Located in East Village, New York City, the smart speakeasy supplies seriously sexy cool, creative classic cocktails.
You’ll feel like a superhero entering this NYC speakeasy. You don’t need to change your clothes or dawn a cape, to enter the NYC speakeasy with a secret phone booth entrance, but you will definitely feel like Clark Kent changing into Superman when you gain access and your super powerful passage through the secret passage fills you incredible cocktail concoctions.
There’s something about the words ‘Secret Entrance’ that adds intrigue to a speakeasy and is exactly what I found in the NYC East Village area!
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Gain Entrance to the NYC Speakeasy with a Secret Phone Booth Entrance
First, before we ever stepped foot in this East Village speakeasy in NYC, I did a lot of review reading, Googling, and area speakeasy comparisons.
Most of the speakeasies in NYC don’t hold a candle to this speakeasy choice for a hidden cocktail bar, except 1 that is currently not open, so really you are right back to this speakeasy as ‘secret’!
Nonetheless, for those who want a secret entrance, a kick-ass mixologist, and prefer reservations, this is your baby!
*You may note some blurry photos, and I want to personally thank my iPhone Pro Max for acting as though it was tanked long before it ever started its journey into the speakeasy!
USE “RESY” FOR GETTING INTO PDT
You’ll want to go online and make a reservation using RESY.
Yes, it uses your credit card to hold your spot, and if you don’t show, they reserve the right to charge your credit card $15 a person at your party.
Only those committed to visiting NYC speakeasies that hold such a prestigious ambiance understand how important RESY is and work it!
Don’t get your panties in a twist if you can’t get a reservation; just put your dream time in the RESY app, and it will NOTIFY you if something comes available, and that is precisely what we did as our day-to-day schedule changed as we moved into each day!
I’ll also tell you that it’s true people are turned away without reservations and we watched it happen twice in 5 minutes!
Sometimes there is room at the bar seating (which is very limited), and sometimes there is not.
If there is not, next time make a reservation and get a table or booth (party size dependent)!
A True Speakeasy Experience at the East Village Speakeasy NYC Because…
A speakeasy was a hidden, secret bar area used to serve and sell alcohol during prohibition.
Sometimes between the walls, in the basement, in a hidden room, etc.
To gain entrance, you needed to know how to get in, and where it was.
So, I am sharing the following info with you:
- how to get in
- how to secure your time there
- where exactly is the East Village speakeasy in NYC is
- what you can enjoy while you are there
Let’s start with Where Exactly to find the East Village Speakeasy in NYC
When I visited recently, I was trekking from Times Square to East Village.
About ten stops on the Metro, then about an 11-minute walk.
When I was done walking, I didn’t find a building called PDT instead I sauntered into the hot dog eatery, CRIF DOGS, affixed to Please Don’t Tell.
Trust me, my husband knew what I was doing, but I don’t think the rest of my party believed in what was about to happen.
Instead of going up to the Crif Hot Dog counter and ordering one of their veggie hot dogs or Impossible burgers, I took a quick left to the RED Phone Booth and picked up the phone.
I dialed, and suddenly I was moved through a black-looking door, and suddenly the rest of my party appeared, NOW BELIEVERS!
We transitioned through the walls, and my dear readers are the crux of a SPEAKEASY, so Please Don’t Tell had already won me over by being pure and true like a Speakeasy.
What’s Inside PDT Speakeasy?
Inside you will find a few booths, 3 as you walk in, about 2- two-tops, 5 bar seats, and one larger booth in the back tucked by the bathrooms.
Yes, I said bathrooms, meaning 2 unisex, funky little bathrooms!
So relax, you can drink and go pee since they go hand-in-hand, and unlike so many places in NYC, they have more than 1, and that’s worth a drink, a shot, whatever on its own IMO!
The walls have some odd taxidermy on them; still trying to figure that out.
Music plays loud enough that you can still chatter, but enough to remind you that you are out!
A mix of generations, from college-age to 50ish adults with friends, catching up over sips, plus there were two tables of ‘dating’ couples as well.
It was a weeknight, so I am sure the crowd vibe changes by the day of the week, but really we didn’t care what age was there. We just wanted to have the experience!
While the room is dark, it’s not impossible to see.
