I frequent NYC because my husbands work brings him out here on a weekly basis, so inherently, we are huge fans of the city. Friends and family of ours who are locals recommend this spot because of the great atmosphere and delicious specialty craft cocktails. Being from Chicago, and a life long industry worker, I really appreciate a spot you can get a well crafted cocktail, and have bartenders and staff that are passionate about what they do for a living. This is what we were hoping for, and expecting here. When we waited for over 20 minutes in line, and then we're turned away for my shoe selection, I was instantly turned off. I have never in my life, as a 27 year old female, been turned away from entering any restaurant/ bar/ club atmosphere in my life based off of my shoe selection. By no means am I thinking that Apothèke cares what one patron has to say about their dress code/ shoe selection, (because I was reminded by the doorman ever so politely that the dress code is listed on their website), but what they should care about is their doorman's attitude and delivery to people who want to spend money at their establishment. The industry that I was trained in, which is one of the largest, and most well respected restaurant groups in the country, would have never treated a patron in this manner. Summary, very disappointed in something that we were incredibly excited for, and had planned our entire day around to attend.. only to be turned away. read more

Great drinks, large bar and a clean bathroom. I'd definitely come back to try their other cocktails. Hidden in an alley of Chinatown, Apothèke has a first come first serve seating lounge. It's a dim lit bar, kind of like Raines Law Room. Soft music in the background and for the most part it's not too loud inside. You won't find teeny boppers here. The atmosphere is intimate, thank god the drinks are adequately strong! Perfect for a first Tinder/CMB/-insert dating app here- date. I had the Devils Playground which was the perfect combo of sweet and alcoholic topped with a dragon fruit. Definitely need to come back to try other drinks. read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Very vibey with low lighting. Sometimes easy to get into and sometimes there's a line. Interesting drink menu that's worth a try.

New Favorite Place For Drinks And Live Music! Best Combo! I had this little hidden place in China Town on my list. Our trip was short and weather was poor, with these circumstance we almost didn't go to Apotheke. Fortunately we did last minute and it's made it to one of my favorite nightlife memories! Apotheke is now my new favorite place for cocktails. We had a lots of drinks, felt like we tried half of the menu. We were not a fan of the Devil's Playground. Maybe it was the Absinthe in it, but it's an acquired taste. The stand outs for our palettes were: The Siren's Call (cucumber, seaweed, squid ink, black lava salt) this one was very refreshing with the cucumber and a total wild card so I HAD to try! It has a oyster shell and pearl to showcase the sea. Tainted Love (Beets, Pomegranate, Port's Ruby) tasted like juicing and Valentine's Day both things I love. Plus it was alcohol so overall solid win. The Paid Vacation (Mezcal, Tequila, Smoked Pineapple) exactly as it sounds. Normally, I'm not easily impressed by live music at a bar, but on Monday nights an artist name Gabe Cummins performs with his band. I was blown away by how much I was enjoying the performance. At several points he was rocking out with mad moves standing on top of the bar or in the audience with roaring solos. I absolutely recommend coming here and specifically would say come on a Monday night! What better way to liven up your week? read more

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I've tried many speakeasy bar in NYC, but Apotheke is one of the best speakeasy in NYC!! They are located in China town and the access is pretty bad, but it's worth to try. I really enjoyed their craft cocktails, especially the one came with the oyster shell. Cool decor and vine. You can enjoy great cocktail with live music. Definitely come back when I'm in NYC! read more

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Great place and a really cool speakeasy. It does look like the place is closed but when I stepped in - such a spacious, beautiful place. The bartenders really do their thing and I had fun watching them. I honestly don't know what the name of the cocktail was that I was drinking and I wish I remembered, but it was soooooo good. It was a rye cocktail and I told the bartender to surprise me. lol. It was amazing. Will return again for sure. No doubt about it. I'm so happy I checked this place out! read more

