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    Basement

    4.1 (190 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 4:00 am (Next day)

    Basement Photos

    BASEMENT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Basement

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    Mezcal drink called smoke and mirrors so good, complimentary popcorn
    Zulay A.

    I visited Basement in Chinatown with friends who were visiting from Texas. We had already stopped at Chinese Tuxedo and Apothéke, and they wanted to end the night with a speakeasy surprise. They found Basement and it ended up being a really fun pick. The atmosphere is lively and laid-back. There were tables available, the music was a good mix across genres, and the overall vibe felt social and easygoing. They have games like darts and beer pong, which makes it a great spot to actually hang out instead of just stand with a drink in your hand. Our waitress was super cool and attentive. The drinks were well crafted and enjoyable, and it felt like one of those places where you could stay for an hour or end up staying way longer without realizing. Basement is a solid go-to if you are bar hopping in Chinatown and want a spot that is casual, fun and not too serious. Definitely worth checking out, especially with a group.

    Phil B.

    Pure luck finding this cool speakeasy bar. No kidding, just walking down the street and saw the sign and then a vintage coke machine that had to be the secret passage to this dope bar/lounge. It's spacious and with very cool vibes. The bartenders were cool and can whip up your faves. Came here on a weeknight after dinner and it was pretty empty which was awesome since it felt like we had it all to ourselves but imagine this place gets busy on the weekends. Really enjoyed this place.

    Aya R.

    My order: Diet Coke The Review: A Diet Coke for $5 wtf! Okay now that I got that out of my system, basement is a cool speakeasy vibe serving steaming hot Asian dishes. My friend loved her shrimp. It had a peanut sauce that smelled amazing. There were no gluten free options, so I just had an expensive and very small Diet Coke. I'd recommend going for a casual bite and hang in a dimly lit environment.

    Front door
    Erin H.

    We stumbled upon this bar after eating dinner in China Town. What a great little speakeasy. The cocktails were great, the bartender was friendly, and we were given free kettle corn! There were games to play too, we just didn't partake. So fun!

    Jungwon K.

    Oof, I had a pretty bad allergic reaction from the smoke and mirrors cocktail. Not necessarily the bar's fault since I don't really know what I was allergic to, but probably won't be back. The interior is cute! Not sure what the target audience is though. When we were there, there were only 3 other parties and one was a bunch of business men in a meeting, one was a young group, and one seemed like a rowdy bachelor party playing beer pong. I like the concept, but something missed the mark.

    margarita
    Alana L.

    Very vibey and cute speakeasy in Chinatown. The music was a bit loud too loud to have a conversation. There is free popcorn (Boom Chicka Pop kettle corn flavor) which is fun. The decorations are cute & there are some games scattered throughout. There is shuffle board (or cup pong) and darts that I saw. Always nice where there is entertainment other than talking and drinking. My only complaint regarding the staff was the waitress was being pushy when I said I was not drinking and did not want water. Everyone else at the table had drinks and If i said twice I was not ordering something, please stop asking. I was only going to be there for a few.

    Anthony P.

    The drinks were just okay, but I would come here for the vibe and the reprieve that this place offers from the sometimes hectic Chinatown streets. If you're planning a food crawl, this place is perfect as a pit stop if you need to grab a drink or two, use the restroom etc in a cool speakeasy space. Or even if you want to end up here after dinner in the area. It's a nice loungey space, with cool tables and dim lighting. The space is located downstairs and behind a coke fridge, which is a fun vibe. The drinks were standard - nothing to write home about, but they meet a need that the neighborhood desperately benefits from - a fun speakeasy watering hole for people to enjoy in the heart of Chinatown. I do wish this place success, and would give them another shot.

    Jillian B.

    Stopped by early on a Saturday, and it was empty. The bartender told us to take a seat and she would come by and take our order - I got a coffee cocktail (Java Ink, $16) while my partner ordered a beer. The complimentary popcorn was good (it was kettle corn!) and is always a fun touch. I'm sure it can get crowded, but it was the perfect first spot to grab a drink before our dinner reservation.

    Chinatown Old Fashioned.
    Cindy Z.

