Banzarbar

One of the most underrated bars in New York City. Very cool space, hidden away from the traffic of the Lower East Side. You’ll walk into Freeman’s, then be guided through a maze of hallways before reaching the small, intimate space.Drinks are sophisticated and refined. Expect to taste your alcohol—not a ton of options for things that are super fruity or sweet. Those that are still are balanced out with other flavors, crafting a well-rounded cocktail.Definitely book Banzarbar for date night. The volume is kept to a minimum which makes it easy to get into conversation.

Banzarbar is a fantastic spot located upstairs from one of my favorite restaurants. Thea, the host, greeted us with a warm attitude and positive energy, making our check-in experience enjoyable. The decor is stunning, creating a really cool ambiance that sets the stage for a great night out.The drinks were fantastic, with Beatrice, our bartender, providing excellent recommendations and executing them perfectly. My only wish is that the music was a bit more lively and upbeat to match the vibrant atmosphere. Overall, Banzarbar is a great place to unwind and enjoy delicious cocktails!

Our bartender Ruvi was very knowledgeable with all of the cocktails and their ingredients. We love to find out origins and history behind certain liquors and they always had detailed answers.The cocktails are absolutely perfect. Each one has its own distinct look, history, and mouth-feel. Its refreshing to go to a bar that has drinks that are not just all show.

Beautiful bar, delicious cocktails and wonderful atmosphere!

Overall rating: 4.9Pictures don’t do this place justice. Place is very dark and intimate which I absolutely love. Going to start listing the drinks I’ve had to help remember for the future:5. Midnight RevolverI’ve been wanting to go hear for awhile & so glad I was able to get last minute reservation.Definitely best on a date or with one friend. The bartenders are very well trained & so knowledgeable!Will definitely be back!

Located inside the second floor of Freemans restaurant.Made reservation online and the friendly staff showed me the way to this hidden speakeasy.As an extension of the restaurant, this speakeasy kept the same theme of old, industrial, dim light, part leather and part wooden furniture that collectively takes you back in time to early twentieth century or older.The bartender knows what he s doing, the menu seems creative and diverse, but I ordered my good old classic ManhattanHighly recommend this place, make sure to reserve online.

Very unexpectedly high-quality food at a speakeasy cocktail bar inside of Freemans restaurant. They have an extensive cocktail menu and excellent customer service. Love the pear cider they gave to start the evening! Ordered duck confit dumplings with ginger broth and salmon crudo with watermelon radish and they both tasted great! For cocktails, I had Arctic Willow (whiskey-based) and From Prussia with Love (dry vermouth-based). Both tasted very unique, complex yet balanced.

Definitely a cocktail experience place. This place is a vibe. Hidden atop Freeman’s, which is already hidden in Freeman’s alley. Space is intimate and limited. 10 bar seats, 1 table of 4 and 3 tables of 2. Reservations are required, although I was able to get one same day on Friday night. Walk in might be possible depending on the day and if you come early. I recommend requesting to sit at the bar. You get to interact with the bartender and they can help navigate you through the complex menu.On to the cocktails - they are definitely different and creative. There are wild flaming ones and then twists on common cocktails. The tastes are complex and unique. My first one was a bit strange. It was a spin on an old fashioned with a shochu/bourbon blend. The bourbon was quite woody and the cocktail gave off a weird aroma. My second cocktail was a spin on a G&T, very floral and 🌲. I enjoyed this a lot. The bartender also poured us a complimentary vermouth to start, which was nice. They are pricey, ranging from $20-26 per cocktail. I believe all recipes were created in house by the bartenders.

Came here for my friend’s bday celebration! Thank you for the great service and the cocktail on the fire performances 😍This place gives me the vibe of being on an 1800s British ship.Good place for date!