Really cool drinks. The bartenders wear lab coats. All the specialty cocktails have exotic flavors and presentations. They pack a big wow factors, also a high price tag ($15 per drink or so). You want to take time choosing your cocktail because it really is an experience. I've been here before while jazz music is played, salsa, even a band of trumpets playing hip hop songs. It's great! Enjoy your visit! *please vote below if you enjoyed resding* read more

Apothéke has been on my bookmark list for some time, so imagine my giddy excitement when our bachelorette party chose to end our evening here! If you can find the shoddy "Chemist" sign hanging above the door on a back alleyway in Chinatown, congratulations! We were greeted by a bouncer who looked at our group (all in dresses, bachelorette wearing a simple pink sash) and walked over to speak to some girl on the corner. We were told we could enter only if the bride-to-be removed her sash. 1) who was that girl and why does she get to decide? 2) the sash posed as more of a threat in our hands than draped around her body. So we removed the sash without question and entered the bar. It was very dark with cozy chairs situated around the perimeter of the two room lounge. The only real light was coming from the bar where the chemists (in lab coats) were busy mixing up their deadly concoctions. And deadly they were. Unfortunately, we tried three different drinks and all were a flop. Call it our palate, call us unsophisticated, but these were as undrinkable as they come. Shyly, we ordered standard vodka/gin and tonics so as to continue enjoying our time dancing, but if looks could kill, the bartenders would have shot us on site. Regardless of our mortal sins, this place oozes sexy and intimate and we were enthralled to stay for hours. This place is pretty expensive, but I would come back and dare to try a few new items. Surely these chemists can create a solution I can handle. read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Unique bar but I wouldn't classify it as a speakeasy. It's located in Chinatown and has a small door front but beyond that there's not much secrecy to it. Inside, the decor is interesting: the chandeliers are made up of chemistry flasks (very cool touch), the bartenders all have white lab coats on, and the alcoholic ingredients come in a variety of experimental containers. The drinks themselves are extremely interesting but I feel like they are not all universally good. I had the Paid Vacation which was good but I felt that the spiciness really overwhelmed as opposed to complemented the drink. My friend had the Bermuda Triangle which tasted much better-a perfect blast of creaminess and fruitiness. The later it gets, the more dance-y this place gets (but in a more casual as opposed to clubby way). The music is okay but perhaps not energetic enough for people really looking to dance. Furthermore, it was WAY too loud at times and impeded conversation. Pro tip: Make sure to dress at least smart casual! The bouncers turned someone down because they were wearing sneakers. Overall a cool experience but I don't think I will become a regular here. read more

Apotheke - Inside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I've wanted to go this cocktail bar for a couple of years now. I dare you to find another establishment that pays as much attention to detail then this place. I was very impressed with every element. I was slightly disappointed when I didn't see the lab coats. I'm not sure how long ago they stopped doing that. It's in an odd location right in the heart of china town with a discreet entrance. In the evening this particular street is deserted, so it adds to the mystique. I like the space, with enough seating in the lounge area for smallish parties and plenty of room at the bar. The bar starts to come alive later in the evening, but even with more people it never felt too crowded or loud. I love the cocktail list. Be prepared to pay $18, which is more or less standard for an upscale cocktail bar or speakeasy. I will definitely return. read more

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We were on a Bar spree on our visit to New York . We had gone to some really amazing places and didn't expect that it will get better when we came to Apotheke on a friends strong recommendation . But boy, were we surprised!! As everyone had said the guy at the door was indeed rude and that kind of started our visit on a bad note. But the first drink itself changed it all. The music was amazing and it got better and better as the night progressed. We had about like 7-8 drink between the two of us and I Can say with confidence that not even one disappointed. They were perfectly made and very tastefully presented , sometimes with a feather or an oyster. Totally loved the place!! read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Came Wednesday night. The doorman is extremely rude and wouldn't let people in, Don't bother coming to this place read more

Great drinks, great staff, great ambiance. There's a rooftop section, totally worth seeing

