Yeah, they’re a little theme park–esque. But altogether they attract, because they deliver the thrill of exclusivity without fear of rejection.
Some people trace the genesis of the genre back to Angel’s Share. The classic cocktail joint, which opened in 1994, offered an old-time oasis amidst the ravers, glow sticks, and electronic music that dominated Manhattan’s bar scene at the time. Others credit Sasha Petraske, who now operates three speakeasy-style places in New York City. His first and most infamous, Milk & Honey, requires that patrons call ahead for a table. Which can be tricky, considering the bar’s number is unlisted—and gets disconnected when somebody posts it online.
And somebody always does. In the age of the Internet, no secret bar is secret for long. Here is CHOW’s guide to the fake-underground world of not-actually-prohibited drinking establishments.
Photographs by Joshua Lutz
"making a comeback in New York City"
Yeah, last year. This is such old news.
i tried to introduce a topic six months ago about great little known bars in Manhattan...and it was taken off and I got an email from Chow explaining that this was a food-centric site.....how is this article different from my topic. Thats just annoying
yawn
The entrance to THIS place looks so much like the entrance to "b-flat" in Tokyo, one of the most comfortable jazz clubs in the city.
I wonder if anyone in NYC is interested in a comment like this.
I hadn't realized the comments are linked to reviews of all six bars.
By THIS place I meant the NYC B Flat.
Sick of all these pussy-ass hipster places... give me the Hemingway anyday