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    Yawning Cobra

    4.4 (22 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

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    Cocktail menu
    Melissa A.

    I went out for drinks on a Saturday evening and decided to try this highly rated cocktail bar. Overall I would say my experience was just ok. 1) the atmosphere was an underground speakeasy vibe. The restaurant is hard to find (have to know to go down stairs, otherwise it is unmarked from the street view) 2) we were not given menus, water or asked about our orders for ~20 mins after sitting down (it was not that busy at 7:30pm). 3) my drink was $22 and looked like a normal drink you might order at a normal bar (with some flakes of seasoning on top). My friend's drink at least came in a nice glass with dried fruit on top. That being said, my drink was quite good and I ultimately ordered another one. 4) after about 90 mins we were reminded about a "90 mins per reservation limit." Which is totally fine, but there were at least 10-12 opens seats around the restaurant and we were seated at the bar... just seems like a good way to lose business. I will probably not be returning given the many other cocktail bar options nearby. Drinks were good, experience was just ok.

    imo yaro
    Kevin L.

    Wanna visit Osaka without ever stepping on a plane? Head south from Cooper Square a few blocks, find the sketchy looking stairwell with the unobtrusive logo above it, and step down into a space far removed from the East Village. I've now visited several times, all near opening time, and I've yet to run into a problem with walk-in seating. That said, I understand it gets pretty rowdy later on during the weeknight evenings and on weekends, so an advance reservation is probably a good idea if you're either planning to go during prime times or with a larger group. There's substantial bar counter seating, along with a few tables scattered toward the front and along the wall. I'm a big fan of the counter, and I enjoy the opportunity to watch the bartenders ply their craft. During quieter times, I've even seen the staff experimenting with drinks, which is fascinating to me. I appreciate the welcome dashi at the beginning of each visit. Our first time there, it was a totally unexpected treat. Especially since that initial trip was during the colder months, a warm and savory sip helped ease us into the experience. We also sampled the Cobra fried chicken (essentially, karaage) and found it enjoyable, but not particularly noteworthy. I appreciated the light, crunchy crust that didn't feel greasy, and the meat was steaming and moist. No complaints here. I've tried about half the cocktail menu and, without reservation, I can attest to the quality of the craftsmanship. The aesthetics, the aromas, the mouthfeels, and the flavors of each respective beverage vary dramatically, but every single one I've imbibed has been flawless. I genuinely couldn't pick a favorite among the lot; they're all expertly balanced and dangerously drinkable. I'm very pleased that Yawning Cobra's a newish addition to the rapidly expanding list of great watering holes in the neighborhood. Considering the significant competition, I wish their team the best of luck thriving in this location.

    Deana B.

    If you're looking for truly awesome cocktails worth the price tag, Yawning Cobra has got you covered. The cocktails are so fun and so delicious, it's hard to choose! This is a good date spot or would be perfect for catching up with a small group. There's a mix of bar seats and small tables. I was able to get in without a res around 9pm on a Friday but I'm not sure if that's always the case. Overall would highly recommend if you're in the market for a unique cocktail.

    Elvi T.

    Amazing Asian inspired drinks! Stumbled upon this place randomly after dinner. We had to walk down stairs and the atmosphere is dark intimate and cozy.

    Annie H.

    Came here twice for drinks. The drinks are very fun, lots of unique flavors. I didn't realize the menu ranked the intensity of the drinks so you could choose to go for something lighter or heavier depending on your preference. The interior is really cute - I've sat at both the bar and the booths and enjoyed both. Service is great, the drinks came out in a timely manner.

    Mercy!Mercy!Merci
    Eve S.

    Went to Yawning Cobra on a Thursday night around 6:30/7. It has the speakeasy touch of not being easy to spot walking up to it. Greeting was nice and we were sat at the bar without reservations. We were sat right next to the bathroom/dishwashing sink which wasn't ideal when there were other seats available but was fine. Dark inside, mostly bar seats, good for one or two people with you. The pickles and croquette were great apps. Tried some complex cocktails that we definitely hadn't had before. They were spicy, cheesy, Smokey and beet garnished (edible). Would go again!

