The Back Room

I absolutely loved this hidden gem! It was such a cool concept and had a moody vibe. Each drink was flawless and special in its own way. I forget the name of the bartender who took care of us (it was on Christmas night) but he was so kind and attentive. Coming from Florida, the prices were less or about the same as our typical cocktail bars. We will definitely be returning next time we visit the city!

I came here for the Red One Pop up and to ring in the new year, and it was a lovely vibe each time. The atmosphere really felt cozy and sophisticated at the same time with the velvet walls and couches. And the DJ was playing a great variety of hits i can dance to and just enjoy. The downside was that besides the pop-up event, they opted to pour all drinks into these big bulky tea mugs with a saucer. It was a bit cumbersome to hold tho the saucer stopped the mess from reaching the floor. Also, it might be easy to miss cause u have to go down some stairs through a tunnel to get to the bar. Overall, its a great place that throws a great party.

First let me start off by saying Denise (bar manager) was excellent. Knew her history about the location and was very personable. I unfortunately cannot remember our bartenders name but he was also very nice and quick to assist my girlfriend and I. If you like espresso martinis, this is the place.The bar as a whole is beautiful, between the decorations, art and woodworking it’s amazing. My only complaint would be on a Saturday night, they did not have “period correct” music because when you go to a place like that you wanna hear some jazz or oldies. Aside from that we will absolutely be going back again and referring others to go there.

A hidden gem in the heart of NYC, The Back Room is a must-visit speakeasy that exudes an air of mystery and allure. Finding the entrance is an adventure in itself – look for a gate, head down the steps, climb a few more, and voila! Youve stumbled upon a true piece of history.This original speakeasy is a standout among the newer, trendy establishments, boasting a charming interior that sets the stage for a memorable evening. Keep in mind that reservations are required, but trust me, the experience is well worth the wait. Although no food is served, the exquisite drinks more than make up for it.Make sure to add The Back Room to A hidden gem in the heart of NYC, The Back Room is a must-visit speakeasy that exudes an air of mystery and allure.

My first time going there and I loved it. The entrance is sketchy but exciting. It was busy when I went so we couldn’t sit. Better to reserve. Kinda wished they played some jazz music. the rock Music doesn’t fit the aesthetic. Will be back with my bf. Drinks are served in tea cups. Drinks were strong.

It was a very nice and cool bar. Very Art Deco inside and prohibition themed. Very nice place and good drinks.

Cool place for drinks and hangout. However, it needs some more seats.

No. Don’t go. It has gone so far down hill. Drinks are terrible! There is no where to sit unless you get $$$$$$$$ bottle service so you stand around with a terrible drink in an awkward tea cup. Music is also terrible. I last went here 5 years ago then again on the weekend and wow it has gone so far down - I really used to like this place. Honestly there are so many better places to go… just skip it

Possibly my favorite speakeasy in New York. It’s giving true prohibition era energy. The dim lit atmosphere, drinks in tea cups and light music makes this place a perfect place to catch up with a friend or a great date spot. Not badly priced for the area either, bartender was great.

The back room is a unique time capsule that takes it’s visitors into the past. The music, dancing, and delicious cocktails served in the cutest of cups will romance you with rich historical nods to the prohibition past. After sending my evening listening to jazz and sipping on my “tea”, I left feeling both inspired and energized from the liveliness of the environment. 10/10 experience.

Pretty interesting hidden bar that gets parts of the speakeasy vibe correct. There was an open area near the bar where I suspect dancing may eventually happen later in the night but for our visit the room seemed to cater to groups enjoying a scandalous drink and enjoying each others company. There is limited seating so if its busy expect the dancehall/club setup where you carry your drink as you go.

Nothing ruins the atmosphere of a 1920s speakeasy than a playlist consisting of Bruno mars and easy listening classics. Hey soul sister just really made it feel like a cheap Disney “experience”. Drinks were good though. Cash only a surprise though.

Fun spot once you find it. Gives actual speakeasy vibes, not just Heres a quirky disguised entrance to an otherwise normal bar. Interesting choices for drinkware (an old fashioned in a tea cup and saucer?) but somehow it worked. Well definitely be back.

Place lack sofas and chairs. It is quite big, but 40% of the space lack furniture. We asked for Whisky Sour, a classic. It was almost plain Whisky, no egg... super strong. So do not expect decent cocktails here.. Not worthy the visit.

I had my wedding welcome party at the Back Room and tbh, everything went perfect! Megan was so easy to work with, the staff was pleasant, and my guests absolutely loved the vibe. This was already one of my favorite cocktail bars in the city but now theyve double downed. Definitely check it out for a fun vibey spot to relive the 20s.

It was small. The bartender didn’t mix my drink AT ALL. I watched it and it was evident by the taste. You can drink the drink in two sips because it’s served in a tiny teacup. Limited seating. The way into the club is a little sketchy if you’ve never been. You walk down a dark underground hallway and there’s no signage to denote the entrance to the club. I just guessed where I was going. No one advised me. Drink prices wasn’t too bad for nyc. I wouldn’t go out of my way to come back here. Got in with no line on a Friday night.

This place was the epitome of a speakeasy. 1 of the only 2 left from the prohibition era in NYC. Serves drinks in a coffee mug which was the best added touch.

This chic, little, speakeasy is a classic one. The entrance hallway and stairs and mini labyrinth to the front door is all apart of the scene you enter. All details were thought of in this place: slightly racy paintings, velvety wall paper, pseudo Queen Ann type sofas ... And most interestingly, these teeny tea cups they serve your drinks in... We had a blast. It has two levels. The half floor above is reserved seating and the bathrooms and! 🥰 A hidden, reserved area behind a hidden book shelf door complete with security. I think it is a fun place to meet for a bit or all night. I loved the music as well. The bartenders were also wonderful. I did not think the prices were extreme at all (which is great bc the cups are, indeed, tiny. I think it is not a place to go to alone. It is a place best explored and experienced with friends. It kind of feels like an intimate party at someones house. Where what makes you happy. Definitely worth going to and revisiting. I think it could definitely be a persons go-to spot.

What a disappointing bar. The staff was cold and weird. There was no proper service – they asked us to get our own drinks. The table was dirty, and no one came to clean it even though we requested it. Its public seating, so you have to find your own seat or share with someone. The drinks were just blah. The bartender was unhelpful and unfriendly. The music was awful (my Uber ride back had better music). Two bouncers were just standing there, hovering and staring – very uncomfortable. Not one redeeming quality about this place. Never again.

Really really cool speakeasy and one of two in NYC that actually operated during prohibition era. Great place to bring friends or family that are visiting. The entrance as explained is through the lower east side toy company sign, down the steps, through the alley, up the second steps you’ll find the door to your right. Weekends gets packed so would recommend weekdays

After reading up online it turns out this is one of the last two original speakeasies in NYC. The space is old, but the decor is all retro (not original). Drinks are very, very, VERY expensive - but good. Come here for the history, the decor, the ambiance. Liquor served in generic tea cups, as was supposedly done during Prohibition.

This is one of the best speakeasy I have been to. Also says on the website that it’s one of the original ones.Will definitely give the ‘speakeasy’ vibe when you are -1. Walking to it’s entrance2. Inside the space.3. Having the cocktail itself.4. Paying by cash.If you love intricate details check out the paintings, cash register, worn out carpets, retro furniture.