Awesome speakeasy hidden on Doyers Street in Chinatown. Good luck finding it without Google Maps. The bartenders are detailed mixologists and put a lot of effort into every drink. The drink menu is like nothing you've seen before. Don't expect to come here and order a vodka soda. After scoping out the list of "prescriptions", I tried the Bees Knees (Vodka, Bee Pollen, Goji Berry Reduction, Pink Guava, Ginger, Lime, and Agave Nectar) and the Dr. Ruth (Absolut Vodka, California Strawberries, Rosemary, Agave Nectar, Lime, and Champagne). I don't love ginger so I wasn't a fan of Bees Knees but the Dr. Ruth was amazing! It was delicious and refreshing (but still strong). I knocked down a star because it's so far downtown and pricey. I came here for a work event so drinks were free but a pitcher was priced at $100+. Can't imagine how much a glass is! read more

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My Friends and I originally set out to go to the Penthouse of Hotel On Rivington but the party scheduled there was moved to their lobby bar and we weren't feeling it. So, we fell back to this speakeasy. The cover for which was an old school Apothecary facility. . Walk down a suspect sidestreet in Chinatown; Show your I.D. to an unassuming doorman, then enter a venue where even the decor has elements of a chemistry lab, beakers and flasks included. The real surprise was a DJ (DJ Greg Poole) who played Azonto, Dancehall, Reggaeton and Salsa! The place was actually jumping a bit. We grabbed a table as soon as we got there. It didn't seem like any of them were reserved. We got our drinks on our own from the bar but the waitress did inform us that she could have taken our orders. I can't find anything to complain about. When your plans go left, step right, into this place. read more

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They have a brand to maintain, and that brand is a pretentious and unwelcoming bar that aren't transparent with their drink pricing. A group of 5 of us walked in on a Wednesday night and we were advised by the bouncer of an optional coat check and he recommended it because of large winter jackets potentially bumping into other people. We walked in, and it was not crowded. We found a table that sat 5 people comfortably. We were looking at the menu and we were again advised of the coat check option. Then the waitress also reminded us of the coat check and told us there was a 'brand' they were looking to keep up. Then the bouncer again reminded us of the coat check and how he did us a favor by allowing one of us in with a photo of an ID and to do him a favor. A few of us did the coat check, and thought that was the end of it. Then the bouncer again reminded us of the coat check and was quite pushy and obnoxious about it (he was just asking us a question). This was all within less than 5 minutes. We were told that the coat check was optional and so why were we reminded so much to do it? We had the table to ourselves, and the coats would not be in any other patrons' way. There were other tables that were allowed to exercise their option to not coat check, so it seemed they were selective of who they were reminding. We spoke to the manager who was not apologetic. He only said that he was 'sorry we felt that way' and that he wasn't sure what that 'brand' was and that the other tables were definitely reminded of the coat check option. As we left, we saw even more tables fill up and they were left perfectly alone to exercise the optional coat check. read more

Eddie the bartender, Edar the barback cultivated a friendly and personable connection, paired with amazing cocktails, great energy and lively bar scene, this Doyer St. Staple is a must. The drinks are unbelievably wonderful! read more

Amazing!!! The cocktails are the best ever!! I had the duck fat cocktail and the sleepy hollow. Wow, you will love! My friends had the catcher in the rye amd a few other drinks. We all were obssessed with our drinks. You can't go wrong. A true New York experience. Great drinks, nice ambiance, and the band was entertaining!!! Will Absolutely be going back read more

This place is awesome once you're in and at the bar. Expect to wait up to an hour from the time you arrive till you get to the bar on a weekend. I would pre-game just to make that hour more tolerable. Once you're inside, the ambience is amazing! Music is great. The set up of this place is awesome; the decorations are very interesting! I didn't have to use the bathroom but went in anyway to see what it looked like. We went on a Friday so the bartenders were busy but they were still polite and courteous. The cocktails are an experience; all the ones we tried were good. Oh! Don't forget to try some absinthe. In summary, this place is a unique experience that everyone should try! read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Apothek has the best cocktailes in town, I have been going there for over 10 years. However the bouncer they have recently hired is completely destroying the experience; is extremely rude, seems drugged up and harassed the girls in our group - not worth visiting anymore. Below is a picture of him discretely recording a video of customers. read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I love this place. The music level and selection were just right. The drinks have a wide range of selection. The staff are really nice. I can't wait to go back! read more

