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An Inside Look Into NYC's Hottest Speakeasies

By: Amy Rosner By: Amy Rosner | February 1, 2023 | Food & Drink

POV: The year is 1922.

Tom and Daisy Buchanan are galavanting around the East Egg, AKA the land of old money.

Nick Caraway is observing from the West Egg, an oasis for those with new money.

Gatsby is throwing the most extravagant parties of the decade.

A surging economy, Jazz-age flappers, and of course, the prohibition.

This is the roaring twenties.

Everybody flocked to speakeasies, once illegal taverns that sold alcoholic beverages.

The speakeasy represented an escape from the confinements of the outside world.

It was secretive and thrilling, something only those “in the know” were privy to.

Flash forward a century.

The year is 2023. We are still a culture obsessed with the speakeasy: a place to roam free.

A place that sometimes, quite literally, requires a secret passcode to enter.

A place that symbolizes access. Knowledge. Perhaps even power.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out what happens behind the secret door.

Bathtub Gin

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132 9th Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Classic 1920s-style speakeasy

Why you need to come here: There’s a giant bathtub! Makes for the perfect insta-moment

Fun Fact: Behind Stone Street Coffee in Chelsea

Please Don’t Tell (PDT)

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113 St Marks Pl, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Dark and intimate

Why you need to come here: Great date spot

Fun Fact: To enter, you have to call from a payphone inside Criff Dogs (a local hotdog shop next door)

Attaboy

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134 Eldridge St, Manhattan

Atmosphere: Industrial-style

Why You Need To Come Here: The Bodega breakfast drink ( everything bagel syrup, whipped cream cheese, egg yolk, and bagel chips!)

Fun Fact: Look for a metal door marked AB and ring the buzzer to enter

Studio 151/ichi-go-ichi

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151 Loisaida Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Vibey

Why You Need To Come Here: Delicious omakase

Fun Fact: Serves late-night sushi

Keys and Heels

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1488 2nd Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Dimly-lit cocktail lounge

Why You Need To Come Here: Fun place for a Friday night

Fun Fact: Hidden behind a locksmith and shoe repair shop

The Garrett

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Multiple Locations/Website

Atmosphere: Casual bar

Why You Need To Come Here: You can grab a burger between drinks

Fun Fact: Hidden above Five Guys

Apotheke

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Multiple Locations/Website

Atmosphere: Snug cocktail den

Why You Need To Come Here: The drinks are all medicinal-themed

Fun Fact: Bartenders wear pharmacist-style uniforms

Employees Only

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510 Hudson St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Retro-looking

Why You Need To Come Here: Major clout if you can snag a table

Fun Fact: Hidden behind a Tarot-card readers storefront

La Noxe

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315 7th Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Laid-back

Why You Need To Come Here: Fun to find!

Fun Fact: Hidden in the 28th street subway station

Little Branch

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20 7th Ave S, Manhattan

Atmosphere: Underground mixology den

Why You Need To Come Here: Great live jazz

Fun Fact: Can create your own drink

Patent Pending

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49 W 27th St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Cozy

Why You Need To Come Here: Delicious drinks and bites

Fun Fact: Hidden behind Patent Coffee

PS at Pine & Polk

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300 Spring St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Swanky

Why You Need To Come Here: Amazing charcuterie boards

Fun Fact: Hidden behind a provisions shop (look for the wall lined with chocolate bars!)

Saint Tuesday

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24 Cortlandt Alley, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Chic

Why You Need To Come Here: Great live music

Fun Fact: Hidden in the Walker Hotel

Below Shaku

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156-30 Northern Blvd, Queens/Website

Atmosphere: Shanghai-style

Why You Need To Come Here: Serves DIY cocktails

Fun Fact: Hidden under Shaku Ramen

The Office of Mr. Moto

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120A St Marks Pl, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Intimate omakase counter

Why You Need To Come Here: Delicious sushi

Fun Fact: Need a secret passcode to enter!

Great Jones Distilling Company

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686 Broadway, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Polished

Why You Need To Come Here: Amazing bourbon

Fun Fact: There is a secret tasting room underneath the bar (what makes it a speakeasy!)

Do Not Disturb

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285 W 12th St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Romantic

Why You Need To Come Here: Described as a “lovers den” with cozy fireplaces

Fun Fact: Custom martini cart

& Son

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1450 2nd Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Refined

Why You Need To Come Here: The first “steakeasy”

Fun Fact: Hidden inside Mel’s Burger Bar

Discolo

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85 10th Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Lively

Why You Need To Come Here: Can dance the night away under neon-flashing lights

Fun Fact: Hidden below Michelin-Starred restaurant Al Coro

Frevo

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48 W 8th St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: 16-seat counter

Why You Need To Come Here: Unreal tasting menu

Fun Fact: Concealed behind an art gallery

The Little Shop

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252 Front St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Designed like a living room

Why You Need To Come Here: Amazing snacks (can bring from the store to be prepared for you in the back!)

Fun Fact: Hidden inside a convenience store

Lou Lou’s

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176 8th Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Classic bistro

Why You Need To Come Here: Delicious French food upstairs

Fun Fact: Hidden below Lou Lou’s restaurant

Undercote

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16 W 22nd St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Jungle-inspired

Why You Need To Come Here: Go to COTE before!

Fun Fact: Hidden below Michelin-starred Korean Steakhouse

Coby Club

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156 1/2 7th Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Dreamy

Why You Need To Come Here: Great live jazz

Fun Fact: Amazing burlesque shows

Sincerely, Ophelia

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221 2nd Ave Suite B, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Basquiat-inspired

Why You Need To Come Here: Glow-in-the-dark bathrooms!

Fun Fact: Hidden behind Chicken And The Egg restaurant

UES.

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1707 2nd Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Sophisticated

Why You Need To Come Here: Can order ice cream to your table!

Fun Fact: Hidden behind an ice cream shop

The Attic

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136-93 37th Ave, Queens/Website

Atmosphere: Casual

Why You Need To Come Here: Flushing is home to some of the best food in NYC

Fun Fact: The only “oyster speakeasy” in NYC

Basement

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45 Mott St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Carnival-themed

Why You Need To Come Here: Can play games with friends

Fun Fact: Hidden behind a coca-cola fridge

Sushi By Bou Chelsea

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232 7th Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Opulent

Why You Need To Come Here: Mouthwatering omakase

Fun Fact: Hidden behind an espresso bar and floral shop (can pick up flowers for your date on the way!)

Fig 19

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131 Chrystie St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Chandelier-lit

Why You Need To Come Here: We love the craft cocktails

Fun Fact: Hidden behind an art gallery



Tags: cocktails speakeasy web-og Apple News

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