Exquisite speakeasy, wonderful drinks and terrific bartenders. I can't wait til I can go back there again. Loved it!

Met a friend for drinks and some bites here on a Monday night. The bar is upstairs at Freeman's, through some winding corners and behind a secret door. The bar is super cozy and very small. There's lots of Japanese influence on the menu, and the bartender was great about walking us through the flow of options. The drinks were great and carefully crafted, I especially enjoyed the baoshan spritz with the little boba-like bubbles. On the food, the karaage chicken was the best thing, and I also liked the duck dumplings (though my friend wasn't a huge fan). As with most cocktail bars like this, service can be slow so would not recommend if you're coming for a quick drink. read more

Banzarbar - Chios sail (left), masa tai (right) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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It's a speakeasy kind of vibe in here. You've got to ask to know. But once you're in, it's a great place to try original cocktails and enjoy a night of engaging conversation with your circle. Didn't get to try any menu items but I did get to see others clean their plates. Food is good I guess? I had a house Negroni and a house Mai tai. Both were tremendous in the best way possible and are highly recommended. Who can say no to egg foam? Not this guy... read more

Banzarbar - Bar vibes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

It is a must go! My friend and I came in for drinks and the vibes were amazing. It is a small speakeasy vibe as it is on the second floor of a restaurant and a bit hidden to get to, which I loved. We got seated at the bar and was so happy we got that spot because the bartenders were so fun and made the whole experience even more enjoyable! As far as drinks, I loved the Saint Krampus (tasted like the holidays in a drink and was strong and not too sweet, just perfect!) and my friend loved The Yucatec - but honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of the drinks here. We got some small bites which were good as well. I highly recommend checking this place out and a reservation is a must have, but on a random week night you might get lucky and be able to get seated with minimal wait. read more

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Intimate cocktail spot in a great location with fantastic bartending staff! Service - phenomenal. We got a nice welcome drink which was interesting and the bartender was super nice and friendly! The bar manager and other staff even stopped by and everyone was very friendly and welcoming - loved the overall vibe and theme of the place! Ambiance - Cozy and intimate. there was probably about 10-12 seats total. We went for a quick drink around 5:30 on a weekday and it was cozy enough to have a lovely conversation with everyone there! Drinks - were amazing! We got the Felix which was more savory than I expected and I loved and my husband got the Kingston Okinawa which was strong and delightful Reservations? Yes we had them but you could probably get away with a walk in right when they open on a weekday - otherwise would plan on making a reservation given how intimate this place is. Overall highly recommend! read more

Banzarbar - Felix and Kingston Okinawa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Pre-dinner cocktails here for a party of three. As noted by other reviewers, there is a strong speakeasy vibe to the place. One mut walk down a very cool graffiti-decorated alley into the restaurant and then up some narrow stairs and corridors to get to the pocket-sized bar. The bartenders at fully engaged in their craft and turn out some creative drinks. Service was attentive and not intrusive. As the bar filled up it did become a bit warm and loud. But by then we were heading out to dinner. Excellent experience all around. read more

Many of us are jaded by the NYC speakeasy scene by now but when Banzarbar opened years ago now, finding a hidden watering hole on the 2nd floor of a restaurant that's hidden down an alley was peak cool. Even if I'm not as starry eyed for its hidey hole location, the drinks still go down real smooth, and the cozy, dark space maintains the intimacy you want from a true speakeasy. The couple of times I visited were on weeknights, and there weren't any crowds, but I can see this spot filling up more on weekends. It's refreshing that this place hasn't aggressively hit the press circuit, so I don't think it's on everyone's radar and somehow they seem to like it that way. A bit surprising when operating under capitalism in NYC, but I'll take it. So many drinks on their menu sounded great to me so I had a hard time narrowing my choices, but the bartender was helpful with guiding me toward the right drink. I tried one with elderflower seltzer and egg white, and another with mushroom gin, tomato water, galangal, coconut milk and chive oil (quite the savory drink modeled after the Thai soup Tom kha). Both were dynamic and unique, and most importantly strong and tasty. Totally worth the twenty something dollar price tag this caliber of drink costs. I think they might change their menu seasonally so you can return multiple times and have a different experience each time. read more

