The Back Room

This place just plain sucks. i don’t get it. its like hipster/​yuppie meets midtown manhattan prices. I mean if i want a dive bar with non-​friendly bar tenders, ill go to some hole in the wall in Williamsburg and get a beer and a shot for $ 6.00
$ 7.00 for a draft harpoon served in a coffee mug at 11 ounces??? are you insane?
simple cocktails served in your standard diner coffee cup with saucer such as jack and coke for $ 10 and your high end cocktails at $ 14??? you guys must be on something.
oh and the $ 25.00 credit card minimum?
insanity! I will not be back.

Oh oh oh. Qué linda experiencia visitar este lugar. Uno de los pocos bares speakeasy, si no es el único, que queda en NY de la época de la prohibición.
Llegás a la dirección y tenés que prestar atención para descubrir la puerta abierta que conduce– como no podía ser de otra manera– a unas escaleras hacia abajo, atravesás un pasillo apenas iluminado para terminar desembocando en un patio– con otro tramo de escaleras– abrir una puerta y ¡pum! La década del 20 te da un golpe en la cara con su música, su estética y un lugar que le hace honor a su nombre «El cuarto de atrás».
Cálido, intimista, con tragos ofrecidos en tazas como «antes» y (justo cuando fui yo) con una banda de jazz hermosa sonando en vivo, la experiencia fue muy buena.
La carta es relativamente variada y con los precios habituales para un cóctel en NY. Va una estrella menos porque la verdad es que tomé tragos mucho más ricos en otros bares.
Aunque vale absolutamente la pena visitar este espacio, mientras sorbés tu trago y te dejás enamorar por el sonido del jazz, los susurros y ecos de los que hablan bajito, como en secreto.

Stumbled into this speakeasy without realizing it was even a speakeasy. Not until we passed through the gates and down through the alleyway to get to the main entrance. It’s not entirely deceive though considering how there are two guys out front checking IDs and if the follow the noise you’ll get there just fine.
Way overpacked. I expected limited capacity like most speakeasies so that there’s just enough room for everyone to get a seat. Nope, around 10pm there were already groups of people standing around. More people kept filing in through the hour. Man the struggle was so real to even get to the bar and order our drinks. It took a good 10−15minutes before we finally got our drinks. At that capacity, the bar area should not be a place for you to hang out!
Nice range of $ 12-​$ 14 cocktails. I got the Ruby Slipper, citrus blend with bubbly prosecco. Pinky’s out because they’ve got this charming idea serving all their cocktails in small teacups. These teacups are definitely mad for sipping because I finished my drink so fast. Overall a decent experience, but it was getting too crowded for comfort and we didn’t want to stand all night so we left for more drinks elsewhere.

Definitely a cool place and it will wow your out of town guests. It’s the only speakeasy that has continuously operated since prohibition, so it feels realistic– the place even serves drinks in teacups and paper bags. I thought the cocktails were mediocre and a little weak, and the place gets really crowded on weekends to the point where it’s overwhelming to get to the bar. It can take up to 30 minutes to get a drink or close out your tab when it’s busy. I recommend going once for the experience and to get that cool speakeasy feel, but the quality of the drinks won’t keep me running back.

The first time I came to this bar was around ²⁰⁰⁸⁄₂₀₀₉. Since that time, I have always brought family and friends back to this clever little speak-​easy in the Lower East Side. If your taking someone there for the first time, your sort of clutch for having known of it. Some say its difficult to find, but if you know where to look, you can spot it easily. The décor is only something you may see in those «old money» type of homes, the ones with skeet shooting and a bush maze to boot. The setting of this scene would be in the library if I were to make a guess.
Your drinks are served in tea-​cups and you can disperse of them in large globes throughout the spot. The music can get loud and you need to be aggressive to get to the bar and order your drinks. In the few times that I have been, the music has been a mix of anything you can bob your head to. There are servers who are attentive throughout the establishment after you find a table or an area to sit and kick it.
Overall, its a pretty neat spot to stop in and have a few drinks when your in town. If your driving, park on the other side of Delancey and walk over.