The Back Room is hands down one of the coolest spots in NYC. It’s got that real speakeasy feel—hidden behind an unmarked gate, down a secret alley—super fun to find! Once you’re inside, it feels like you’ve stepped back in time. The place is cozy with vintage furniture and low lighting, and the drinks come in teacups, which just adds to the charm.But the real highlight? Denise, the manager. She’s amazing! So friendly, welcoming, and makes you feel like you’re part of the crew from the moment you walk in. Seriously, she’s a big part of why this place stands out.If you’re looking for a spot with great atmosphere, awesome drinks, and the best people, you’ve got to check out The Back Room. Don’t miss it!

Great ambiance... we enjoyed it a lot before 9:30pm... we were able to talk and enjoy the music.Unfortunately after that they decided to play music way too loud.(They should conduct some kind of survey to see if their customers enjoy the volume of the music, I am sure they will find a surprise)Music is great, but unfortunately unbearable if you want to just enjoy your drink and talk to your friends or anybody at all.

I was looking forward to stopping here on my first night (Monday). I arrived around opening time (6pm). I met a friend and we only stayed until about 7:30 once hearing the jazz band wasnt expected until much later (9-9:30). Myself and a few other customers thought they were to play sooner... hm.. the bartenders were below average, a bit rude and disengaged.Overall, very cool decor and ambiance just wasnt pleased with staff and the music situation (they had pop music playing over the speakers.. didnt really fit the vibe)

There is barely no sitting room on a crowded Saturday night. Its standing room only. The place indeed looks vintage Prohibition which is great. The drinks are served in a small coffee cup and cost $14-16 each. You have to find the spot since its not easy- that was cool. Go during a week day since its super busy on a Saturday night.

The speakeasy has a wonderful ambiance and offers a good selection of beverages. We sampled four different drinks, and each one was delightful. The bartenders were friendly and efficient, and the overall atmosphere was reminiscent of the Prohibition era. I highly recommend this establishment.

Cocktails tasted like cough syrup, the menu needs a redo. Otherwise, the space, atmosphere and service are great. Maybe get a beer or glass of wine.

Absolutely worth visiting! Drinks, decor, service is top-notch! Probably had the best Manhattan so far in my life. This place gives you true speakeasy experience.

A time machine backwards! I find this speakeasy really cool because it’s actually been open since the prohibition days. It really feels like your delving into a moment of history… plus the vibes in here are great!There is a bouncer outside the “toy store” who gives the location away quite easily.

The location is truly unique. It makes you take a step back in time. All drinks are served inside tea cups, as tradition dictates. Attention, you can only pay in cash; they do not accept paper. There are not many tables and it is not possible to book, so come, order a drink and ... be patient, it will be worth it!

Great time. Really loved everything about it. We did the bottle service which reserved the seats and I highly recommend it. Entrance was a little hard to find (which you would expect) and it definitely gave you the speakeasy vibe. Coffee cup glasses were a nice touch.

Overrated and over crowded. Smelled like bikram hot yoga room. No space to stand or sit unless you want to stand in front of people awkwardly in the bright center. Can barely reach the bar. People were lined up in 3 rows. No longer a speakeasy. Not exclusive, just fun to go down and up the stairs to a bar you cannot reach. Did not pass the vibe check.

Original speakeasy, cool atmosphere. Drinks were good, but small portions (served in a teacup) and small cocktail selection. Service was extremely slow. Took 10 minutes for our first round even though we only had one party ahead of us. Second round took 30 minutes while standing at the bar because bartender was flustered by the amount of people, was distracted with training someone and got sidetracked just chatting even though there was a full bar of people waiting to order. He forgot which drinks he was making at times and definitely made someones drink wrong. We arrived at open and they were unprepared for opening, still prepping garnishes while people were waiting to order. Did not have enough staff on and not enough qualified staff. Based on service, would not recommend unless you really want to experience the historical speakeasy.

Yes, follow those obscure toy factory signs into the scary looking basement/alleyway… So cozy and with real prohibition vibes in this old speak easy from way back when. Ask for a Pink Slipper cocktail, _extra sweet_ and ascend into grapefruit heaven!

Great cocktails served in tea cups as an ode to Prohibition era. Bartender was playing great music that night and live music is advertised on their website for other nights-check ahead. Has a charming atmosphere and hidden entrance adding to its speakeasy ambiance/history. Lots of people coming in and out, and not really space for sitting unless reserved. Would label as a Tourist spot-which may be preferred by some. No cover on the night I visited. No food options that I saw.

A truly discreet “secret” bar that’s in between two restaurants. Funny to phrase it this way, but you can’t miss it. If you’re looking for an authentic Speakeasy, you have to check this drop in time place out!

This was my first time going to a speakeasy and to my surprise it was a lot of fun. The Back Room was mine and my cousins first time there and initially locating this place was a bit difficult. You have to go down a set of stairs that leads you to this alleyway, which at first seemed a bit sketchy to us. However, once we found the place it had a nice chill vibe. It wasnt busy at all - especially since we went on a Tuesday night. The bartender was very nice. The drinks were good and its cute because they serve your drinks in teacup. This place really gives off the vibe during the prohibition. Keep in mind, this place accepts cash only. However, overall it is good place to go to.

The building itself was spectacular; however, the 70/80s rock music being played did not fit the theme of the bar. The music was out of place, and the bar would have done much better with jazz or swing. The cocktails were not good, and the drinks were not consistent. A couple of people in our party ordered the same drink, which did not taste similar to each other. They same drink differed depending on whose glass you tasted.

Very nice spot. Very well hidden as well. The bartenders were nice. The drinks were....a little weak? I had a gin and soda and it tasted like sprite. You have to get a reservation!!! Otherwise there will not be any space to sit. They have a coat check which is great, especially if you are the type to dress up to fit in with the theme. A great place to visit if you are visiting but its not a spot for regulars.

My girlfriend and I had the best time here! The bouncer Eddie was so great and the staff was friendly. We made some friends and closed the bar down!

I was here last night with my friend at around 8:00. The ambience of the club was perfect, and service for the most part was amazing. Our first bartender had short brown hair and was very nice and accommodating. Our second bartender had chin-length black hair and met us with almost immediate aggression when we went up to get our second drinks. Both my friend and I were honestly baffled at how rude he was being considering we had done nothing to agitate him. Not sure if it was a “character” he was playing or if it was a failed attempt at flirting, but it put us off so bad we closed our tab. I would go in detail of the things that he said, but the list is too lengthy to include in a google review.There is an automatic 20% tip, which I normally have no problem with, but given the extreme rudeness of our second bartender I was a little upset I couldn’t lower the tip. He didn’t necessarily ruin our night considering we still had a great time and every other staff member was amazing, but we will definitely not be coming back if he is still on staff.

Beautiful space and cool entrance… however the drinks were not good at all, taste like cough syrup :( left after trying 2 drinks

Good place for drink it is a well hidden bar in Newyork. The bar is classic, they serve in classic way the cocktail are served in tea cup. They also got room through a book shelf which is cool. Just being used to all the fancy place around it’s nice to be in a place still give you a back in time vibe. They could probably up their game by accepting card. Over all great place, good cocktails, nice classic ambiance.

