The Absolute Best Secret Speakeasies In New York, According To Visitors

In 1920, America decided to get to the root of some of its social problems and eliminate what it deemed the chief culprit — alcohol. For 13 years, that ban persisted, putting Prohibition (the Volstead Act) in the history books. However, just because alcohol was banned didn't mean it was over. Throughout the United States, speakeasies — secret, hidden bars that allowed people to imbibe without law enforcement's knowledge — thrived. They had cozy atmospheres and subdued lighting to keep police at bay, and they sometimes featured live jazz music for patrons to enjoy among lounge seating.

Prohibition is long over, but people have remained infatuated with speakeasies. After all, there is something about the clandestine vibes, throwback ambiance, and fun experience that deviates from the norm. As such, there are still tons of speakeasies throughout New York City, ranging from those that operated as speakeasies during Prohibition to those that you almost need a map to find. So, we rounded up the best of the best, determining which Big Apple speakeasies were the ones worth visiting. To decide which speakeasies made the cut, we evaluated which had the best reviews, the most interesting and unique concepts, and remained faithful to original speakeasies that operated more than a century ago.

In yesteryear Europe, apothecaries (medicinal dispensaries) sometimes also had bars, as alcohol was such an instrumental ingredient in so many treatments. At Apotheke — a speakeasy that has locations in Chinatown and NoMad — alcohol is very much the star of the show. To find your way inside, knock on the door with the red light and fitting "Chemist" sign and hope for the best — the host decides who makes it into Apotheke. And if you're visiting after 9 p.m., make sure your ensemble fits the "elegant sophisticated" dress code to improve your chances. Getting dressed to the nines is well worth it for an evening at Apotheke, which has an ambiance to match the wow-factor of the medicinal-themed drinks made with herbs and botanicals, divided into categories like "Pain Killers," "Euphorics," and "Stimulants."  The bartenders even don lab coats to add an extra layer to the theme.

Located inside a former opium den, Apotheke is all about its over-the-top opulence, so expect sconces filled with fragrant liquids, a gold-leaf painted ceiling, a custom marble and tin bar, and a two-century-old door with a peephole. Just ask one of the bar's happy visitors, as it has earned 4.5 stars over hundreds of reviews on Tripadvisor. "This is the best bar in New York for quality drinks and [a] funky speakeasy atmosphere," said one reviewer. "The mixologists are chatty and extremely talented."

Speakeasy-themed bars are all the rage, but the Back Room is one of just a small number of authentic Prohibition-era speakeasies remaining in the city. And just as it was done when it was known as "The Back of Ratner's," bottled beer comes in paper bags, and cocktails are served in teacups. Even the Back Room's entrance is as it was during Prohibition, hidden behind the sign for the Lower East Side Toy Company, through a gate, then an alley, and up the steps. You'll follow in the footsteps of countless others who escaped the laws of the time with a drink, such as mobsters and gangsters like Bugsy Siegel, Lucky Luciano, and Meyer Lansky, who stumbled upon the spot that was hidden behind a kosher restaurant called Ratner's. You know, hence the name.

Adorned with wood furniture, lounge banquettes, 1920s chandeliers, and a gold ceiling, the Back Room is so authentic that cast members on "Boardwalk Empire" used the space to prepare for their roles. Celebrities have flocked here, such as members of Pearl Jam, U2, Adele, Paul McCartney, and Martha Stewart. But you don't need to be a celebrity (or a gangster) to enjoy the Back Room's ambiance. It has earned nearly 1,800 Google Reviews and 4.2 stars, with reviewers writing comments like, "A hidden gem in the heart of NYC, The Back Room is a must-visit speakeasy that exudes an air of mystery and allure."

In Hong Kong, many bars do more than serve drinks — they also serve fun, as they offer tons of games ranging from beer pong to pool to keep patrons coming to their bar rather than the many others lining the city streets. Across the pond in the Big Apple, Basement has done the same thing, with darts, playing cards, and more to keep groups entertained while sipping on seasonal, unique cocktails inspired by Chinese culture. Small plates complement the cocktails, with snacks like flatbreads, empanadas, and fried chicken bites available. Or, if you're craving a slice, head to New York City's most underrated pizza joints once you're done with your competitive cocktails.

Before all of this, you'll need to find Basement. To get inside, look for the red Coca-Cola vending machine. Instead of trying to insert a dollar, pull the door handle. The quirky bar has over 400 reviews on Google, with an average score of 4.3 stars. One said, "Super cute atmosphere and really nice staff. There are games and lots of space as well. The beverages are very unique flavors and they were interesting to try!"

In the 1960s, exotic dancer Miss Coby Yee was the talk of the town on the West Coast, operating the Forbidden City nightclub in San Francisco's Chinatown. Although she has long since passed away, her spirit stays alive at Chelsea's Coby Club, a speakeasy featuring black velvet banquettes, silk walls, crushed velvet, and an undeniably sexy vibe. And also in true Miss Coby Yee style, the speakeasy has live music and performances every night, from jazz singers to burlesque artists. Enjoy the show with a cocktail in hand, as the Coby Club offers craft cocktails like the Red Lotus, Pagoda Royale, and Buddha's Dream. Light bites are also available, such as bang bang shrimp, crispy rice cakes, and chicken satay.

To find Coby Club, you'll have to look closely, as the speakeasy is nestled behind a tiny entrance just under Elmo restaurant on 7th Avenue (both the club and the restaurant are owned by Bob Pontarelli). Since the club opened in 2021, it has earned its fair share of positive Google reviews, with one commenter writing, "Definitely speak easy vibes — dimly lit, with beautiful decor! I would definitely come back!"

To keep their aura of secrecy, speakeasies during Prohibition were often dimly lit to keep passerby attention to a minimum. So don't be surprised when you go to Little Branch — hidden behind a plain brown door on a street corner — to find that it's lit by just three lightbulbs over the bar and one candle at each booth. Patrons also need to keep their voices down as they would have in the Prohibition era. Little Branch serves classic cocktails like the Bee's Knees and Sidecar, all cooled by pieces of ice hacked off a giant block. To ensure high-quality drinks, staffers in suspenders arrive early to squeeze fresh juices and prepare the ingredients needed to keep the drinks top-notch.

Drinks are served between dark yellow walls under low ceilings livened up with live jazz music played on a piano. Little Branch has earned 4.4 stars through over 800 reviews on Google, with visitors writing comments like, "One of my favorite cocktail bars in the city! The drinks they make are so good and you can tell the bartenders have passion for what they do."

New York City bodegas are almost as synonymous with the Big Apple as Central Park, and nearly every resident pops into one on the regular for anything and everything. However, the Little Shop — a speakeasy hidden behind what looks to be a door leading to a storage room in an otherwise run-of-the-mill bodega — almost resembles an old apartment in its own right. Lined with floral wallpaper, flea market glasses, and décor gifted by neighbors, the unassuming speakeasy is the place to go if you need both a carton of milk and a cocktail. The menu is packed with drinks named after their principal ingredients, such as the Black Cherry, the Carrot, and the Strawberry. You can even have your bodega snacks plated to eat alongside your cocktails in the speakeasy.

The quirky bodega was an accidental endeavor. Owners Anna Bazhenova and Philippe Boujna planned to open a convenience store, but soon discovered that their new space had much more room than they needed to sell simply basic necessities. Since the Little Shop opened in 2020, it has garnered hundreds of Google reviews and 4.5 stars. "The speakeasy is tucked behind a small convenience store, adding to the sense of mystery and exclusivity," said one reviewer. "Once inside, the atmosphere is electric. The dim lighting and cozy decor create a great vibe, and the music selection is always on point."

Countless people walk by the 50th Street subway station every day without giving it a second thought. And just as many would have walked by a real speakeasy without noticing it during Prohibition, passersby will have to look a little harder to find Nothing Really Matters, a triangle-shaped bar that opened in 2022. Down the stairs and inside the subway station, the bar named for a lyric from Queen's iconic "Bohemian Rhapsody" was once a Duane Reade storage unit. And although Nothing Really Matters doesn't seek to emulate the recent past, the space that now hosts it was also once the home of Siberia, a dive bar formerly frequented by Anthony Bourdain (while you're at it, check out this NYC pizza spot that Bourdain adored).

Now, the space is inhabited by a cool cocktail bar with an industrial design, adorned with red neon as an homage to Times Square, as shimmering liquor bottles keep the space barely illuminated. Nothing Really Matters serves cocktails like the So Alive and She Drives Me Crazy, as well as classic drinks, beer, wine, ciders, martinis, and mocktails, all underneath a disco ball. Nothing But Matters has 4.4 stars on Google from hundreds of reviews, with one comment saying that they "Loved my time here! Such an amazing hidden place in the middle of Times Square. All their drinks are amazing and truly authentic!"

Not only does Please Don't Tell have a few steps before you can gain entry, but it's also immensely difficult to get a reservation in the first place. That's because this speakeasy has been named one of the best bars on the planet and has the cutting-edge cocktail list to prove it. To get a reservation — only available on the same day you plan to visit — start by calling the bar when the phone lines open at 3 p.m., and don't stop calling until you hear the host's voice. If you're lucky enough to call before slots run out, head to Crif Dogs (a gourmet hot dog joint) before your allotted time. To find Crif Dogs, look for the hot dog sign that says "Eat Me." Once inside, head to the phone booth and dial 1 — a secret door will grant you access to Please Don't Tell.