Whoa, nothing like a sketchy alley to the back room to make you feel like this is (and it is) a legit speakeasy. The gate is creepily open to invite you into a tiny alley that looks like Batman would fight local scum in! Actually it probably isn’t even that wide.
Then you go up some stairs and boom there’s the backroom opening right up to the bar that’s usually overcrowded. Then there are your $ 14 tea cup drinks. Not sure how I felt about the actual drink, but the tea cup concept was unique and actually not too bad to drink these standard cocktails out of. Whoa, but really $ 14? Maybe I’m just a NYC newbie.
The only complaint is because it is a real speakeasy with music to match you find an eclectic crowd and large groups that make seating here quite difficult. If you’ve read other reviews you’ve heard about how people upstairs will hunt for open bar seating or couch seating upstairs like a hawk while holding a teacup and saucer.
Funny. Unique. Scared at first, but definitely a good experience. Check it out.

Guest review by Grace Gavilanes: The drinks were expensive, which might be my only complaint ($ 14, whaaaaat!?) The ambience was super cool, very retro. I’m also a really big fan of anything related to tea and/​or tea parties, so the cups were a plus for me.

Thanks to all the Unilocal reviews I knew exactly what to look for to find this place. We were here pretty early for NYC standards (9:30pm) and the place was closed for a private party. The bouncer was really nice and said we could come back in an hour when the party was done and suggested the place next door to have a drink while we waited. When the hour passed, I jumped up excited to finally get into this place (the last two speakeasy bars I tried earlier that night had already been at capacity).
Walked down the steps and into an alley way (i’m in awe already). When we reach inside its dark, old school’ish, good music and just a vibe of being a super cool place I knew I would enjoy. My b/​f and I take a quick walk around to check the place out before it got too crowded. I remember a fire place, velvet couches, bookshelves, etc. I tried getting into the back room of the back room but was told there was a private family party happening there so we couldn’t get in (bummer). Went over to the coat check and asked the girl about that secret room and she gave me quite the snooty attitude and said not everyone can get in there. Well okay then!
There are no servers so you have to go the bar to get your drinks. bar was crowded and it took quite a few minutes to get a drink. We both had The Bees Knees (honey vodka, ginger liqueur, lemon juice). OMG SO DELICIOUS! It was served in a teacup. The b/​f and I were having such a good time listening to the music and talking that I didnt realized when the place got so crowded but it did.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time here and would definitely come back.

Ah, nothin’ like going to a real speakeasy from back in the day! I loved going through the little gate, down the stairs and through a creepy alley way. Haha. Good times!
I’m bummed that I missed the speakeasy within the speakeasy though-I’ll have to go back for it! The drinks are interesting, though not as sweet as I like ‘em to be. But yay to cute teacups to drink out of!

I literally stumbled onto this place by total chance. I had no idea it was there or that it was on an episode of Broad City. I had just finished dinner nearby and was milling about with my companions when out of the blue we decided to see where this one alley leads. Typically this would be unadvisable in NYC, to just wonder down dark alleyways late at night, but I already had a few drinks in my so… what the heck, right? Next thing I know I’m thrown back in time to an original speakeasy complete with swing dancing and suspenders. It was magical and a complete surprise.
Now for the deets: The night I went there were no servers so all orders were to be given at the bar. The bar was also cash only. They do have an ATM in the back next to the men’s room. As previously stated, there were a group of people dressed in vintage-​y clothing that were swing dancing, which was entertaining to watch. You do feel kinda weird when everyone is dressed to reflect the speakeasy era and you are not. Aside from that, the environment was very inviting.
The drinks were pretty expensive, in my opinion. They are also served in tea cups, which is a throwback to the location’s actual history as prohibition era speakeasy. However, I felt that the drinks were small for the price. The drinks were made to perfection and tasted amazing but I didn’t feel like I got my money’s worth.
The vibe and atmosphere of this place is fantastic, and while the drinks are excellent, the cost is not justified for me. That being said, I wouldn’t mind coming back sometime after I pick up some swing dancing moves.