    This little speakeasy bar in Chinatown is located in the basement through a vending machine door. If you didn't know about it, you'd walk right by without noticing. Once inside, the space had plenty of seating with beer pong tables. Since it was still early, it wasn't busy at all when we arrived. I got the HK Milk Punch ($16) while the boyfriend had the Chinatown Old Fashioned ($25). I also love that they offer FREE popcorn. And this isn't just regular butter popcorn, but a bit of a caramel-glazed popcorn. This is perfect with the drinks. While I didn't think the HK Milk Punch didn't really taste like a milk tea (if that's what they're going for), it was still refreshing and good. The Old Fashioned was strong too albeit quite pricey. The little popcorn that came with the cocktail was adorable, but a little pointless when you get complimentary popcorn anyways. Good, chill spot to hang out with some Asian-inspired cocktails. Seriously love the free popcorn here too. It was a hot day, so the AC was also blasting here and felt amazing. Great bar to hang out at while in Chinatown area.

    Mike K.

    Excellent drinks. Fun vibe. Games. Friendly bartenders. Oh and a secret entrance! What more could you ask for? Came here with the spouse and it was a big hit. First you have to find the place, and I'll leave that for somewhere else. IYKYK. You walk in off the street and piw you're in a cool speakeasy. Comfortable seats. Great music (80s/90s new wave the night I went.) The drinks were superb. Get the ones with Mezcal! Or not. They were all good. Have fun with the games, we played their version of sorry. The food was unique as well. Just the sauce for the fries was having us guessing what was in it.

    Atmosphere
    Mia H.

    I came here for a mixer event one day and loved the space! Hidden behind a coca cola machine, this speakeasy is a nice gem in Chinatown. The space is lively, has multiple areas where you can chill or play games with friends and a live DJ. The drinks here are pretty good, and I would love to come back again.

    Mary A.

    Not sure of the address but the food was great! I absolutely loved the mapo tofu, the beef chow fun was sooooo flavorful, definitely top tier, the fried rice was great, and the dumplings in hot oil had an incredible texture but too much vinegar for me.. the bartender was a little rude but my friend is not from around here so she took his hand wave as inappropriate or something? Idk.

    Shanghai Mule
    Gloria Z.

    Super cute underground speakeasy behind a coca cola machine. It has a lot of asian inspired cocktails and the one I had was very good! There's also small party games like darts and pong. I went on a Tuesday at 8PM so there weren't too many people but it seems like a nice place to chat and hang out with your friends. Would love to come back on the weekend.

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    3 years ago

    Fun spot with pretty cool games you can play with friends , really good drinks. Love the Coca Cola door

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    4 years ago

    great vibes. great drinks. no food atm bc the kitchen is doing renovations. diverse crowd all hours of the night.

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    Page 3 of 5

    Ask the Community - Basement

    What time/ day is happy hour?

    No happy hour

    Can an 19yr old enter? With an adult

    Nope

    Is there a coat check?

    No there isn't. Make sure you leave your stuff close. My friend got his bag stolen

    Do they have a happy hour?

    Doesn't seem like it. More just a set menu of cocktails.

    Are they open on Sunday/Monday?

    Open 7 days a week

    What time do they open?

    5pm.

    What is their phone number?

    (929)777-1388

    View All 8 Questions

    Review Highlights - Basement

    Located centrally in Chinatown, this speakeasy has plenty of parking at night, which is definitely a plus for NYC.

    Mentioned in 45 reviews

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    Valerie

    Valerie

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    Get bar staff, very attentive. Good happy hour @ 4:30pm to 7pm. Good happy hour cocktails. Not too…read moreloud during happy hour.