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Such a fun night here! I came on a Wednesday night with two other friends and we were surprised to learn at the door that we needed a password to get in (hint: if you don't know the password check their Instagram) and once we got it correct, he let us through! Apparently on Wednesday nights they have a burlesque show accompanied by a jazz band/singer. It honestly feels as if you've been transported back to the 20s or 30s which was amazing! The singer was incredibly talented and it was a wonderful environment just to sit with a friends and relax after work. For a Wednesday it was pretty lively! As for drinks they were strong & delicious but pricey (not surprising though as this is NYC). Definitely recommend coming for the experience though! read more

Had dinner in the area and wanted to get a drink prior and landed at the nearest bar. Came with a friend who has been before and indicated I couldn't go wrong with any choice of cocktail. My cocktail came out perfectly and is by far one of the best I've ever had. Luckily I had read reviews beforehand which indicated that the entrance was a bit hard to find with only a "Chemist" sign out front. From the outside one would not think the bar would have fairy ample space on the inside and is definitely a gem in the rough situated in Chinatown. The inside had a nice old fashioned theme and I highly recommend checking it out. read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Came here on a Monday night around 11. There was a small line to get in but nothing that would deter anyone from having to wait. This is definitely something you wouldn't expect to find based on the location but I was pleasantly surprised upon entering. The decor is nice and very similar to other speakeasies with the bar in the back and comfy seating. The bathroom had an interesting and cool sink but only two unisex stalls for the entire place. Overall the decor is pretty much the same as others but the biggest difference from the rest are simply the cocktails. The drinks are probably some of the best cocktails I've had. Kudos to the mixologist because nearly every one was brilliantly created. Both kale cocktails are absolutely fantastic and something I've honestly never had before. Would definitely return just for those. There was a band playing and created a great mood fitting for the place. Overall, highly recommend to check this out. It's average price for the cocktails - believe around $16 but totally worth it. read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I'm glad that I checked this place out at least once, but this speakeasy was way too overcrowded unless you secured a seat on the couches or at the bar. It's definitely a good spot for a date as evidenced by the 30 dates that were going on while my friends and I were there. Bad idea to bring a large group when the space itself is already super tiny and they have bad crowd control. The bartenders are very busy but at least they make sure to take everyone's order when they get the chance. I got Kiwi's Playhouse - it had too much ice in it, which was disappointing because the drink itself was fantastic though a little light on the alcohol. I liked the space and the concept - apothecary themed so you had the bartenders dressed in lab coats - so might be worth a visit earlier in the day. read more

Very rude and racist bouncer wouldn't let me and my friends in as we were carrying a sealed bag which he claims has food in it.

TLDR: Trendy pharmacy-themed bar tucked away in a Chinatown alleyway; excellent but pricey drinks Have been wanting to check this place out for a while and finally decided to give it a try on a Saturday night while out with my roommates. We arrived around 1am and had to wait about 30 minutes in a queue outside before being let in. Apotheke is located off the beaten path in an unassuming Chinatown alleyway surrounded by old and rundown buildings. Unless you were seeking it out, it would be difficult to stumble across this place. The interior was drastically different than the alleyway in which it's located, with chic, dim lighting, an ornate, backlit bar, light brick walls, and old school red velvet and striped lounge seats. This bar is pharmacy-themed, with bartenders dressed in white coats and a "prescription list" instead of a menu with different categories such as "Health & Beauty," "Pain Killers," "Stimulants," Aphrodisiacs," "Euphoric Enhancers," and "Stress Relievers." Ingredients are house-made daily using organic produce, herbs, and botanicals. My roommates and I each ordered something different: Kiwi's Playhouse: cachaca, soju, muddled kiwi with fennel and fresh marjoram, lime, and agave; I didn't try this one, but my roommate really enjoyed it Kale in Comparison: organic quinoa vodka, fresh kale juice, ginger, pineapple, lime and agave, smoked sea salt rim; I tried a sip of this and found it to be very balanced--similar in taste to a healthy kale and pineapple juice or smoothie Dr. Ruth: vodka, rosemary, California strawberries, champagne, lime and agave; I ordered this one and enjoyed it a lot--sweet, fruity, and slightly bubbly While we were sipping our drinks, there were a mix of people dancing, chatting, and lounging. The music was a good mix of top 40, throwback, and eclectic. Overall, really enjoyed the vibe and drinks. Although a bit pricey, would likely come back. read more