We just had our company holiday party here and it was awesome!It was a ‘roaring 20’s’ there’s party, and we rented the entire space out. Everything was perfect - the entrance is appropriately hidden at the end of a dark underground staircase, drinks are all served in teacups, and furniture and decor are all perfectly curated for the period/theme.The space is dimly lit, with a warm red glow.... and it split across two levels- a lower bar level and an upper lounge area. We had the event catered, but the drinks, space, service and vibe at the Back Room could not have been more perfect!

Best speakeasy I have ever been to. So authentic. There is literally a difference between going to a speakeasy that was made to be a speakeasy, and one that was made for prohibition. This place is so cool. Drinks are great, but a little pricey, but thats to be expected. Worth paying the premium for the experience!

Another cool NYC speakeasy with a unique spin - all the drinks are served in tea cups ☕😍. The music and vibe were on point. Decent amount of seats. You truly feel like youre taken back into the 1920s prohibition era.

To find the entrance, look for the Toy Companys sign right between these restaurants. Open the metal gate to go down these stairs and straight down the alley. Youll find another set of stairs with Toy Trucks and Cars displayed at the top. Go to the top and knock the door and youll be at the speak easy. Its beautiful and worth it!

The ambience and the setting of this alleyway speakeasy are awesome, however the drinks are very plain and “syrupy”.

Amazing drinks, top-notch bartender, wonderful ambiance. Did not order food as we had reservations at Bungalow later.

I cant say enough great things about The Back Room. Ive hosted multiple holiday parties here over the years and had many nights out with friends as well. The staff could not be more accommodating and kind. Megan the manager its an incredible host and works hard to make sure you as a private client get the answers you need on time and to the point. The venue is gorgeous (and beautifully decorated at the holidays) and flexible for all kinds of requests (like hiding caterers in a secret room). Its a venue unlike any other in NYC and always makes a great impression.

Very cool, speak easy. Was are orginal speak easy during prohibition. You enter though a gate that says toy factory.The decor inside is from the 30s

The vibe and decor is spot on but the drinks were surprisingly awful. Bartenders don’t measure anything and use bottom shelf liquor yet their menu boasts craft drinks. I wasn’t the only one who left their entire drink untouched.

I took my woman here on a Thursday date night, and I have to say our bartender John was of the highest quality. He was warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and quite attractive. I believe he was a great face for the place. Our cocktails were crafted with great care, and I have to recommend the Bees Knees. My woman had a very creative pear beverage that caught me off guard in a good way. The atmosphere was exactly what I would think of from a quality speakeasy. The lounge furniture in combination with the lighting conditions and artworks made me feel like I was really in the speakeasy I pictured in my head all of these years. All in all, I cannot say anything else other than I guarantee you I will be back again.

I cant say more positive things about the back room. As a disabled patron security was knowledgeable and respectful, the drinks were amazing. The atmosphere was killer will DEFINITELY be coming back!

Definitely a cool place, tucked back in an alleyway, when you walk in, youre greeted with a dark, prohibition themed room, drinks that are served in tea cups and a very laid back atmosphere, would definitely come back again

This spot is so sexy! You have to go down the stairs and through a small alley to get to it. Once inside you are in a whole other world. Perfect for a date or get together with friends. Enjoy craft cocktails at this chic establishment. Cheers!

Not bad!! Nice cozy atmosphere- music could have been a notch quieter since no one was dancing and people were talking.

I really wanted to like this place. The way in is super cool and iconic for a speakeasy. The place itself has a lot of charm and the bartender I dealt with was attentive and friendly and my drink was well made. I had the one with absinthe. My husband had a drink that tasted like jello, it was okay, lots of ice. Everything went south after that. It was a Saturday night so a tad busy. A table opened up and we went for it along with another group. We could have all shared the table. This is where everything went south. The bouncer came up to us and said we had to order from the server if we wanted to sit there. My husband said okay and I sat down. This bouncer went off on us literally yelling about how we couldn’t sit there unless we ordered from the server. I’m not 5 years old, nor am I deaf. I don’t need a man child throwing a tantrum and yelling about nothing. We were literally waiting for the server to come back so we could order but this man child was not having it. Even the server looked confused when we got up and left. Management, please reel in your bouncers. We would have gladly stayed here and happily ordered from the server but not with an ignorant bully yelling at us for no reason. You are only as strong as your weakest link, and let me tell you, this man is your weakest link.

As one of two of New Yorks only prohibition era speakeasies, the Back Room is sure to charm. Walk down a concrete alley way and soon find yourself immersed in 1920s atmosphere.If youre under 25, you probably wont be let in on a weekend, but youre totally fine on a week day. Go around 8 before it gets too crowded.Cash only on weekdays and no food, so plan accordingly!

I felt that the drinks and service were great here.Advertised as a speakeasy, this place definitely feels like it. The music may not be of a typical speakeasy, but I didnt mind the music, and found my friend and I singing along a lot of the time.We arrived on a Thursday a little after opening, and it was pretty empty. The bartender was incredibly welcoming, and made great drinks. It did get crowded about two hours after.My friend got the Pink Slipper, and I had the Reserves cocktail. In truth, the prices seemed much cheaper than what other bars in the city offered as well.

Awesome experience. Amazing decor and the bartender was really friendly and attentive, think his name was Michael.Would definitely recommend stopping by if youre ever in the LES

Speak easy bar that is one of the only two speakeasies from the prohibition era in NYC today. .The entrance is the same one used 100 years ago, behind a gate that reads “Lower East Side Toy Company”.Love the atmosphere. Relaxed ambience. Drinks are served in coffee cups to preserve the speakeasy feel.Though cocktails not super good so don’t expect world class drinks, but definitely recommended to go for a casual drink before or after dinner.

Mind your drink. If you go to dance for a minute, they take your glass and they don’t care if you finish it or not.

As a tourist, its exactly what youre looking for in a speakeasy - disguised entrance, through a back alley, then into a classically designed bar.The live DJ gives it way more of a bar/club vibe than a chilled late night drink. Drinks served in teacups are a nice nod to the theme - theres tastier cocktails around though.Just so you know - the downstairs area is for getting your own drinks from the bar, the upstairs seating is table service. We took the seated option and got a table right away - the security guy who had the rough job of telling people its table service was kind and took a photo for us for the holiday album.

Cool vibes, delicious cocktails, and friendly staff. A great spot.

Not my thing…and somewhat misleading on my opinion.Everything I read talked about this being an old Speakeasy and you could tell from the location it was.But now it’s more of a club than a speakeasy (which I imagine a quiet bar to sit and talk and enjoy the space). I walked out almost as soon as walking in…it was a club with loud music and a dance floor with more grinding than a local butcher shop.Not sure if this was just when we went but must be 25 to enter. Kind of weird but whatever.Maybe your thing, but not mine! Disappointed as I have wanted to check this out for a while.