Hidden upstairs at The Freeman is Banzarbar. Let all of your wildest imaginations come to light. Kidding of courseA very small, intimate space, but one that really sets the bar high. Their menu is based off periods of history. For my first drink, I decided to go with The High Alps (look it up if you want to know more about their cocktail menu inspiration) and order the Mont Blanc. Tequila is the base, but the anise and lemon really popped out. For my second drink, I decided to order From Prussia with Love. The Old Tom Gin paired with the various floral and vegetative flavors made this a very refreshing drink. For my last drink, I decided to go with the Polynesian Triangle and ordered their staple, the Shackletons Urn. Being a gin guy myself, I truly enjoyed the London Dry and Old Toms Gin that were the base. The green chili and peach was a nice touch that added some differing contrast to what is a very, very exceptional drink. I really, really enjoyed itMy experience at Banzarbar was excellent! Nothing disappointed me. Cocktails were very impressive, ambiance intimate, and service was exceptional! Will definitely be back!

Truly an amazing and intimate experience in this off the beaten track bar. They offer a rotating tasting menu (last seating is 10:30) where you have the opportunity to try food and low ABV drink pairings. A seafood forward menu and an excellent bar selection. Highly recommend!

Walked in on a Monday night without a reservation and was seated after 20min. The bar is super cozy and the menu is organized well. There was only one bartender so service isnt the fastest but he was so nice and helpful and we loved our drinks. Especially if youre not in a hurry, I highly recommend this bar!

Tier 1 cocktail bar in the LES. Nestled in Freeman Alley, upstairs of Freeman’s the restaurant. The ambiance is very charming as they’re going for a boat theme. Bartenders are extremely skilled at both making the eclectic drinks on the menu and other tailored drinks. Highly recommend and is one of the best cocktail bars in NYC imo

The experience heading into Banzabar is one of the coolest parts. You’ll walk down the alley to Freemen’s, head up the stairs, hang out on a couch for a bit, then get escorted into this nautical-themed room that smells Smokey and nice.We did the 5-course pairing. Some cocktails were a homerun (the st Germain) and some weren’t so good (the sherry), but the actual food pairings were great. $95 was a great price for five cocktails and five bites.

It was great!The drinks were cool!The place is a bit difficult to find, it’s in the end of the Freeman alley street, and at the second floor of Freeman restaurant.I also also ordered the ube ice cream!

Atmosphere 9/10The speakeasy inside a restaurant in an alley of East Village, hidden behind a not-so-obvious door on the second floor. The interior design recreates nicely some elements of the Banzar expedition, which gave the bar the name. Rather dark and intimate atmosphere with plenty of bar seating, and a nice back bar.Drinks 10/10Recommendation: Shackleton’s UrnVery thematic menu with references to the journey of Banzar expedition. Creative drinks, cool garnish and presentation. Special glasses and cups for some cocktails. nice coastersService 9/10Cool bartender team -shoutout to Zach, who took the time to explain the history of the bar and the menu. Water and a welcome drink served immediately. Average prices for NYCReservation necessary and recommended well in advance

The crowd was way too loud for this place to feel like a classy speakeasy.The drinks are quite expensive but Id be ok with that if it actually tasted good. The Shackleton urn is really gimmicky and is probably the most popular because it comes with a little flame (that doesnt actually contribute to the taste of the cocktail itself)

I loved this place! It’s in a colorful alley, and the bar is huge. They take you to several different rooms. Each room is a bar. The vibes are mysterious and magical, totally recommended. And the bartender was very knowledgeable. Besides the drinks we ordered, the bartender kept offering us a taste of vermouth or wine and other stuff.

A unique place. Youll be in extremely good hands, and have a great time. Between the Through the Looking Glass and the Road to Kerala, go with Road to Kerala.

This place is in such a cool location at the of a beautiful graffiti/mural alley. Delicious cocktails, great staff, beautiful ambience, and the food that we got (artichoke dip was incredible, brownie was great) was memorable. Highly suggest visiting this place!!

A cozy little hidden place with one of the best cocktails Ive had in NYC. Great place for a date

We were at Freemans for dinner in January and we saw the sign but didnt know where the bar actually was. We finally came specifically here two weeks ago, its been on my list for a quite while now. Theres so many drink options and really love how theres stories behind it all. The drinks are very unique and stronger than I expected. The servers are all very knowledgeable about the drinks. The place has colonial style vibes which gives it extra character. It is a small space, so reservations are definitely recommended.(See pictures in Photos section)

One of the best places Ive been to. It is a hidden gem! The cocktails are excellent and the whole experience here is incredible! It is a cozy place hidden inside Freemans. We got a few skewers as well which were very tasty. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a good atmosphere with brilliant cocktails.

