Speakeasies in NYC

I enjoy the Benton's Old Fashioned at PDT quite a bit - and drank enough of them as I use it as a date place often enough. I'd like to frequent more but Woodson & Ford has since been shut down and I'm not sure about the protocol to get into M&H.

I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could point me in the direction of new places to check out, or PM'ing me details to M&H if possible. I have a date with an old friend whom I haven't seen in many years and would love to take her out to one of these places, even if it is a bit novel.

Thanks in advance for any help!



-Jon

The speakeasy craze is dying down a bit, and in some cases, for good reason. The drinks are up in price, $20 at M&H, and often times lacking in quality. That said...if you are in Brooklyn, Smith St. offers a lot. Both Clover Club and Brooklyn Social (and there new place, Henry Public, on Henry) are very good, with Clover Club being more ideal for the lady folk IMO. If Brooklyn scares her, Ward III on Reade Street in Tribeca is very nice, $12 per drink with some innovative ones. Flatiron lounge is great if you will be closer to midtown..but it can get crowded later in the week. Pegu Club on Houston is the classic as far as new wave cocktail places in NYC go. I work downtown...wish I had an excuse (and the $$$) to go more often!

Death and Company has excellent drinks.

For my money (and taste) the quality of the cocktail at Death is the best in the City. But the experience for a date might not be that amazing. Pegu is gorgeous inside, but the drinks leave me flat -- limited to no 'pop.' Why not Angel's Share? Haven't been in quite some time. Would be my choice after PDT for a date, not counting Milk, where I haven't bothered as of yet.

~ H

Yawn, a played out concept most cherished by those that prefer style over substance. I guess this would be the forum for it, though.

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

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Yawn, a played out concept most cherished by those that prefer style over substance. I guess this would be the forum for it, though.
I like cocktails. A lot. They are one of my primary hobbies, in fact. The speakeasy shtick may be a little too...theatrical for me, but it does have two still-valuable aspects: 1) You can get a decent drink. Do you have any idea how many 'decent' bars that are not into the 'scene' cannot make a half-decent Manhattan? It is not hard! This shocks me. 2) Places like PDT never feel crowded. I do not do crowded. I do not do music so loud that I cannot hear my companion. So the less people who, within boundaries, go the happier I am. ~ H

No love for Employees Only? It's been a while since I was there but it was a good place at 1AM on a Wednesday.

Other good places from my youth - the bar at Alta on 10th Street and the Sidecar above PJ Clarkes on 55th and 3rd.

Angel's Share
bFlat

Death & Co. has the best cocktails in the City. It might be a little "dark" for a date though.

Originally Posted by Huntsman

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I like cocktails. A lot. They are one of my primary hobbies, in fact. The speakeasy shtick may be a little too...theatrical for me, but it does have two still-valuable aspects:

1) You can get a decent drink. Do you have any idea how many 'decent' bars that are not into the 'scene' cannot make a half-decent Manhattan? It is not hard! This shocks me.

2) Places like PDT never feel crowded. I do not do crowded. I do not do music so loud that I cannot hear my companion.

So the less people who, within boundaries, go the happier I am.

~ H

Fair enough, just not worth the ridiculous mark-up (on top of the already ridiculous mark-up on alcohol). It just screams try-hard to me, much like waiting in line at clubs in Meatpacking. That said, I wouldn't know about decent drinks as I keep with the basics when I go out (mostly beer).

thank you all for the help!

i went to angel's share last night with a buddy of mine - we'll be sure to hit up more suggestions over the next couple weeks


i had a whisky cocktail first and i was not a fan... too much ginger and spices, not enough bite

i followed it up with a bowmore 12 year on the rocks - i don't see it often at the bars i frequent so it was a very pleasant surprise. delicious and earthy with just enough peatiness.

then washed it down with a maker's and split to a party. seemed like a great date place, will be sure to revisit after i check out more places.

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

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Fair enough, just not worth the ridiculous mark-up (on top of the already ridiculous mark-up on alcohol). It just screams try-hard to me, much like waiting in line at clubs in Meatpacking. That said, I wouldn't know about decent drinks as I keep with the basics when I go out (mostly beer).
I'm not near enough to NYC or there often enough to know what 'regular' bars charge, but in the nearest capital city to me, your average 'nice' bar is running $13-15 for a Maker's Manhattan that is an absolute abortion, while the 'speakeasy' type bars are running $14-16. I'm down with the extra buck or two to have a huge leap in my enjoyment of the evening. De gustibus. Beer, unless it's a Belgian really doesn't do it for me. Honestly it's simpler and better to keep to the basics most places because the drinks are crap. You have to realize I'm a bit of a country boy. First time I was in MePa, I walked past the Gansevoort and saw the incredible line to get up to Plunge, and I thought, some day I will try this. There must be something incredible that everyone is waiting for. So I did. But I'm not a line guy, so next time I was in the City I stayed at the Gansevoort, and up I went. What a waste. Spent like 10 minutes there, left and went to PDT. Had a great night. ~ H

Originally Posted by jon bones

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thank you all for the help! i went to angel's share last night with a buddy of mine - we'll be sure to hit up more suggestions over the next couple weeks i had a whisky cocktail first and i was not a fan... too much ginger and spices, not enough bite i followed it up with a bowmore 12 year on the rocks - i don't see it often at the bars i frequent so it was a very pleasant surprise. delicious and earthy with just enough peatiness. then washed it down with a maker's and split to a party. seemed like a great date place, will be sure to revisit after i check out more places.
If you are a fan of spirits/scotch: Brandy Library.

Originally Posted by Huntsman

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If you are a fan of spirits/scotch: Brandy Library.


+1, its a lot of fun.

little branch is a good date place. Laid back, jazz music, good drinks.

What is speakeasy and PDT for the ignorant?