Imagine stepping through a phone booth, pushing open a secret door, and entering a world of velvet couches, jazz tunes, and masterful cocktails. Hidden speakeasy cocktail bars in NYC aren’t just places to grab a drink — they’re time machines, transporting you straight into the 1920s.
The Roaring Twenties Influence
The Prohibition era birthed the speakeasy — secret bars that defied the alcohol ban. Although Prohibition ended in 1933, the mystery and charm of speakeasies never faded.
Today, NYC embraces this clandestine culture with a modern twist. Modern speakeasies keep the tradition alive with hidden entrances, low lighting, and inventive, high-quality cocktails crafted with precision and flair, offering a unique, immersive experience for nightlife lovers.
How to Find Hidden Cocktail Bars in NYC
- Look for unmarked doors, quirky storefronts, or secret staircases.
- Follow local blogs and social media accounts that specialize in nightlife tips.
- Apps like HiddenNYC or The Infatuation often reveal secret bars.
PDT (Please Don’t Tell)
Hidden in plain sight within the bustling East Village, Please Don’t Tell (PDT) is arguably one of the most iconic hidden speakeasy cocktail bars in NYC — and for good reason. The entrance? Through an old-school phone booth inside Crif Dogs, a beloved hot dog joint at 113 St. Marks Place.
Inside, the vibe is moody and upscale, with warm wood-paneled walls, taxidermy accents, and a signature wood-slatted ceiling that adds both texture and charm. Low lighting, sleek banquettes, and a sense of exclusivity complete the ambiance. The room is small — intentionally so — to preserve the speakeasy experience.
PDT isn’t just known for being hidden — it’s famous for its inventive, boundary-pushing cocktails crafted with precision by some of the best bartenders in the business. Whether it’s a smoky mezcal concoction or a seasonal twist on a classic, each drink is a mini masterpiece.
And for fans who want to take the experience home, PDT even sells their own cocktail book — a beautifully illustrated guide featuring recipes, bartending techniques, and behind-the-scenes stories from this legendary bar.
📍 Address:
113 St. Marks Place, New York, NY 10009
(Entrance via Crif Dogs)
🔐 How to Get In:
Enter into Crif Dogs and look to your left. Inside the phone booth, you’ll find a rotary-style phone. Pick it up, dial the buzzer, and ring the bell just once — yes, only once — and wait. If they have space, a hidden door inside the booth will swing open, revealing one of the coziest, most intimate speakeasy spaces in the city.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, PDT delivers a magical, always-memorable experience — a true NYC classic that raises the bar for hidden drinking dens.
☎️ Fun Fact: The Secret of PDT’s Phone Booth
At PDT (Please Don’t Tell), stepping into a vintage phone booth isn’t just quirky decor — it’s the literal gateway to the bar.
Guests must enter the booth inside Crif Dogs, pick up the phone, and buzz the host.
Pro Tip: Ring the buzzer only once — repeated buzzing is a classic rookie mistake and might delay your entrance!
This hidden passage remains one of NYC’s coolest secrets, even after all these years.
The Back Room
Tucked away down a dimly lit alley on Norfolk Street in the Lower East Side, The Back Room isn’t just themed like a Prohibition-era bar — it is one. This iconic venue is one of only two remaining speakeasies in New York City that actually operated during Prohibition, making it as OG as OG gets.
You’ll have to be in the know to even find the place. Look for a metal gate marked “Lower East Side Toy Company” — it’s the only visible clue. Walk through the gate, down a set of stairs, and into a tucked-away alley until you reach a nondescript door. That’s your entrance into history.
Once inside, you’re transported into a world of red velvet curtains, antique chandeliers, and plush vintage furniture. In true speakeasy style, every drink is served in a teacup — a cheeky nod to the days when hiding alcohol was a matter of necessity. There are even old-fashioned bathtubs placed around the venue, a tongue-in-cheek reminder of the gin-making days gone by.
But the best-kept secret? A sliding bookcase near the back of the room that reveals a VIP-only lounge — even more private and intimate than the main space, and accessible only to a select few.