Love this amazing back alley back room speak easy bar with incredible old school ambiance, super service, a fabulous drink served in a very prohibition — esque teacup. According to the bartender, this was one of the few original prohibition bars in NYC. How cool is all that.
I was here once before years ago and this Sunday came as part of our speakeasy crawl.
The first time I was here several years ago I was newer to the city and not comfortable with the seemingly too edgy LES … Also there was a little issue as we came with a group party when a mutual friend was back in town — and one of the Russian women was wearing a fur coat which while many Russians love their furs — unfortunately they are not permitted here. She and a couple others had to find a way to lose the fur in someone’s car before they could enter and join the group — so that put a little damper on the group mood initially as she was upset for a while. Note: No Fur!
This recent visit time — LES seemed more cool and not uncomfortable — we were here earlier (not late night) — and I loved everything about the speakeasy and experience there… Down the steps thru an edgy Graffiti covered alley… Then thru the gritty alley and back up black metal stairs with mysterious red lights … A dusty red light lit peek hole and well disguising kiddy cars at the entrance.
Entering, wow. Dimly lit and spacious … Beautiful. Old school Victorian feel with large as life paintings, comfortable cushy burgundy velvet sofas and chairs, chandeliers and little candles, a fireplace. Love it.
The drink menu is limited but the cocktail we ordered was fabulous with a little kick.
Bartender was extremely friendly. And the DJ dressed in period attire complimented the experience.
Definitely definitely recommend as a speakeasy to go with a friend, a group of friends or a date.

Une ambiance vraiment sympa pour ce bar «clandestin», des canapés ou il fait bon se poser pour écouter un groupe de musique et regarder les «pros» ou les amateurs danser le swing, le tout en sirotant une boisson dans des tasses a café ou à thé!

First off the novelty factor here is high. I was in über tourist mode snapping the alley & interior. I was swept back to the era of the speakeasy & the fact it was actually a genuine one adds to the fun. So far so good!
Drinks menu is limited & not cheap but that was expected. As many other reviewers mentioned the drinks quality was low. The teacups didn’t bother me but I was sitting down.
Unfortunately a few things didn’t really gel for me. Firstly the music was Radiohead & similar. I’d have loved to hear some (non-​cheesy) era-​appropriate tunes. Secondly the bathrooms go off-​theme as soon as you enter & are quite run down (broken soap dispensers, towel dispenser, etc). It wouldn’t take much to make them more on-​theme. Or at least remove the broken bits!
Overall glad I went but it’s done now with no desire to return.

I was so excited to come to the Back Room as it is one of the original speakeasies. I mean how cool is it to walk through a very dirty and jagged alley that leads into a gorgeous 1920s-​vibe tea room? Pretty cool. Along with the tea room theme, all the drinks are served in a very cute tea cups.
Unfortunately, the space is overly crowded. Not only are there 3 – 4 rows of people crowding around the bar waiting to order drinks, but there are more people standing in the upper level, cautiously waiting to snatch a seat as soon as anyone gets up. Obvious pro-​tip: Have half the group scout for seats while the other half goes to order drinks.
The biggest disappointment was the drink selection itself. All the cocktails are around $ 14, so pretty much standard pricing for a speakeasy. I had the Mai Tai because it looked like the sweetest drink on the menu. Unfortunately, I was wrong, the Mai Tai was too strong. I honestly felt like I was sipping vodka out of a tea cup. My friend, who ordered the Murder Inc. thought that her drink was also too strong. I’m always one for the sweeter cocktails, so I guess the Back Room just isn’t my cup of tea.
But with such a great ambiance, the Back Room is definitely worth a visit.

In true speakeasy fashion, The Back Room is hidden in an underground alleyway. I felt like I was transported to the roaring twenties during the prohibition era upon entering the bar. The drinks are served to patrons in tea cups, there are couches and tables to sit around and jazz music playing in the background.
Love the concept.

this was weird experience. Good, but weird. We accidently ended up in a private halloween party and there was free candy & popcorn everywhere, and people walking around with fancy free appetizers (really good, thank you to whoever’s party that was!)
Our drinks were strong and delicious, but service behind the bar was kind of crummy. And drinks were expensive.
The room was cool, if you’re into that whole speakeasy theme, but I don’t think i’d return unless that person has another party that i’m not invited to! thanks again!

