Comments on: Life Archive | New York Speakeasies

By: Mr. Morris

Mr. Morris — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:27:02 +0000

Of course there are plenty of half below street level bars in NYC. I don’t even know why that is a discussion. I am however surprised that the truest speakeasy in NY has not yet been mentioned and then again I am not because the point (whether we like it or not) is that it is kept a secret. Those who know of it know you don’t go to this place for the hot dogs, however delicious they may be.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:17:10 +0000

Bars in NYC half a flight below street level?

See: ‘Bill’s’ (formerly Bill’s Gay Nineties’!)
57 East 54th Street
New York, NY 10022-4206
(212) 355-0243
http://www.billsnyc.com

A New York Original Speakeasy!

And, no, I’m not on staff there!

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:19:24 +0000

Chloe on Ludlow is half a flight down. Haven’t been there in a while but had some crazy good times. ACL I’m looking in your direction.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:26:54 +0000

The Back Room (LES Toy Company) on Norfolk Street. I believe it was originally Lansky’s Lounge named after Meyer Lansky

By: Dani

Dani — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:04:03 +0000

I’m going to second the Hideout….although part of me hates to because it literally is my hideout.

By: Goon

Goon — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:34:17 +0000

Those struck with speakeasy nostalgia should not forget:

The booze was terrible.

By: Big Kid

Big Kid — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:23:04 +0000

Hideout is cool. There are a bunch of hidden spots in BK and NYC.

By: sam

sam — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:21:37 +0000

i think the days of fat guys wearing suspenders and making ‘bespoke’ cocktails are behind us. its lame and played out.

i drink scotch…neat…don’t give me lemon zest and don’t wear a stupid hat when you give me a pour.

best bar in nyc? keens…

By: Jesus H. Anslinger

Jesus H. Anslinger — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:43:34 +0000

It was not religious nuts who took away the booze; it was the politicians, who were all more thoroughly anti-booze than the general population. In the decades before Probeesh, no one got elected if he was not tough on booze. A lot of prohibitionists were rational, secular, socialist types, like Upton Sinclair. The amendment got put to a vote in the spirit of wartime rationing and by gum, those sober politicians passed it. A *lot* of people were surprised when the amendment was so quickly ratified by so many states.

Prohibition was more popular that you seem to understand. It was not just the religious nuts who favored it. And many people wanted alcohol illegal, yet easy to get. It did not get old until it was law for six or eight years. And still the speakeasies were great fun. Read some H.L. Mencken, you will like it.

By: Natalie - The Liquid Muse

Natalie - The Liquid Muse — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:49:11 +0000

There are many speakeasy-style bars popping up around the world. NYC has Milk & Honey and Woodson & Ford, for example. Chicago has Violet Hour. Amsterdam has Door 74. Los Angeles has The Varnish. You can check out TheLiquidMuse for more!