Cocktails & Conspiracies: NYC’s Bars with Mysterious & Dark Histories

New York City’s history is soaked in mystery, its streets lined with bars that hold secrets of the past—haunts of mobsters, whispers of espionage, and ghosts of patrons who never left. These establishments aren’t just places to sip a cocktail; they are living legends, where history lingers in the air like the scent of aged whiskey. If you have an appetite for the macabre and a taste for the finest libations, step inside these enigmatic watering holes where dark pasts and strong drinks go hand in hand.

1. The Back Room – A Hidden Speakeasy with a Secret Past

📍 102 Norfolk St, Lower East Side

One of the few remaining authentic speakeasies from the Prohibition era, The Back Room once welcomed gangsters and bootleggers through its unassuming entrance. Today, visitors enter through a hidden stairwell behind a toy shop facade, just as they did a century ago. In a nod to its illicit past, cocktails are still served in teacups, a clever disguise once used to throw off Prohibition enforcers. Whether you’re sipping a classic Manhattan or a smoky Old Fashioned, it’s easy to imagine the deals that once went down within these walls.

2. Chumley’s – A Literary Haven with Ghostly Guests

📍 86 Bedford St, West Village

A historic speakeasy turned literary hub, Chumley’s has hosted the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. But beyond its bohemian past, some say the spirits of these famed writers still roam its halls. Visitors report hearing whispers and feeling unexplained chills. Whether it’s the ghost of a long-lost writer or just the lingering scent of bourbon, one thing is certain—Chumley’s remains a place where stories are both told and made.

3. The Campbell Apartment – A Gilded-Age Ghost Story

📍 15 Vanderbilt Ave, Midtown East

Hidden inside Grand Central Terminal, The Campbell Apartment was once the lavish office of financier John W. Campbell. Restored to its original grandeur, it now serves as one of the most elegant cocktail lounges in NYC. But the luxury comes with a spectral twist—staff and guests have reported flickering lights, sudden temperature drops, and even the sensation of being watched. Could Campbell himself still be enjoying his old haunt? Order a bourbon and find out.

4. One if by Land, Two if by Sea – The Haunting of Aaron Burr

📍 17 Barrow St, West Village

Once a carriage house belonging to Aaron Burr, this dimly lit, candle-filled restaurant is as romantic as it is chilling. Guests frequently report encounters with apparitions, including Burr himself and his ill-fated daughter, Theodosia. Waitstaff tell of flickering candles, glasses shattering on their own, and unexplained whispers in the dining room. With its fine dining and eerie atmosphere, this might be the only place in NYC where you can share a meal with a Founding Father’s ghost.

5. White Horse Tavern – The Spirit of Dylan Thomas

📍 567 Hudson St, West Village

New York’s second-oldest bar, the White Horse Tavern, was the last stop for poet Dylan Thomas, who famously downed 18 whiskey shots here before his untimely death. Since then, his ghost is said to linger, making appearances in the mirror behind the bar and moving furniture when no one is watching. A place where literary history meets eerie legend, this is a must-visit for anyone seeking a drink with a side of the supernatural.

6. Umberto’s Clam House – A Mobster’s Last Supper

📍 132 Mulberry St, Little Italy

Little Italy is no stranger to mafia history, and Umberto’s Clam House is infamous for being the site of the assassination of “Crazy Joe” Gallo in 1972. The bloody shootout shocked New York, and some say Gallo’s presence still lingers. Patrons have reported a heavy, uneasy feeling in certain parts of the restaurant, especially near the spot where he fell. Order a martini and keep an eye on the shadows—you never know who might still be dining here.

7. Bamonte’s – A Time Capsule of Brooklyn’s Underworld

📍 32 Withers St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Bamonte’s has been serving up Italian fare since 1900, attracting both neighborhood families and the city’s most notorious mobsters. Old-school waiters and red leather booths preserve the timeless charm, while the walls—lined with vintage photographs—seem to whisper secrets of backroom dealings. If you’re looking for an authentic, old-world NYC experience with a dash of danger, this is the place to be.

8. The Stonewall Inn – Secrets, Struggles, and Spirits

📍 53 Christopher St, Greenwich Village

Most famous for its role in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, The Stonewall Inn has layers of hidden history. In the 1960s, it was controlled by the Mafia, who exploited the community while bribing police to avoid raids—until the night of the Stonewall Riots changed everything. Some visitors claim to feel an undeniable energy within its walls, as if the spirits of past patrons and revolutionaries remain, ensuring their legacy is never forgotten.

9. The McKittrick Hotel – Where Reality and Ghost Stories Blur

📍 530 W 27th St, Chelsea

The McKittrick Hotel isn’t a hotel at all—it’s an immersive theater venue known for Sleep No More, a haunting, dreamlike retelling of Macbeth. The eerie, 1930s-inspired setting has led many guests to question whether some of the figures they see in the shadows are actors or something else entirely. Whether you come for the show or a cocktail at its rooftop bar, Gallow Green, you’ll leave with a sense of stepping into a different era—one that may never fully let you go.

10. The Spirits’ Speakeasy at Sincerely, Ophelia – A Cocktail Séance

📍 221 2nd Ave, East Village

For those who want to embrace NYC’s ghostly past in an interactive way, Sincerely, Ophelia hosts The Spirits’ Speakeasy, a night where mixology meets mediumship. Guests sip handcrafted cocktails while engaging with performers who channel New York’s lost souls. The dim lighting, tarot readings, and expertly crafted drinks make this a one-of-a-kind experience where the past comes alive—quite literally.

Raise a Glass to NYC’s Darkest Histories

From haunted speakeasies to mobster hideouts, these bars offer more than just a night out—they provide a window into New York’s most shadowy past. Whether you come for the cocktails, the history, or the chance to encounter something unexplainable, one thing is certain: in these bars, the past is never truly gone.

So, which drink will you order—a ghostly gin martini, a mobster-approved Manhattan, or a bourbon that just might summon the spirits?