Banzarbar

Many of us are jaded by the NYC speakeasy scene by now but when Banzarbar opened years ago now, finding a hidden watering hole on the 2nd floor of a restaurant that's hidden down an alley was peak cool. Even if I'm not as starry eyed for its hidey hole location, the drinks still go down real smooth, and the cozy, dark space maintains the intimacy you want from a true speakeasy. The couple of times I visited were on weeknights, and there weren't any crowds, but I can see this spot filling up more on weekends. It's refreshing that this place hasn't aggressively hit the press circuit, so I don't think it's on everyone's radar and somehow they seem to like it that way. A bit surprising when operating under capitalism in NYC, but I'll take it.So many drinks on their menu sounded great to me so I had a hard time narrowing my choices, but the bartender was helpful with guiding me toward the right drink. I tried one with elderflower seltzer and egg white, and another with mushroom gin, tomato water, galangal, coconut milk and chive oil (quite the savory drink modeled after the Thai soup Tom kha). Both were dynamic and unique, and most importantly strong and tasty. Totally worth the twenty something dollar price tag this caliber of drink costs.I think they might change their menu seasonally so you can return multiple times and have a different experience each time.

It is a must go! My friend and I came in for drinks and the vibes were amazing. It is a small speakeasy vibe as it is on the second floor of a restaurant and a bit hidden to get to, which I loved. We got seated at the bar and was so happy we got that spot because the bartenders were so fun and made the whole experience even more enjoyable! As far as drinks, I loved the Saint Krampus (tasted like the holidays in a drink and was strong and not too sweet, just perfect!) and my friend loved The Yucatec - but honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of the drinks here. We got some small bites which were good as well. I highly recommend checking this place out and a reservation is a must have, but on a random week night you might get lucky and be able to get seated with minimal wait.

Intimate cocktail spot in a great location with fantastic bartending staff! Service - phenomenal. We got a nice welcome drink which was interesting and the bartender was super nice and friendly! The bar manager and other staff even stopped by and everyone was very friendly and welcoming - loved the overall vibe and theme of the place! Ambiance - Cozy and intimate. there was probably about 10-12 seats total. We went for a quick drink around 5:30 on a weekday and it was cozy enough to have a lovely conversation with everyone there! Drinks - were amazing! We got the Felix which was more savory than I expected and I loved and my husband got the Kingston Okinawa which was strong and delightfulReservations? Yes we had them but you could probably get away with a walk in right when they open on a weekday - otherwise would plan on making a reservation given how intimate this place is. Overall highly recommend!

I almost don't want to write any reviews about it so fewer ppl will know how amazing this bar is. It's such a gem!!! The cocktails are some of the best I've ever had. The menu changes every 6 months and the recipes are created by the bartenders who are truly passionate about cocktails. The vibe is great, we went on a Tues night and it wasn't busy so I loved chatting with our bartender. They have such a great selection of liquors as well. Come if you really love cocktails!

really cool bar, hidden within the restaurant. not many seats so make a reservation or come off peak. drinks were fantastic and even come with an 'amuse bouche'. the tiki drink I had was amazing

Banzarbar is the true definition of a speakeasy. You go through a back alley, go into a restaurant that gives no indication of a secret backroom bar, get confused and then confirm that there is a secret backroom bar, then get led through a maze of hallways to finally get to the bar. As with any speakeasy, Banzarbar fashions a sultry, dark, and intimate vibe. My partner and I were seated next to the door with a full view of the bar. While the ambiance was beautiful, the bar was clearly understaffed (and confirmed by the hostess downstairs before we were seated). In a rush to serve the patrons, the busboy spilled water on me and one guy had a whole drink spilled on him by the bartender (at least he got a free drink out of it). But despite all of that, the night went on and the good drinks and ambiance more than made up for the fumbles.My favorite drink was God's Green Earth which was one of the most unique drinks I've had in a while. Earthy but refreshing and almost floral, it was a real standout. A close second was the cocktail served in a teacup which I can't remember the name of. And while I'm not a fan of whiskey, the whiskey based drinks were definitely smooth. We also tried the Shackleton's Urn which was also very good and was lit on fire for our viewing pleasure. They give you a good amount so it's worth the price. Taste wise, it's not something I haven't gotten elsewhere.If you have the money to spend and want the speakeasy experience, I would recommend Banzarbar. While the drinks are great, my wallet didn't agree. Maybe next time I'll come when I have some extra cash.

TLDR: Get a spot here before it becomes too famous! These are hands down the best cocktails in NYC. Move over Double Chicken Please- theres a new best cocktail bar in town.

Upstairs from Freeman's, Banzarbar is a terrific bar with amazing cocktails. The drinks, ambiance, service and glassware are all excellent. It is a true classic.

This is a cute spot,it's cozy and has a speakeasy vibe. I think the place can fit around 20 people, the room is dimly lit. Great for dates! They have unique cocktails and some light snacks. We had the duck confit dumplings, which were crispy and delicious, the lamb skewers that were good and oysters. The passion fruit dessert was so good. The drinks were unique and delicious. The bartender, Beatrice, was attentive and friendly, and she made the best drinks! If you like a speakeasy place that's intimate and cozy, you must come here!

This might just become my go-to spot in the city! They change the menu every few months -- keeping things fresh, especially with their inventive takes on classic cocktails and more experimental cocktails. The bartender gave us a sample of the mushroom gin--imagine hints of vanilla and earl grey. I opted for the vøkkå nåtu swiit (pronounced: "vodka not too sweet"), and it was a unique, flavorful choice. Plus, the staff is super friendly and the vibes were incredible!