Fun cocktails that are on seasonal rotation. They start you off with a small welcome drink. A little on the pricey side but the ambiance is cool. The food is just ok. The bartenders are really helpful

Banzarbar is intimate and cosy, hidden above Freeman’s. The cocktails on the menu are based on some liquors and flavors you’ve heard of…and others you have not! We sat at the bar - Ruvi is an amazing bartender who is really knowledgeable about different kinds of spirits, flavours, and creates a fun experience. Recommend the pineapple sage (a Ruvi creation!) Thanks for a great night!

We came here because of the good reviews. But the experience we got was beyond our imagination (in a negative way). While we were talking to the people sitting next to us, the staff told us it was NOT allowed for different parties to speak with each other. The tone was super aggressive. Last time I checked a bar is a place for socializing. This was just crazy. Will never come back again. Neither should you! Happy to chat more if you want to know more details.

Banzarbar is a hidden gem nestled in the upstairs of Freeman’s. The space is small and intimate. The service is warm and friendly. The bar program is creative and unique. They had a limited menu during our visit so we only had oysters and the tempura green beans. Both were fresh and flavorful. I will absolutely return. Loved the entire experience.

A true speakeasy bar. Very exquisite and amazing cocktails

What a great experience! The drink menu is divided into areas in the world and creatively put together. I picked my drink from Polynesian triangle area- Itameshi - Japanese blended malt whisky, Jamaican rum, amaro, cinnamon, miso, it was amazing. Smoked cinnamon smell was all there and I enjoyed it.We also had a bite, the lamb skewers, duck dumplings and cauliflower. The food was so so, but I would definitely go back for the drinks.The drinks - 5*The vibe - 5*The food - 3*

BANZARBAR, the hidden gem nestled on the second floor of Freemans Restaurant, has certainly captured the essence of a bygone era, earning a well-deserved 4 stars out of 5.Entering this vintage New York establishment felt like stepping back in time. The rustic colonial American decor, adorned with carefully preserved animal heads like deer, elk, and moose, created an ambiance that truly transported us to another era. Its a colonial tavern tucked away in a New York alley, and the rustic vibes were on point.The hospitality was top-notch, with hosts who were welcoming, and a bartender who was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly attentive and friendly. Their warm service added to the overall charm of the place.The drink menu was a delightful journey. We started with complimentary French dessert wine that set the stage for what was to come. The Pineapple Sage and Mount Pelee cocktails, both priced at $22, were a revelation. They offered a perfect balance of flavors, with the use of tinctures as a delightful bonus.The subsequent round of drinks didnt quite match our personal taste. The Sea Silk and Realm of the Nagas cocktails, also at $22 each, were decent but didnt leave as lasting an impression.One notable aspect was that none of the four drinks we tried felt overly boozy, which was a pleasant surprise. It allowed us to savor the intricate flavors without being overwhelmed.Ultimately, BANZARBAR impressed us with its captivating decor, exceptional staff, and an ambiance that transported us to a different time and place. Were already planning to return and explore their fall and winter cocktail menu. Its a speakeasy gem that promises a unique and memorable experience in the heart of New York City.

Very intimate, nice, small and cozy place. They take you upstairs, to get to speakeasy. Loved the service and drinks were very good too! Loved the way they organized the menu based on sea/ boat theme.

One of my favorite bars in the city. The drinks are all unique - you won’t find them anywhere else. The bartender is very knowledgeable and friendly. The space is intimate

One of these speakeasy bars that remind you why New York is the worldwide capital of cocktails. The drinks are delicious, original, crafty but not pretentious, presented in beautiful glassware. They offer a cocktail tasting menu for the adventurous. The menu is limited but sufficient. You can also order custom drinks. Small and casual chic setting with a nice U-shape bar that takes most of the space. The skilled, elegant, and friendly staff guides you through the menu and the whole experience. Food is great, even if we couldnt try their already famous kraken as they had run out of it!

