The best speakeasies in NYC for a night of secret cocktailing

What is it?: A Korean '20s/movie-themed back-room cocktail spot tucked behind a Korean restaurant.

Why we love it: The entrance is the point here: you come in expecting dinner, then slip past the dining room into something moodier, quieter, and far more deliberate. Inside, the vibe leans dark and intimate, with a little theater to it, but it never feels like a costume. The cocktailing is the real draw: modern, tightly balanced drinks that draw on Asian pantry cues (think pear, sesame, tea) without becoming a gimmick. It’s one of those places where the “secret” factor is fun, but the bigger surprise is how focused the bar program is once you’re in.

Time Out tip: Eat at the restaurant up front, then make the pivot to the signature list when you’re ready to linger.

Address: 13 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016

Opening hours: Sun–Tue 6pm–1am; Wed–Sat 6pm–2am

Expect to pay: ~$21-23/cocktail; ~$8-$16/snacks

What is it?: A deliberately naughty, password-required hideaway near Times Square.

Why we love it: This is the only bar on this list that legit makes you say the password, and even if it’s just a quick Google away, it adds a little something to the door moment. The bigger twist is the setting: you’re basically in the nation’s brightest tourist corridor, then suddenly in a moody little room that’s flirty and a kind of edgy with the sexy trapping of Times Square of old. Pre M&M store, that is. You have to walk through a sex shop to get in. When you’re hosting out-of-towners who want something wacky and edgy after a show or the dreaded Times Square visit, boom! Here ya go.

Time Out tip: Don’t come here with your mom. There are a few rules: Dress smart (No hoods, crocs, slippers, slides, workboots, sunglasses, ski masks, sweatpants, or workout clothing, including tracksuits & gym shorts), valid Physical ID required (No Pictures), no singles, and a strict 90-minute limit on tables.

Address: 266 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5pm–2am; Fri, Sat 5pm–3am; Sun 5pm–2am

Expect to pay: ~$9-10/beer; ~$19/cocktail; ~$10-12/glass of wine; ~$12-22/snacks

What is it?: A no-menu, bartender-led room where locals still get excited to snag a seat.

Why we love it: The lack of signage is almost beside the point; the real secret is that the bartenders are the main event. You walk in expecting the usual speakeasy routine, then realize the place is basically a stage for extremely skilled, imaginative cocktail makers. Tell them what you like, what you hate, and how brave you’re feeling–they’ll take care of the rest. The space is understated, intimate. Focus stays trained on the drinks and the company you’re keeping. Even for a seasoned New Yorker, it’s the rare “cool” bar where visiting is still a treat.

Time Out tip: Go early on a weeknight; once it’s packed, the wait gets real.

Address: 134 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Daily 5pm–3am

Expect to pay: ~$20-25/cocktail

What is it?: A tight, seated-only cocktail room for enthusiasts whose entrance is in a phone booth (which stands out in and of itself) inside of a hotdog joint.

Why we love it: Secret’s out, but it’s still a good bit of fun. And even in a city drowning in “secret” bars, the entrance still charms: you push past casual hot-dog energy, then suddenly you’re in a dim little pocket of grown-up focus. The rule that there’s no standing room changes everything, in a good way; the room retains a calm, moody vibe. And the fact that patient patrons are happy to be there means bartenders can actually focus on what matters. The decor is cozy rather than theatrical, more of a clubby nook than a period reenactment. Cocktail-wise, this is classic craft: thoughtful recipes, excellent balance, and enough inventiveness to keep regulars from getting bored. Here I go telling, but the real secret is that they don’t care anymore.

Time Out tip: Commit to a reservation mindset; this isn’t a pop-in-and-hover situation.

Address: 113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009

Opening hours: Sat, Sun 4pm–2am; Mon–Thu 5pm–2am; Fri 4pm–2am

Expect to pay: ~$18-21/cocktail; ~$9-17/hot dog

What is it?: A two-level basement bar that sells the Prohibition fantasy harder than most because it actually lived it.

Why we love it: Plenty of places borrow speakeasy aesthetics; this one has the distinction of being the only actual speakeasy on this list, once hidden behind the dearly departed kosher restaurant Ratner’s. The entry still feels sly, and the interior commits: low light, plush seating, and a layout that encourages lingering in corners. It’s more about atmosphere than cocktail-pageantry, which can be refreshing when you’re tired of menus that read like short novels. Drinks tend to favor straightforward pleasure over conceptual mixology, and that matches the room: you’re here to sink into the pastiche and let the night stretch. And everything comes served in china teacups to honor the place’s roots, which is a cute touch.

Time Out tip: Dress code: “No Baseball Hats, No Flip Flops, No Tanks (for guys) ​& NO REAL FUR–fake fur, leather, suede, etc are fine.” They don’t permit outside food and don’t serve food, so don’t arrive hungry.

