Move through phone booths, barbers and hidden alleys on a three-hour guided tour of East Village speakeasies. Small groups, priority entry and authentic back-room bars make this a compact night of discovery.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The group meets at the Tompkins Square Park entrance on E 9th and Avenue A, where the city’s noise thins into the hum of late-night restaurants and flickering neon. From there the guide threads the party through side streets and alleyways, pausing at an unmarked phone booth or a barber-shop door that opens onto a low-lit bar. The experience is urban reconnaissance: a mix of walking, surprise reveals and time spent inside intimate venues that often require a password or a knowing knock.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves walking short urban blocks and standing inside small bars
Wildlife
History
Speakeasies proliferated during Prohibition (1920–1933); modern hidden bars in the East Village borrow the clandestine entry styles and intimate layouts of that era.
Conservation
Support small bars by minimizing waste—use refillable water where offered and follow venue rules to avoid noise complaints; small venues rely on responsible patron behavior.
Reserve your spot on the East Village Speakeasy (secret bars) Experience today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Bring valid ID
Most speakeasies require a government-issued photo ID—no ID, no entry even with a confirmed ticket.
Dress smart-casual
Some venues enforce a dress code; opt for neat footwear suitable for walking and standing.
Carry small bills and card
Bars accept cards but tiny venues may prefer cash for tips and quick tabs.
Plan transportation home
End point is near Essex/Delancey (J/M/F/Z); check subway schedules or rideshare options for late returns.
Government ID
Required for entry into licensed bars and to meet age verification rules.
Comfortable dress shoes
Smart-casual footwear will keep you comfortable walking and acceptable at venues with dress codes.
Charged smartphone
Needed for ticket confirmation, communicating with the guide and navigating between hidden entrances.
Small cash stash
Useful for tips, quick purchases and venues that prefer cash for small transactions.