    Came here for a slightly early dinner after a Broadway show with a party of 4 on a Sunday evening…read more We had a reservation, but it didn't seem like we would have needed one, but I suppose better safe than sorry. The ambiance feels straight of the golden age, which is an aesthetic I'm certainly a sucker for. Even their robust cocktail menu fits the bill and is one of the prettiest menus I've ever had the joy of perusing. Staff was able to sit us a little bit ahead of our reservation which was also much appreciated. Wait staff was also very helpful and attentive, I don't think I've ever had my water glass so topped off! Starting off with cocktails, this place is a gin bar through and through and you'd be making a mistake if you didn't try one of their many options. I went with the 10,000 words, which you simply just give a spirit of your choice (I picked gin of course) and whether you antes) wanted your drink shaken or stirred and the bartender does the rest, so a bit of a surprise! I wound up with their version of The Last Word which was delightfully citrusy but I was hoping I'd wind up with something a little more adventurous app things considered. My girlfriend got the blackberry G&T, which was not only very pleasing to look at but delicious to boot. For food, we started with splitting some zucchini blossoms and beef cheek bao buns (both come in portions of 3). Both were tasty, but I love a good bao bun and these were so light and pillowy, I could have just went for an order of those for my main course. For the entree I went for the roasted half chicken, perhaps the most unassuming choice on the menu but this was maybe the best roast chicken I've ever had. Prepared perfectly, cooked to perfection, excellent portion size, and the kicker of it all was the stunning gravy that I was tempted to lick my plate for. Chicken is very easy to screw up, and they nailed it on all fronts here. My girlfriend went for the Valerie Signature burger with white cheddar and this thing did not mess around! A very rich patty, cooked to her temperature of choice served alongside some garlic truffle fries that made an American classic feel just a little more elevated. Our experience was delightful and I'd love to comeback here again, especially to check out more of the cocktail menu and soak in more of that golden age aura the place gives.

    Photos
    Valerie
    Valerie
    Valerie

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    Sunken Harbor Club

    Sunken Harbor Club

    4.5
    (116 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$$

    I've been trying to go to Sunken Harbor for over a year now. I don't know how it's possible but…read moredespite being local it always seems to have a private event whenever we have plans to go. The stars finally aligned this winter and I had the opportunity to try it out. The vibes are perfect. Fog and bubbles, sea noises and all of the art go together seemlessly. Drinks were great. We had three and left suitably sloshed for the night with no aftereffects. We didn't have too many bites but the food was very good for a bar. I'm excited to go back and I hope we have just as much luck getting in next time.

    This is a "speakeasy" above Gage and Tollner. An undersea Tiki style adventure with a sexy mermaid…read moreheading up the bar. Nautical theme throughout with weathered leather, ropes, fish. Cocktails are made with various types of rum and ingredients like grapefruit, maraschino, wormwood amaro, falernum, thyme, Assam tea, spiced lime, allspice, coconut, cucumber, nutmeg, sour orange. All the drinks keep with the tropical, fruity taste with a hint of spice. They are also broken up into categories (dry land = no alcohol, shallows = average amount of alcohol, and abyss (larger amounts of alcohol). The abyss section has some cocktails that are limited to two per customer. They have some bar bites like fried green tomatoes, shrimp toast, broiled oysters, ricotta, dumplings, sliders. I had the French fries with kimchi ranch, which were underwhelming. Bartenders were cool and kept the drinks coming. I got in immediately without an issue or a wait, but it was right after a snowstorm. I've seen some people struggle to get in or have a long wait.

    Photos
    View of the bar
    View of the bar
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner

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    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner
    Dear Strangers

    Dear Strangers

    4.3
    (29 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Dear Strangers is a wonderful hidden gem! We celebrated Valentine's Day there last night and while…read morethe restaurant was incredibly busy, we never felt overlooked or underserved. The owners were milling around making sure everyone was well taken care of and the wait staff were kind and personable. Now the food...AMAZING!!! Every bite we took was wonderful and so surprising with creative combinations and gorgeously presented. The restaurant itself was hip and refined and seemed to be the happening spot of the night. We will certainly be back!

    Met up with friends here for dinner before a show near Washington square. It wasn't super crowded…read morewhen we arrived around 6pm (maybe due to the extreme cold that day) but started filling up gradually. I loved the ambiance and decor, very cozy. As for food, there were some true hits but most of the food was good but basic. The highlights for me were the wild mushrooms & rice cakes as well as the Caesar salad - loved the use of nori in the salad and would definitely come back for the mushrooms. The chicken cutlet and chicken dumplings were fine but I probably wouldn't order them again. The wait staff weren't super attentive nor super warm, but they were efficient when we asked for water refills, etc. There was ample standing room at the bar while we waited for our friends, but the table/booth that we sat at was super narrow, I was knocking knees with my friend all night and generally felt squished.

