Find These Hidden Gems... If You Can: 7 Secret Bars You Need to Discover This Fall in NYC

Speakeasies. There really isn't anything like them. 

Tucked in back corners of restaurants, hidden in alleys and in the back corners of hotels, there's nothing like their intimate seclusion to really remind us that alcohol was, at one point, illegal.

 If what you want for your evening on the town is a cozy, small and elegant bar with specially crafted cocktails and decorative interiors, then one of these hidden bars is probably the spot for you.

Whether you're looking to catch up with pals, you're on a third date with a hottie you met online, or it's your two-year anniversary with your significant other, see how many of the hidden bars below you can make it to.

If you love these spots, we mean really love them, check out these hidden speakeasies in NYC and these hidden bars and restaurants, too. 

And then don't forget to visit these 7 hidden bars in New York City we've listed below.


1. Apothéke (9 Doyers Street #1)

bosserman_nyc Mixology Academy.. and now I'm drunk at 4PM in Chinatown..... @apothekenyc #apothekenyc

Prepared with local and organic produce or picked directly from their rooftop herb garden, all Apothéke 's cocktails are entirely wholesome and its ambiance is wholly theatrical.

Inspired by the artistic influence of absinthe dens in 19th century Paris and concocted by mixologists in white lab coats, visiting Apothéke is a one-of-a-kind experience. Their menu is composed of a prescription list with their specialty cocktails.

Whether it's root of the earth, mayan summer, or desert rose, you can bet your bottom dollar their cocktails will be top notch.

Find this place by wandering down a hidden street in Chinatown next to the oldest dim sum restaurant in NYC. Order your exotic and organic cocktail, and take your first dramatic sip. Your life will never be the same. 


2. Dutch Kills (27-24 Jackson Avenue - Queens)

notchristine Dutch Killing it. #DutchKills #NYC


Located in Long Island City, this cocktail bar is located just south of the 59th Street Bridge. From the outside you see only a flickering "BAR" sign, but upon entrance you're instantly aware you're about to have a blast.

At Dutch Kills they use strictly top shelf liquor. They also cultivate a sophisticated but unpretentious ambiance which makes for a truly fantastic speakeasy. 

The thing about Dutch Kills is that its cocktails are every bit as fabulous as every hidden cocktail bar in Manhattan, but they're infinitely less expensive. 

Their happy hour goes down between 5 and 7 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. Plus, they've got metal straws. When have you ever seen that before?


3. Auction House (300 East 89th Street)

jxbennett32 Round 2 #auctionhousenyc


Looking for a date spot that doesn't involve a packed, sweaty bar where you can't move around or hear your date?

Perfect, then get to Auction House for your next intimate evening, known widely across the globe as the best first date spot in NYC.

Located on the Upper East Side, this speakeasy gem is hidden inside a completely nondescript exterior. They've got red velvet couches, Old Fashion's, paintings of naked people, and a marble fireplace.

Their drinks are delicious. While not wildly expensive, be warned that at $12 a pop, they will set you back. All-in-all, Auction House a nice atmosphere, cool mirrors and antique lamps. Plus a rocking party vibe.


4. Nitecap (120 Rivington Street)

natashadavidxo This is the Blonde Rosie made with Aperol, Krogstad Aquavit, Creme de Cacao, Orgeat and Raspberries. @delishnick came up with this delightful treat as an ode to his lovely wife-- a bartenders version of a #LoveLetter💗 Come by @nitecapnyc tonight and slurp on one these... @AperolUSA #nitecapnyc #Nitecap #les #cocktails #SundayIsForLovers Photo Credit: @wagtouicz


This very bar is holed a way in a basement and filled to the brim with intimate music.

Nitecap is pricey but excellent, and every single one of their seemingly endless list of cocktails are unique and creative. Its vibe is a collision of friendly and chill, and they serve cocktails like "Simply Irresistible" and "Cuddle Buddy."

If you're a cocktail aficionado, Nitecap is a great place to bring your hot date. Perhaps the best quality about this LES speakeasy is that it never gets too crowded, even if it's a Friday night. So keep it on the down low, will ya?

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5. Lovers of Today (132 1/2 East 7th Street)

ameliepichard Bar Best name #loversoftoday #pinkybar with my cowboy & cowgirl @thesabahdealer @cargnelotte


With poetic cocktails like "Waterloo Sunset," "Handsome Devil" and "Marquee Moon," Lovers of Today is a speakeasy with a dearth of attitude and a lot amazing cocktail choices. They've also got an extensive list of beers too!

Their happy hour is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day, and during this time their specialty cocktails are half-priced. So we'd recommend going during those hours, since we all love half-priced cocktails, right?

It's right around the corner from the East Village bar Niagra, right down the stairs. While its interior is sort of small, it's a pretty dope feel. It won't be hard to very quickly forget that you're not drinking in the 1920s.


6. Lantern's Keep (49 West 44th Street)

glitterstruck Amazing #prohibition style #cocktails #LanternsKeep #midtown #nyc #girlsnight #bourbon #drinkup #fancypants


Tucked away in the Iroquois Hotel in Midtown West, Lantern's Keep once again proves that midtown doesn't completely suck.

It's cozy and elegant while avoiding snobbery, which is no small feat. They've got outstanding cocktails and a classy, intimate vibe. Their menu is more like a book than a menu, which gives you an idea of how many cocktail options they've got.

It's a cozy date spot with pricey yet delectable cocktails. Dimly lit with candles, this gem is certainly cozy. Did someone say third date spot?


7. Brooklyn Social (335 Smith Street - Brooklyn) 

carlmmorton Pub


Brooklyn Social's got a bumping jukebox and amazing cocktails, which at $10 a pop are comparatively affordable. 

They only take cash, so hit the ATM before you hit this intimate bar. This fun and lively spot is the perfect place to hit with a date before you fall into everlasting love. It's got a great ambiance, a dimly lit interior, and it's slightly difficult to find on the street. So believe in yourself!

They've also got a pool table in the back, if you want to get a little competitive with it. For a trendy spot with handmade specialty cocktails that'll get you dizzily tipsy, hit Brooklyn Social on your next night out.

Check out 7 Wonderfully Hidden Escapes You Should Definitely Discover This Fall in NYC

[via Reddit]

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