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.
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
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)
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
151 Loisaida Ave, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Vibey
Why You Need To Come Here: Delicious omakase
Fun Fact: Serves late-night sushi
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
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
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
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
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
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
49 W 27th St, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Cozy
Why You Need To Come Here: Delicious drinks and bites
Fun Fact: Hidden behind Patent Coffee
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!)
24 Cortlandt Alley, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Chic
Why You Need To Come Here: Great live music
Fun Fact: Hidden in the Walker Hotel
156-30 Northern Blvd, Queens/Website
Atmosphere: Shanghai-style
Why You Need To Come Here: Serves DIY cocktails
Fun Fact: Hidden under Shaku Ramen
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!
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!)
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
1450 2nd Ave, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Refined
Why You Need To Come Here: The first “steakeasy”
Fun Fact: Hidden inside Mel’s Burger Bar
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
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
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
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
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
156 1/2 7th Ave, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Dreamy
Why You Need To Come Here: Great live jazz
Fun Fact: Amazing burlesque shows
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
Atmosphere: Sophisticated
Why You Need To Come Here: Can order ice cream to your table!
Fun Fact: Hidden behind an ice cream shop
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
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
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!)
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
Photography by:
