While many trends from the 1920s have faded into history, the speakeasy has only grown more alluring. With their secret entrances, low lighting, and transportive cocktail programs, these hidden bars continue to capture New York City’s imagination. Below, we’ve curated the best speakeasies below 16th Street, blending longtime legends with newer must-visits.
East Village
The Hidden Tiger
Tucked behind a shelf of coffee beans inside Café Joah, The Hidden Tiger is an Art Deco, jungle-inspired speakeasy serving inventive cocktails and Korean fusion bites. Equal parts playful and polished, the space buzzes with energy while delivering serious flavor -- think a lychee-forward martini paired with kimchi arancini.
Website: https://hiddentigernyc.com/
Address: 212 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Hours:
Wed & Sun, 6:00pm–12:00am
Thu–Sat, 6:00pm–2:00am
Death & Co
A modern cocktail institution that helped define the craft cocktail movement, Death & Co remains a benchmark for moody ambiance and impeccably balanced drinks. The menu rotates seasonally, but the experience is timeless -- dim lighting, hushed conversations, and bartenders who treat mixology as an art form.
Website: https://www.deathandcompany.com/
Address: 433 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009
Hours:
Mon–Wed & Sun, 6:00pm–1:00am
Thu–Sat, 6:00pm–2:00am
Please Don’t Tell (PDT)
Hidden behind a vintage phone booth inside Crif Dogs, PDT is the original modern speakeasy -- and still one of the hardest reservations in the city. The intimate room delivers playful yet precise cocktails, plus the bonus of gourmet hot dogs delivered straight to your table.
Website: https://www.pdtnyc.com/
Address: 113 St. Marks Place, New York, NY 10009
Hours:
Mon–Wed & Sun, 5:00pm–2:00am
Thu–Sat, 5:00pm–3:00am
Lower East Side
Attaboy
Behind an unmarked steel door lies Attaboy, consistently ranked among the best bars in North America. There’s no menu here -- bartenders craft bespoke cocktails based entirely on your preferences, making every visit a personalized experience worth the wait.
Website: https://attaboy.us/
Address: 134 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002
Hours: Mon–Sun, 5:00pm–3:00am
Champagne Problems
Tucked behind a playful chip shop facade on the Bowery, Champagne Problems is a high-energy speakeasy that leans all the way into excess -- in the best way. Think oversized Champagne coupes, whimsical decor, DJs, and over-the-top cocktails designed for sharing (and showing off). Plus, it’s Taylor Swift inspired, so if you’re a Swiftie, make sure to check out SaturTAY brunch and other themed events.
Website: https://champagneproblemsnyc.com/
Address: 207 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
Hours:
Tue–Wed, 5:00pm–12:00am
Thu, 5:00pm–1:00am
Fri–Sat, 5:00pm–3:00am (brunch from ~11:00am weekends)
Sun, 11:00am–12:00am
Ye’s Apothecary
A subterranean Chinese speakeasy where food rivals the cocktails, Ye’s Apothecary celebrates Sichuan flavors with bold, modern flair. Expect spice-forward dishes like Dan Dan noodles alongside tea- and fruit-infused cocktails in a richly intimate setting.
Website: https://www.yesapothecary.com/
Address: 119 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Hours:
Tue–Thu, 5:30pm–11:30pm
Fri–Sat, 5:00pm–1:00am
Sun, 1:00pm–9:00pm
Banzarbar
Perched above Freeman’s Restaurant at the end of Freeman’s Alley, Banzarbar is a tiny, nautical-themed speakeasy inspired by early explorers. The tasting menu -- pairing low-ABV cocktails with seafood-driven small plates -- is one of the most unique experiences downtown.
Website: https://www.banzarbar.com/
Address: 2 Freeman Alley, New York, NY 10002
Hours:
Sun–Mon, 5:00pm–10:30pm
Tue–Sat, 5:00pm–11:30pm
Garfunkel’s
Hidden behind a bank-vault door above a burger joint, Garfunkel’s blends Gatsby-era glamour with creative cocktails and weekend afternoon tea service. It’s equally suited for late-night drinks or a more refined daytime outing.
Website: https://www.garfunkelsnyc.com/
Address: 67 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002
Hours:
Cocktails: Tue–Sun, 6:30pm–Late
Tea with the Duchess: Sat–Sun, 12:00pm–5:00pm (reservation required)
West Village
Employees Only
Accessible through a psychic’s storefront, Employees Only is a West Village classic that balances high-level mixology with a lively, unpretentious vibe. White-jacketed bartenders, Art Deco décor, and a strong late-night food menu make it a perennial favorite.
Website: https://employeesonlynyc.com/
Address: 510 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Hours: Mon–Sun, 6:00pm–4:00am
Angel’s Share
A legendary Japanese cocktail bar reborn in the West Village, Angel’s Share is all about precision, patience, and quiet elegance. Walk-ins only, strict house rules, and exquisitely crafted drinks make this a pilgrimage-worthy speakeasy.
Website: https://www.angelssharenyc.com
Address: 45 Grove St, New York, NY 10014
Hours: Tue–Sat, 5:00pm–12:00am
Do Not Disturb
Located beneath a townhouse, Do Not Disturb blends speakeasy romance with a full seafood-forward menu. Plush velvet seating, fireplaces, and seductive cocktails make it a standout for date nights that lean indulgent.
Website: https://www.dnd-nyc.com/
Address: 285 W 12th St, New York, NY 10014
Hours:
Mon–Wed & Sun, 5:00pm–12:00am
Thu–Fri, 5:00pm–1:00am
Sat, 4:00pm–1:00am
Chinatown
Apotheke
Set in a former opium den on Doyers Street, Apotheke presents cocktails as “prescriptions,” crafted with herbs, botanicals, and rare absinthe. Lab-coated mixologists and a dramatic cellar setting make every visit feel theatrical.
Website: https://www.apothekemixology.com/
Address: 9 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013
Hours: Mon–Sun, 6:30pm–Late
Written by Sabrina Rollings
Photo of Garfunkel's: https://www.garfunkelsnyc.com/