The Lower East Side is a place where gold is always being struck and this time, it comes in the form of inventive cocktails and seriously good bites. Known for what many call the best fried chicken sandwich in NYC, Double Chicken Please “The Coop” has hit all the right notes to cement itself as one of the city’s premier bars. After ranking No. 1 in the 2023 edition of North America’s 50 Best Bars and currently holding a top-20 spot, this upscale speakeasy continues to prove that it’s not just about the drinks. Double Chicken Please serves some of the best cocktails in NYC and some of the best food you’ll ever find at a bar. Read on as I dig into my latest experience at Double Chicken Please, one of if not the best speakeasies on the Lower East Side.
Table of Contents
The Concept Explained: Double Chicken Please Front Room vs Back Room
The exterior is low-key and doesn’t draw much attention, at least not until opening time which is when the line can stretch farther than you’d expect. I arrived early after pre-gaming at Super Bueno and ended up first in line, waiting about an hour and a half before doors opened. Inside, Double Chicken Please is split into two distinct spaces. First is the “Front Room,” which carries a more casual, modern vibe almost like a polished community bar. The Front Room (Free Range), which serves craft cocktails and is generally easier to get into than the back space, offers a lineup of inventive drinks created by staff members. Standouts like “What’s Up Doc” and “Pooh” are playful, well-balanced, and surprisingly memorable.
The other space the one you should really be aiming to get into, even if it means waiting in that long line is the Back Room known as “The Coop,” located just a few steps beyond the Front Room. The Back Room is where Double Chicken Please truly separates itself. It houses some of the most creative and impressive cocktails you’ll find anywhere in NYC. Designed with full ambient mood lighting and an unmistakable sense of upscale luxury from the bar seating to the thoughtfully curated art décor the space immediately sets the tone. The moment you step inside, you know you’re in for something unique and elevated.
Double Chicken Please Menu Breakdown & What We Ordered
The menu features a wide range of specialty cocktails and in my opinion, every single one is worth trying. With so many inventive options, you’ll likely need more than one visit to work your way through them unless you bring a partner to help you power through a few rounds of these delightful creations. When it comes to the food, I always stick to my go-tos: the fried chicken sandwich and the popcorn chicken. Both consistently deliver and prove that Double Chicken Please isn’t just a cocktail destination it’s a serious food contender as well.
Cocktails
Cold Pizza: Creative and fun. Not a huge fan of tomato-based cocktails, but the presentation and taste nailed that leftover pizza vibe. For me this was a order once for the novelty of it and may not order again due to personal preference.
French Toast: Sweet, latte-like flavor with a in-house made Oreo on the side. I loved this one and will order every time I come to Double Chicken Please.
Key Lime Pie: This cocktail tastes exactly like a key lime pie, drinking this felt as if I drank the actual pie. Highly recommend this to anyone deciding what to order.
Cold Noodle: After trying the marathon of cocktails this one felt the most refreshing with heavy notes of cucumber.
Custard Bun: Almost on par with the French Toast cocktail in terms of sweet delicious taste. Beautifully presented by the bartender to produce the bubble on top of the cocktail, makes this a must for those that want a good photo or video.
Food
Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich: Delicious and elevates the whole experience. The green sauce gives it a great kick and the portion is generous.
Popcorn Chicken (Salted Egg Yolk): A must-try that is the balance and taste needed when pairing food with the cocktails.
Is It Hard to Get a Reservation at Double Chicken Please?
As one of the most challenging reservations to secure, Double Chicken Please reservations offer 80% walk-in availability, with only 20% available through online booking. Times for these coveted reservations are mostly in time ranges after 9 pm. Be aware that the reservation you want to book is for The Backroom “The COOP” not the Front Room “Free Range” bar, which will not include the signature cocktails.
The Takeaway: Is Double Chicken Please Worth It?
Overall Must-Go Rating: 5/5 💫
Keep in mind that each patron is allowed 1.5 hours at your table, which feels fair as the staff will allow you additional time if you’re still ordering food & drinks, not just strictly hanging out. This is very useful as they will try to help you choose the ordering of cocktails and provide advice for those of us stuck deciding what to order next.
Looking for another bar in the Manhattan area that is a clear winner in almost every aspect read our review about 929. Please check out our POV video below, and for more videos, check out our TikTok or videos page.
Double Chicken Please Hours
| Day | Hours |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5pm – 1am |
| Wednesday | 5pm – 1am |
| Thursday | 5pm – 1am |
| Friday | 5pm – 1:30am |
| Saturday | 5pm – 1:30am |
| Sunday | 5pm – 12am |
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