Banzarbar is the true definition of a speakeasy. You go through a back alley, go into a restaurant that gives no indication of a secret backroom bar, get confused and then confirm that there is a secret backroom bar, then get led through a maze of hallways to finally get to the bar. As with any speakeasy, Banzarbar fashions a sultry, dark, and intimate vibe. My partner and I were seated next to the door with a full view of the bar. While the ambiance was beautiful, the bar was clearly understaffed (and confirmed by the hostess downstairs before we were seated). In a rush to serve the patrons, the busboy spilled water on me and one guy had a whole drink spilled on him by the bartender (at least he got a free drink out of it). But despite all of that, the night went on and the good drinks and ambiance more than made up for the fumbles. My favorite drink was God's Green Earth which was one of the most unique drinks I've had in a while. Earthy but refreshing and almost floral, it was a real standout. A close second was the cocktail served in a teacup which I can't remember the name of. And while I'm not a fan of whiskey, the whiskey based drinks were definitely smooth. We also tried the Shackleton's Urn which was also very good and was lit on fire for our viewing pleasure. They give you a good amount so it's worth the price. Taste wise, it's not something I haven't gotten elsewhere. If you have the money to spend and want the speakeasy experience, I would recommend Banzarbar. While the drinks are great, my wallet didn't agree. Maybe next time I'll come when I have some extra cash. read more

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I almost don't want to write any reviews about it so fewer ppl will know how amazing this bar is. It's such a gem!!! The cocktails are some of the best I've ever had. The menu changes every 6 months and the recipes are created by the bartenders who are truly passionate about cocktails. The vibe is great, we went on a Tues night and it wasn't busy so I loved chatting with our bartender. They have such a great selection of liquors as well. Come if you really love cocktails! read more

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

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TLDR: Get a spot here before it becomes too famous! These are hands down the best cocktails in NYC. Move over Double Chicken Please- theres a new best cocktail bar in town. read more

SKIP THE RESTAURANT DOWNSTAIRS - GO TO BANZARBAR UPSTAIRS. We had a horrible experience with the service downstairs for dinner and were losing hope with the reservation we had made upstairs for drinks at Banzarbar. However, the moment we set foot in the speakeasy type vibe, all of our qualms with the restaurant downstairs were forgotten. The atmosphere, staff, and overall vibe were something like we have never experienced in our 10 years here in NYC, and we could not recommend it more. Charles was the absolute BEST bartender you could ever ask for, so knowledgeable, friendly, and cool, taught us so much (especially about rum, his specialty). If you're on the fence, make the res here and go. Could not recommend more. read more

really cool bar, hidden within the restaurant. not many seats so make a reservation or come off peak. drinks were fantastic and even come with an 'amuse bouche'. the tiki drink I had was amazing read more

Upstairs from Freeman's, Banzarbar is a terrific bar with amazing cocktails. The drinks, ambiance, service and glassware are all excellent. It is a true classic. read more

This is a cute spot,it's cozy and has a speakeasy vibe. I think the place can fit around 20 people, the room is dimly lit. Great for dates! They have unique cocktails and some light snacks. We had the duck confit dumplings, which were crispy and delicious, the lamb skewers that were good and oysters. The passion fruit dessert was so good. The drinks were unique and delicious. The bartender, Beatrice, was attentive and friendly, and she made the best drinks! If you like a speakeasy place that's intimate and cozy, you must come here! read more

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Small bar in freemans alley with a cozy ambience and really strong drinks. Loved the vibe and all the cocktails we ordered. Highly recommend for a date night! read more

Banzarbar is a neato, shipwreck-themed speakeasy above Freeman's restaurant. My party of three walked in on a Saturday night in early May and got seated right away, though I imagine word will get out about this amazing spot soon (if it hasn't already) and that will no longer be possible. We started with a complimentary tipple - always a nice touch - then ordered the Arctic Willow and Tropic of Cancer cocktails. Both cocktails were well-crafted and worth the somewhat hefty pricetag. (The immaculate ambiance is also part of that!) Service was so good, too. I want to return for dinner - we had just eaten - because they have a different menu from Freeman's, with some amazing-sounding seafood dishes (I need The Kraken). Finally, the speakeasy has expanded, so there's more seating than they had pre-covid, and they're on Resy. I'll be back!! read more

Banzarbar - Arctic Willow and Tropic of Cancer cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