Apotheke - Kale in Comparison, Dr. Ruth, Kiwi's Playhouse - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Really cute bar in the middle of Chinatown, in a very unsuspecting area. From what I hear, many bars come and go but this one has done quite and and has lasted over the years! I ordered the Dr.Ruth and am usually quite picky with my cocktails but really enjoyed it. It had a hint of sweetness without being overly sweet. There's some live music in the corner - not sure what it's like throughout the week, but it sounded Cuban esque when I went. All the bartenders wear white lab coats, which goes very nicely with their theme! I think their drinks were ~18. read more

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Five stars for the best cocktail in NYC, one that I had six years ago and had been talking about ever since, never able to make it back to Apothéke. But this was a different night, we got in easily, no line, and the bar was just waiting for our orders. The Kale in Comparison cocktail includes organic quinoa vodka, fresh kale juice, pineapple, ginger, lime and agave, and a smoked salt rim. Perfection. I had two and left happy. And probably much healthier, right? Lest you think I am a regular kale eater or organic quinoa kind of a guy... I'm not. I was at one time the world's worst vegetarian, basically eating cheese pizza and spaghetti for 13 years. This cocktail is amazing, worthy of my obsession, and finally I made it back! Okay, there's another obsession worthy drink: Sitting Buddha. With vodka with lemongrass, fresh pineapple, cilantro, fresh ginger root, squeezed lime, and agave. Damn good. Glad to be back! Now I can shut up about this kale drink, my friends will be happy never to hear me talk about it again. Yelp, now it's on you! read more

I absolutely love the originality of their drinks. Its quirky and just one of a kind. I never doubted their drinks here (perhaps only the price) But this place failed to have its full potential due to its staffs. We arrived as a group of 6. I tried to re arrange some of the stools around but got yelled at by the waitress. We tried to sit around a smaller table and got yelled at by the waitress again. I mean we are all adults here not trying to riot the place. I just don't think that level of attitude was necessary. Because of the price of this place, i honestly expected better service, but this was completely false. It just felt like the waitress was some how superior, and I did not appreciate that. This is nyc, so many bars, too little time to waste on rude services. read more

Apotheke - Kale drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Apotheke was one of the first speakeasies I ever visited. I loved the concept, and during the past eight years, I have sought out a fair amount of speakeasies. Sometimes when I revisit my firsts, I realize that it's not nearly as good as I remembered it to be, as the novelty has worn off. This is NOT the case with Apotheke. They have definitely stood the test of time and continue to make amazing drinks in a somewhat sketch back alleyway of Chinatown. read more

Have to be super honest- I thought this place was totally fake every time I went to Nom Wah Tea parlor next door. My friend and I stopped in here during the summer and loved the vibe. I forget the drinks we had, but the "chemists" behind the counter are really good at recommending drinks. The prices are more than the average cocktail bar, but considering the ingredients they use, it's well worth the trip. This place is not for getting totally wasted... so yeah. read more