Very friendly staff and great cocktails. we had the cocktail menu with paring snacks.“The kraken” is a spectacular dish to eat but I’ve had better octopus.The restaurant is tucked away in a graffiti covered alley.Definitely worth visiting.

Dont expect to eat food there. Micro portions along side complex cocktails. The cocktail pairing just gets a overwhelming after the third one. Our server just failed to notice our displeasure and as we stared to not finish a course or even our drinks she just keep going hoping we would just leave. After I told her I didnt like a drink or the food all I got was a weak Im sorry. She said come back for the entree dishes next time, but since service was not in line with prices I will not be going back. Spent $235 and then went out to eat dinner elsewhere.

Vibe: Intimate space beautifully tucked away within a restaurant within an alley. A special experience.Value: The most inventive cocktails and knowledgable staff in the city. Truly know their menu and the intentionality behind each drink. Its the place I hope people dont discover.Shackleton’s Urn - Absolutely delicious. Wonderful combination of fruits for the sweetness. Perfect amount of heat as well from the chili.The Heart & The Hind - Not as multi dimensional as I would have hoped. Most of the flavors were muddled together in a way it didn’t lay enough respect to each.Divine Lantern. Really interesting use of Baiju. Delightful balance of everything. Thought the sift/grit of the sesame was the tiniest bit unpleasantSumarr & Vetr - Banana and sarsaparilla was fascinating.Road to Kerala - Got the mezcal, rye, and Thai chili notes. Chili added a nice bite to the end. Well made but didn’t get a lot of the other flavors, not even the chartreuse.Moonraker Sail - Plum flavor was brought forward very well. Clean and crisp.Arctic Willow - Well done not making the whiskey too dominant. Pleasantly, almond was the star. Hibiscus was nice and subtle towards the end.Ulu Edge - Mint lavender garnish went well w/ the cocktail. Tea was the most prominent. Other flavors blended well together, almost too well though because it was difficult to distinguish.Tempura Squash Blossoms - Have never had them fried before. Was most interesting from a texture stand point. Flavor was lackluster. Sauce was delicious but overpowered when dipped.*As always, remember everyone has off days, check your bias, and consider other palates.

Best cocktails in New York!!! Excellent bartender!

Great new addition to the speakeasy scene in NYC. Drinks and snacks here are excellent. Service and ambiance are top notch. Highly recommended, would come again.

Only had cocktails but drinks were delish & had a great date night vibe

Really great little speakeasy. Bartenders take their time to walk through the menu with you and the drinks where fantastic.

Fantastic cocktails in a really intimate, romantic room. Great place for a date, great place to catch up with an old friend. Small plates were delicious.

Frankly I’m obsessed with Banzarbar. The drinks are extraordinary. The staff is so welcoming. The intimate bar seating makes you feel like a protagonist in your own art romance.

One of my favorite NYC bars. Too bad Taylor Swift had a birthday here so it’s nearly impossible to walk in these days… Make sure you try the Urn, a zombie-like drink that is by far the best tiki cocktail I’ve had in the city (including Paradise Lost’s, which are great btw).

Top Speakeasy that’s a must try. Imo, beats out the others by a long shot. Highly recommend tying this place out.

Came here on a Friday with some friends. We had an issue because we were a group of 5 and the bar doesnt take more than groups of 4 so we had to wait until someone left before we could go up. This was pretty frustrating. However, after we went up, the service was good and the drinks were delicious as well!

I tried meeting my friend here and they wouldnt let me up because I didnt come in with the party. It was a four top table with an extra seat (there was an entire empty seat for me) but I wasnt allowed up. They also wouldnt let me up by myself because they already knew my friend was up there. Really dumb rule so have to give it one star. Also I have to add that I have been to many speakeasies in NYC and Ive never encountered this rule before.

Exceptionally made cocktails with top notch service.You’ll experience new combinations of flavors at this intimate speakeasy.

Bona fide speakeasy, it was fun just trying to find the place. Nate sincerely liked making great cocktails and talked about them like they were living characters with backstories and adventures. Great NYC experience

Hostesses were insanely rude!!!! rest of the staff were amazing but hostesses were demeaning and made it difficult to get to our reserved table :(

Great service. Great milk punch

Incredible experience, one of my new favorites. If you want to impress someone take them here, the drinks are well done, the menu is creative, the space is romantic and intimate, our bartender was fun and knowledgeable.

