25 Best Speakeasies to Visit in New York City

You’ve wandered into New York City’s secretive world of speakeasies, where spots like PDT and The Back Room hide behind clever disguises, offering Prohibition-era vibes with modern twists on classic cocktails. As you picture those dimly lit bars and innovative drinks, you’ll wonder what else makes our top 25 list truly unforgettable.

The Back Room

Imagine stepping into The Back Room, one of New York City’s most secretive speakeasies from the Prohibition era.

You’ll discover its hidden entrance, a thrill that whisks you into a world of intrigue.

Inside, vintage cocktails shine with authentic flavors, crafted from historic recipes that transport you to the roaring ’20s, evoking glamour and rebellion in every sip.

PDT (Please Don’t Tell)

Nestled behind a vintage phone booth in a lively East Village hot dog joint, PDT beckons as New York’s ultimate hidden gem among speakeasies.

You’ll love the PDT atmosphere, with its dim, intimate lighting and vintage decor that transports you back in time.

Savor the PDT cocktails, like their iconic gin fizzes, crafted with precision and flair that ignite your senses.

It’s an unforgettable escape.

Employees Only

Behind an unassuming psychic shop on Hudson Street, you’ll step into Employees Only, a speakeasy that masterfully revives Prohibition-era intrigue with its sleek art deco design and innovative cocktails.

Discover the allure of these secret entrances that safeguard a vibrant cocktail culture, where expert bartenders craft signature drinks blending classic and modern flavors, immersing you in hidden indulgence.

Bathtub Gin

You’ll find Bathtub Gin tucked in Manhattan’s West Village, a speakeasy that channels Prohibition’s rebellious spirit through its gin-centric menu and vintage charm.

Here, mixologists whip up inventive cocktails using fresh botanicals and classic techniques, offering you a taste of history in an intimate, dimly lit space.

Explore bathtub gin history through its namesake drinks; you’ll savor bathtub gin cocktails that blend Prohibition-era ingenuity with today’s fresh twists, immersing you in authentic, spirited vibes.

The Campbell Apartment

Stepping into The Campbell Apartment, you’ll discover a hidden gem in Grand Central Terminal, where its lavish Gilded Age decor and soaring ceilings evoke the roaring ’20s glamour.

Explore Campbell’s History, once financier John W. Campbell’s opulent office, while savoring Vintage Cocktails like classic martinis and sidecars, crafted with premium spirits for an authentic Prohibition-era thrill.

Raines Law Room

Raines Law Room captures New York’s speakeasy essence in a cozy Chelsea hideaway, drawing from the 1896 law that shaped clandestine bars.

As you step inside, you’ll explore cocktail history through artfully crafted drinks that honor Raines Law’s heritage, blending Prohibition-era recipes with modern flair in an intimate space where every sip transports you to the past’s clandestine vibe.

Attaboy

While hidden in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Attaboy revives the speakeasy spirit with its secretive entrance and masterful cocktails.

You’ll navigate secret entrances that heighten the thrill, immersing you in New York’s vibrant cocktail culture. Expert bartenders craft bespoke drinks using fresh ingredients, letting you savor Prohibition-inspired flavors that transport you to a bygone era of mixology mastery.

The Dead Rabbit

From Attaboy’s intimate hideaway, you’ll encounter The Dead Rabbit in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District, a bustling Irish pub that doubles as a speakeasy with its layered floors and award-winning cocktails.

Here, you’ll immerse yourself in vibrant cocktail culture, where Irish whiskey stars in expertly crafted drinks that transport you to Ireland’s essence, blending history and flavor for an unforgettable night.

Angel’s Share

Venturing from The Dead Rabbit’s lively Irish vibes, you’ll discover Angel’s Share in the East Village, a discreet speakeasy tucked behind a Japanese restaurant, where dim lighting and velvet curtains create an intimate haven for cocktail enthusiasts.

You’ll enter through a secret entrance, fully immersing yourself in cocktail history as bartenders mix drinks that honor traditional recipes with a modern twist.