its a super cool concept at the cool LES area. But it doesn’t equate the value…
The bar is a speakeasy, you go downstairs, walk through the lane that has mouse running around, and there you are.
They serve everything in tea cups & coffee mugs which is supporting the secrecy of the alcohol. It’s cool, but the thing is, you really get a small cup that has almost 0 alcohol content in it… And it’s $ 13+… I had the Girl Friday (which is a gin cocktail) and it was sweet like sugary water with almost no gin in the teacup…
The layout of the bar is a couple lounge chairs/​sofas, very limited bar seats. They also do take reservations for large groups I think.
But really, I wouldn’t go back for drinks– yes it’s cool and everything, but there are many speakeasys that are just as cool with better drinks!
FYI– coat check is $ 2/​piece without tip.

This seems to be THE spot when it’s the last stop of the night, so it was nice to come for a company party and actually remember what this place looks like — and get a chance to see the secret escape room of this speak easy behind the book shelves!
Great vibe, great band, cute teacups, and had a jolly ol’ time.
Hungry Kat, approved.

I would have walked right past the entrance if my friend hadn’t been so adamant that the two guys standing at the top of the stairs (leading down into what looked like the basement of a building) were bouncers.
The place was super packed! Most other speakeasies I’ve been to tend to limit the number of patrons to really give you that low-​key speakeasy/​exclusive vibe. Unfortunately, The Back Room just felt like any other rowdy, overcrowded bar. The floors were sticky and wet, and everyone was packed together like sardines. It was just overall not a super, super pleasant experience.
Yes, the teacups were cute, but the novelty wears off when you realize that the teacups are too shallow and the handles too small to hold properly. It resulted in a lot of sloshing and alcohol wasted… Drinks weren’t bad but nothing spectacular.
Would I be back? Maybe. Maybe if my friends insisted. Otherwise, I’d prefer to find a more low-​key, less impacted bar to spend my Friday evenings.

HOLY COW! This is my FAVORITE speakeasy! Close runner ups are PDT, Angel’s Share, and Fig 19.
The Back Room is the only current speakeasy in NYC that was operational during The Prohibition! (I believe there was a second one but it was converted into a restaurant?) We entered the 1920’s once we found the secret door in a spooky alleyway in between the buildings of the Lower East Side. I won’t give the door away because finding this door is THE perfect speakeasy experience. My friend and I were SO tempted to give up our search and read the Unilocal reviews because we were SCARED of standing in a deserted alley late at night. We slipped down the first flight of stairs where the gate is marked Lower East Side Toy Company and spent a good five minutes guessing which door was for The Back Room.
We sat at the bar since every seat in the lounge had been comfortably taken. We could have squeezed into the middle of the couches between two couples but it probably wouldn’t be very intimate for the six of us. Bar seats worked well. We watched our bartender craft our cocktails: The Bees Knees (honey vodka, ginger liqueur, lemon juice) and The Sazerac (rye, absinthe, bitters, lemon twist). They were served in big tea cups with saucers for an authentic speakeasy experience! We also saw small paper brown bags for bottles. The cocktails were delicious and we melted into the night as we allowed the sweet alcohol and relaxed vibe take over. What a perfect speakeasy experience!
Note: $ 25 credit card minimum. $ 14 cocktails. Bring cash if you’re only drinking one cocktail.

This place is a fun little adventure every time. I’ve been here 3x now, twice on Mondays when they have free live jazz bands and once on a Thursday. Mondays are definitely the best nights for fun. It’s difficult to find the place the first time, as you have to walk downstairs into an alleyway to get there. When you get to the door you must knock and provide a password. Note: Look up the «password» before going.
A lot of people come to socialize and/​or dance, and this past Monday was no exception. There are some very solid dancers, sometimes even novice or professional ballroom dancers (definitely not a guarantee though). Thursday night was much quieter and darker, no live music, but if you want a romantic date spot this is a better option.
Drinks. They are small and expensive. We actually went to a place nearby first and then entered. You’re paying for the experience and live music. Having said that, I don’t know if it was just this particular bartender or not, but he made my Murder Inc. cocktail strong. It was basically grey goose and ice. The other selections did not taste as strong, so it depends on your preferences/​intentions for the evening. Cocktails come in tea cups, draft beers in mugs, and bottled beers in brown paper bags to give that 1920s authentic feeling.
Ambiance is dark and the place isn’t huge. There is a bar area and a lounge up a few stairs, where the musical guests perform. There is also a «back room» hidden behind a book shelf, but that is for special events.
I can’t comment on the weekend crowd, although I heard it does get pretty crowded and it doesn’t seem worth it… unless of course you’re visiting and that’s the only time you have to try it out.
Oh! And dressing up is not a requirement, but I encourage it.