I’m Here. Let’s Drink and Hey, “Please Don’t Tell!”
Our party came here to chat, drink and eat and we did!
But, I had already heard rumors that this cocktail bar had one of the best mixologists around, and our guys wanted Manhattans.
Smooth, tasteful, served in a martini-like cocktail glass, smitten with joy, the guys drank with smiles on their lips and experienced the best Manhattan’s they have had in all of our worldly travels!
The other drink you see is the SHARK, and it will definitely take a bite out of you, with the alcohol; in other words, it’s strong, and they don’t skimp on the contents!
All I can say is AMEN because some bad bar experiences in NYC were a complete contrast to watered-down crap!
What’s On The Cocktail List at the PDT Speakeasy?
Here’s the deal, what do you care about what’s on the list the mixologists can make you anything you want, you just have to give them an idea of what you like to drink and let them be your guide.
Also, while I will share the menu we viewed that night, do note, don’t expect to see it when you go as they ROTATE their menu and introduce new drinks often, yet another reason to love the PDT Speakeasy.
And these are your current Reserve Cocktails, but again, they can change as well! More or less, I wanted you to see the alcohol ingredients. ↓↓↓
My Vetiver Rabbit
The debate of what to drink was difficult for me to wage as a few items looked really good.
I intended to drink a cocktail and then switch off to WINE, which I did.
Well, you saw there was already a SHARK at our table, so via the suggestion of our host, I ordered the Vetiver Rabbit.
He issued the following statement once ordered, “If you don’t like it, we will gladly trade it for you!”
A no-risk, try-something-new kind of night.
In fact, I loved it, and it was so different from anything I’ve ever had.
At first, I thought I tasted Cilantro, which I dislike, but, it was the Green Chile Vodka mixed with the lime that threw me for a curve.
Then after that cocktail for a starter, I moved into the food and wine zone!
Simple Foods Paired With PDT Speakeasy Vibe = A Perfect Night!
What goes best with drinks?
Food!
For those of you who go on a date here and pass on the food, you’ll regret it! Eat, drink and who cares what the other person thinks?
No worries about a fancy menu because Crif Dogs is right on the other side of the door, and they offer pretty fairly priced eats, and the food appears fast!
I enjoyed an Impossible Burger, my husband had a cheeseburger, and we both had Tater Tots.
The Hosts of PDT
So here’s my insight on the hosts… individuals who know the drink menu inside and out, and probably are mixologists themselves.
Each interaction was courteous and kind.
We were offered drinks and an overview when we asked, and they checked on our table a few times and that is when we ordered again, and then added food.
I believe we received just the right amount of interaction, and at all points, they were professional!
In fact, I even asked if I could please video; they were more than welcoming and allowed me the opportunity!
Those that get turned away do get miffed, to say the least, as we watched this in action, but there is only so much room in the speakeasy!
Imagine being the server and host that bring on the alcohol and then dealing with all the lunatic behavior those drinks can bring out in people.
I think I’d climb the walls and look for the out entrance even with just one of those encounters.
The staff had no idea who I was, that I was a travel and food writer, and treated us fabulous!
We were brought water, and drinks promptly, and the drinks made a beautiful presentation.
Tips for Getting to & Leaving this East Village Speakeasy in NYC
Driving? Metro? Uber? Cab? Lyft? To and From.
To get there, we rode the subway from Times Square (where we were already touring) to East Village.
The subway we took was over 11 minutes of walking after the stop!
However, the tradeoff is quite simply this: the East Village area offers lots of bars and restaurants, approximately in the same area.
There are vegan and regular food options, and there are 2 other speakeasies, and multiple bars in the area.
You can also schedule an UBER, LYFT, and the like, or take a cab!
LEAVING after visiting the Please Don’t Tell Speakeasy and any other bars you hit up along the way will not be a choice!
I’ve got to say driving would be OUT of the question after a few drinks at the PDT Speakeasy.
They offer a well-balanced, alcohol-loaded, perfectly crafted drink menu; after a few, you may not be feeling your feet!
I suggest making a night of barhopping and eating, on whatever NIGHT you can snag reservations at this NYC speakeasy with a secret phone booth entrance.
Schedule an UBER for your after-party transportation and enjoy the night!
Work the rest of your night around your time and party on! ~ Dana XO
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