Inside, just 15 bar seats and limited tables line a space surrounded by taxidermized animals. Rules are displayed to keep the small crowd at Please Don't Tell intimate, including keeping your voice down and not engaging in PDA. But those haven't kept people from clamoring here, as Please Don't Tell has more than 2,170 Google reviews and 4.4 stars. One says, "Absolutely amazing bar. If you can get in, do it. Drinks were excellent and the exclusive hot dogs were delicious. I will definitely be back. Waited so many years to visit and it lived up to my expectations."

Restaurants inside hotels sometimes get a bad rap, but what about restaurants inside hotel rooms? Sushi Suite 1001 is the world's first formal eatery located within a hotel room. With a sushi counter that only accommodates four people, it offers a private, one-hour dining experience with 17 courses inside an unmarked room on the 10th floor of Hotel 32|32 for a one-of-a-kind speakeasy experience. To get inside, make your dinner reservation in advance and then head to the boutique residence-themed hotel's front desk to get a key, just as you would if you were checking into a room for the night. Be sure to arrive early so you can sip on a few cocktails on the room's intimate terrace, such as the Yuzu Honey Bee and Roku Martini.

Prepare to try delectable dishes like snow crab sunomono, kampachi with daikon and shiso, and yellowtail nigiri inside a space adorned with black and gold tones, Japanese artwork, and pops of red. Hundreds of people have reviewed Sushi Suite 1001 on OpenTable and have given it 4.8 stars, writing comments such as, "When we arrived, it was a very mysterious vibe checking in to the suite. The food was AMAZING! Some pieces just (literary) melted in my mouth. The fish quality was excellent. We enjoyed every single bite."

The old and the new join forces at Thyme Bar to create a daring drinking experience called "sippable art" by liquor experts. At this basement bar beneath pastry shop Patisserie Chanson, jaw-dropping and botanical-focused drinks are on the menu, such as the Cosmic Spring served inside a terrarium with Grey Goose La Vanille, Roots Mastic, and thyme oil to bring the season of spring to the glass. However, these aren't the first cocktails to be served inside Thyme Bar. A century or so ago, the space was a speakeasy and gambling hangout during Prohibition, giving it another layer of authenticity in the modern age. It's also near the Flatiron Building, an unmissable marvel surrounded by shops and food.

To get the full experience of what this unconventional bar has to offer, order its $140 tasting menu, which pairs its iconic cocktails with fun bites like caramel popcorn panna cotta and a swordfish hot dog. The acclaimed bar has earned 4.4 stars through more than 400 Google reviews, with past visitors writing comments like, "The cocktails are all creative and well designed, I enjoyed each cocktail I tried along with the presentation. The food is well done and the service is spectacular. I love the vibe of the place."

Prohibition isn't the only era that the Woo Woo, which opened in 2022, seeks to revive. The speakeasy beneath the Mean Fiddler sports bar is also a blast to the '80s when Times Square was a passionate free-for-all packed with peep shows, adult video screenings, and strip clubs. To enter the Woo Woo, you'll first have to find the password on its website, then ring the doorbell to the left of the Mean Fiddler that says "Come As You Are." After making your way down a graffitied staircase, you'll find yourself in an '80s erotic shop with throwback videos and magazines. Finally, head to the red curtain, and a host on the other side will open a secret VCR bookcase door to usher you into the Woo Woo.

Once inside the space adorned with Pac-Man signs, sexy 80s posters, and vinyl records, order cocktails like the OG Woo Woo with vodka, peach schnapps, and cranberry, and the bar's modern touches of each syrup, vanilla vodka, and pomegranate. More than 400 people have reviewed their indulgences at the Woo Woo on Google, giving the bar a score of 4.3 stars. "The Woo Bar is simply EPIC," said one reviewer. "Stone's throw from Times Square, this take on a speakeasy hits out of the park. This peep show themed speakeasy was awesome before we entered. Drinks are fantastic, would strongly recommend the Sex Cures Anxiety for gin lovers and the Qualude, by far my favorite drink."

During the 1920s, anywhere from 20,000 to 100,000 speakeasies kept the liquor flowing during Prohibition. Today, countless more attempt to recreate the iconic establishments by building bars hidden underground, in attics, and behind nondescript doors. However, only some in New York City are truly worth finding, so we learned the passwords needed to share the best of the best. To determine which speakeasies made the cut, we first evaluated which had the best reviews — all of the speakeasies on this list have at least hundreds of reviews and four stars.

It was also important to showcase the places with the most interesting and unique concepts. We also considered which speakeasies were devoted to their original counterparts, offering features such as dim lighting, quality cocktails, hidden entrances, and jazz music. Now that you know the places, why not organize your own Prohibition-style bar crawl the next time you are in the Big Apple?