The Hidden Pearl

I never give reviews either, but I had to leave one for this place. Coolest speakeasy I've ever been to. I was on my first solo trip to NYC and my cousin recommended this place. I just wanted to grab one or two drinks and stand then move on to the next one. The manager let me in to get a drink even though it was kinda full and I was alone. They treated me very well as I was trying to navigate my first solo experiences and I really appreciate the service they gave! Cocktails were really good too, tried the suggestions of the bartender and it was great. I don't like mezcal or whiskey typically, but the cocktails that had those were GREAT!

Tucked away inside the Japanese restaurant Wanpaku, this small, intimate speakeasy bar is a hidden gem. With limited seating at the bar and just a few tables, it has an exclusive, cozy feel. No reservations needed--just walk right in! One of the highlights is their impressive selection of Japanese whiskeys, perfect for whiskey lovers. * Ocha Old Fashioned - Absolutely delicious. The hojicha-infused whiskey shines through beautifully, creating a smooth and well-balanced cocktail. The baby peach garnish was a fun touch. Easily my favorite!!! * Winter in Tokyo - A solid choice, though quite heavy on the sesame flavor. Slightly sweet with a cranberry garnish, it's unique and enjoyable if you appreciate nutty, toasty notes. * Belladonna - A hard pass for me. I was told it resembled a Manhattan, but it was nowhere near one. It was served with a salty lotus root chip on the side. Overly salty and unbalanced, it was honestly unpleasant. This is one cocktail I wouldn't recommend--it should be taken off the menu.On the bright side, the bartender was kind enough to take the Belladonna off my bill, which I appreciated. While I'd consider coming back to see if they introduce more innovative cocktails, I wouldn't rush to return. :/

Best pandan cocktail ever. I loved this place!!! It's behind another restaurant. Would definitely go back.

Fantastic drinks! This place is one of the few spots that I felt my $18 was worth for a cocktail. Drinks are inventive and well balanced. Food is also incredibly delicious. Highly recommend this spot!

Loved every minute of every hour spent here . It's a small space, very intimate. I didn't eat here but we sure drank . We tried a few malt whiskeys, tried a cocktail here, some sake there ... but went back to the whiskeys. Alot of brands Ive never had . I think I'll go back and do my lil taste test again . It was a really good time . Thanks Lisa .

i cannot rave enough about how fantastic this place was - truly top TIER cocktails. the drinks: i tried three: the sesame martini, the pandan, and the japanese breakfast. the sesame martini is literally heaven - the red bean vodka is divine and the sesame fragrance is everything. pandan has a great layered flavor and the japanese breakfast is the perfect cinnamon end to the meal. the food: takoyaki and crispy rice are a must, you can pass on the scallops. the service: STELLLARRR. our server doubled as the bartender, and she was phenomenal- like so so so kind and amazing. the space: intimate and modern

This bar is as the name promises- a hidden pearl. If you're trying this place for the first time there's some things you should know. It's on the expensive side, 17-20 dollars per cocktail. With that being said, this isn't somewhere you go to catch a buzz. For four drinks I ended up spending 155 dollars before tip so I would not recommend staying for more than one round. It's also a tiny space so you may have to wait for an open table, but if you have the time, it's worth it. The wait and bartending staff are highly knowledgeable and great at what they do. If you're open to trying new things, don't be shy about asking for their input!

The Hidden Pearl is located inside Wanpaku straight to the back. It's not posted on their website, but they have happy hour M-F from 5-7! From their extensive cocktail list, only 2 are listed on HH: pandan painkiller and a passionfruit vodka cocktail not on the menu ~$13 each. They also have 3 food options: sausages, pork buns, and potato salad. We got both drinks to try and they were a little on the sweet side, but still yummy. The pandan painkiller has a beautiful light green colorWe also got the sausage skewers (comes with 3) and the pork buns which had a slight kick to it. Our fave drink of the night though was the sesame bun martini! It's still strong, but has hints of sesame and the red bean brush on the side of the glass adds a touch of sweetness if you want it. I love the brightness inside the Hidden pearl from their skylight.Definitely check out their happy hour, but I would stick to drinks off the regular menu next time

Cute little bar tucked away behind a ramen restaurant. It's not really a speak easy, but feels like one. There's not a ton of seating but I've never had an issue walking in on a weekday or weekend. The Japanese breakfast was so good definitely recommend it.

Have been to the Hidden Pearl twice now, once during the day and once in the evening. Can say that both times of day are great. I love that this spot isn't uptight and I appreciate that, given that it's a speakeasy. They have a great selection of cocktails and all of the ones I have tried have been delicious. Most recently I tried the Lost in Kyoto and I was a huge fan. As someone who's parent grew up in Japan I think they do a great job with the Japanese flavors and combinations. Service is great and bartenders very nice as well! I would say that it's intimate but for some reason I probably wouldn't choose to come here on a date, think it's better for catching up with friends!