📍 Address:
102 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002
🔐 How to Get In:
Walk east down Delancey Street, turn onto Norfolk Street, and look for the unmarked metal gate just past Rivington. Enter, proceed down the alley, and you’ll find the door to the past.
Whether you’re a history buff, a cocktail connoisseur, or just chasing cool vibes, The Back Room is a must-visit — steeped in authentic Prohibition history and unforgettable charm.
Dear Irving
If you’re seeking a hidden gem that oozes sophistication, look no further than Dear Irving — one of the most glamorous hidden speakeasy cocktail bars in NYC. Located practically hidden in plain sight on the second floor of a nondescript building, the entrance is so subtle you could easily walk right past it. Look for a pair of double doors at 55 Irving Placethat resemble the entrance to a private residence, not a world-class cocktail lounge.
Once you step inside, Dear Irving dazzles with an interior that absolutely looks like money. Every detail — from the plush velvet seating to the sparkling crystal chandeliers — whispers luxury and elegance.
What sets Dear Irving apart even further is its themed room design. The bar is cleverly divided into multiple rooms, each decorated to represent a different era. There’s a “Mad Men”-style room, straight out of a stylish 1960s Manhattan office, full of sleek mid-century modern furniture and muted tones. Move through the space, and you’ll find yourself transported to a Victorian-era parlor, lavishly adorned with ornate mirrors, rich fabrics, and romantic lighting.
Each room has its own distinct vibe, offering guests the rare chance to choose their own aesthetic adventure for the night. Whether you’re sipping a smoky scotch-based concoction in Don Draper’s dream office or enjoying a delicate gin cocktail in Victorian grandeur, the experience feels tailor-made for Instagram — and for unforgettable nights out.
📍 Address:
55 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003
🔐 How to Get In:
Head to Irving Place between 17th and 18th Street. Look for the discreet, almost residential double doors. Ring the bell, and prepare to be transported to another world.
At Dear Irving, elegance isn’t just a suggestion — it’s the whole experience. This is a place to dress up, sip slowly, and savor every moment.
Bathtub Gin
Step through the doors of Stone Street Coffee Company in Chelsea, and you’ll find yourself in one of New York’s most whimsical and vibrant hidden bars — Bathtub Gin. True to its speakeasy spirit, the bar is cleverly concealed behind what looks like an ordinary coffee shop facade. Only those in the know realize that a secret world awaits behind the back wall.
Once inside, Bathtub Gin immediately sweeps you back to the roaring 1920s with its opulent, sultry decor. The room glows under warm, dim lighting, with rich wood paneling, velvet furnishings, and a dazzling centerpiece: a large copper bathtub perched right in the middle of the space — a playful nod to the clandestine days of Prohibition when people literally made gin in their bathtubs.
The cocktails here are as lively and inventive as the atmosphere, featuring house-infused spirits, playful takes on classics, and seasonal specialties. Whether you’re a fan of bold bourbon or delicate botanical gins, you’ll find something unforgettable crafted by their expert bartenders.
But the real magic of Bathtub Gin comes alive during its burlesque shows. Throughout the week, the bar hosts sultry, high-energy performances that harken back to the glamorous underground entertainment of the Prohibition era. Dancers take to the stage — often incorporating the iconic bathtub into their routines — creating an immersive, electrifying experience that blurs the line between past and present.
📍 Address:
132 9th Avenue (Between 18th and 19th Streets), New York, NY 10011
(Enter through Stone Street Coffee Company)
🔐 How to Get In:
Walk into Stone Street Coffee, proceed to the back wall, and find the hidden entrance to step into a world of decadence and delight.
When Bathtub Gin first opened, it played up its Prohibition-era vibe by hiding behind a fake dry cleaner storefront — a clever nod to the speakeasy tradition of disguising entrances.
Over time, as the Chelsea neighborhood evolved, the bar shifted its entrance to Stone Street Coffee Company at 132 9th Avenue.
At Bathtub Gin, the drinks are strong, the performances are sizzling, and the spirit of old New York lives on — one tantalizing sip and shimmy at a time.
Sand and Cocktails 