Not sure whats going on travelled from the UK to visit the back room. Checked Google and their website which confirmed they were open and that they welcome walk ins. Turn up on a Wednesday to be greeted by a security guard who inform us they are closed til Sunday !!! So is the guard to stand their for 4 days letting everyone know, surely it would be much easier to update Google to state they are closed.Message to management show some respect and courtesy.avoid at all costs when there are many other speakeasy in NY

Amazing atmosphere. My favorite place that I got to visit while in NY. The live music was *incredible*. Loved it here. It feels like going back in time. Baseball caps arent allowed. Mix drinks are a little pricey. I didnt order any food. Very much worth a visit

They should hide this place more so less people can find it.The very narrow path to access the bar is very dramatic and beautifully design.The bar and decor look nice... Therefore, I gave 2 starts.Now I understand and like the prohibition concept to serve the cocktails in a coffee cup. What I dont like is they use a small coffee size cup of 5 to 7oz to do so... Take the example of a margarita or a mix drink cocktail is around 5 oz with the dilution of the ice after shaking it, so if you serve it over ice your mug should be bigger than the cup they are using. Then I order a cocktail from the menu, the bartenders dont even strain the bees knees cocktail onto fresh ice, (even if the cocktail if to be serve neat) they shake and pour the old ice in your small coffee cup... and the flavor taste cheap products.The bartenders are just here to serve drinks and did not interact with patrons, so I made my way to the main room with hope of going into the Back Room, but I was told I could see the room only if I made a reservationIt is not very often I cannot finish my drink, but after 2 sips I put the cup back on the bar full... I wait a little near it in case someone asked me why I didnt drink it but no luck... the drink was just poured down the drain... in my opinion this is where the cocktail deserves to be in the first place.It is not very often I give type of review, but in this case, I had to.

Genuinely for all the hype not worth it- not great decor. The drinks do come in teacups but who cares? You have to walk underground but also who cares? Pretty unfriendly staff (behind the bar were nice) confusing layout. Halfway ok DJ

The bar decor is interesting and the drinks were delicious...but the music was way to loud when I went on Thursday. Like impossible to hold a conversation in the area with the couches loud, no matter where you went, since there were speakers set up on every corner of the room. And it wasnt like anyone was dancing along to the electro-pop the DJ was playing. Everyone else in the bar seemingly was attempting to chat with their friends, while this insanely loud music is blaring.

Really cool place and definitely is a cool experience trying to find the entrance! The history really makes for some cool ambiance but wish they would play authentic more time period music versus rock, it makes things feel just a little less satisfying. We have an honestly awful experience with the first bartender Daniel - dont know if it was an off day for him but got extremely rude service and very cold when I tried to politely ask any questions about the drinks. We were pretty bummed and wanted to leave but the other bartender Kevin served us after and was absolutely delightful, kind and charismatic and saved our experience here. Overall was a fun place to come explore!

A secret alley transports you back to prohibition era. 20 decor with cocktails served in tea cups and bottles beers are wrapped into paper bags. Avoid peak days/times as it might get too commercial (music and service). Go for the live band nights.

Service was awful! Bartender lied and held bar seats for people that weren’t there on 9/19/24.

Finally reopened! Come for the atmosphere but dont forget you will have to order $2 pizza bagels to comply with New York’s new dining laws. Love it!

Disappointing experience. A friend (brown skinned) was told to take off his hat by the bouncer, only to see another guy (white skinned) 5 minutes later come in with both a hat and headphones on and was allowed to keep them on. When my friend asked the bouncer, he said that the guy works at the bar. My friend asked the guy if he worked there and he said he did not.One bartender in particular was curt to the point of rudeness. My friend and I both went up to the bar and had the social faux pas of waiting for the other one to order first. Maybe two seconds at most. The bartender got annoyed with us and said Someone order, theres a line. There was one person behind us, and maybe 3 other people at the bar. In general it felt like the bartenders were aggravated having to serve people.I had the Bees Knees and PTZ, which were both average, too sweet. It was neat they were served in teacups.The ambiance was otherwise great, especially given the history of the place, and they brought in a jazz band as I was leaving. But unfortunately, the combination of average drinks and the experience with both the bouncer and bartenders kind of negated all of that.

The woman server in the upper section was horrible. It was our first time here and we were told at the door “cash only order at the bar” so we did and we asked the bartender then if we can grab any seat. He said “yes, grab any. If it says reserved just ask for what time” ok great we thought. We sat down upstairs and a Hispanic? Woman came up to us and was so incredibly rude saying that this is table service only so we had to order another drink through her right now if we wanted to stay. We explained what others told us and she said it didn’t matter… ok we were happy to order another drink after finishing ours but she said no it would have to be right now… so we got up. No point in having a 2nd drink warm by the time you get to it. We stood for a while and then asked her what time the reserved table was available till. We were so shocked at the tone and attitude that she answered us with. Talking down to us and everything saying we couldn’t sit there. Friends were supposed to meet us here shortly and we told them to meet us somewhere else. Completely unacceptable behavior. Btw both tables remained empty the whole time we were there… embarrassing.

It really makes you feel like you are in the 1920’s, came here with my best friend to celebrate before my wedding and it was a hit place. The cocktails were strong but very good and the vibes were amazing! Highly recommend and will come back here!

One of the only original speakeasy’s left and a real authentic feel right from trying to find the place. I wouldn’t have been able to get it without looking at the reviews.. really impressed our out of town guests! Didnt need a booking mid week for one drink before dinner.. we just stood up near the bar. We were doing dry jan but i would have been a bit annoyed by the size of the cocktails for the price.. good fun for one though.. want to bring my parents back!

Went here for a party. The atmosphere is very classic. Quite weird because no one is dancing.

A group of us visited here and we had a pretty average time. The location and entrance is so cool and was one of the coolest bars we experienced in NYC! But it was very busy inside, with one bartender on and no seats available. We waited and got a drink each, had a look around and took it all in. We closed our tab as we were standing awkwardly in the corner. The bartender (tall blonde hair sorta guy) approached us and had a go at us for not tipping him enough. We found it very rude and aggressive, ruined our vibe there definitely. Feel as if he could’ve acted more professional whilst working, after just arriving from overseas we don’t know these sort of things.

Very vintage, very lively. You can just walk in and stand at the bar to enjoy delicious cocktails.

I am a huge fan of speakeasy style cocktail lounges. When I heard The Back Room was the last remaining speakeasies from prohibition, I had to take the train downtown for a visit. The entrance is at the end of a dark alley. Once you walk in, enjoy the ambiance and history that surround you. The lights are low, the music is smooth, and the ceilings are tin and wood. The drink menu lists the highlights, but they have enough liquors to make most anything you request. Order at the bar and find a table. Contrary to previous reviews, cards are now accepted, so feel free to start a tab. The drinks were delicious, but youll be drinking out of tea cups like they would have done in the old days to hide the alcohol consumption. Im glad I was able to make it to the last speakeasy in NYC and will be sending inquiring minds here.

Cash only 20-30s era speakeasy...Go down stairs through the gate, up the stairs at the end of the basement walkway, through the door with an eye piece!

This place had so much potential. Very excited to visit a NY speakeasy, sadly the service (pretentious) and drinks didnt match up. Drinks served in cheapy tea cups and tasted bad :-(

This place was dope! Will for sure come back. Walked in and they were playing the fugeess.

I truly enjoyed everything about The Backroom - specifically the service and the ambience of the space. For my first time, it was the exact experience I was hoping for and that was advertised. Highly recommend for all ages.

Awesome secret upscale location with great cocktails. Not having a too strict door policy sometimes disturbs the otherwise authentic atmosphere.

Loved this hidden gem. Ambiance, atmasphore was just intimate and cozy warm. Loved the fireplace. The old decor from early 1900’s and portraits really impressed.

