And now for something completely different: Sunshine Laundromat! Tucked away off the beaten path in Brooklyn, this dive bar brings pinball nostalgia to the forefront as the main attraction. The laid back bar doesn’t serve liquor but has many craft beers, ciders, and a frosé on tap. Unfortunately when we went the washer door you enter through was broken, but you did walk through a functioning laundromat and through a washer door to get in, very gimmicky, very fun! Be ready to lose a lot of money playing the pinball machines though, it’s addicting and you want to just hang out for hours.
NYC Speakeasy
SubscribeThe Garret West – Speakeasy Inside of FiveGuys
Looking for no tourists, no kitch, and somewhere effortlessly cool? Head to the back of this FiveGuys and disappear before everyone’s eyes as you head up the secret stairwell to Garret West. With lots of windows and skylights, this lighting in this bar is fantastic in the afternoon; something to separate this hidden bar from most dark speakeasies. The atmosphere has its own unique aesthetic, the best way to describe is chic grunge. It’s upscale yet relaxed, a perfect getaway for a good drink.
Garfunkel’s Speakeasy
One of the coziest speakeasies we’ve ever encountered was Garfunkel’s. If you’re looking for a warm atmosphere, excellent cocktails, and a new place to call home, look no further. The place is so well hidden we couldn’t even find it at first, finally figured out which restaurant to enter and got in upstairs. To exit you leave through a separate door, so make sure to take note of the cool entrance because we missed our photo opportunity! Such a lovely place to relax with friends or snuggle up on a romantic date. This is a top notch neighborhood bar, bonus that it’s so secret.
Attaboy NYC Speakeasy
Walking into Attaboy off the street feels like entering your friends sophisticated basement. This speakeasy is very laid back and neighborly. There is no menu and you’re left to the bartenders will based off what you generally like, so if you’re picky, be specific. Each drink is made with flair, and they are very strong with no snacks available so be warned!
Dutch Kills | NYC Speakeasy
When you locate Dutch Kills in Long Island City, it will not look like you’d expect. There is a little neon “bar” sign outside of a grubby dive bar looking wall. If the sign is on you can go on in and find a completely different atmosphere inside.
NYC Joints that Missed the Mark
For a city that has such a vast list of secret drinking dens, they can’t all be high brow. We have so many speakeasies picked to visit each trip to New York that we’ve had to become quite selective with where to stay and spend at least $17 a cocktail.
Dear Irving Speakeasy NYC
The sophisticated glitz and glamor of Manhattan can best be found nestled near Gramercy park at Dear Irving. This chic hideaway is sister bar to Raines Law Room, another Manhattan favorite of ours, but where Raines is intimate in its darkness, Dear Irving sets the mood with passionate lighting, crystal curtains, and gold accents.
The Cauldron NYC
It’s not every day you get to relive a magical experience in a whole new way. When we heard that The Cauldron (which was originally just a tiny pop up bar in NYC for a limited time) was now upping the ante and creating a new master potions class, Potion Making 2.0, we jumped at the chance to experience it first!
12 Best NYC Speakeasy Bars
If you’re looking to find the best NYC Speakeasy, you’ve come to the right place. The Big Apple is famous for having a growing number of speakeasies and hidden bars. Here are 12 of our favorites!
UES | New York City Speakeasy
Hidden within the storage room of an actual ice cream shop on the Upper East Side you will find a top notch bar exploding with candy and color. The line we saw outside of UES. looked like people hungrily awaiting ice cream in the 40 degree weather…but we knew better.
Little Branch | NYC Speakeasy
Little Branch NYC Speakeasy leaves much open to your imagination, the name revealing no hint of what you will find hidden below the door jutting off the corner of two streets meeting. The door gives nothing away as it is only marked by a tiny metal placard inscribed “Little Branch” letting you at least know you’ve found the right place if you knew where to look to begin with.
The Cauldron | Harry Potter Pop Up Bar NYC
Originally located in London, this bar is themed from all of our favorite fantasy realms. Though not affiliated with any individual brand, lovers of Tolkien’s Lord of The Rings, Aaronovitch’s River of London, or our personal favorite, J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter will all gaze in wonder at the experience which is The Cauldron.