Address: 102 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Mon 6pm–1am; Tue–Thu 6pm–2am; Fri, Sat 6pm–3am; Sun 6pm–1am

Expect to pay: ~$9/beer; ~$13/glass of wine, ~$65-500+/bottle of wine; ~$17/cocktail

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What is it?: A button-and-bell, booth-forward hideout for people who want their cocktail night to feel slightly conspiratorial.

Why we love it: The stealth here is elegant rather than fussy: a discreet entry, then a room that’s hushed, plush, and alive with murmured conversation. The booths and table service create a different rhythm than most cocktail dens; you’re not jockeying for bar space, you’re settling in. Decor-wise, it’s more old New York hotel lounge than costume-party Prohibition, which keeps it from feeling cartoonish. It’s got real panache. The cocktail program leans classic-modern: familiar structures with smart tweaks executed with real precision. It’s the kind of place that makes you lower your voice even though nobody asked.

Time Out tip: Best for dates or small groups who want to stay put for a second round. There are two locations, we’re talking about the Chelsea one.

Address: 48 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–1am; Thu–Fri 5pm–2am; Sat 4pm–2am; Sun 4pm–1am

Expect to pay: ~$19-35/cocktail; ~$12/beer; ~18-26/glass of wine, ~$85-360/bottle; ~$10-21/snacks

What is it?: A downstairs Brooklyn chamber of French excess for people who like their cocktails with a wink and a little velvet.

Why we love it: You’re on Atlantic Ave, expecting a normal night, then you drop below street level into something that’s proudly over-the-top: Marie Antoinette fantasies, rump shaking, candlelit intimacy, and a sense that you really ought to have more fun in your day-to-day. The “hidden” part works because the switch is so dramatic; upstairs feels like a cute, ordinary bistro because it is. Downstairs feels like a sexy, sultry lounge...because it is. Unlike many speakeasy-ish places, the drinks here are priced with surprising mercy despite their pastry-chef sensibility: rich flavors, aromatics, dessert-leaning touches, but still with an eye on balance. It’s theatrical without being exhausting, which is rare in Brooklyn.

Time Out tip: It’s a bold move for a first date and a saucy one for the longtime couple.

Address: 135 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Thu 5pm–11pm; Fri–Sat 7pm–1:30am

Expect to pay: ~$15/cocktail; ~$13/glass of wine, ~$50/bottle of wine; ~$8/beer; ~$5–16/bites

What is it?: A Cortlandt Alley pseudo-hideaway attached to a hotel that welcomes downtown regulars and first-timers.

Why we love it: The approach does a lot of work: alleys already feel cinematic, and Saint Tuesday uses that setting to make the door feel like a discovery rather than a stunt. Inside, it’s polished and modern, not a museum of Prohibition props. The drinks are menu-driven and confident, with a clear house style geared toward classics but with enough range to satisfy both the “dry gin martini with a twist” and “surprise me!” person alike. The best part is the contrast between gritty alley expectation and the calm, composed room you get once you’re in. There’s usually live jazz playing, so you know right away it wants you to relax.

Time Out tip: Start with a house cocktail, then pivot to a classic if you’re staying awhile. This place doesn’t stay open super duper late, so it’s a good bet for the beginning of an evening or a calmer night out.

Address: 24 Cortlandt Alley, New York, NY 10013

Opening hours: Sun–Wed 6pm–midnight; Thu–Sat 6pm–1am

Expect to pay: ~$23/cocktail; ~$16/small bites

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What is it?: A behind-the-front-door gin den that flirts with theme restaurant territory but in a charming way.

Why we love it: Self-awareness. The room fully commits to its own lore, right down to the copper still bootlegging, roaring '20s trappings. Chelsea doesn’t always do whimsy well, but here it works because the bar is serious about the cocktails. The menu is packed with nicely realized drinks, many in an affordable zone, with enough range to keep gin lovers busy without ignoring everyone else.

Time Out tip: Go early if you want conversation; later is for spectacle.

Address: 132 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–2am; Fri–Sat 5pm–3am; Sun 5pm–2am

Expect to pay: ~$19–20/cocktail; ~$13/mocktail

What is it?: A long-running West Village spot where the “secret” door is just the prelude.

Why we love it: The entry still smacks of cool, but the real surprise is how much is actually happening once you’re inside: high energy, serious volume, and bartenders who crank out cocktails that somehow manage to remain refined. It ain’t vodkasodaburg, but it’s still a scene. The room has that busy New York energy. The cocktail program centers on classics, but there’s also a category-driven menu of inventions for people who want something more elaborate. This is one of the rare speakeasy-ish places that gets reliably “turnt,” as the kids probably no longer say.

