of seductive conviviality. The cocktails are spirit forward with solid names: "Dial M For Martini", "Foxy Lady" and "The Outlaw".

Thyme Bar
@thymebar_nyc
A floriography themed speakeasy bar below the iconic Patisserie Chanson by Jeremy Le Blanche, who expresses the mixology and gastronomy of cocktails through art with botanical elements. For those looking for a tasting menu experience, "The Thyme Bar Experience" is a prix-fixe menu of an amuse-bouche, cocktails and a dessert. The cocktails come in structural set ups, complete with entire custom glassware, casing, and more. Like the favorite Chatpata Fizz served in a pyramid shaped greenhouse smoking with liquid nitrogen, with lime, pandan, mezcal, soda and more.

UES
@theuesnyc
UES is short for Upper East Side, the location of a cute ice cream shop that has a secret: The Storage Room is a speakeasy behind an ice cream carton door with extremely cute drinks in an intimate setting. Ice cream inspired drinks that is, with names after memories and city landmarks and icons like "The Next Stop Is Hunter College", "The 2nd Avenue Subway" and "I Left My Heart In Yorkville". For those with a preference for the sweet things in life!

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