We had a 90+ people networking cocktail event at the Back Room and it was just perfect. The ambience was fantastic, the bartenders and particularly Megan and Denise were so accommodating.It is the perfect spot to have a retro 1920s prohibitionesque party. So unique and special.

Very cool place. Getting into the bar is one of the best parts (and honestly one of the only alleys Ive ever seen in Manhattan). Inside, each piece of furniture is unique and antique-looking. The drinks are fine. Nothing to rave about there and the teacups are interesting but actually a bit hard to drink from without spilling. I would recommend reserving a table; otherwise, you are likely going to have to stand. A jazz band plays in the corner and they add a great touch to an already great place. Would recommend to anyone.

Great atmosphere and drinks. They had tables to sit at but most were reserved.The drinks were strong and were served in teacups since it was an actual speakeasy during prohibition.I will definitely come back next time Im in NYC.

Drinks are served at the Back Room in tea cups, and beers in brown paper bags. They even still use the old cash registers for computing your bill.The Back Room is one of only two speakeasies in New York City that operated during Prohibition and is still in existence today. Its a timeless example of the underbelly of New York past.The original 1920s speakeasy, known simply as The Back of Ratners, played host to many theater and movie actors of the Roaring Twenties, as well as famous gangsters of the era. A few of the wise guys included Bugsy Siegel, Lucky Luciano, and Meyer Lansky who were known to use the space for business meetings.The front entrance is marked simply by a sign for the Lower East Side Toy Company and no other markings. Then visitors walk down an old flight of stairs through a tunnel, a courtyard, then back up another flight of stairs into the bar.

This was such a disappointment due to horrible service and a rude gentleman by the door. After being so super pumped about the history of this speakeasy during prohibition, my nephew on his 21st birthday came here. He couldnt believe this was an original 1920s place where many famous gangsters met up. The gentleman at the door Clearly hated his job! I asked if he knew of any of the history or other hilights and mentioned my nephew was so excited. He said it what they said on the website, read it. So nasty. We got the Bees Knees at the bar. While bartender was making the drink, I said Hi How are you today, he said Im busy, is that all, $18. Whatever we left. 9 people we had one drink. Also they were playing pop, rap music like 80s, 90s...no jazz music. Ambience can only take you so far. Do yourself a favor... GO TO GARFUNKELS DOWN THE BLOCK! AMAZING GROUP OF bartenders, wait staff and treat you like royalty!!!

A must do NYC: hidden bar in the Prohibition styleExcellent cocktails (served in teacups), live jazz music on Mondays, vintage decorationThe rude and unfriendly bartenders are the only downside...

This is the speakeasy of my dreams! Velvet couches, low lighting and a walk through an alley to get into this hidden spot. The menu is small but the drinks I tried were great! Minimal seating so it makes for a quaint spot that is chill and not rowdy. Perfect to get the true speakeasy experience!

The place is known for its ambience and historical connection. The entrance is in-between two restaurants in the basement. The cocktails are alright (lot of ice less of spirit) however the space makes it worth the price hike. The tables tend to be reserved, but there is space to stand.

Fantastic cocktails served in tea cups, artsy decor and top notch music at this speakeasy themed bar will draw you here again and again.

The atmosphere here is awesome. It really is like stepping back in time. The drinks and mocktails were outstanding.

Loved it! Make sure to reserve because sitting room is scarce

Whilst we were in absolute awe of the history of the Back Room, the service that we received was impeccable. Our server (Michael) was super friendly and was keen to answer all of our questions. The drinks were fantastic and the atmosphere was amazing. It was the highlight of our Christmas in New York.

A great, classy-themed speakeasy that takes you back into time. Until it gets packed, its a nice, quaint sexy spot to enjoy good drinks out of (open secret alert)... teacups. It feels very exclusive and cozy UNTIL it gets packed. Yet, definitely worth a trip before 8pm if you want to avoid the fuss.

1 star for the atmosphere and 1 star for the music on Monday nights. Unfortunately the service is bad and the staff rude. I come here every Monday for the music and every time one of the staff cleaning tables takes my half full drink. Last week they took a full beer. When I asked for a new one they said they didn’t care and didn’t offer a new drink.The actual drinks are bad and overpriced.

Awesome Speakeasy. Drinks come in teacups to give you that awesome speakeasy vibe. Love the toy store sign outside the alley. The Angel Envy old fashioned was amazing. The prices are extremely reasonable for the city.

Five stars for service by Nate, the weekend bar manager. He’s friendly, knowledgeable and fun. AND for the DJ playing seriously awesome music!! Cozy, dark speakeasy w a welcoming vibe. Not a ton of seating so be prepared to stand- no one seems to mind…. My only hit would be drinks, served in adorable tea cups, were a little sweet for my taste. We had a great time and will be back!

Cute space and fun that it’s in the speakeasy fashion, but the drinks are rather uninspired. Bottom shelf booze mostly and nothing special in terms of cocktails. Not a bad place but the novelty of the ambiance wears off and then it’s just a pricy bar with fancy lights.

I love this bar so much! It’s a cool speakeasy and the pictures uploaded on here do not do it justice. I forgot to take pics while where, but I will be back for sure!

If you only have a few days to spend in NYC, stop here. This was an actual speakeasy during the Prohibition era. History + alcohol (served in tea cups) Definitely a very cool experience. Drinks arent amazing and its very loud and packed on weekends, basically turning into a club due to its size and the fact that theres a lot of empty space in front of the bar area. Its a very large venue, but feels cozy towards the back and still a great place to bring a date. Weekdays are definitely better and more of a chill vibe. Can take very long to get a drink on weekends. I noticed that people dress up as flappers and take photos here - definitely a good spot for that. Fabulously decorated. No food, unfortunately. I cant hang out here for long due to that, but this is a must for any NYC visit (if you can get in, lines are long)

Very nice cafe with a rich history. A must see in NY!

It is a nice place but we couldn’t drink anything because they have just 2 options: physical card or cash and we didn’t have either of them. But the worst part is that we found out into the place, any information before. And the guys at the bar were really rude so I would say is a very bad customer service.

Beautiful little speakeasy with jazz on Mondays

Great place to get a drink. The atmosphere is great. Very chill place.

Its a really interesting place, real good vibes and probably feelings from the prohibition were similar. Nice atmosphere, a little bit dark but the drinks are not bad, I think the bowls are actually pretty small which is frustrating as the cocktails are really good. Jazz music and decoration is great

The most horrible experience ever. A group of us, all brown people, were trying to get in. The doorman lied about it being a private event that night, just so he could say no to letting us in. 2 seconds after telling us this, he let a bunch of white people go in.When we raised this up with management, they told us there was NO private event and they apologized on his behalf.This is EXTREMELY racist.Do better Back Room. Hire responsibly.

The novelty of the hidden entrance is cool. Their cocktails are well designed and executed. The atmosphere is really cool. Prices are typical. I would have loved it if it had been about half as crowded. Shoulder to shoulder standing, 15 minutes to work your way to the front to get an order in with the bartender, good luck snagging a seat. Granted, it was a Saturday night.

