NYC's Best Hidden Speakeasies: Secret Bars Capturing the City's Buzz
While New York City's top cocktail bars draw crowds with their fame, a select few remain tantalizingly concealed. These speakeasies evoke the thrill of Prohibition-era secrecy, surging in popularity across NYC. No secret stays hidden forever, so here's our expert guide to the city's most coveted hidden gems.
The Rise of Secret Bars
Films like The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, have reignited fascination with the Roaring '20s, fueling a speakeasy boom not just in NYC but in cities like Chicago, Shanghai, and Tokyo. How do these elusive spots gain fame? Through savvy word-of-mouth on social media.
Three Tiers of NYC Speakeasies
Ultra-Private
These elite hideaways shun websites entirely yet thrive on buzz from Yelp reviews, social media, blogs, and news outlets. Their mystique drives the hype without overt online presence.
- Attaboy – No menu here; share your preferences with the bartender for a bespoke cocktail. Spot the neon “A” window on Eldridge Street, Lower East Side.
- B Flat – On Church Street in Tribeca, enter the black door at 277 and descend to live jazz that transports you to the 1920s.
Semi-Private
These offer websites with reservations via phone or email but guard their addresses closely.
- Fig 19 – Tucked behind the Lodge Gallery on Chrystie Street, Lower East Side. Unassuming entry leads to glamorous chandeliers.
- PDT (Please Don't Tell) – Enter via the vintage phone booth in Crif Dogs on St. Marks Place, East Village. Buzz to enter.
Online Presence with Speakeasy Flair
Fully online with social media, these maintain hidden entrances for authentic discovery, blending visibility with exclusivity.
- The Back Room – A true Prohibition survivor on Norfolk Street, Lower East Side. Enter via the Lower East Side Toy Company gate, past the bookcase, and down the stairs.
- Raines Law Room – Unmarked stairs on West 17th Street; ring the bell for plush seating and '20s tunes. Signal for service by pulling the lamp cord.
- Beauty & Essex – Pass through the pawn shop facade on Essex Street, up the back staircase for Rat Pack vibes.
