Speak-easy’s of New York

Having a slight obsession with cocktails and being in the original city of the Prohibition bar we decided to spend two evenings trying some of the best speak-easy’s out…

Beauty & Essex

Located in the south of East Village on 146, Essex Street (even in NYC you can’t keep the Essex girl out of Essex!) this restaurant/lounge hidden at the back of a Pawn Shop was one of our favourite eats. A tapas like menu this was a great sharing dinner accompanied by some delicious unique cocktails.

Cocktails of Choice:

• The Bajan D’usse cognac, the Real McCoy 12yr rum, amaro, lemon nectar, lime, angustora, prosecco
• The Woodsman Woodford Reserve bourbon, allspice dram, maple syrup, lemon, muddled pears

Death & Co

In 1919 the Volstead Act brought a swift end to nightlife and the refined craft of the American Bartender was outlawed. It was thought that to drink alcohol was to live a life shadowed by death and that these were death and company. Located on 433 E 6th St hiding behind distinct wooden doors you need to keep an eye out for the ‘Death and Co’ wording written into the concrete in front of the door to know you’re in the right place. With an intimate, low-lit interior we managed to get a seat at the bar - watch your cocktails being made in all their glory!

Cocktail of Choice:

•   Some weird sin Smith & Cross Rum, Ron Zacapa 23yr Rum, Old Grand Dad 114 Bourbon, Ramazzotti, Lustau “San Emilio” Pedro Ximenez Sherry, Cinnamon, Bitter Truth Moroccan Bitters

Employees Only

Found on 510 Hudson St, fronted by a neon ‘Psychic’ sign and tarot card reader seated at a small table in the entrance, behind the curtain is revealed one of NYC best hidden bars and it was definitely our favourite. The atmosphere was the lively, relaxed and friendly as those lining the bar shared their thoughts on the best of the menu and what to try next. With so much choice we had to stay for two!

Cocktails of Choice:

• Fraise Sauvage Fords Gin shaken with wild strawberries and Tahitian Vodka, finished with EO Prosecco di Conegliano Brut
• Ginger Smash Muddled Ginger Root and Fresh Pineapple, shaken with Cana Brava Rum, Maraschino Liqueur and fresh lime juice

Little Branch

Little Branch maintained the most anonymity of all the speak-easy’s we tested out by dwelling underneath an unmarked door on the corner of Leroy and 7th Ave South. At the bottom of a staircase underground this candle-lit bar was just getting ready to get going with a jazz band setting up to play later on. Its menu was light in options, but mainly because the best way to enjoy this bar is to ask for the Bartenders Choice where they make you a cocktail based on what you like, then you can sip it whilst nibbling on their free pretzels. Just remember its cash only!

  Cocktail of Choice:

• Bartender’s Choice – ask them to make you one!

PDT

The most famous of the speak-easy bars in NYC and because of this Please Don’t Tell is hard to get into! We didn’t take the advice of all the reviews which is to call at 3pm to book at table, and turned up on the off chance at about 11.30pm. Hidden inside hot dog shop Crif Dogs (look for the giant plastic hot dog sign!) at 113 St. Marks Place, the entrance is via an old telephone booth. Dial once for the waitress to let you through. Sadly it was an hour’s wait for a table so we gave it a miss but if we go back we’ll definitely call in advance!