Hidden bars in NYC have been evolving rapidly, becoming more creative with each passing year. After visiting some of the city’s most talked-about speakeasies, we put together a list of five standout spots. Chosen not just for their food and drink quality, but for how fully they commit to their themes.
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Map of 5 Hidden Bars in NYC Worth Going To
Double Chicken Please
115 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
One of only two spots to ever receive a 5-star “must-go” rating from us, Double Chicken Please’s The Coop is absolutely worth the wait. From their Key Lime Pie to Cold Pizza cocktail, the menu is packed with creative drinks that keep you coming back for more. While you’re there, don’t miss the Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Sandwich and their Popcorn Chicken. Add the dipping sauce, it’s worth the extra cost.
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Sunken Harbor Club
372 Fulton St 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Sunken Harbor Club in Brooklyn is easily one of the most immersive themed bars on this list. Located above Gage & Tollner, it delivers not only standout bar food but also some of the best tiki cocktails in NYC. Don’t miss the Zombie Punch and the PKNA both are must-orders. Please note that Sunken Harbor Club is walk-in only and can be hard to get into.
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Ask For Janice
640 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Ask For Janice is a 60s/70s-inspired hidden bar, complete with an 8-track aesthetic. Stylistically, it’s one of the best designed hidden cocktail bars in New York City. A TV inside the bar plays music videos and hosts movie nights across a range of genres including anime, adding to its laid-back nostalgic vibe. Beyond the atmosphere, Ask For Janice also serves solid food, with a light Italian menu centered around pizza, along with well-crafted cocktails.
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So & So’s Neighborhood Piano Bar
302 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
So & So’s Neighborhood Piano Bar earns its speakeasy reputation with an incredibly understated entrance. Tucked discreetly behind a T-Mobile store, this hidden NYC speakeasy blends so seamlessly into the streetscape that I nearly walked past it on my way to my reservation. The K-Pop Fries are a must-order, filled with immense spice and flavor. I also recommend the Bodega Cat cocktail which is a smooth, creamy blend of tequila and espresso with just the right touch of sweetness and spice.
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👉 Make a Reservation at So & So Piano Bar
Bar Orai
212 E 52nd St 2nd fl, New York, NY 10022
On the second floor between quaint shops and quiet apartments, Bar Orai a Japanese inspired gem is easy to miss, but absolutely worth finding. The cozy, intimate vibe, with vinyl records spinning beneath the warm glow of soft lighting, sets the stage for an unforgettable night out. Bar Orai’s menu truly shines, featuring an impressive whiskey selection alongside standout bites like savory Mentaiko Mac and Cheese and their fresh Tuna & Tamago Kimbap. This Midtown hidden gem is the kind of place you’ll wish you had discovered sooner.
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👉 Make a Reservation at Bar Orai
Honorable Mention: 929
56 E 41st St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017
Minimalist red décor that fills the entire room, creating an intimate yet striking atmosphere 929 previously located in LIC is a welcomed addition to Manhattan. A Mando-Pop inspired speakeasy, the drink menu is presented on CDs housed in a custom 929 disc case. Taiwanese flavors woven into both the cocktails and small bites, I expected the food to be good, but not this good. While it does lean on the pricier side, every dish I tried was delicious, which honestly shouldn’t come as a surprise given the team behind Gulp created 929. I recommend trying their Yuzu Soy Sauce–Cured Egg Yolk Toast and the Shanghai Summer Fling cocktail.
