Chinatown Speakeasies: NYC’s Hidden Cocktail Gems
New York City's Chinatown is a neighborhood of rich history, vibrant culture, and some of the most well-kept secrets in the cocktail world. Beyond its bustling food scene and authentic teahouses, Chinatown is also home to hidden speakeasies, tucked behind unmarked doors, down stairwells, and beneath some of the city’s most iconic streets.
For those who love mystery, exclusivity, and expertly crafted cocktails, Chinatown’s speakeasies offer a world of discovery—if you know where to look.
A Brief History of NYC’s Chinatown Speakeasies
During Prohibition (1920–1933), NYC’s Chinatown became a hub for underground drinking dens, often disguised as tea houses, apothecaries, or gambling parlors. These speakeasies catered to a mix of locals, tourists, and the city’s elite, offering bootleg liquor infused with Chinese herbs and spices.
Today, Chinatown’s speakeasies still embrace this spirit of secrecy and craftsmanship, blending Eastern ingredients, vintage aesthetics, and modern mixology to create some of the most unique cocktail experiences in the city.
Where to Find Chinatown’s Best Speakeasies
1. Apotheke (Doyers Street) – The Original Chinatown Speakeasy
Tucked away on Doyers Street, a historic alley once notorious for gang conflicts, Apotheke is a cocktail bar masquerading as an old apothecary. Inspired by 19th-century apothecaries and alchemy, this speakeasy is known for its herb-infused cocktails and theatrical presentation.
What to Order:
🍸 Dealers Choice – Let the bartender craft a custom cocktail based on your flavor profile.
🍃 Herbal Remedy – Gin, sage, and lavender-infused honey, served in a vintage medicine bottle.
How to Get In: Look for the unmarked wooden door on Doyers Street. Step inside, and you'll find yourself in a dimly lit, vintage apothecary with bartenders in lab coats.
2. Peachy’s (Underneath Chinese Tuxedo) – A Neon-Lit Hidden Gem
Beneath the upscale Chinese Tuxedo restaurant, Peachy’s is a modern speakeasy bathed in neon light and lush greenery. This intimate cocktail bar is where Chinatown’s underground meets contemporary elegance.
What to Order:
🔥 The Yellow Peril – Mezcal, turmeric, yuzu, and ginger create a spiced, smoky, citrus-forward masterpiece.
🍑 Peachy Keen – A refreshing gin-based cocktail with white peach, lemongrass, and jasmine tea.
How to Get In: Enter Chinese Tuxedo, then head downstairs to find a hidden bar with a glowing neon mantra: “Money Can't Buy You Love, But It Can Buy You Dumplings.”
3. Basement (Mott Street) – A True Underground Speakeasy
As the name suggests, Basement is a secret cocktail bar hidden beneath a Chinatown noodle shop. This low-lit, intimate space offers a curated menu of classic and experimental cocktails, each crafted with precision.
What to Order:
🌶 Mott Street Mule – A twist on the Moscow Mule with lychee and Szechuan peppercorns for a bold, spicy kick.
🌿 Basil Smash – A refreshing blend of gin, Thai basil, and citrus, highlighting aromatic Southeast Asian flavors.
How to Get In: Look for a side entrance near Mott Street’s noodle shops, then descend a narrow staircase into a hidden oasis of mixology.
4. Double Chicken Please – The Experimental Cocktail Destination
Located on the edge of Chinatown, Double Chicken Please (DCP) is part speakeasy, part cocktail laboratory. This award-winning bar is known for drinks that taste like plated dishes—a true blend of culinary innovation and cocktail mastery.
What to Order:
🍕 Cold Pizza Cocktail – A savory creation that mimics the taste of a margherita pizza, blending tomato, basil, and Parmesan-washed gin.
🥞 French Toast Old Fashioned – Bourbon infused with maple, vanilla, and cinnamon, delivering a breakfast-in-a-glass experience.
How to Get In: The bar is divided into two parts: the front bar (casual, walk-in friendly) and the hidden back bar (reservations required) where the full experimental menu comes to life.
Why Chinatown’s Speakeasies Are a Must-Visit
Unlike traditional speakeasies, Chinatown’s hidden bars infuse mixology with cultural heritage, using Eastern flavors, medicinal herbs, and unconventional ingredients. Here’s why they stand out:
✔ Secret Entrances & Hidden Locations – From underground lounges to disguised apothecaries, these bars are meant to be discovered.
✔ Inventive Cocktails – Expect Szechuan-infused gin, lychee reductions, and tea-based spirits unlike anything at a standard cocktail bar.
✔ A Blend of Old & New NYC – The speakeasies pay homage to Chinatown’s history of underground drinking dens, while pushing the boundaries of modern mixology.
How to Experience NYC’s Chinatown Speakeasy Scene Like an Insider
✅ Go Early or Make a Reservation – Some of these bars have long waitlists or limited seating.
✅ Embrace the Adventure – Finding the entrance is part of the fun—look for unmarked doors, staircases, or hidden back rooms.
✅ Try Unique Ingredients – Many of these bars specialize in unexpected flavors—don’t be afraid to experiment with something new.
For those looking to recreate a Chinatown speakeasy experience at home, Art of the Cocktail offers private mixology events inspired by these hidden gems—featuring custom herbal infusions, Eastern spices, and classic speakeasy techniques.
Final Thoughts: The Magic of Chinatown’s Hidden Cocktail Scene
There’s something thrilling about discovering a cocktail bar that feels like a well-kept secret. Chinatown’s speakeasies combine history, mystery, and cutting-edge mixology, making them some of NYC’s most unique drinking destinations.
For cocktail lovers looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, Chinatown’s underground bars offer the perfect blend of secrecy, sophistication, and surprise.
Book our mixology team at Art of the Cocktail for your next Chinatown themed event.
