Been desperately looking for a cocktail bar near Times Square that my co-workers and I can frequent after work when we're not looking for a dive scene (thank god for Jimmy's) or don't want to have to venture all the way over to Ninth Avenue and have to cross the tourist plagued Times Square. Lantern's Keep was the answer to that prayer! Small space, but perfect for what we were looking for. Bartender was extremely knowledgeable, super friendly and extremely hard working (seriously, didn't see him stop moving for even a minute) - on top of all that he provided really great recommendations based on the things I love the most. Overall great time and definitely will be back. read more

Very cool old school speak easy type bar, outstanding bartenders, true professionals, inventive well made cocktails. Very small place located off the hotel lobby bar but this is def not your typical hotel bar. When I say small, think, s.m.a.l.l. Great place! read more

Found this place on the Yelp mobile app search for cocktail bars (haha cheap plug in I know) after a great birthday dinner party at Totto Ramen so we needed some blocks to walk of the food coma stank. The 1920's swanky style bar is comfortably tucked away in the back of the luxurious Iroquios Hotel. We arrived around 9ish with a party of 5 and had to wait 30 minutes for a table but the waiter offered to order our drinks in the lobby while we waited. The cocktail and drink menu read like a mixologist's bed time story with drinks for every preference. If you're a tequila girl like me I'd go for the High Horse shaken over ice which is delightfully refreshing. A real NYC historical experience second to The Blue Bar at the Algonquin. read more

Met up with an old friend here to grab a cocktail before going to an alumni event a few doors down. First thing to note is that this place is small - can maybe sit 25-30 people at most. This isn't a bad thing. However, I would suggest coming here early to grab a seat as it was packed by the time I was leaving around 615pm. They have tables and booths, but if it's just you (totally ok) or you and friend, I would suggest sitting at the bar. It's really fun to watch the bartenders do their thing. It's an art and they do such a great job. Everything is fresh and they have about 30 different bitters/syrups, etc. to work with. Definitely planning to bring my girlfriend here for a Gin cocktail next time. read more

Although the cognac sour was pretty tasty, they failed my "classic cocktail test" miserably. That was one of the worst Sazeracs I've ever had. And the staff seemed more interested in talking among themselves than to the guests. read more

Lantern's Keep - Oh, I poured too much Absinthe, here's the rest in a separate glass. Huh?! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Came here on a date after work around 5:00/6:00 PM. We took a seat at the bar right in front of the bartender. We simply told the bartender what sort of flavors we liked and he whipped something up. It felt really special (even though the date was a bust). The dim lighting and close seating make it an intimate escape. The food is also NOMS! Escargot and hummus so delicious . Sort of in an unassuming location which adds to the romance--feels like a nice escape from the bustle of the streets. Good date spot. read more

Dinner at the Waldorf and chili nuts Small an intimate; 9 tables and 3 bar tables, dark wood, low lights, classic music read more

Go here for cocktails if you need a place in Midtown for a romantic night. We tried 8 different cocktails here and most were smaller than average at $15 a pop. However, they were probably the most delicious cocktails I've had in midtown. I wish they used less Campari and Aperol in their drinks since I'm not a fan. If you are a fan, you'll be in heaven. The service was relatively good. The waitress was great about explaining their mission statement, getting our next round, and providing suggestions. We made a reservation through e-mail on the day off without issues. Overall very romantic, classy, but relatively expensive. read more

Neat speakeasy-type environment. Delicious drinks, and great small plates (although the selection is somewhat limited in the latter.) Making a reservation seems like a must because it is relatively small, with limited seating. The service was pretty poor. Took about 15 minutes of sitting there to be served, and on several occasions I had to flag our waiter down. This was a Tuesday night, and although somewhat busy, seemed manageable to me. I'd probably go back. read more

Do not miss out on the Wildest Readhead and Penicillin (not on menu). Best cocktails in NYC so far :) read more

Inventive and delicious cocktails made and served by a knowledgeable and friendly staff. A cozy room that's intimate, but not stuffy. You need a reservation, but I've not yet had a problem getting one when I wanted. Sippers enjoy! read more

Great date spot! Their cocktails are pricy but delicious. It's a very small space so we had to wait a little bit even on a rainy weeknight. But the host/ bartender was very helpful and we had a blast! Perfect for upscale after work drink date spot. read more

Hidden behind the lobby of this hotel is a small bar with ~$20 cocktails. Good service, good cocktails, small space that's easy to miss if you didn't know it existed read more

I stumbled upon this place last saturday night amazing cocktails. lively music and cute bartenders. We showed up around 10 there was a fair amount of people there. The drinks in everyones hand looked so good I immediately knew it was going to be one of those nights. I tried the Iroquois # r which was just the right amount of sweet, def had pineapple in it and my girlfriend had the "Brook's, ( a rum drink) both were expertly mixed by very well dressed bartenders. I will surely be going back to this place before winter sets in. Also, big fan of the ice cubes and nut mix, (seriously did i just compliment the ice cubes?) Next time I will try the small plate of scotch and egg, just sounds like a winning combination well done lanterns keep! read more

Over priced cocktails. Good service nice bartenders and good ambience but 18 dollar cocktails need to be very good. Many better places to go. read more

Was there waiting for a friend one time,stayed quite short,kinda like the place.Mark!

