NYC Speakeasies: Best Secret, Hidden Bars In NY
An ordinary night out with friends can become a fun adventure looking for hidden bars throughout New York. Whether you are strolling the streets of Manhattan or Queens, here are some of the hidden bars that may go unnoticed. (By John Friia/Best Of NY Staff)
More: Best Speakeasy Bars In NYC | Bars With Historic NYC Ties | Exclusive NYC Clubs
The Ship
158 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10013
212-219-8496
www.theshipnyc.com
How To Find It: Walking along Lafayette Street in Little Italy, people looking for The Ship might have a hard time. The entrance is located between two stores and marked with a single flag.
Why It's Worth It: As people walk down the steps they are enter the spacious bar that boasts an impressive cocktail selection and trendy atmosphere from the team behind Little Branch.
Dutch Kills
27-24 Jackson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 1110
718-383-2724
www.dutchkillsbar.com
Where To Find It: Nestled in the heart of Long Island City is the elusive Dutch Kills. While it is easy to pass by, once people enter the subtle entrance they will feel like they have traveled back to Old New York.
Why It's Worth It: Only recognizable by its neon bar sign hanging outside, Dutch Kills offers a rotating cocktail menu, which incorporates the surrounding Queens community with themed libations.
Death and Co
433 E 6th Street
New York, NY 10009
212-388-0882
www.deathandcompany.com
How to Find It: Find a storefront on East Sixth Street with wooden panels in place of windows. The name Death & Co. is printed in metal on the sidewalk in front of the bar's main entrance. Give your number to the bouncer at the door and he'll call you when you and you group can come inside.
Why It's Worth It: Great time and attention is paid to drinks at Death & Co. Each specialty drink is stirred about 40 times and taste tested by the bartender before serving to ensure perfection.
Dear Irving
55 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
www.dearirving.com
Step into different eras while enjoying drinks at Dear Irving. From the 1960's to the Roaring Twenties and Marie Antoinette's France, people are taken on a journey with detailed décor and a whimsical cocktail menu, including the Screaming Viking and Godfather Part Two.
The Garret
296 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10004
212-675-6157
www.garretnyc.com
How To Find It: The Garett is a fun bar to find because many people do not realize they have to go through the Five Guys, which is located below the bar. Once people head to the back of the restaurant, they will be greeted by a bouncer that will let them upstairs to The Garett.
Why It's Worth It: With a small drink selection, there is laidback and relaxing atmosphere that is ideal for a weekday drink or a low-key weekend. People can sip "The First Lady," made with gin, combier, matcha green tea, lemon, egg white and fresh basil.
Milk and Honey
134 Eldridge Street (between Delancey and Broome Streets)
http://www.mlkhny.com/
How to Find It: Go to Eldridge Street on the Lower East Side and find a store front with a suit hanging in the window and a sign that says, "M&H, Tailors, Alterations." Enter through the slightly beat-up metal door to the right of the window.
Why It's Worth It: The bar is one of three speakeasy-esque joints owned by celeb cocktail artist Sasha Petraske. Known for its inventive and nuanced cocktails, Milk and Honey is the place to go for a refreshing twist on the ordinary cocktail.
Little Branch
22 Seventh Avenue S. (at Leroy Street)
How to Find It: Go to the corner of Seventh Avenue and Leroy Street. You'll see a single rusted metal door with no signs but a bouncer outside. Once inside, you'll go down a long stairway to get into the bar.
Why It's Worth It: Another bar by Sasha Petraske, Little Branch's bartenders know their stuff! Tell them what you're in the mood for and they'll come back with a delicious concoction that's soon-to-be your new favorite drink. Don't know what you want? Ask for one of the bartenders specials. Always a good choice!
The Raines Law Room
48 West 17th Street (between Fifth and Sixth Aves)
http://www.raineslawroom.com/
How to Find It: On West 17th Street, find an unmarked stairwell and ring the doorbell at the bottom to get in.
Why It's Worth It: Each table inside the bar is outfitted with a private button used to call on the server - airplane stewardess style.
PDT (Please Don't Tell)
Address: 113 St. Marks Place (between 1st Ave and Avenue A)
http://pdtnyc.com/
How to Find It: Walk down a set of stairs into the Crif Dogs restaurant on St. Marks Place. Look for an old-fashioned phone booth. Step inside, pick up the phone and press the buzzer...once. Not twice. A voice answers and, after approval, the wall of the phone booth opens to let you into a small room with a bar at its center.
Why It's Worth It: PDT is not just a great place for having a few delicious cocktails. While drinking at the bar, patrons can order food from Crif's kitchen. Surprisingly the pairing is rather tasty and you'll feel like a V.I.P. in a secret bar, getting food to your order passed through a secret wall.
Employees Only
510 Hudson St between Christopher and W 10th St.
http://www.employeesonlynyc.com/
How to Find It: Look for a red neon sign advertising a psychic and then for the live tarot card reader. On busy nights, there might also be a bouncer outside the entrance. He'll lead you through a curtain and into the bar.
Why It's Worth It: In addition to the great cocktails, the food menu at Employees Only is something not to miss. From roasted organic chicken to seared scallops, the menu is full of good choices for a dinner or late-night appetizer. Also, the tarot card reader at the door will do live readings for guests.
B Flat
277 Church Street (near White Street)
http://bflat.info/
More: Unusual Spots To Hear Jazz Music
How to Find it: Look for a tall, black door marked 277. Open the door and go down a set of stairs to enter the bar.
Why It's Worth It: B Flat has live jazz music playing every Monday and Wednesday 8 to 11 p.m.
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