A nice speakeasy with some interesting crafted drinks that I would have never thought of! The drinks are inspired by different cultures and countries so it was very fun to look around. Their drinks are pretty tasty and can be also strong so be wary with what kind of liquor they use. Again, it's usually a hit or miss for me with drinks but I got a hit so I was content. Very strong but could barely taste the alcohol. The drinks are presented very nicely too. Definitely would recommend to make a reservation for this place. It is also in a sketchy looking alley so don't be concerned if it seems you're headed to the wrong place because you are going the right way. read more

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

Overall rating: 4.9 Pictures don't do this place justice. Place is very dark and intimate which I absolutely love. I've been wanting to go hear for awhile & so glad I was able to get last minute reservation. Definitely best on a date or with one friend. The bartenders are very well trained & so knowledgeable! Will definitely be back! read more

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

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This might just become my go-to spot in the city! They change the menu every few months -- keeping things fresh, especially with their inventive takes on classic cocktails and more experimental cocktails. The bartender gave us a sample of the mushroom gin--imagine hints of vanilla and earl grey. I opted for the vøkkå nåtu swiit (pronounced: "vodka not too sweet"), and it was a unique, flavorful choice. Plus, the staff is super friendly and the vibes were incredible! read more

Banzarbar - Menu page with their experimental cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Hidden upstairs at The Freeman is Banzarbar. Let all of your wildest imaginations come to light. Kidding of course A very small, intimate space, but one that really sets the bar high. Their menu is based off periods of history. For my first drink, I decided to go with The High Alps (look it up if you want to know more about their cocktail menu inspiration) and order the Mont Blanc. Tequila is the base, but the anise and lemon really popped out. For my second drink, I decided to order From Prussia with Love. The Old Tom Gin paired with the various floral and vegetative flavors made this a very refreshing drink. For my last drink, I decided to go with the Polynesian Triangle and ordered their staple, the Shackletons Urn. Being a gin guy myself, I truly enjoyed the London Dry and Old Tom's Gin that were the base. The green chili and peach was a nice touch that added some differing contrast to what is a very, very exceptional drink. I really, really enjoyed it My experience at Banzarbar was excellent! Nothing disappointed me. Cocktails were very impressive, ambiance intimate, and service was exceptional! Will definitely be back! read more

Banzarbar - Shackletons Urn - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The best cocktails in NY! Cozy, speakeasy-like environment and amazing staff, Banzarbar never disappoints! This bar fits maybe max 15 people, so it can be a little tricky to get a reservation, especially if you have a group of 4 or 6, but once you get in, you'll see the true magic of this cocktail experience. All of the bartenders and waiters are incredibly skilled and knowledgeable, and most have come from other high end cocktail spots like please don't tell or death & co. The on-menu cocktails may seem a bit intimidating at first, but if you let your bartender or waiter guide you, they'll point you in the right direction to get one of the best cocktails you'll ever try. Additionally, the Moonraker Sail might just be the best martini in all of NYC! read more

Banzarbar - Cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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It's been over three years since my last visit to Banzabar and it was great to see the little speakeasy has lost none of its charm and has really expanded its menu. In fact it's kind of overwhelming. Glad we let our server steer us. Thanks to Chelsea (a certified "booze nerd") for taking in our spirit and flavor preferences and setting us up with some fantastic cocktails. Also SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT- you will not be sorry. read more

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

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Speakeasy upstairs at Freemans down the alley! We came pretty late on a weeknight so were lucky to snag a seat in this tiny bar!! I dont usually care for speakeasies but Banzarbar is exceptional. They also served us an amuse bouche pour before our drinks came out, this was a FIRST for me! ---even keel: such a balanced drink!! Everyone at my table loved their drinks as well NOTE: You can make an RSVP on the resy app read more

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

Came here on a Friday night a couple of weeks ago. While we intended to go to Freemans for drinks, the host mentioned the upstairs speakeasy, so we, of course, decided we'd rather be there. We only had a drink each, which was enough (since we were bar-hopping and the drinks were pretty strong). Yes, the cocktails are in the $25 range but strong and in larger glasses. The place isn't that big so I wouldn't recommend if you have a big group. Also, we didn't have to wait much but not sure if it's because it was a summer weekend and everyone was out of the read more

