Steight

This small Japanese speakeasy tucked behind a hair salon is well worth the hunt! They are absoutely deserving of their #1 spot on Beli for "Top New NYC Bars" in 2024! The bartenders are all extremely knowledgeable and attentive, offering their insights onto all their sake options if you need help choosing your flight. The cocktails were also incredible -- unique, delicious and well balanced!5/5 Sake Flight - We asked for something adventurous and he delivered with a flight with a good variety!I've only tried 3 of their cocktails but I'm convinced you cant go wrong!5/5 Matchet Baker -- smooth and earthy genmaicha5/5 Oolong Punch -- light and fruity5/5 Chaos Belly -- citrusy on first sip and ends with a sweet blueberry flavorAfter my first visit, this easily became my new favorite bar in the Lower East Side.

I am not discouraging you from visiting this quirky sake speakeasy, which is fashioned behind a barber/hair stylist suite. Heck, I might try to visit again and see if my experience is better. I was drawn here because of the mysterious "open" window, with no real signage. I walked up the steps, entered the salon, and ended up in the backroom.This is a small space, around 12 seats. Niche clientele. Low lighting. Amazing vinyl spinning on the record player. Initially the bartender was very attentive and made great recommendations and offered me a saki shot with a side of history and education.I sat alone and enjoyed my selection. At most, there were maybe 18 people in there at at time? This is truly a makeshift space.I finished my drink, a light peachy selection, and sat for a while as the bartender entertained other guests. When he made his way back around to me, he and I discussed my second and final drink, how to best close out the night . . . we landed on the simple samurai. And then . . . for some reason he went over to another group of patrons and regaled them with stories of Arizona and saki, and never made my drink and never again looked my way. I sat there for almost 30 minutes, waiting . . . at some point he finally caught the exasperated look on my face and my outstretched hand holding my credit card.He solemnly came over, helped me pay my bill, added no tip. I remarked about this and he said, "I get the impression you aren't happy." (I tipped him well and in cash anyway because even cruddy service deserves a living wage).I don't know if this was a miscommunication or what . . . but bartender and I discussed my second drink, he went on to entertain younger patrons he found more interesting, never brought me that second drink, all while making that group several drinks and giving them a history lesson . . . until he finally noticed my sour face and outstretched hand with the Amex.The beginning of the night . . . five stars. The end . . . one star. So here we are at three stars.Would try again, but this quickly turned from a "this is MY New York" night to a "sorry I'm 40 and clearly don't meet your demographic" night.

New Sake bar just opened up and if you ever get to know me you'll know that I love an intimate, Japanese bar with real influences from real Japanese speakeasies from the east. Having just opened a few months ago, the menu is quite fleshed out, offering sake flights (seems to be the thing to get here) and a list of sake cocktails which were interesting and refreshing. I got the Ichigo Ichie and another one with yuzu that I forget the name of but was so refreshing and delicious. Vibes are immaculate. It's a true speakeasy - thought I was in the wrong place at least twice before realizing. The bartender was super knowledgeable and friendly. The owner of the bar has another bar, Hard to Explain, which I'm excited to try next. There's also a small food menu too! Will have to come back for their sake flight and food menu. A cute intimate space in Chinatown, in a place that can be as hectic as NYC.

Cool tiny speakeasy behind a hair salon. The drinks they serve are decent - I was a fan of the matcha high ball. Bartender was pretty cool too

When I recently visited and fell in love the nondescript bar Hard to Explain, there was a sign in their bathroom advertising their sister bar, StEight. Finding it was half of the adventure. Even though I knew it was located behind a hair salon, I expected the usual pomp and circumstance of New York City that would give away the speakeasy location. But it didn't! I found the hair salon, let myself in, and walked to the back, where a simple door opened to this amazing little speakeasy. It was standing room only with pretty limited space, which I understand because no one wanted to leave! The bar was based a lot in specialty sake and the menu encourages you to look around the walls of the room if you are looking to order a glass of wine. We went with a sake flight, where the bartender very knowledgeably talked us through four different types of sake as we tried them. It was quite the experience and I look forward to going back again in the future! Bonus points for all the amazing Japanese snacks that they also sell.

I am in love with this place !!! Only seats 12 people and it's behind a Barbar shop !! I was truly in love with this place!! The cutest speakeasy, such great vibes and the cocktails are amazing !!! Also the prices are also insane !!! Truly one of my favorite places ever!! It feels like you're at home getting a drink with your friends, you become so familiar with the people next to you as well as the bartender !!! I love it !!! A must go

Cutest secret pod. Try rare Japanese drinks and snack. You would get quick trip to JP. Very cozy sweet and intimate vibe. Highly recommend to have special cosmic moment

I would highly recommend this speak easy if you're looking to grab a drink in a fun, cozy environment! The ambiance is awesome, eclectically decorated and clearly reminiscent of an old school Japanese coffeeshop or neighborhood bar. They've got a nice variety of sakes and the bartenders are happy to make suggestions if you're unsure what to order. I had the sake flight, which was great for getting an introduction to sake, and will have to come back to try some of their unique cocktails

The best speakeasy in nyc, if you are looking for a retro Japanese themed Japanese speakeasy this is the spot.

The staff and owner are wonderful people. Amazing vibes at steight! It's hidden in the back of a salon and leads into a cool speakeasy . The drinks are fire. Bartenders are friendly. Nothing more I could ask for when I'm out w my friends