The Cabin Down Below: Speakeasy

The Cabin Down Below

East Village
110 Ave A
entrance through The Pizza Shop
212.614.9798

I would describe this speakeasy spot to have a refreshingly "real"; positive and unpretentious vibe. The patrons are usually Brooklyn/downtown hipsters, locals, and rockers. The place is on the small side but my girlfriends and I had a fun time nonetheless. Plus at the end of the night on your way out, you can get a slice of pizza. Not a bad combo in my book.

La Esquina

Love Great Mexican? Love bars? Enjoy late night bodega's? like Secrets? shhhhhh.... don't tell anyone about La Esquina's underground restaurant. On the outside this place looks like a deli but it's really a Taqueria....need I say more?

Visit: 114 Kennare St (between Lafayette and Cleveland) and be impressed. Behind the door marked "Employees Only," down the stairs and through the kitchen, lies a gothic vault ornamented with wrought iron gates and dripping candles....Lots of unpretentious music and fashion types chill here....This place is under the radar and you need to book a reservation 3 weeks in advance. *oh and the chicken tacos and tostadas are highly recommended.

Pegu Club

Pegu Club

Address: 77 W. Houston St. 2nd Floor near West Broadway
(SOHO)

The place is named after an actual British officers' club in Rangoon (and its tart and snappy house drink), Pegu has a vaguely Indochinese air, surplus of hand carved wood, and an Asian-inspired snack menu. It also has the biggest ice cubes in New York city. Great place to go with a few close friends, entertain clients or on a date. You can actually hear the person your talking too.

Link: http://peguclub.com/flash/

Milk & Honey: Speakeasy

****Milk and Honey: Another highly recommended place with high quality cocktails, exclusive but unpretentious atmosphere. *All must call ahead to be buzzed in through the surveillance system-equipped door.

Address: 134 Eldridge St., New York, NY, 10002
nr. Broome St.

The Back Room: Speakeasy

The Back Room:

Address: 102 Norfolk St nr. Delancey St.

Why do I love this place?? because it’s a speakeasy bar that fronts as closed toy shop. You have to creep down an alley to find the entrance, the front door has a peek and-speak hole. All drinks are served in teacups and bottles in paper bags. There is a piano that fronts as a DJ booth that creates a casual, laid back atmosphere. In the back there is a sliding bookcase that reveals a second bar (which is not open to the public, unless you know the owner or password). Highly recommend for flapper/gangster theme parties.

Little Branch: Speakeasy

Little Branch

20 Seventh Ave. South, (@Leroy)
Area: West Village/Hudson Square

*Please note there is no sign outside therefore it's difficult to find.

Why do I love this place? because it's a secret, old school bar, with a roaring 20's feel, sophisticated with a low key environment. They make great cocktails and serve blocks of ice instead of ice cubes (which I must admit was pretty original). Also, Sunday through Wednesdays are around 10:30pm catch piano performances of different styles of jazz, from standards to Brazilian.

Above Allen

Above Allen:
Address: 190 Allen St, between Houston and Stanton (Take the elevator up to the Seventh floor)

Open's at 9:00pm
Why do I love this place?? because it is a super chic lounge, has a swanky rooftop, incredible view of midtown, ‘80s retro designed furniture and fabulous cocktails. And it's in the L.E.S (my fav area). I highly recommend the cocktail “Yen Yen”, it’s very refreshing (Shown above).

Dress nice and go early to this place because if you go at peak hours it's up the doorman's discretion on who gets in and who doesn't (unless you rented a room at the new Allen hotel).

Oh and while you're in the hotel, check out the bar on the 2nd floor its fancy décor is worth a look.

The Good Life

I started a blog to share fun, interesting, worth-noting spots around NYC and Brooklyn. Enjoy!