A cute little bar if you're into the following: 1. Hidden and discrete like a speakeasy in an old alley in Chinatown 2. Kitschy in concept trying to emulate an apothecary in their decor and bartender uniforms 3. Young and into the standing around a bar with little to no seating, hot, and crowded bar scene They have tasty drinks all made in front of your eyes, a little heavy on the wallet, but that's fairly standard NYC pricing and there isn't a long wait. What made my experience more fun was seeing Buzzfeed Worthit's Steven Lim at the bar with a friend. So I guess even media personalities find it worth it! read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Definitely my top cocktail bar. Speak easy. Delicious cocktail merged with eastern flavor. Gets loud and best after 10pm. Everyday it has live performance at 10pm I would come back for sure read more

Apotheke - This is one of my top cocktail bars - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

By far the most uncomfortable and rude experience my partner and I have ever had with a bouncer. We arrived and told the bouncer the name on the reservation. He said there was no reservation under that name. We went to look it up on our phone, and then stepped aside so the two girls behind us could get in. They apologized to the bouncer for being 15 minutes late. He said it was ok and seated them. Once they were done we tried to show proof of our reservation, to which the bouncer replied it's probably no longer in the system since we were a couple minutes late. Quite confused, we asked about the girls who were late behind us, to which he replied they were on time. They had without a doubt said they were late and that their reservation was for 8:45 (it was 9). The bounce never looks at the confirmation texts we got. At this point we realize he is not letting us in for some other reason. Is it because my partner was Asian? Who knows, but he definitely didn't mind letting the white girls in. The entire encounter felt very uncomfortable and we both felt unsafe asking him anything further. read more

This is a really intimate lounge where you can jus sit back with friends or your loved one and jus chat and listen to the live music. The inside is decorated with tin printed ceilings and the walls and floor have a rustic look. He bouncer outside was really cool and helpful wit letting us know when the private party inside will be leaving he also shut some obnoxious woman down at the front door who was trying to jump to the head of the line. The crowd was a bit on the young side which may not be everyone's forte but if you are here to hang and have a good time you will not be disappointed. The drinks are delicious and very vibrant in color. I will be coming here again im having a great time. read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I came here for drinks to celebrate my birthday. This has always been on my list of places to try because I have always walked past and seen a lot of people waiting in line to go in. I came on a Friday night and did not have to wait long to enter. However, I thought the staff here were really rude. First off, let's start with the bouncer. I came with friends and told my friends they were too casual, but he'll let them slide this time. Really, being too casual is an issue? It wasn't like they were dressed in basketball shorts and sneakers. Next, let's go into the place, it is nice but there was limited seating. A few couches and tables which was fine, but there was also limited space to stand around. The place was dark and the music can get really loud. Half the time you have to scream to each other. Finally, let's go into the drinks. A lot of people crowd around the bar so it's not easy to even order a drink. So be prepared to wait a while to even get a drink. The drinks definitely looked pretty, but they do not taste that good. Strong, but that's not the issue. They do have interesting combinations like using kale which I thought wasn't bad, but if kale isn't your thing like for my friends I wouldn't recommend it. So they do have some healthy booze. However, be prepared to pay $16-20 for drinks. So drinks are pricey here, but I guess that is expected for a place like that. read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Not sure if these elixirs really live up to their prophetic labels but I'd like to think so. I was reluctant to believe that I could consume (alcoholic) beverages with egg whites, kale, beet etc. but not only was it easy, they make it enjoyable to do so. I happily sipped my drinks, lost count, and tried others'. I could pick a bad one in the bunch. Dr. Ruth MAY have been my favorite among the contenders. Decor and bar were sexy and intimate but not cliche. Great hidden drink spot in Chinatown. read more

Apotheke - Dr. Ruth - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

We scheduled a reservation 2 weeks in advance but were turned away by the bouncer for no reason. We were dressed nicely, had no bags, and arrived on time. The entire encounter with the bouncer felt really off. I hate to say this, but I can't think of a reason that we turned away other than race. Would 100% not recommend coming here. read more

I would 100% give this spot a five star - but they only allow reservations in LA. And not New York. It's a great spot if you get off early and can be "first come first serve" such BS for those (which is almost every new yorker) who gets off late that wants to come here wont get it. Dumb. read more