When searching for a well crafted cocktail, most of the bars that pop up are in lower Manhattan but one gem stood out near Grand Central. Tucked away inside the Iroquois Hotel is a cool bar that has an almost speakeasy type vibe to it. The bar was packed on a Friday night but the service was very good - the waitress spotted us, found us a seat, and was quick to serve us which we appreciated in a full room like that. The drinks themselves were excellent and we'll certainly be back to spend more time next trip here (we came at last call). read more

My experience here left me really disappointed and kind of insulted. This would have been a first time experience at Lantern's Keep, but for reasons I still don't understand, we weren't even invited in. The staff refused to honor my confirmed reservation without any explanation, meaningful apology, or invitation to return. My partner and I had been wanting to check out Lantern's Keep for a while now , so I decided to surprise him with a Friday 6:45pm reservation at followed by an 8pm show. A staff member even called me that afternoon to confirm the reservation, which was really considerate. We arrived at 6:45pm on the dot, very appropriately dressed, and saw at one completely empty table with open seats, as well as two unoccupied seats at the bar. Despite this, we were asked to wait for over ten minutes, which we did politely and quietly, until being told that there would be no space opening up for us and that we'd be more comfortable having our drinks in the "library" - which is the Iroquois Hotel's business center in another part of the building. It didn't seem right to pay $16 to have a drink sitting beside an old fax machine and a desktop computer, so we told the staff that we'd be leaving, even though the table and bar spaces were still wide open. Eventually, we rushed through bad drinks at another bar before hustling to get to the show on time. To put it mildly, it wasn't a great start to evening. We were left to wonder what we had done wrong to be treated so rudely. I still don't know. I understand this a really busy place, which must be a reality every Friday night. But Lantern's Keep should do everyone a courtesy and not ask guests to make reservations, and then confirm them, only to turn them away when they show up on time, without any options or explanation. It's insulting and I won't be returning. (FYI, I tried emailing the management the next day to see what the problem was. They said they'd get back to me, but never did, despite a follow up request.) read more

I would give them zero stars if I could. My boyfriend and I live in the neighborhood and came in after dinner for a drink with a few friends. We had a party of 7 people and our friends were already seated at a table with a table that had opened up right behind them. We asked the waiter if we could pull up some chairs to the table that our friends were sitting at or take the large table behind them and he barely responded, we asked again and he said there's no room for us here and walked away. I am sorry but there is no reason to treat people who wanted to experience your establishment so poorly. Will never come back. read more

Tucked away in the Iriquois hotel, dark and dimly lit, it reminds you of a Big and Carrie moment, sneaking affairs. Very inventive cocktail list, cozy seating, attentive staff, classic yet modern decor. Perfect place to steal away and have a conversation where you can actual hear the other person. 'Gem' is the perfect descriptor for this place. read more

This place is tiny and cramped. I was meeting my wife for a drink - there were two regular size tables available, the bartender said we needed to sit at the bar (only 4 bar seats available) and wait until a 2-top was available. I looked around and saw those tables were tiny, and right on top of the people on either side. Not even enough room to squeeze through to sit. I asked again if we could sit at the regular sized table and they said it was for parties of 3. Sorry. I looked again at those tiny little 2 person tables and felt . So we left. Went to the Blue Bar next door. They have great Manhattans! read more

Small and cozy little bar at hotel lobby. But the cocktails here are delicious and strong! Very nice ambiance, great for conversation or simply enjoy a drink or two. A good find for this area, given how dead this area is after office hours. read more

We arrived at 12:30p and the staff refused service. Not sure if it was our attire ( suit & dress ) but clearly they clock out earlier than advertised. Not coming back. Don't waste your time late night theater goers! read more

This place is amazing especially for Midtown. It is lovely and intimate with a great cocktail list. The drinks were tasty and strong. In addition, we were not rushed at all. My only gripe at these places is that they really should print enough menus for every table so they don't have to take them away from you. Aside from this, this place is perfect. read more

Nice menu, nice vibe, but terrible service. The waiter is as snobbish as hell and kept on ignoring you. If you sit on a table, you have to go to the bartender yourself to take the order and check out because the waiter gives no shit about you read more

Really nice and intimate bar to check out after work. I arrived at around 6PM and was surprised that it was already full. We had to wait around 15 minutes for a table. I love the atmosphere! It was a great speakeasy sorta venue w/o the pretentiousness. Drinks were superb. Service could be a bit better but heh I guess you come here for the drinks. It definitely has a sophisticated vibe to it and I highly recommend coming to chk out this place! read more

This place is one of a kind. Cute bartender made me this crazy drink with an yoke one cup with spices and a gin fizz to go with. Really hit the spot and was totally new to me. Atmosphere is fantastic and staff is beyond kind. read more