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

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I loved this bar. It was super vibey - had some Raines Law Room vibes but lighter and more elevated? It's a speakeasy in a restaurant and a very small space. But the space feels very intimate. I really enjoyed sitting at the bar. The bartenders were great and recommended great drinks - I really liked my teacup drink (it was a tomato one but had no tomato flavors, Dw it's not v8 ;) ). I think this makes it into one of my fav bars. It's a good spot for dates (incl 1st dates) and friends! While the environment is dim it's prob a lil light for any canoodling action unless you hide in one of the booths but those are for larger parties. Overall I did love and would recommend :) read more

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

Banzarbar is a really cool speakeasy with great cocktails (albeit at NYC prices). It's a very small, intimate space (smaller than Angel's share or Death and Co.) so I highly recommend reservations. Reservations are easy to make online which is a plus. The bartenders know their stuff. In addition to the drinks on the menu, you can request something else. I've been here twice and I've enjoyed every drink I've had. I've always found service friendly and informative. read more

Banzarbar is situated upstairs within Freemans. My friend and I walked in and luckily, there were seats for 2. I do believe they reserve some seats for walk-ins because we were just testing our luck since the Resy were all booked until like 11pm. As they brought us up, it felt like a maze. The bar has a sliding door to enter and within it has a seafaring type of theme. They did have a food menu but I wasn't able to try it since I was coming from dinner. This place was Japanese-French inspired (but don't fully quote). I ordered Shackleton's Urn ($26) as I liked gin based drinks and rum is fine too -- this drink is limited to two per customer and omg I realized exactly what for muchh later into the when all the alcohol I consumed hit me. It's way too strong for me LOL, I shouldn't have ordered the Kumara Punch ($20) after as it was also pretty strong. read more

Banzarbar - This was free for us to sample!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Cocktails here never disappoints. So many layers, so complex, yet not too strong to drink. Food in general was really good as well. Fried Chicken - very juicy and flavorful. Veggie Dip - fresh and the dip was yummy Rib Eye - 4 mini pieces for $22 but it was very delicious. Fried Sweet Potato - I love sweet potato so, but not sure how other people feel about pay that for sweet potato lol. Mushroom - the only dish that failed, tasted like some kind of BBQ sauce you can buy off the shelf from Korean super market, and it was overall salted. Almost not edible. In general my recently favorite place! The complimentary Vermouth to start was also amazing! read more

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A lot of the time I find speakeasies to be underwhelming (i.e Please Don't Tell) or favoring the "speakeasy" environment over the actual quality of cocktails, but I was really really impressed by this place. There's no obvious line down the sidewalk or in the restaurant of people waiting to get in, but they aren't snobby about hiding the location either - although it did talk some walking in circles to find Freeman's Alley. The restaurant itself looked really homey and inviting and we were able to get seated immediately without a reservation around 8pm on a Wednesday night. Both the host at the restaurant who led us up and our waiter at the bar were both super nice, and the waiter was really knowledgeable about all the drinks. The welcome drink was a great touch and both the drinks we got - Moonraker Sail and Road to Kerala - were amazingly complex and STRONG. I love a good alcohol (preferably whiskey) forward drink and they did not disappoint. The vibe at the bar itself is super intimate and we got a cute little 2 person booth on the side of the bar. Didn't get any food since we had already eaten, but all the food being brought up smelled so delicious that I almost was convinced to get a small bite despite being stuffed. I would definitely come back to bring and impress newcomers. Overall a great experience! read more

Banzarbar - Moonraker Sail, Road to Kerala - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Would recommend to more adventurous cocktail drinkers! The staff was super friendly. After we ordered, she gave us some apple brandy to try which was so yummy. The drinks were very different and unique. A bit expensive at $20/drink but worth checking out. My friend didn't like his first drink and told them right away and they were really accommodating in getting him something he would like. read more

Great service, unique cocktails, and intimate setting. Ordered the Between the Stem & the Fruit cocktail and was surprised at how many small servings I got out of it (as a lightweight, it was more than enough for me). It's fun to see how each drink is served differently. We also ordered some kind of chocolate dessert that was super rich, dense and creamy. Our waitress also patiently went through the menu with us and gave us a few recommendations based on our preferences. Excited to come back and try something new! read more

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

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Tiny bar upstairs from Freeman's. Interesting drink menu. Great for date night cocktails.