Getting yelled at to not sit in a chair that has no signage to not sit when there is nowhere else to sit is SO much fun. Get some signage if you’re going to have your bouncer (Andre) shout at people for doing things that seem okay. Also, having literally 0 available spots to stand or sit that are not reserved is ridiculous. This place is unfriendly and inhospitable.

The entrance is unique in the sense that it is in an alley, but there is a guy sitting there flashing a light in your face to tell you where it is, very unoriginal. The decor inside is very original, but the music definitely did not match the prohibition theme as other speakeasies we went to. Drinks were equally priced to other bars, mixed drinks were pretty tiny for the price, beer we got in a coffee mug. Was unique but felt like you were trading that for drink size which was lacking. Also there is a lot of room inside but very limited seating so expect to stand and wait. Bartenders were cool and drinks were unique and fun. Good to visit for a drink, but wouldn’t hang out long here as you’re most likely have no where to sit and small drinks means you’ll spend more.

One of the oldest speakeasies. They have kept the entrance, interiors, furniture from the olden times. We reached pretty early so it wasn’t packed and we were able to get drinks and a seat easily. They have a limited menu and the cocktails are served in a tea cup and saucer. The drink itself was alright, nothing special. They only accept cash. This place is worth visiting for the vibed

Not just your average speakeasy. Upon entering the establishment it immediately feels as if you have been transported back in time to the prohibition era. The dim lighting helps to make it feel as if the bar is truly trying to stay under the radar from prohibition enforcement officers. If only they had a live jazz quartet playing here!

Visited a friend in New York a couple of weeks ago and we wanted to find a speak-easy type bar to start out the night. Our group for the night consisted of myself and 3 other guys. I understand the unwritten rule (a group of guys need to bring girls) for most night clubs, but this isnt a night club.I got halfway through the door and was able to see a little bit of what was inside. It looked like a nice bar, wasnt overly packed and the majority of the patrons were dressed fairly casual (like a normal bar).One of the bouncers told us we couldnt go in, pulled us over to the side and spit off a story of how they were shooting a music video and we couldnt go in for another 20 minutes. He most definitely mentioned (repeatedly) that there were a lot of women in there waiting for us, we just needed to wait 20 minutes. Three of the four of us are engaged or already married so we didnt care. However, the bouncer did tell us when we came back that we should just play it cool, pull him off to the side and give him a cool handshake with $60 cash in our hand and hed let us in. He was very specific about what a cool handshake looked like.I hate writing a bad review for a company without even seeing the inside, but as a business you should have control of your first impression to clients (in this case bouncers). An environment that promotes treating clientele like this tends to start from the top.We went to a bar a couple blocks away and had a great night, who knows, maybe the sleazy bouncer saved our night...

Cocktail menu could be a little more interesting given the speakeasy vibes, but the place is awesome. Staff is quick and attentive, the ambiance is great, even when crowded (which is hard to pull off), and we had a great time.

Excellent vibe, until they started playing queen. The purpose of a speakeasy is for setting a good, SPEAKEASY immersion. We sought this place out because of the history it has, but the 80s rock completely ruined any sense of nostalgia that you would expect with a speakeasy. Felt like a regular dive bar with the 80s music. Don’t serve cocktails in small teacups under the guise of authenticity and then play 80s rock.

What happened to this place? We waited at a table for ten minutes early on a friday and when no server came I went to order for my girlfriend and I at the bar -- then the surly server came and kicked her out of the table because I wasnt ordering from her? The place was filled with lame tourists and when they started playing Hey Jude by the beatles we left.

The aesthetic of this bar is truly charming. The vibe heading in through the original entranceway from the prohibition era is A+ speakeasy material. That being said, the appeal of this establishment quickly fades away after you stand squarely to the bar for over fifteen minutes without being served or even acknowledged by the bartenders. The gimmick I came to the Back Room for is the ghost of the past that is this authentic speakeasy. I did not come to experience what it is like to be a ghost, (invisible to the staff). After another five minutes of being a poltergeist had passed and the allure of the bar had completely vanished, my party and I decided to leave. The best part of the establishment is actually outside of the entrance. This is due in earnest to Dean. He was the bouncer/id checker for the establishment and made every prospective customer feel welcome and special. He also was witty and humorous. Two of the three stars in my rating are reserved solely for Deans incredible rapport with patrons. If only the rest of the staff were as attentive and personable as Dean.

The bar looks nice and has a great atmosphere. However, there are very few seating options. We, 6 people, had difficulty getting a seat. The security was incredibly rude and unprofessional. Furthermore, you have to order at least 2 drinks per person and credit cards are charged at least $20.

Cute speakeasy with drinks served in tea cups. Great atmosphere and friendly bartenders. Hard to find seating though.

Place is awesome, its hidden but not difficult to find. Decor is perfect and they even serve drinks in tea cups and paper bags. Only problem, its loud and always packed; takes away from the speakeasy experience.

Super cool place, must check it out.In east village with speakeasy vibe, friendly staff no coverage fees.Limited seating.

We first discovered this lower east side bar a few years ago before the Speakeasy scene really exploded and there is something about it that keeps us coming back. The entrance to the bar itself isn’t visible from the street, however, a not so incognito bouncer is lingering outside of the address to direct you to the main entrance. Once inside, you feel as though you are immediately transported to the prohibition era. This was one of the few bars that was actually operating during prohibition which could be the reason that it feels so authentic. The bartenders all dress the part, drinks are served out of tea cups and beers are wrapped in brown paper bags. The first few times we came, the scene was crowded but not overwhelming. We were still able to land a seat on one of the many plush couches surrounding the large fire place in the back of the bar. The lighting is dark, which coupled with the velvet upholstered walls and dark wood, makes for the perfect atmosphere. The music is audible but not so loud that you can’t carry on a conversation which is a welcome change from many bars. Drinks are reasonable priced for an upscale New York bar and very well made. This remains one of our favorite spots in the city and we will continue to be loyal patrons!

The ambience was excellent. Walking down the alley added to the effect enough to make my fiancé think we were in a basement. Drinks also surpassed expectations. Quite tasty and loved the teacup concept.

It was so busy we didn’t even stay but this is a really cool spot, especially when there’s live music.

So extremely rude. I had such a terrible experience, save yourself the trouble.

Is it legal to force guests to remove their hat without warning? if you are wearing a hat or cap you cannot enter the hall??? what if my hair looks bad and I don’t want to show it to everyone? what kind of humiliation? why are they forcing me?

Drinks are not super even if they’re on the cheaper side ($14). It has an awesome decor but unfortunately has not been kept up to any adequate level and the music they play (rap/pop music) absolutely ruins the vibes. It should be jazz, blues, or live music. Bouncer is not very social even on slow days. Come here only if you care about getting a drink from a bland, not particularly fancy tea cup, otherwise don’t bother.

Amazing place for a drink, if you dont want to be found. LolVery well hidden speakeasy.

The atmosphere was awesome and the idea of the prohibition was fun. The bouncers were VERY unfriendly and unwelcoming as soon as you enter, it takes away from the experience. Also the music was too loud for the small area. I loved the interior and the tea cups!

