New York City
12 Super-Secret Hotspots in NYC
Perfect for impressing a special date or wowing your out-of-town friends.
The Big Apple is full of gems that are literally hidden – think camouflage, subterfuge, secret passageways – and span from classic to offbeat. Perfect for impressing a special date or wowing your out-of-town friends.
Here’s a list of the best hidden hotspots in the city:
Bathtub Gin, 132 Ninth Ave., 646-559-1671
Walk toward the light – the red light that is, inside the back of the tiny Stone Street Coffee Company, indicating this speakeasy’s false-wall entrance. There’s a claw-foot copper bathtub in the middle of the bar, natch. Avoid the pitfalls of 1920s bathtub gin (such as blindness and death from wood alcohol) and instead try the Martinez or Clover Club. The bar menu is modern fusion and there’s a rockin’ DJ on weekends.
The Backroom Bar, 102 Norfolk St., 212-228-5098
One of only two Prohibition-era speakeasies still in operation in NYC, The Backroom hosted numerous actors and the occasional gangster (think Bugsy Siegel, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky) during the Roaring ‘20s. A hidden entrance, rich vintage décor, cocktails served in teacups, secret room behind the bookcase… If it was any more hidden, even we wouldn’t be able to find it!
Dylan
Definitely want to try some of these bars! What is the dress code for say, Little Branch?
Hannah Meyers
Bathtub gin is one of the greatest in NYC. Its my go-to place with my college buds. 😀
Chris Naselli
What a great resource! I’m going to use this list the next 12 dates I go on LOL
Instrata looks pretty cool. Their “Gramercy” location is more like Murray Hill though… Cool concept. More buildings should have concierges and other services like that.
Jude Vargas
Will definitely check out these places when I’m in NYC. Who knows, I may even hop from one place to another, they are all gems! 🙂
Francis Woods
The Raines Law Room and Death & CO looks so cool! I’m going to get a drink (or three) at them this weekend. Please do more articles like this!!!
Gabrielle Williams
These look so hip! But am I too old to go? What’s the average age range at these places? What should I wear??
Rebecca Givens
Fantastic list! I love checking out spots like this — you always meet interesting people at them.
Langley Fox
I’ve been to a few of these places and they’re great. It’s always impressive when someone brings me to a truly hidden gem like some of these, rather than the typical spots (like Top of the Standard, although I love it there too…)
Courtney Watson
What a great list!! I’m going to save this and check these places out one-by-one.