Fall in love with Speakeasy Bar!
I’ve had The Back Room saved on my map for such a long time, always telling myself that I have to visit this speakeasy bar. And it did not disappoint! It perfectly captures the vibe of the Prohibition era, with an entrance so hidden you’ll actually find yourself asking,
*** “Is this the entrance?”***
But once you step in, you’re transported straight into the 1920s, and the experience was even better than I had imagined.
To go into this secret bar
The entrance is pretty discreet, so it might be a bit confusing the first time you visit. You’ll pass the initial door and follow a little hallway to finally find the real entrance.
Once inside, the dim lighting, vintage interior, and all the small details come together to create a really charming atmosphere. And a heads-up—you can’t wear hats inside, so keep that in mind!
How was it?
We ended up staying for a long time until closing, so we had the chance to try a variety of cocktails.
Honestly, the cocktails were pretty standard and in line with the classic drinks you’d expect from a speakeasy. And compared to other NYC bars, cocktail are actually cheaper than to other bars. I was little surprised that these type of bar tend to have pricy cocktails.
But, I’m focusing more on the bar experience rather than the drinks themselves because the real highlight here is the vibe of the place!
Inside, the main area has a long bar with no tables, so you order directly from the bar. If you go up a small flight of stairs, you’ll find some table seating, which is available if you make a reservation or if there are no other guests.
Further in, there’s a private room for bigger groups, but it was closed while we were there. From the outside, it looks like just a wall, which is a cool little hidden feature of the bar.
What I loved most about The Back Room was the attention to detail that kept the speakeasy vibe alive. When you order liquor, they bring it to you with an ice bucket and a tray, and there’s a globe-shaped cover on the side of the table that, when placed over the drinks, makes them look like just a globe on a table.
Another cool touch is that drinks are served in coffee/tea mugs and mugs instead of typical glasses, and beer bottles come in brown paper bags.
All of these little details are meant to help hide the drinks from the cops back in the Prohibition days.
Beyond these details, there’s also a group room with a secretive vibe, and when bartenders serve drinks, they even do a little “shh!” gesture, adding to the whole experience.
And if you head to the bathroom, you’ll spot an old phone booth and cigarette machines, which add to the vintage, speakeasy feel.
The music when we visited was old-school '70s and '80s pop, which felt like the perfect soundtrack to match the bar’s ambiance.
Final Thoughts : Should you go?
The biggest draw of The Back Room is undoubtedly the speakeasy atmosphere. Unlike other bars, it’s all about that dimly lit, classic interior, and the overall vibe that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Enjoying a cocktail while soaking in that experience is something you won’t easily find anywhere else. It’s a bar that’s totally worth visiting at least once, and for us, we’d definitely come back again!