Bar Goto

In the East Village’s bustling scene, Bar Goto emerges as your next speakeasy hideaway.

Exploring Bar Goto’s history, you’ll discover it was founded by mixologist Kenta Goto in 2015, blending Japanese influences with NYC’s cocktail culture.

Savor Bar Goto’s cocktails, like innovative sake-infused creations that fuse tradition and flair, offering you a revitalizing, memorable twist on classics.

Dante

Dante thrives in Greenwich Village as a sophisticated speakeasy that’s been serving up Italian flair since 2015.

You’ll uncover Dante’s history through its nod to Italian poet Dante Alighieri, blending old-world charm with modern twists.

Immerse yourself in Dante’s cocktails, like the classic Negroni or inventive amari concoctions, which you savor in a cozy, candlelit setting that transports you to Italy’s hidden gems.

The NoMad Bar

The NoMad Bar elevates New York’s speakeasy tradition with its refined elegance in the NoMad neighborhood.

As you step inside, you’ll immerse yourself in a vibrant cocktail culture, where expert mixologists craft innovative drinks that delight your palate.

Surrounded by vintage decor—think antique mirrors and plush velvet seating—you’ll feel the Prohibition-era magic, creating an unforgettable, intimate escape.

The Bar Room

You’ll discover The Bar Room as a sophisticated haven in New York’s speakeasy landscape, where skilled mixologists blend Prohibition-era classics with inventive flair.

Behind secret entrances, you’ll plunge into a vibrant cocktail culture that captivates with hidden charm and creative libations.

1. Uncover secret entrances that heighten your sense of adventure and exclusivity.
2. Immerse in cocktail culture where every drink tells a story of innovation and tradition.
3. Experience the blend of mystery and mastery that deepens your speakeasy appreciation.

Leyenda

As you step into Leyenda, a hidden gem in Brooklyn’s speakeasy scene, you’ll encounter a vibrant fusion of Latin American flavors and Prohibition-era intrigue, where expert bartenders craft bold cocktails that transport you to sun-soaked shores while maintaining the era’s secretive allure.

Here, speakeasy history comes alive through hidden entrances, while innovative cocktail culture showcases rum-based libations that fuse classic techniques with tropical twists, ensuring every sip tells a story.

The Flatiron Room

While it blends seamlessly into the Flatiron District’s energy, The Flatiron Room pulls you into a sophisticated haven of live jazz and artfully mixed cocktails, where skilled bartenders revive Prohibition’s thrill with innovative twists on classic recipes, all set against intimate, era-inspired decor.

This spot offers unparalleled experiences.

1. Immerse yourself in live music that evokes the Prohibition era’s spirit, connecting you to history.
2. Discover whiskey tastings that deepen your appreciation for fine spirits and their stories.
3. Engage with the venue’s atmosphere, where live music and tastings create memorable, sensory journeys.

Mother of Pearl

Mother of Pearl draws you into a hidden tiki paradise in New York’s East Village, where inventive rum cocktails and nautical decor revive the speakeasy’s secretive charm.

You’ll sip tropical cocktails bursting with fresh flavors, evoking sun-soaked escapes, while beach decor—think palm fronds and seashell accents—creates an immersive, laid-back vibe.

It’s the perfect spot to unwind secretly, blending adventure with relaxation.

The Up & Up

The Up & Up whisks you into a clandestine cocktail den in New York’s West Village, where innovative drinks and intimate vibes reign supreme.

You’ll dive deep into the city’s cocktail culture, fully embracing speakeasy vibes that make every sip an adventure.

1. Savor inventive cocktails: Redefine your palate with fresh twists on classics, highlighting modern cocktail culture.
2. Immerse in speakeasy vibes: Feel the thrill of hidden entrances and dim lighting that evoke Prohibition-era secrecy.
3. Connect personally: Engage with bartenders who share stories, deepening your appreciation for this timeless tradition.

The Penrose

Stepping from the West Village’s cocktail haven, you’ll slip into The Penrose, a cozy Irish pub in Midtown that blends speakeasy secrecy with hearty drinks and warm hospitality.

