The Secret Bars of New York City: A Guide to Modern Speakeasies

The Secret Bars of New York City: A Guide to Modern Speakeasies

Nov 14, 2023 by Lauren Rabadi
During the Prohibition era of the 1920s and early 1930s, illegal speakeasies flourished across New York City. Today, modern speakeasies are making a comeback, offering exclusive environments and craft cocktails. These bars are hidden in plain sight, concealed behind unmarked doors, requiring passwords or reservations for entry. This guide takes you inside some of New York's hottest secret drinking dens.
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1. The Back Room

Lower East Side, Manhattan

Tucked away on the Lower East Side, The Back Room is a dimly lit cocktail lounge styled after a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Patrons enter through an alleyway door and pass through a curtain into the bar’s elegant interior filled with velvet sofas and chandeliers. Expert mixologists craft an ever-changing menu of creative cocktails using rare ingredients. Reservations are recommended.

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2. PDT (Please Don't Tell)

East Village, Manhattan

Behind the hot dog counter of Crif Dogs in the East Village lies the entrance to PDT. After walking through the phone booth passageway, guests emerge into the candlelit bar filled with strips of dangling bacon. PDT is famous for its bacon-infused cocktails and intimate atmosphere. The menu changes seasonally based on market-fresh ingredients.

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3. The Raines Law Room 

Chelsea, Manhattan

Step back in time at The Raines Law Room in Chelsea with its antique décor, tableside cocktail service, and live jazz and ragtime music. Named after a historical loophole allowing drinking on Sundays, this swanky haunt feels like an early 20th century parlor. Sip inventive recipes like the Smokey Martinez or Rhubarb Sling in this transportive setting. Reservations are essential.

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4. The Woo Woo

Midtown West, Manhattan

Located in Midtown West Manhattan, The Woo Woo is an underground speakeasy that can be accessed by ringing the doorbell to the left of The Mean Fiddler. The establishment offers 1980s vibes, craft cocktails, and a risqué atmosphere. However, guests should be prepared to provide a password upon entry. You can find the password on their website or somewhere on this site. The signature drinks, such as Wednesday Addams or Quaalude, will transport you back in time. Explore their website to learn more and plan your visit.

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5. Newsroom

Long Island City, Queens

The Newsroom is a top-secret spot, accessible only on Friday and Saturday evenings, and it’s a place where the excitement never ends. To get there, you need to walk through the Station Lounge, which is designed to look like a 1990s NYC subway station. The entrance is concealed behind a newsstand, cleverly disguised behind the Coca-Cola and Snapple refrigerator doors, so it’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. So, if you’re ready to experience something truly special, make sure to visit the Newsroom this weekend!

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6. The Office of Mr. Moto

East Village, Manhattan

Tucked away in the East Village is a hidden gem called the Office of Mr. Moto. This speakeasy is designed to look like a 1930s Tokyo office, and it’s located behind an unassuming door. As soon as you step inside, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a faraway land. The dim lighting, aromatic incense, and exotic decor all contribute to this immersive experience.

What makes the Office of Mr. Moto unique is that instead of serving drinks, they offer a taste of Japan with sushi curated by Mr. Moto, who has been perfecting his craft for the past fifty years. The speakeasy also features obscure passwords, clandestine entrances, and an exotic atmosphere that transports patrons to an earlier era, and oddly enough a piano that plays by itself. All of these elements come together to create a truly theatrical and unforgettable experience.

New York is filled with countless hidden bars aiming to recreate the magic of old speakeasies. Just remember the passwords, make your reservations, and leave your everyday world behind at these enticing modern-day counterparts. Sip thoughtfully-crafted concoctions in these secret sanctuaries shrouded in the allure of the past.

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