    Photos
    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers
    Smoked chicken croquettes

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    Smoked chicken croquettes
    Attaboy

    Attaboy

    4.1
    (873 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Have I found a new favorite bar?! I've heard nothing but good things about this place, and it still…read moreexceeded my expectations. The vibe is super chill, fun, and welcoming. The concept is simple: tell the bartenders what type of liquor and flavors you enjoy, and they create a custom cocktail just for you. I think it helps to go in with a few ideas, but if you give them some creative freedom, they can really surprise you. I honestly cannot remember all the ingredients in my drinks, but I do remember loving every sip. Such a unique spot and a fun experience. Definitely small inside so you may have to wait awhile. I only wish I lived closer!

    Attaboy has my heart and soul, especially after crafting, curating and creating my dream drink that…read morewill live forever in the memory of my taste buds unable to be erased from my brain's footprints. Our friends raved about this place and we of course were excited (and a bit skeptical at first) to try it. The concept: no menu + no lights + a few questions = the ultimate cocktail experience. The speakeasy vibe and the dark ambiance really makes this place feel even more exclusive. With just a few tables and the bar setting, you're in for an experience you won't forget (unless you answer the wrong questions and really end up with a drink you don't like HA). This wasn't my case. Of course I described my two favorite things: Negroni + mezcal. The obvious answer would be a mezcal Negroni, but that's not why one comes to a place like Attaboy. Our amazing curator came by to ask us all a few questions, write down a few words in the napkins, and mix up the perfect drink that our master bartender crafts, curates and creates. My drink came as I couldn't possibly imagine. It looked like a Negroni smelled like Oaxaca, with all the smoke simmering up and preparing my sensory experience, leading to the best first sip. Ladies and gentleman, I introduce you to The Devil's Backbone. A perfectly balanced drink I'll never forget, one that is sipped slowly and enjoyed thoroughly. It's sexy, it's smoky it's sipped. Attaboy gave the best mixology experience and we can't wait to be back. Pro tip: be sure to be as vocal as possible, even with ice, so you don't end up with a tiki drink if that's not your vibe.

    Photos
    Small space but good vibes
    Small space but good vibes
    Paper plane
    Paper plane
    Interior bar seat

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    Interior bar seat
    Apotheke

    Apotheke

    3.8
    (1.6k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    Apotheke was one of my first experiences with a hidden speakeasy a number of years ago, and it…read morestill remains the OG in my vast encyclopedia of experiences. :) Strolling down Chinatown's busy and gritty Doyers Street, looking for any sign of Apotheke is a fond memory, then finally figuring out where it was, and entering through the mysterious and otherworldly threshold resulted a transformative experience that made me feel like I time traveled. Mood lighting, comfortable seating, great drinks in a cozy and Victorian-inspired space are the perfect blend of unique and. I always felt like I was part of something special the few times enjoyed creative, delicious, and strong libations from the pros at the bar. While it has always been pricey, I do feel like the excellent service ambiance, and drink quality warrant this, but may prevent more folks from becoming regulars so to speak. I love the clever and compact bathroom design, too. IYKYK Long live Apotheke!

    Fifteen years later and Apotheke is still one of my favorites!…read more You will walk past this hidden speakeasy several times before finding it. I could tell you to look for the blue beaker sign that says "Chemist" but the better tell is the random guy sitting on a stool outside. He'll be the only person on the street, so no worries about missing him! The menu has changed over the years, but the quality has not. The bartenders are social and personable. And the prices are in line for the area. My bestie and I loved the vibe. One of the best speakeasies she's had the pleasure of experiencing. Don't miss out on this place!

    Photos
    The bar
    The bar
    Live Band
    Live Band
    Beautiful bar

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    Beautiful bar

    Basement - wine_bars - Updated June 2026

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