Had a terrible experience. After being led into the place (which calls itself a speakeasy, but is nothing more than a half-assed closet space on the first floor of the freeman's restaurant behind their office) and sitting down. We're accosted by a young lady who asks two members of our group to leave. We were 5 people, but apparently that's one too many for the vibe they're trying to build there. The lady was neither kind nor helpful, felt like we were being scolded by the police not someone who's trying to create an intimate ambiance. We ended up all leaving... Would not recommend trying - there are way better places to check our with much better service. Mediocre all the way through. read more

BEST SPEAKEASY in NYC! Take your partner for a quiet, romantic surprise night out. Out of this world drinks, quiet little space, and fun knowledgeable bartenders. read more

Banzarbar - a person lighting a candle on a table - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I have mixed feelings about the "speakeasy" concept, naturally the quality of such establishments depends mostly on craft, both in the cocktails (excellent) and the service (strangely uneven). Banzarbar's drinks are more expensive than many places, but the quality makes the value. I really enjoyed the Road to Kerala, interesting play of smoke, sweet, and heat an an unfussy drink. I had another cocktail the name of which I forget, it was a rum punch maybe? Too much pearled ice, but that's probably on me & my taste. So, good drinks. My friend is less adventurous than I, and so was looking for something a bit more pedestrian. Unfortunately, our server was unaccommodating to the point of rude. Not to me, but absolutely to my friend, as if she were an idiot. Turned me off, & made things awkward. This particular bartender then spent most of our time there in deep conversation with other patrons at the bar. Not cool. Thankfully, we were seated near the bar & were able to flag down a young fellow who helped us out with more drinks (just trying to get my drink on, is that so bad?) We were sure to tip him extra, he did the right thing. I understand that covid is bad, and working hospitality during covid is torture. I'd also admit if I was a jerk & the server gave as good as he got. But none of this was true. He could have been having a bad night, but at this price point? Disappointing. Would be a worse star rating but for the other bartenders carrying their cranky colleague ... read more

Banzarbar - pretty - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Such a cool speakeasy bar! It was at the end of a really long heavily graffiti-ed alleyway. You then go upstairs of a restaurant and through what seems like a maze to get to tables. They have fun cocktails as well as food. Food was pretty good but cocktails were amazing. Definitely recommend for drinks and the vibe. read more

It's a very intimate and cozy space and I went because Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin came on a date and it looked cute and the drinks looked good. Service was just ok, not good. The food was good, we ordered string beans and chicken. The drinks were underwhelming especially the recommendations given by our waiter. I asked about something fruity. He couldn't answer any of our questions and said the menu just changed last week and he was new so he didn't know any drink names. I couldn't order the drinks I already knew about since they were no longer offered. He recommended this one drink that was lit on fire, the one drink that wasn't a cocktail. He also looked away and was distracted while we were ordering, he seemed like a bus boy. And seemed annoyed by our questions, which was odd. I felt pressured so I just ordered it. It tasted like a tiki bar drink - like super power in Brooklyn, and wasn't very distinctive or special. Wasn't very good and my friend's drink was just very sour, yet wasn't a pisco sour or anything. I would only return for the ambiance, the drinks definitely aren't worth it. Tl;dr: overhyped, did not meet expectations. read more

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

Overall: 4/5; Drinks: 4/5; Service: 4.5/5; Atmosphere: 4/5 I didn't realize this was basically a speakeasy hidden in Freemans! Pretty cool. My only qualm is that it's very expensive, even by NY standards. Check in with the Freemans' host to be brought to the bar. Drinks: 4/5 The drinks were well balanced, with a slight inclination towards being liquor forward. Solid cocktails. Service: 4.5/5 The experience begins with a cocktail amuse bouche which was very unique. The server was really sweet and made good recommendations based on what our preferences were. She was very accommodating and attentive. Atmosphere: 4/5 Small bar with about 5 tables. Really intimate. Well decorated with nautical themed accents. read more

We like Freemans as well as Banzarbar but make sure to make a reservation atleast 2-3 weeks in advance. read more

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Great bar, but pricey drinks. Very cozy bar above Freeman's. I made a request on the res for a side table and was pleasantly surprised they actually paid attention and honored it. The bar is so small that the bartenders come out and and take orders and answer questions which was nice. All the drinks we had were nice....but the price point was a bit steep. All drinks were at least $20, which is quite a bit even for Manhattan standards. The Kraken/fried octopus look interesting, but we were too full by the time we got there to try it. Maybe next time! read more