Dark, intimate, Victorian interior makes this lounge an excellent choice for a laid-back cocktail hour. In my two visits the service has always been sincere, attentive, and knowledgable. The drinks are solid, a mix of classic and fun, and made with care. They offer small snacks. The lounge fills up quickly and everyone seems to be having a good time. One complaint: the "spiced nuts" were more sweet than spicy and the olives were served cold. Four stars for familiar ambiance, good service, proportional elixirs. read more

What a cute little bar! This place is a cozy and romantic spot to bring a date to. Very small - probably only about 10 small tables there so it's not good for big groups of 5 people or more. We came Saturday night around 9 and it wasn't that crowded. We sat at the bar (which only has 4 barstools) and ordered some cocktails. They're expensive but really good and professionally made. I started off with the Iroquois #2 since I heard that was a good drink. My boyfriend got some drink that was very strong and full of whisky or something an old man would drink so it wasn't my thing lol. The Iroquois was delicious and it looked so pretty I didn't want to drink it! For my second drink I asked the bartender what he would recommend so he whipped me up a delicious concoction and called it the strawberry French 75. I would like to stop in here another night I'm in the city and try some other cocktails read more

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What a hidden gem. Amazing craft cocktails. I had two of the Bartender's Choice. I requested Hendricks gin and cucumber and he reappeared with an amazing libation over a large square ice cube. Very fun and I love the color of the blue chairs! read more

dropped by for a post-work cocktail with my girl friend last Wednesday as she highly recommended this place as a great spot for cocktails in Midtown since we both work close by, and I really enjoyed my first experience here. unsure why there are complaints of service ... we got excellent service and we came w/out reservation at 6pm (the bartender / server told us we could reserve for future - good to know since we had no idea!). the drinks he recommended were spot on - we both ordered the Gershwin (highly, highly recommended - especially if you are a ginger lover). don't remember this lad's name but he was attentive, charismatic, never made us feel rushed and came to check on us often. this place is SMALL with a capital S. great place for an after work cocktail in a more intimate setting (unlike all the Irish pubs in the area), or to meet up with a friend or date. literally only 8-10 tables available, but a cute spot with nice wall art decor, great drinks (pricey but comparable to other speakeasies), good mix of people and great service. will definitely be back! read more

Nice midtown bar with an almost speakeasy feel. It's inside the Iroquois hotel's lobby, which makes it a bit harder to find. There is extremely limited seating, but the cocktails there are all pretty good. I had the Migration, which had a great balance of a smoky bite from the alcohol mixed with a honey-tinged sweetness. The ice in all our drinks was really high quality and really shows that they care about their craft. Waitress was great, service was fast, and the atmosphere was great for relaxing with friends. read more

Great place for a little birthday gathering with friends for a thirty something birthday. The Food, drinks, and intimate space is nice and perfectly bottled together. I had whisky and the flourless cake among other appetizer plates. It was a nice evening here. read more

Food service shuts down unfortunately early, but the cocktail list is vast and thoughtful. We came here after seeing Rodriguez at Town Hall on a weeknight and sampled a few tasty drinks. This is a real gem in midtown, the kind of place you're more likely to find on East 9th than West 44th. read more

Cute place but they don't play music that fits the atmosphere and cocktails are just ok. Had the bison sliders that were pretty good. Cheese plate was mediocre. read more

Lantern's Keep is a tiny lounge/speakeasy located in the back of the Iroquois Hotel. The drinks are strong, service comes with a smile (shaken, not stirred), and provides enough intimacy for a nice conversation. I don't think I'll revisit as nothing really stood out for me, but if you're in the area and are in the mood for a quiet cocktail, it's worth checking out. read more

Good drinks and an old school hotel bar decor are terribly undermined by amateurish and disrespectful service. Pass this one by.

What can I say: if you go here you will experience an attentive staff that makes you feel like the most important person in the room. Crowd can be large but the wait is worth it - I highly recommend the Keeper's Choice. read more

not really a place to go if you're not into old-school cocktails. the place is a small hidden spot inside a hotel, with a handful of tables and a small bar. decor is very nice, old 1800s decor. they prefer you make reservations in the evening/night hours i was there mainly for the company and a drink, and since i really had no clue what to choose from their extensive list of complicated cocktails, i asked the guy for a scotch with a lil of their housemade ginger ale. the menu says to ask for a custom drink if desired, but the waiter didnt seem to want to let me order off-menu. he kept suggesting this drink, or that drink, with all these ingredients i know nothing about. finally suggests i go with a drink called "penicillin" that uses a scotch, is flavored with their ginger extract, honey and other various things. said it will probably be closest to what i was asking for. the drink was aptly named cuz it tasted like some oldschool medication. no taste of scotch. no taste of ginger. nice look to the place, but has a narrow focus. read more

My friends took me here because they thought the cocktails were great. The setting and the service are just ok, but the cocktails are fantastic. I had Lady de Santiago and The Captain's Blood and both were great. We also had the squash and tahini dip to share which was also tasty. read more