NYC is a city that embraces the speakeasy culture. There is just something about the an expertly crafted cocktail. Many of the bars we included on our list also offer non-alcoholic options, so that anyone can partake in the ritual of cozying into a sexy dimly lit speakeasy for a quiet moment of celebration and connection.
If you want to party like it’s 1929, here are the best NYC speakeasies for an unforgettable wedding day cocktail.
01
Please Don’t Tell is such a vibe – I’d even go so far as to say it’s iconic. PDT New York is in the East Village, and you enter via a phone booth inside Crif Dogs, a hot dog restaurant next door. Pick up the phone, say the word, and voila, you’re in. The whole concept is designed in a way that’s authentic to the traditional speakeasies of the past, which we love.
Inside, moody lighting, sexy cocktails, and great hospitality await you. I honestly can’t think of a more fun place to end your elopement adventure than one of the best-hidden cocktail bars in NYC.
02
Another East Village speakeasy that we just can’t get enough of is Death and Co. Until Death Do Us Part. This cocktail bar only opened in 2007, but has quickly picked up lots of acclaim (including Best American Cocktail Bar in 2010). Bar staff serve drinks in bow ties and suspenders – they seriously deliver and you’ll never have a bad drink here. Any cocktail lover will be in heaven.
03
Shut the front door – there’s a speakeasy in NYC’s subway?! Yup! Whether you’re a native New Yorker or visiting from overseas, you gotta admit that nothing is more iconic than a hidden bar behind a subway turnstile.
La Noxe is tucked away behind a door within the 28th Street station in the Chelsea area of Manhattan. Swanky velvet couches, sweet tunes, and delicious drinks… Sounds like the perfect NYC elopement to us! You’ll have such a badass time, you won’t want to leave.
04
Be sure to stop into Basement Chinatown when you’re in the city. This unique underground bar is all about games, drinks, and food – think old-school arcade games, beer pong, darts, and the obligatory neon signs.
There’s a great selection of Japanese whiskeys, and the bartenders are super knowledgeable. Basement is on Mott Street in Chinatown, and it’s open seven days a week. While you’re in this part of the city, you’ll also find amazing alleyways, food hawkers, and vibrant energy. We take a lot of our couples to Chinatown for wedding day photos. Come to Basement to celebrate afterward.
05
OK, so this is literally the best/coziest/most inviting bar in the West Village. You can come intending to jave one drink and find yourself still there hours later. The West Village is just so charming – historic townhomes, cobblestoned streets, and art, culture, and music everywhere you look.
Like all good speakeasies, the Garret is a bit hard to find. You’ll walk through a Five Guys (midnight snack, anyone?), then up a hidden staircase in the back of the restaurant. Once inside, you’ll love the exposed brick walls, comfy barstools, and friendly staff.
The Garret West isn’t luxurious or pretentious – but that’s what we like about it. It’d be a great place for small groups to celebrate after an NYC micro-wedding, too.
If reading this has left you keen for a cocktail and an awesome elopement, let us do the planning for you. We know all the best spots and can’t wait to set you up with the NYC elopement adventure of a lifetime!
We are super excited to help you bring your elopement dreams to life. Drop us a line and schedule your consultation call.
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