I absolutely adore Back Room! Definitely on my list of top favorite bars in the city. Theres something so fun and forbidden about stumbling down a darkened alley to enter this establishment, and the inside decor is just as whimsical. The brocade walls and rug-strewn floors give the impression that one has stumbled into an old school speak-easy. The upper level is filled with cozy couches and opulent art covering the walls. I love the cocktail presentation as well - drinks come in teacups with saucers, beers served in a brown paper bag. Such a visually exciting way to upgrade from the typical tired martini glasses or beer glasses! I had the opportunity recently to experience the coveted back back room at a Gentleman Jack tasting - a real treat - and a personal goal of mine for some time, might I add ;). This place is truly a hidden gem and every time I have come here I have a fabulous time. Its a great date spot with a lot of romanticism. Just note - those under 25 are not admitted in during the weekend (a fact I had forgotten about until my 21 year old intern reminded me of.) - still, one of my top 10 establishments to hit up on a great night out!

I had my birthday party in the private event space and it couldn’t have been more enjoyable. Perfect venue for 40+ people. Excellent service, beautiful place, and venerable vibes.

Great place. Drinks arent cheap, but they are good. Nice atmosphere. It would have gotten 5 stars from me if the music fit the theme (swing or jazz would have been nice).

I love that it’s 25+ and the history! Great place to go for a date or with friends for a night out!!

Great atmosphere but the drinks were sweet and disappointing. Taking advantage of a historic location to serve low quality drinks.

Best vibe, awesome walk up and needing to “know” the back alley door is cool. But drinks could definitely be better. Music can suck sometimes. And it’s straight up a club on the weekends, not a cocktail lounge.

One third of our party had their best cocktail ever. Ambience was spectacular, no spoilers. Ask the bartender if you can pose for their next pieces. If they give you your drink in a teacup it’s because you look like a peasant; demand better because you are a feudal lord. See you there next time!

Excellent late night spot. Hidden gem. Lots of space, great music, great people. The drinks are served in tea cups which is pretty adorable. Cool, trendy people. Stop here when the line gets too long at Hotel Chantelle.Weird tip - dont wear any fur. The bouncers wont let you in with it.

Love this place! Drinks are pricey but you’re paying for the experience of a speak easy so I don’t mind it. Would be better if there were more sitting options. It’s awkward to stand upstairs next to the band. But I will be back nonetheless!

The place is amazing, but the only problem is the service, the only person that gives a good service is the girl of the Coats, you can imagine. The bartenders are really rude.

Meh. This bar has all the makings of being something great. However once you get past the good music and ambiance, everything else here fails to deliver.The staff (other than the door man who breaks the mould) are lifeless machines. They clear your tables before you are finished and you have to watch out for them. The bar staff making drinks again dont do the cocktails justest especially if you want something off book.Now one of the big gimmicks is that they serve all the drinks in coffee cups of some description. A larger mug for beer, coffee cup for cocktails and Expresso cups for shots. Cute I know but thats where it ends. The cocktails are not cheep. And while I dont baulk at the idea of spending 14 a cocktail I do when they are not great, small and lacking in strength. There are plenty of great speakeasy bars who justify there cocktail price.These negative points unfortunately leave me to not want to come back. Such a shame.

Overpriced cocktails are par for Manhattan, but still, $14 for a 2 or 3 ounce cocktail just hurts. Nonetheless, the place was a cute and well done retro speakeasy. The fabric covered walls really added to the old timey ambiance. The entrance is down unmarked stairs that lead to an open space between buildings, then up another set of stairs at the back of that space.

The best place in new York very unique come to feel the experience

This is my favorite speakeasy type bar in New York. Very cute place and I love drinking out of the tea cups! Strong drinks too! I asked the bartender about the very back room and he said they only use that room for staff meetings now.

Great place for a low key drink early in the evening, good music and more clubby vibe later at night. Decoration is great. Sitting is reserved for table service.

Awesome place! Love the DJ, Ian Eldorado. ❤️

Place is pretty nice inside but we had to leave as soon as we got there because it was insanely hot inside (and I lived in Australia where its 40 degrees Celsius). I actually saw people using hand fans to cool off. Turn up the AC (or on)

Unique bar with aesthetic interior. Hard to find at first but gives you the full authentic experience of a speakeasy. Expansive cocktail options - would order something from their special cocktails menu.

Third time visiting and the bartenders get even worse! They are very rude , arrogant, bad tempered and make seriously bad cocktails. Yes, it’s fun but has a very mixed vibe and boarding on pretentious

Really awful and arrogant Door people and personnel !This place has changed for sure.. True thats always been a bit pretentious, but at least once had very good swing and live music too.The place still looks amazing inside but the vibe is bad!The music and crowd more than 1920s, was like hip hop Guidos.Not worth to go anymore...Overpriced- bad hip hop music and people- arrogant personnel (for no reason)-

The bar is really cool but the drinks are okay

Really rude and unprofessional staff. The bartender insulted my friend and the waitress only took orders once an hour, if that. I was honestly shocked how the bartender chose to speak to people. Avoid this bar. With the overpriced drinks, small servings, and disrespectful staff, its honestly not worth it.

This feels like the most authentic speakeasy in New York city. The decor all resembles the prohibition era. Drinks are strong, delicious, and served in tea cups. I suggest the Girl Friday. They also offer live entertainment which truly completes the scene.

Love this place but that one bouncer makes up arbitrary rules and denies people because of them (from saying the owner is a PETA activist to stating its 25+ when the place has hosted college bartending formals before). Super uncalled for and bad for the business to have some random dude on a power trip manning the door.

Steer clear of this place! I walked here with four of my friends (for my 30th birthday!!) and the bouncer turned us away because we didnt have any girls with us. Ive never heard of enrollment control for a themed bar. I could understand if it were a club, but not with a place like this. I was so angry I do not even wish to try to go back.

Super cool place but you need to be 25 to enter

Back Room is by far, the most unique speak easy lounge I have ever been to in New York City. This place brings the old days of NYC, Prohibition, The Mob and all the old stories of a time long forgotten back to life.....truly magical. Great place to bring friends or a romantic date ♡

Excellent not really hidden prohibition bar !! When you enter, you feel being back in the 40s :) Cocktail in white tea cup as you cant show alcohol. The night we came there was a live jazz band and a lot of people arrived dressed as in the 40s and began to dance beautifully.

An adorable speak easy with beautiful art and old time tapestries on the walls. Everyone must come here at least once to experience drinking out of tea cups or bottles in bags. The place was cash only the most recent time we went. Drinks are ok and a tad pricy but worth it for the experience of living during the prohibition.

Incredible service and absolutely stellar drinks. Can’t wait to come back here, it’s the perfect spot for date night!

The place itself is great and interesting, but they have some special dress code for hats and wont let you try their bookshelf hidden exit door. Way to make customers feel unwelcome.

This is a hip place, Im sitting here drinking cocktails out of tea cups listening to live jazz. Thats like hipster level 11.There is great attention to detail with the décor and atmosphere. Its got that 1920s vibe working.Drinks were pricy at 14 dollars each but there was so much alcohol in mine Id say youre getting your moneys worth.Downside not enough seating, the cocktail I had was leathal couldnt finish it.

I had been here one previous time and it was interesting, although a bit overhyped.I tried to bring some friends (all guys) back another time to have a nice quiet drink late on a Saturday, and the sleezy bouncer outside told us we would not get in without a girl, regardless of wait time. Its a speakeasy, not a dance club; I dont see why denying a $100+ bill for the bar was a smart decision, and my friends and I will not return, so that bill is just the tip of the iceberg.