Time Out tip: If you’re indecisive, start with an EO Classic, then graduate to a “Fancy” on round two.

Address: 510 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Daily 6pm–4am

Expect to pay: ~$20–23/cocktail

What is it?: A basement French-leaning cocktail room for people who want their drinks nerdy, but their night suave.

Why we love it: The concealment is straightforward (downstairs, away from the street), but the payoff is the feeling of stepping into a different tempo: softer noise, warmer lighting, and a sense of intention that Flatiron can sometimes lack after the workshirts have emptied. The decor is elegant rather than theatrical. What sets ECC apart is technique-forward cocktailing: the menu lives up to the name: carbonation, lacto-fermentation, atomization–but the drinks are still just drinks, not science projects. It’s speakeasy by placement, not by costume.

Time Out tip: If you like texture and aromatics, ask what they’re clarifying or carbonating right now.

Address: 6 W 24 St, New York, NY 10010

Opening hours: Mon–Wed & Sun 5pm–midnight; Thu–Sat 5pm–1am

Expect to pay: ~$18–25/cocktail; ~$16–35/glass of wine; ~$8/beer or cider; ~$9–40/food

What is it?: A basement classic-cocktail room for people who prefer their “secret bar” experience quiet enough to hear the ice clinking.

Why we love it: The entrance is modest, it’s unassuming but not easy to miss by virtue of a corner location. Inside, it’s dim, intimate, and tuned for conversation. Unlike speakeasies that lean on novelty, Little Branch succeeds by staying disciplined; the drinks are classic, the decor is warmly old-school, and the mood feels steady even when the Village gets chaotic outside. The cocktailing is, as we said, classic-first. Encyclopedically knowledgeable bartenders can and will handle anything you throw at them, and you should because bespoke cocktails are a thing here. The hiddenness isn’t about hoops to jump through; it’s about the relief of stepping off a loud street into a calmer room.

Time Out tip: There’s a code of conduct and dress, so don’t act a fool, wear a baseball cap or a tank top.

Address: 22 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 6pm–1am; Thu–Sat 6pm–3am; Sun 6pm–midnight

Expect to pay: ~$19/cocktail

What is it?: A Seaport pseudo-bodega that turns into a back-bar hang for people who like their night to begin with a little misdirection.

Why we love it: The “shop” setup is more than a cute front; it genuinely resets your expectations before you slip into the bar portion, which feels warmer and more intimate than the neighborhood’s usual weekend churn. The hiddenness is gentle, not hardcore, and that makes it an easy recommendation for friends who want the speakeasy idea without the stress. Decor-wise, it aims for cozy and collected rather than era-accurate Prohibition. The cocktails follow suit: approachable, well-made, and designed for the modern hangout instead of snobby inspection. In a part of town that skews daytime-touristy, but this is a genuinely pleasant place to pop in on a weeknight evening.

Time Out tip: The Seaport gets oppressively hectic fast on Fridays and Saturdays. Do with that information what you will.

Address: 252 Front St, New York, NY 10038

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri–Sat 5pm–1am

Expect to pay: ~$18–21/cocktail; ~$16–17/glass of wine, ~$65–72/bottle; ~$9/beer; ~$14–40/bites and snacks (shop items are subject to a prep fee)

What is it?: A neighborhood speakeasy built around the thrill of a classic storefront belying secrets.

Why we love it: The fun here is the expectation gap: from ordinary Upper East Side street life to a room that feels moodier and more stylized than you’d ever know from outside. Inside, the decor leans old-fashioned and date-ready with a snug layout that suits the identity. The cocktail list is clearly thought through, mixing classics with signatures that keep things playful without fumbling into parody.

Time Out tip: Arrive right at opening if you want the best seats and the calmest pacing.

Address: 1488 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10075

Opening hours: Wed 6pm–midnight; Thu 6pm–1am; Fri–Sat 6pm–2am

Expect to pay: ~$18–21/cocktail

What is it?: A second-floor bar above Five Guys that doubles as the most casual “secret” stop on this list.

Why we love it: The concealment is fun: you pass through the white tile and fluorescent light, climb to a room that feels virtually the opposite. The Garrett is a cool little bar–mostly relaxed and moodily lit. It can get a tad bro-y, but so can every other place in this neighborhood, so that’s not a worry. The Garrett is less hushed speakeasy mystique and more just an easy little bar with a strong cocktail program, which is confident but not cocky; crowd-pleasing but not basic, and just happens to be hiding in plain sight. The surprise isn’t that it’s hidden; it’s the balance of expertise and vibe.

Time Out tip: Yes, you have to walk through the Five Guys. Yes, you should eat a burger.

Address: 296 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–1am; Thu–Fri 5pm–2am; Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 2pm–midnight

Expect to pay: ~$20/cocktail