We sat outside for cocktails and loved this spot. Worth a visit.

Great cocktails. Friendly and prompt service. Terrific setting. Overall a must go to and a fun spot to surprise friends or a date when they think you are just going to freemans. Also their whiskey selection is top notch if you are just looking for something neat or on the rocks.

Talk about earning street cred for knowing about this hidden gem; and I don’t even live in NYC. With limited seating, reservations are a must. The drinks aren’t your typical, same run-of-the-mill drinks you get served at your local bar. These are originally made, and served in a way that made me question the way my signature drink’s been made for the past 12 years. The vibe is dark and smooth, intimate but not stuffy. Perfect for a date.

My favorite mixology bar in NYC and likely the world right now. Enjoy the deliciously artful drinks, who’s presentation blows me away. The staff is also fun as hell and drinks are nice and spirit forward.

Hidden gem tucked away in a very secluded spot. small and intimate, delicious drinks, and very great and knowledgeable bartenders

Great place to bring a date because of the atmosphere, but 2 out of 3 people in my party did not like any of the drinks we ordered and ordered multiple different ones. Had good friendly service though.

Great Speakeasy upstairs at Freemans. Knowledgeable bartenders, amazing drinks, in a cool setting. Check this place out.

Made reservations for 10:45pm and they gave our reservation away. We ran late and tried calling to notify the restaurant but nobody picked up and nobody gave us a courtesy to call us asking if we were still making it. They told us to have a drink at the bar downstairs while we wait for the possibility of getting a spot upstairs. As we sat the bartender seemed like he was in a rush to leave as he told us it was last call and rushed us to order. Our drinks were a let down to say the least for about $18-$20 each and rushed out. We are extremely disappointed with this establishment.

Really cool vibes. Small intimate cocktail bar. The Shackleton Urn is the best.

Been several times with my wife and we’ve had a blast on every occasion.Very intimate experience. Lots of thought has been put into the cocktail menu; there are a variety of cocktails ranging from fruity and balanced to the stiffer Old fashioned riffs. The food is also quite delicious!Shout out to Chelsea, Beatrice, and Ruvi for a great experience every time we visit!

Great craft cocktails! Friendly bartenders that will answer each and every question you night have.

We made a mid-week, same-day reservation for the earliest slot at Banzarbar. The environment is so cozy and special. We were alone with the bartender for a while so he kindly chatted with us and was obviously very knowledgeable. The drinks were all unique and phenomenal, served in fun ways. We ordered a few small plates which were good, though less interesting than the food. Ill recommend this spot to everyone spending any time in NYC!

Perfect cocktails. Tasting is a perfect sampling of food and cocktails.

Amazing experience! Great vibe and cocktails.

THE VERY BEST! Incredible drinks and very knowledgeable staff.

Legit drinks, great vibes.

Most atmospheric place Ive seen in NY. Well outside of it too

Enjoyed two balanced cocktails while I watched a disciplined kitchen whip up what looked like incredible food. I will be back for dinner. The ambiance was perhaps the best I’ve experienced in nyc.

Excellent little speakeasy upstairs from Freemans. The staff were all great - friendly and knowledgeable - the space is cozy and stylish, the cocktail menu is creative, and theyve got a couple good whiskey picks as well. I had a house single barrel pick from Russels Reserve that was spot on, and my wife had an interesting salted lemon cocktail built on a tequila base.We didnt order any food on this trip, but the curated menu looked well-chosen, too. Definitely worth a visit.

Imagine the best bartender making the best drink and wrapping it in history

Fantastic cocktail experience. Extraordinarily knowledgeable and attentive staff. Delicious drinks. Expensive but you get what you pay for. Food was mediocre at best, I wouldn’t bother unless you’re very hungry. Stick to drinks.

Phenomenal! Exquisite creative cocktails! Tequila-based Seven Seas was sublime — dry, nutty and salty. Very unique! And wonderful service!