First off, there is no sign on the outside. It looks like the access door to the basement of La Contenta. But that sets the stage for the speak-easy recreation. Down and up a dimly-lit set of stairs and you enter a lovely space. Drinks are served in tea cups! Quaint! Very pleasant experience.

This was fun two years ago. When you played live music that was loud enough to hear and was Jazz & classical and timeless. The teacups are cute for brunch and lunch but not like after-hours drinks or evening drinks, give people wine glasses and cocktail glasses.

Ordered one of their custom cocktails from their drink menu but the bartender added an extra ingredient not listed in the drinks description that made it taste terrible. When I asked for a replacement, I was told they don’t make replacement drinks and I should have read the (inaccurate) drink description more closely.

Very chill and cool vibe. The ambiance takes me to the 20s, especially the bookcase that opens up, but just for the employees. The only snag was the bartender who had a grouchy attitude.

I love the vibe here! So much fun dancing to the jazz band. Its busy so finding a seat might take some patience. The drinks are pricey but delicious. You are paying for the experience. No cover charge. Leave a tip the band.

Great atmosphere. But they wanted my friend to leave, because he just accidentally touched the switch and turned one of the table lamps off for 2 seconds (yeah no joke lol) such an obsessive and snobby attitude

Super cozy prohibition-era bar! It’s a whole experience, from getting there to grabbing a drink. They serve drinks on tea cups to honor the tradition to the old times. It gets busy and they only make reservations for groups of 5 or more people, so if you wanna get a place to sit, get there early!

Overall a good experience here. Music genres were all over the place and didn’t fit the vibe. Also a manager there yelling at everyone to hold their coats and not put them on the couch even if they were seated at the couches.

Not a fan of the whole drinking liquor out of a teacup. If you haven’t been here before it’s kinda hard to find, because you have to go down the stairs walk through the ally and it’s up the stairs. Overall the people at the bar was nice the music wasn’t good, and it had a wet carpet smell in there.

Speakeasy. Beautiful place. Good vibe. Drinks a little bit pricey.If you want to use a table/sofa, you have to pay for two drinks at least.

Absolutely outrageously rude staff !! Never coming back and also will say to everyone asking for recommendation to stay away. We came in at 7.30 pm. The place was half empty, just enough people to sit one person per couch. We sat down by a table and took two ottomans from neighbouring tables as there were 6 of us and not enough of sitting space at our table. The staff member came in and continuesly repeated the same sentence stating “ you have to move the furniture back” with very arrogant attitude. We asked for explanation as the place was not busy so we did not want half of us to stand .. the woman was not interested in helping us at all. She continue to refer to me per “honey” which I find also inappropriate. You may have cool location and interior but your staff is terrible.. there is too much of competition in New York for it too be enough .. terrible experience ..

The absolute best bar Ive ever been to. Finding it is an adventure in itself. Low lighting and amazing drinks served in teacups. Plus antique couches and globes that used to hide booze. Cool place!

One of the last original speakeasy remaining in NYC. Accessible through a semi-hidden courtyard in the LES, serves drinks in tea cups in a cozy and dark environment with good background music. Ideal to impress newcomers to the city or for a hidden romantic date. The cash only policy is medieval

First, the entrance. There is a gate that looks like it leads to a long dodgy hallway - You are going the correct way. Next, I am sure if I come another time, my experience would be a lot better. It was after a rainstorm, their credit card machine was down, and I was not in the best of moods. The place was a tad loud to actually have any actual conversation. The tea cups were a nice novelty, but it did not make the drink any better. If anything, it may have made it less desirable. The secret bookcase to the additional space was closed at the time of the visit.

Very cool decor but not a lot of seating. The drinks were tasty but there wasnt music playing (which I liked because you could talk) but again no seating and they dont have good places the stand, so basically everyone was in everyones way and it was hard to relax and enjoy yourself

Came here with a group of friends, the bouncers here were so aggressive and insulting they made us feel unsafe. I have never felt this way at another venue and have been to my fair share of manhattan bars. we mistakenly went into the last room, thinking it was an exit, and the bouncer was so threatening that we ran out of the room. I understand exclusivity and playing by the rules, but this was excessive and extremely uncomfortable. a really tasteless place.

Very fun experience, from trying to find the door to the contradiction between the alley entrance and the actual space -- such great history and affordable cocktails! The teacups are a fun touch as well

Place is nice but the bouncer is super weird and offensive. My friend and I waited for an Uber after we left and he forced us to let him open the doors for us and aggressively demanded a tip. I gave him 10 usd because I had no smaller bank note and I was just afraid of him because of his aggressive behavior. Ruined a nice night :(

There was a very rude lady going around monitoring how much you spent to sit down even though there was nothing plenty of open seating and not busy. Between rude staff and simple small cocktails may be worth it to skip

The back room has a cool setting, but I dont think they serve good cocktails.Its rather a nice speakeasy. Go during the week, on the weekend this is a total scene.

Very interesting place. Nice vibe/ atmosphere. The location is cool and we liked the decor. The cocktails were good. Was a nice casual place to have some drinks and good conversation.

Cool place, they really managed to maintain the prohibition era atmosphere. You feel like you step right into the past. Good selection of drinks and beer, served in cups and paper-bags.A little hard to find unless you know excatly where it is, but thats the whole point of a speakeasy, right?

A nice speakeasy in the LES that is a great place to relax with friends for the evening. Drinks are served in teacups and mugs, true to the joints Prohibition roots. Theres also a backroom to the backroom which is behind a fake bookcase, but I was told by the bouncer guarding the entrance that you have to call in advance to book the space.

Seems like it would be a cool place and maybe it is when there arent many people there. The back area is set up very poorly in terms of sitting and standing room. Either add more tables to sit at or remove them so people can stand and not get bumped into. Theres also nowhere to put your drink down when youre standing. Get that giant globe out of there and put in a standing table.

Its was unique, you drink out of tea cups and a live band was there when I went, but its a very popular place so its packed if you dont like that this place isnt for you.

Fantastic atmosphere, great place to take guest to impress. Cocktail list was not impressive in flavor or variety. We order 4 drinks to sample and none were remarkable. Easily fix though just order your regular favorite drink and relax in this historic and unique experience. They were a cash only bar the night we were there,but there is an ATM inside. I have been to at least 6 speakeasys in NYC by far this was the most visually impressive.

Once youre inside this place is 5 stars. unfortunately they have an uncharacteristic rule about not letting in groups with too many guys even when the place is dead. some friends were visiting from out of town and I was excited to take them here. our group of 4 guys and 1 girl were not allowed in because of the ratio. this was at 9 PM, 0 people in line (or even on the same block), made no sense. seems like theyre trying to be a trendy speakeasy (pretty cool) and vegas club (not cool) at the same time. really unfortunate because its great otherwise.

Very original looking speakeasy themed bar. The entrance to this place is though a small alley in the basement and then you go up to the door of the bar. I loved the ambience and the drinks. One star less than 5 stars was due to the fact that the credit card machine never worked and we needed to use the ATM. Loved the music that was being played.P.s. If you are wearing fur, they dont let you in.

Nice chill spot. Drinks are poured (free-hand and strong) in teacups for a nice Speakeasy vibe. Great music and atmosphere. Visiting from out of town but will check it out again next time!