The NYC Bar Hop Through Time: A Night Out Across the Decades
New York City is one of the few places where you can experience history, culture, and the future—all in one night. What if you could travel through time, drinking your way across the decades, experiencing NYC nightlife from the roaring speakeasies of the 1920s to the neon-drenched discos of the 1970s, the grunge-filled dive bars of the ‘90s, and finally, a futuristic cocktail lab?
This time-traveling bar crawl takes you through four eras of NYC’s wild nightlife history, each with its own signature drinks, music, and atmosphere. Start with an illicit cocktail in a Prohibition-era speakeasy, dance through the disco age, throw back a cheap beer in a grunge dive, and finish the night in a high-tech cocktail lounge straight out of 2050.
Let’s drink through time—one bar at a time.
Stop 1: The 1920s – Whispered Passwords & Hidden Speakeasies
📍 Start the night like a rebellious flapper or dapper bootlegger in a hidden Prohibition-era speakeasy.
The 1920s were all about secret entrances, jazz music, and cocktails mixed in the shadows of underground bars. During Prohibition, alcohol was outlawed, but that didn’t stop NYC from drinking—it just made it more exclusive, dangerous, and thrilling.
What to Expect:
Dimly lit bars with vintage decor, plush velvet seating, and bartenders in suspenders.
Classic jazz playing softly in the background, setting the mood for the evening.
Hidden entrances behind phone booths, bookshelves, or unmarked doors.
Drink Like It’s 1925:
Bee’s Knees – A gin-based cocktail with lemon and honey, created to mask the harsh taste of bathtub gin.
Sidecar – A smooth, citrusy mix of Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
Where to Go:
🔹 Please Don’t Tell (PDT) – Enter through a vintage phone booth inside a hot dog shop for an authentic speakeasy experience.
🔹 Bathtub Gin – Hidden behind a coffee shop, this bar pays homage to the gin-fueled rebellion of the ‘20s.
💡 PRO TIP: Wear something vintage-inspired—think flapper dresses, fedoras, or suspenders—and don’t forget to whisper the password at the door!
Stop 2: The 1970s – Disco Balls, Neon Lights, & Funky Cocktails
📍 Fast forward 50 years to a high-energy 1970s disco bar where the drinks are flashy, the outfits are even flashier, and the music keeps you moving all night.
After escaping Prohibition, it’s time for dancing, glitter, and groovy vibes. The ‘70s were all about excess, with extravagant bars where celebrities, socialites, and rockstars partied under flashing lights and disco balls.
What to Expect:
Funky cocktails with bright colors, fruit garnishes, and blended ice.
Retro décor with mirrored ceilings, gold accents, and vinyl records lining the walls.
A packed dance floor with throwback beats from Donna Summer, The Bee Gees, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Drink Like It’s 1978:
Harvey Wallbanger – A mix of vodka, Galliano, and orange juice, perfect for a wild night.
Tom Collins – A refreshing, citrusy gin drink that feels effortlessly cool.
Where to Go:
🔹 Fever Disco Club – A modern disco-themed bar with vintage vibes, glittering lights, and an electric crowd.
🔹 Paul’s Casablanca – A stylish, Studio 54-inspired cocktail lounge where the music and decor transport you straight to 1977.
💡 PRO TIP: Break out your best ‘70s-inspired outfit—think silk shirts, high-waisted pants, and platform shoes.
Stop 3: The 1990s – Dive Bars, Cheap Drinks, & Grunge Rock
📍 Time-travel to the ‘90s and step into a dark, no-frills dive bar where the drinks are cheap, the jukebox is loud, and the vibe is effortlessly cool.
After the glitz and glam of the ‘70s, it’s time to grunge things down a bit. The ‘90s were all about rebellion, flannel shirts, and the anti-establishment ethos of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Green Day.
What to Expect:
A dark, graffiti-covered bar with low lighting and ripped leather booths.
Jukebox playing nothing but ‘90s rock and alternative hits.
Cheap beer, whiskey shots, and bartenders who don’t care if your drink is fancy.
Drink Like It’s 1995:
Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) & a Shot of Jack Daniels – The official combo of dive bars everywhere.
White Russian – A creamy, coffee-infused cocktail made famous by The Big Lebowski.
Where to Go:
🔹 The Library – A grunge-era dive bar with a killer jukebox, cheap drinks, and an authentic ‘90s feel.
🔹 Welcome to the Johnsons – A time capsule of ‘90s basement-party vibes, complete with vintage furniture and $5 beers.
💡 PRO TIP: Skip the fancy cocktails—this is the part of the night where you just grab a beer and enjoy the music.
Stop 4: The Future – High-Tech Cocktails in a Rooftop Cocktail Lab
📍 End the night in a bar that feels like it belongs in 2050, with futuristic drinks, neon lighting, and skyline views.
What does the future of cocktails look like? At high-tech bars across NYC, drinks are being infused with molecular gastronomy, AI-driven flavor profiles, and immersive presentation techniques.
What to Expect:
Cocktails that change color, bubble, or glow under blacklight.
Robotic bartenders mixing your drink with laser precision.
A sleek, futuristic atmosphere with neon accents and breathtaking views of NYC.
Drink Like It’s 2050:
The Neon Sour – A gin-based drink that glows under UV light, thanks to quinine-infused ingredients.
Liquid Nitrogen Espresso Martini – A futuristic twist on the classic, made with frozen coffee vapor.
Where to Go:
🔹 The Skylark – A high-end rooftop bar where innovative cocktails meet breathtaking city views.
🔹 Somewhere Nowhere – A futuristic rooftop club where neon lights, high-tech cocktails, and a Blade Runner-esque aesthetic come together.
💡 PRO TIP: End the night with something interactive—order a cocktail that smokes, foams, or changes color while you drink it.
A One-Night Trip Through NYC’s Cocktail History
This time-traveling bar crawl lets you drink your way through NYC’s nightlife history, from the hidden speakeasies of the 1920s to the neon-soaked disco era, the raw energy of the ‘90s, and finally, the high-tech cocktail future.
Whether you’re sipping an Old Fashioned in a secret bar, dancing under a disco ball, throwing back whiskey in a grunge dive, or experiencing molecular mixology with a skyline view, this is one NYC night you won’t forget.
So grab your friends, step into the time machine, and let’s drink through the decades.