Un très bon moment dans ce speak easy, passé la porte on retombe dans les années folles et dans le décor de Gatsby les lundis concerts live de jazz qui donne encore plus ce côté intemporel .
Côté bar: 14 $ un cocktail servi dans une tasse pour le côté prohibition … Admettons pour le style mais 14 $ pour une contenance aussi réduite … C’est trop cher payé .
Bières à 6 $, et mugs de vin à 8 $ correct.
Personnel assez sympa, ambiance généralement bonne, à essayer

This place is the definition of a speak easy. You have to legit walk down some shady steps, walk through a weird ally and then enter a beautiful bar. Its a genuine speakeasy so don’t be afraid when you go down the steps initially. I give this place a solid 3 stars mainly because of the character of the bar itself. Very 90s, prohibition-​esque type bar. Dim lighting, velvet interior, drinks in tea cups. Some people even dressed up as if they were in the 90s! You must be properly dressed to enter here (no tanks, sweats, basketball shorts, etc)
Drinks here… not really the best. My friends and I typically go to these type of places and order a whisky sour right off the bat and we genuinely didn’t enjoy it. We thought it might have been just us, but another friend of ours who ordered a vodka drink didn’t enjoy hers either. Soon as we got the first chance to– we walked right through the little creepy ally and back into the streets of NYC. Come here for experience to be in a real «speakeasy», but dont expect good drinks.

Un bar typique de la prohibition à New York, il n’est indiqué dans la rue quand par un logo graffé sur une petite porte donnant sur un couloir sombre sous un immeuble.
On descend quelques marches, on passé dans le dit couloir un peu mal éclairé, qui né donne pas envie d’y être toute seule, puis on remonte quelques marches, et nous voilà devant le bar.
Contrairement à l’avis qu’a donné Fanny B, on né nous a pas demandé nos cartes d’identité à l’entrée, j’y suis allée deux fois, et je venais d’avoir 21 ans! Peut-​être que ça doit dépendre des soirées …
En entrant on tombe sur un endroit magnifiquement bien décoré, très début de siècle, et pour respecter le thème ici on sert l’alcool dans des tasses à café! Les cocktails sont assez bons d’ailleurs.
Petit point négatif est que l’endroit est vraiment très cool pour être intimiste, c’est à dire que beaucoup de gens s’y retrouvent, et on a parfois du mal à se trouver une place assise. Ici les canapés se partagent, sont grands, rouges et en velour (tout ce que j’aime). Quand on a sa place, on la garde!
A tester également le lundi soir, où un orchestre joue, et le rendez vous des danseurs de salon est donné. Au milieu du bar et de ses allées, plusieurs couples de danseurs, (ils dansent d’ailleurs tous plutôt très bien et je suis jalouse), puisqu’ici c’est le rendez vous des gens qui dansent bien, quand même. Ils ont tous l’air d’avoir un niveau professionnel, ce qui fait, qu’en plus de baver, ça donne un très beau et très original spectacle.
Je recommande !

Noch so ein speak easy in New York. Man sollte sich doch freuen, dass die Prohibition vorbei ist. Aber was tut man nicht alles, um hipp zu sein in der trendigen Lower East Side. Und das ist gar nicht so einfach. Also, erstmal muss man den Eingang finden, im Hinterhof, dann am Türsteher vorbei, und schließlich Cocktails aus Kaffee-​Tassen trinken. Alles ganz lustig, junges Volk, DJ, Party, leider gibt es nur das Problem, dass die Cocktails ganz gräßlich schmecken. Also nächstes mal unbedingt Bier aus braunen Tüten trinken. Prohibition ist anstrengend.