Speakeasies are one of my favorite things about living near New York. I’ve worked my way through a lot of them over the years, with friends, girlfriends, my husband, and the occasional double date, and these six are the ones I’d send anyone to. If you only remember one line from this post, make it this: go to Raines Law Room if you can get in, and George Bang Bang if you can’t.
A quick note on price before we start. These all land in the same range, which is to say Manhattan cocktail prices. Expect about $25 to $30 per cocktail on average, so plan for two drinks to cost what a nice dinner entrée would.
Raines Law Room, Chelsea
If I could only send you to one bar in the city, it’d be this one. Raines Law Room is behind an unmarked door at 48 West 17th Street, between Fifth and Sixth, and inside it feels like a favorite gathering spot for British gentlemen, all low lighting and old-world parlor rooms. I went with friends, and it’s the kind of place where the conversation just gets better as the night goes on.
Order the Amber Old Fashioned. The catch is that it’s the hardest bar on this list to get into. Book on Resy, where reservations open about two to three weeks ahead, and they only hold your table for 15 minutes, so don’t be late. Walk-ins are taken only when there’s space. If Chelsea is full, they have a second location at The William hotel on East 39th Street, near Grand Central.
George Bang Bang, Koreatown
This is my backup pick, and honestly it’s a great first choice too. George Bang Bang is at 13 East 30th Street, and the fun part is the entrance. You walk through Okdongsik, the Korean restaurant next door, and go through a disguised wall at the back. I went with girlfriends, but it would be just as good for a date. It’s moody and red-lit, with a long, low bar.
Get The Most Beautiful Moment in Life. The cocktail menu is named after movies, and there are bar snacks like honey butter chips if you want something to share. Walk-ins are very doable here, and it’s also on Resy if you’d rather be safe.
Undercote, Flatiron
Undercote sits underneath COTE, the Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse at 16 West 22nd Street. It’s pricey and it feels luxurious, with a dark, plant-filled jungle vibe that makes you forget you’re underground in Manhattan. I’ve been with girlfriends and with my husband, and it works for both.
I’d recommend the Grasshopper or the Feisty. Undercote doesn’t take reservations, so walk in, and know they only seat complete parties, with the largest tables seating six. It’s closed on Sundays. If you’re planning a nice night out, having dinner at COTE first and heading downstairs after is a very easy way to do it.
Osamil Upstairs, Koreatown
Osamil is a Korean gastropub at 5 West 31st Street, and the bar is on the second floor of the same building, literally called Osamil Upstairs. It’s cozy, with leather furniture and a library feel, and the bar itself only has about a dozen seats. I’ve been on a date and with friends, and it’s one of those places where you sink into a chair and stay longer than you planned.
Order the Upstairs or the Harubang. Walk-ins are doable, and you can also book by phone or on Resy. It’s open every night, until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Since you’re already in Koreatown, it’s an easy add-on after dinner nearby.
Highball Ltd, Midtown East
Highball Ltd is on the 11th floor of an office building at 708 Third Avenue, a few blocks from Grand Central. Look for the freight elevator entrance with a red light on Third Avenue, and a doorman will send you up. The interior is very pretty, inspired by an old luxury train car, and the space is large, so it has a real group vibe. I went with a girlfriend, but this is where I’d bring a bigger crew.
As the name suggests, highballs are the thing here. Try one of their house highballs, like the Fresa Fizz. One important catch: it’s only open Monday through Friday, 5 to 10 p.m., so it’s an after-work spot, not a weekend one. They take reservations on Resy and hold some seats for walk-ins, and for groups larger than eight you’ll need to email them ahead.
UES, Upper East Side
UES is the most playful bar on this list. It’s at 1707 Second Avenue, and from the street it’s an ice cream shop. The bar is the “Storage Room” in the back, behind a door covered in ice cream cartons. The cocktails are named after Upper East Side places and landmarks, and they lean creative and sweet. I went on a double date, and it was a fun night.
My orders were I Left My Heart in Yorkville and The East Is Bananas (yes, it’s spelled out B-A-N-A-N-A-S on the menu). Walk-ins are welcome, but they highly encourage reservations, and I’d book. The Storage Room is open Wednesday through Sunday only, and they’re strict about ID: bring a physical one, since photos aren’t accepted. To be honest, I think UES might be a little overrated compared to the others here. The concept is the main draw, so if you love creative, sweet drinks and a gimmick, you’ll have a great time. If you only have one night, go to Raines Law Room instead.
Which one should you pick?
| Bar | Neighborhood | Vibe | Best for | Getting in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raines Law Room | Chelsea | British parlor, classic | Friends, a special night | Hardest; book on Resy 2 to 3 weeks out |
| George Bang Bang | Koreatown | Moody, red-lit | Girlfriends, dates | Walk-in doable; Resy available |
| Undercote | Flatiron | Luxe jungle, pricey | Girlfriends, couples | Walk-in only, complete parties |
| Osamil Upstairs | Koreatown | Cozy library, leather chairs | Dates, small groups | Walk-in doable; phone or Resy |
| Highball Ltd | Midtown East | Pretty, spacious | Groups | Resy or walk-in; weekdays only |
| UES | Upper East Side | Playful, creative | Double dates, sweet-drink fans | Reservations recommended; Wed to Sun |
A few practical notes
All of these are 21+, so bring an ID, and make it a physical one for UES. None of them has a strict dress code on its website, though Raines Law Room asks guests to skip anything too revealing, and dressing up a little always fits the mood. Check opening days before you go, since Undercote is closed Sundays, Highball Ltd is weekdays only, and UES is Wednesday through Sunday. Weeknights are always easier than Friday and Saturday, especially for the walk-in spots. And if you’re doing two in one night, George Bang Bang and Osamil Upstairs are only a block apart in Koreatown.
Writing this out, I realized almost every bar on this list comes with a different crew attached: my friends at Raines, my girlfriends at George Bang Bang, my husband at Undercote, a double date at UES. Maybe that’s the real reason I keep going back. The drinks are great, but the best part of a hidden bar is who you find it with.