Here, vintage vibes transport you into cocktail culture’s heart, where artisanal libations and dim lighting create an intimate escape.

Savor expertly crafted Irish whiskeys and classics that evoke Prohibition’s thrill, making every visit unforgettable.

The Garret

After exploring The Penrose’s Irish charm, you’ll stumble upon The Garret, a clandestine speakeasy hidden above a West Village pizza joint, where inventive cocktails and vintage flair ignite the thrill of Prohibition.

As you seek secret entrances, immerse in cocktail culture with these highlights:

1. Discovering hidden doors that amplify the speakeasy’s exclusive allure.
2. Savoring inventive cocktails that redefine mixology’s depth and creativity.
3. Experiencing vintage ambiance that revives Prohibition’s rebellious spirit.

La Esquina

Venture into La Esquina, a vibrant speakeasy tucked behind a lively taqueria in Nolita, where bold Mexican flavors and craft cocktails capture the underground spirit of old New York.

You’ll savor authentic Mexican cuisine that blends traditional spices with modern twists, enhancing the underground vibe’s allure.

Dim lights and secret entrances immerse you in a thrilling, hidden escape, perfect for an unforgettable night.

The Tippler

Beneath the bustling Chelsea Market, The Tippler invites you into a chic underground haven where inventive cocktails and seasonal bites redefine the speakeasy experience.

1. Immerse yourself in The Tippler’s ambiance, where soft lighting and retro elements craft a cozy, era-evoking space that enchants you.
2. Savor The Tippler cocktails, expertly mixed with premium spirits and seasonal twists for a truly unique sensory adventure.
3. Discover how this venue deepens your social experiences, blending history with modernity for lasting impressions.

The Press Lounge

Perched high above the bustling streets, The Press Lounge greets you with sweeping views of the Hudson River and a sleek rooftop vibe that blends speakeasy charm with contemporary flair.

Here, you’ll savor inventive cocktails and soak in the city’s electric energy. Truly, immerse yourself in New York’s cocktail culture with expertly crafted drinks.

These rooftop views elevate your experience, merging speakeasy traditions with modern trends.

The Aviary NYC

The Aviary NYC stands out as a pioneer in mixology, where you’ll discover inventive cocktails that fuse science and artistry, offering a theatrical experience with precision-crafted drinks and immersive presentations that redefine New York’s speakeasy scene.

You’ll truly appreciate its cocktail creativity and luxurious ambiance through:

1. Savoring boundary-pushing cocktails that ignite your senses with innovative flavors.
2. Immersing in the opulent decor that creates an exclusive, sophisticated vibe.
3. Engaging with dynamic presentations that transform each drink into a memorable story.

The Office NYC

Shifting from modern mixology, you’ll uncover The Office NYC as a timeless speakeasy that revives Prohibition-era charm with its secretive entrance and expertly mixed classics.

Here, you can savor office cocktails during casual meetings, enveloped in an intimate atmosphere where dim lighting and plush seating spark engaging conversations and timeless relaxation.

This hidden gem blends history with impeccable service for an unforgettable night.

Hidden Harbor

After exploring The Office NYC’s Prohibition-era allure, you’ll step into Hidden Harbor, a speakeasy that whisks you away with its nautical vibes and creative twists on classic drinks.

As you seek out secret entrances, you’ll discover hidden cocktails that redefine adventure.

Here’s the deeper appeal:

1. Secret entrances heighten your sense of mystery and exclusivity.
2. Hidden cocktails blend innovative flavors with thematic surprises.
3. Nautical vibes immerse you in a seafaring escape, fostering lasting memories.

Final Thoughts

As you wrap up this guide to New York’s 25 best speakeasies, imagine slipping into PDT’s secret phone booth or savoring vintage cocktails at The Back Room’s intimate hideaway. These spots blend Prohibition-era intrigue with innovative twists, offering unforgettable nights of clandestine charm. Don’t miss out—you’ll discover hidden gems that transport you to another era, so grab your friends and explore the city’s speakeasy magic tonight!