John Doe

Back Room was a really cool speakeasy! This was my first time patronizing such an establishment, and I'm so glad that I stopped in. This is the type of place you'd expect to see in a Prohibition-themed movie, and fits the bill of an underground speakeasy to a tee. Would highly recommend, it was a great time.

+5

Kaytlyn Christner

We LOVED The Back Room! It was spacious, quiet, and unique - a speakeasy in a location you'd never find if you weren't looking, which is the point, right! The drinks are served in teacups which was a neat vibe. We enjoyed the drinks, the atmosphere, and the staff. We had a great time here!

+5

CAMI FILMS

This place was a bit hard to find but I loved it. The back room provides a lowlight and intimate setting with cocktails served in coffee cups which was kinda cool. Very homelike furniture but elegant and old school.

+4

Dominique E

I came here for the Red One Pop up and to ring in the new year, and it was a lovely vibe each time. The atmosphere really felt cozy and sophisticated at the same time with the velvet walls and couches. And the DJ was playing a great variety of hits i can dance to and just enjoy. The downside was that besides the pop-up event, they opted to pour all drinks into these big bulky tea mugs with a saucer. It was a bit cumbersome to hold tho the saucer stopped the mess from reaching the floor. Also, it might be easy to miss cause u have to go down some stairs through a tunnel to get to the bar. Overall, it's a great place that throws a great party.

+1

Michael Tyson

A hidden gem in the heart of NYC, The Back Room is a must-visit speakeasy that exudes an air of mystery and allure. Finding the entrance is an adventure in itself – look for a gate, head down the steps, climb a few more, and voila! You've stumbled upon a true piece of history. This original speakeasy is a standout among the newer, trendy establishments, boasting a charming interior that sets the stage for a memorable evening. Keep in mind that reservations are required, but trust me, the experience is well worth the wait. Although no food is served, the exquisite drinks more than make up for it. Make sure to add The Back Room to A hidden gem in the heart of NYC, The Back Room is a must-visit speakeasy that exudes an air of mystery and allure.

+5

A V

My first time going there and I loved it. The entrance is sketchy but exciting. It was busy when I went so we couldn’t sit. Better to reserve. Kinda wished they played some jazz music. the rock Music doesn’t fit the aesthetic. Will be back with my bf. Drinks are served in tea cups. Drinks were strong.

+3

Lindsay Alexander

Very cool spot! Nice for a date night. But you are definitely going here for the vibe/history not for a well crafted cocktail. The drinks aren’t great.

Michelle Saunders

Great venue with atmosphere. Very unimpressed with the grumpy doorman. I am 63 years old and when going through the door he barked at me: “ID!” without even waiting to see that I was way over 21. Then he barked at my son saying “you can’t bring food in here”. My son was carrying a bag but it did NOT contain food. A simple question as to whether or not the bag contained food would have been sufficient. My daughter had a water bottle and was told in an officious manner that it wasn’t allowed. She drank the water on the spot and the threw the empty bottle away. He put a dampener on our first time visit. I understand that there are rules but such presumption was not necessary. A little New York hospitality and politeness would have gone a long way. His dictatorial manner did your good establishment a disservice. Visit date Jan 2, 2026.

John Allie

The Backroom definitely has tons of potential — the interior is absolutely stunning and makes you feel like you’ve truly stepped back in time. As one of only two original speakeasies to survive Prohibition, it’s a bucket list stop for sure. That said, the experience fell a bit flat. The doorman was noticeably grumpy, which puts a sour note on things right from the start. The drinks were just okay — served in tea cups (which is charming in theory), but they kind of tasted like the cups themselves. Still worth checking out for the history and ambiance, but it’s more of a “snap a photo and move on” kind of place than one you’ll want to linger in.

+2

Fun to find, atmosphere was ok, but the service was really terrible - the bar staff was really condescending and made out like they didn't understand our soft drink order (which was on the menu - and we're both just native English speakers), and then they overcharged us for drinks and added on a huge tip without us realising. We just felt quite out of place even though we were dressed appropriately etc. If you go, go just for the one-time atmosphere of finding the place, but unfortunately don't expect nice service with the staff

Danny Levy

Cool place, but you go for the history and not for the drinks or experience. The entrance is a bit hidden and unmarked, down an alley and up the stairs. Drinks are all moderately priced, albeit in small portions. Drinks are served in tea cups. Our bartender made a mess pouring my drink, with half of it going into the teacup dish as I stood in front of him watching - with no apology or correction attempted. Most of the seats were marked as reserved despite them just having opened, and the place being quite empty. The music didn’t match the decor or the vibe. The best part of the experience was the entry, history (in my head, lol) and artwork. Overrated, sadly.

Mika Kikuchi

There appears to be a predator at this establishment, and female patrons need to be cautious. A man who was clearly targeting women came over and sat at our table without invitation, pressured us to have a second drink, and made us feel unsafe. The bartender and security staff seemed to be aware that he is a known predator, and I strongly believe he should not be allowed into the venue. Fortunately, we were with a male friend who intervened and protected us, so the situation did not escalate further. However, without his presence, the outcome could have been very different. Overall, the environment felt unsafe, and I left with serious concerns about the establishment’s security.

dyln keel

The interior decorating is the only interesting part of this bar. For $40 I got the worst martini I've ever had in my life, my wife got a margarita she took a few sips of, and we had to listen to extremely loud dance club music for 15 minutes before we just decided to leave. I'm fine with dance club music, but this was like some "NOW thats what I call music" cd from 15 years ago. And we were the only people in there.... With a good bartender and better music this place could have really been a vibe, but instead it was the worst bar we've been to in NYC this week.