Debated whether to post a review because I don’t want everyone to discover this place and the bar get overrun by the genpop.It’s speakeasy-ish in the sense that you have to go down an alley to get to the restaurant, tell the host that you’re there for banzar bar, and then they will weave you through the restaurant, up the stairs, to a tiny, intimate bar.The drinks were amazing and complex. Not just Manhattan variations but their own unique formulations. They use lots of different ingredients. Each page of cocktails is inspired by a trade route.Will 100% go back, especially to try the whole fried octopus (named the kraken).

Classy place. Ordered a cocktail with a red pickled pepper and it was spectacular. Service was wonderful.

This lovely gem is an amazing and intimate spot. I went there for a date night and was superbly pleased. The cocktail pairing menu was absolutely amazing. The effort and thought was very visible. In addition, my boyfriend and I shared the Kraken and it definitely was not done justice by its description. The ambiance alone makes a trip worth while. We will definitely be back soon!

Its relatively hard to get a table, but totally worth it. Banzarbar is hidden away inside of Freemans, and boasts a unique array of house cocktails with different themes. Its tempting to try all of them!

Absolutely adored this place. Tiny, intimate. Speakeasy vibes. Extensive, amazing cocktail menu that includes mocktails, low ABV drinks, and regular cocktails. Lots of cool flavors. We had a wonderful server who gave us fantastic suggestions.

Great cockatils in a very interesting historic NYC building

The two star is to offset the average this place currently enjoys. The ambiance is great and the staff is incredibly attentive and welcoming. However, the drinks were incredibly disappointing. The fact is they charge $20 a drink, Death & Co, PDT and Attaboy are all superior and some with prices below mark by several dollars. I’m not trying to price shame. But if you’re going to operate at that price point you need to deliver a complex and palatable drink. It cannot be average. Or worse, bad. Which the drink from the summer menu with blueberry “bitters” was. It is a damn shame because it’s a great vibe.

Nate = literally best bartender I’ve ever had. Management I know you read this…give this man a raise!! Obsessed

Its fine. You can see the statue of liberty from here

We had a great experience here and look forward to going back to try more of the food. Really phenomenal cocktails in wonderful and cozy atmosphere.The staff was super knowledgeable and welcoming.(My friend would not stop talking about how handsome the bartender was)

The service was impeccable. Drink pairings with the food were spot on. I highly suggest The Menu Tasting and sit back and enjoy what the staff has to offer.

This Speakeasy is hidden in Freemans Alley. It is a small and intimate place with specialty (expensive) cocktails and bartenders who are very knowledgeable about alcohol. Before we even ordered they brought us an amuse-bouche. Just know what kind of Alcohol you like before you go. Their menu is a little eccentric and it is not made for everyone.

Intimate space with delicious drinks and very knowledgeable bartenders. Very strict policies on reservations, +1s, additional guests

Everything was AWESOME from start to finish. Especially the staff they were fantastic and very knowledgeable. Had such a Great time.

Amazing!!! Great and classy. Service was super thanx Nate ☺️

Top 3 most unique dining Ive ever had. Food and presentation was amazing.

One of the coolest bars in New York. Very small place, so be sure to make a reservation or come at non-peak hours. Really great drinks, wholeheartedly recommend it.

Food was not the best - but drinks and ambience still my fav spot in the city for cocktails

Hidden gem with great cocktails

Atmosphere is very nice, like one of those interactive plays. cocktails are forgettable

Worth the hype. Very attentive and excellent baristas, beautiful ambiance and great music, kept at a perfect volume not to make conversation beautiful.

Wonderfully located, perfect service and delightful concoctions

Hidden gem with friendly staff and fun cocktails!

If only we could find it. We walked back and forth on Chrystie bet. Houston and Rivington- couldn’t find the “Alley” or any markings that signaled the bar. Ended up at a nearby establishment called “The box”, they’ve never heard of it.

:oyoull get it once you go there

Ok drinks and rude staff

The bartender was amazing!

Great cocktails and vibe

Epic

Make a reservation for this tiny, special place.

Great place for drinks

Yes I like bitters

Spectacular

An intimate place and quality cocktail bar.