    Matcha cocktail the last one on the page
    Bailey T.

    THREE MATCHA FLAVORED DRINKS? I'm sat. Garnishes great. Server nice , she gave me outfit suggestions. Fries mid but whatever it's fries. Yummy Asian themed drinks. However I wouldn't suggest trying a bunch of different cocktails otherwise all the different liquors and flavoring gonna be some Harry Potter cauldron in yo gut. Stick with one drink and have four. Otherwise if u want a variety I'm not stopping you but I'd keep it within the same lane

    Menu
    Lindsey J.

    Cute place, love the sneaky entrance, love that they have mocktails & very unique drinks on the menu. The tables have one big chair and then the other chairs are teeny tiny stools haha. Also I would have loved it if they had turned the heat up because my feet were literally numb! My friend let them know about a dairy allergy & they forgot about it a number of times, but definitely meant no harm.

    Anna K.

    Great experience for birthday night! They are really sweet and amazing people xx The dashi broth as a starter for drinking was pretty nice like Japanese style. Loved every cocktails they are wonderful !! And some Japanese chicken was amazing x The one thing I just not sure was the music.. 90s hiphop kinda vibe ain't fits for the cool hidden bar. Would love to come back!

    Maya H.

    this place is seriously the best, insanely inventive cocktails and watching the bartender was mesmerizing. you can tell he cares so deeply about the quality of his product and what is served to every customer. he personally oversaw everyone else and made sure that each were up to his taste and presentation standards, if it wasn't mixed enough or had any sort of blemish he'd immediately intervene . you can taste this care in the drinks, i tried to sweet potato one, cacio e pepe and the banana truffle drink. all were a fantastic unique experience and insanely delicious. it was easy for me to walk in about 1:30 hrs before they closed and was served quickly and attended to well throughout my time. ambiance here is chill and classy, fits the drinks quite well. it's a rather intimate space but perfect so everyone can watch the bartenders at work. truly artistry in what they're serving here.

    fried chicken
    Jenny Z.

    Came for their soft opening and the vibes, drinks, and food are immaculate. Perfect place to catch up with friends or go on a date. For drinks, we got The Tides and Not So Zen. The Tides is their version of a long island iced tea, definitely on the stronger side if that is your style. Not So Zen was my personal favorite -- it was light and refreshing, slightly sweet and not too strong. I would also highly recommend their food items!! The fried chicken was delicious, a strong contender to double chicken please's fried chicken (I arguably like the one at yawning cobra better). The chicken was so tender and juicy, and perfectly battered with a nice crisp. Did not feel too oily either which I loved. the fried chicken paired well with their cucumbers, which are extremely refreshing. The cucumbers were coated in a sauce which had a greek yogurt base, and the flavors of the greek yogurt were really refreshing. The sauce also had tiny bits of bacon in it, adding a unique twist to the dish. Overall, would highly recommend this bar. Service was great, ambiance is sleek, and food and drinks are delicious!

    mystic island, mercy mercy, tao pie pie
    Becky Z.

    I literally got lost trying to find Yawning Cobra, but once I arrived, I loved the design of everything, from the pixelated cobra on the napkins to the low light ambiance. I wish we had sat by the bar to watch the bartender make drinks because it was truly mesmerizing. The cocktails are amazing, with so many intricate and complex options to choose from, each with their own unique names. The menu is split into sections like sweet, sour, savory, and intense, and it felt like diving into a cool old style pixel game with how it's structured, almost like a story arc, like "Quest for Sour." Our waitress was super knowledgeable about the ingredients and where they come from, mostly Japan, and even told us about things like scallops being used in cocktails, which I thought was pretty crazy. I had the "Super Saiyajin" cocktail, which was made with vodka, beets, Shichimi chili pepper, chai, lime, and ginger beer. The most surprising part was the baby radish on top--it was so fresh, crunchy, and cold. The drink itself tasted like a whole garden, almost like a tomato garden vibe. We literally rotated through a bunch of cocktails like "Say Cheese," "Mercy Mercy Merci," "Tao Pie Pie," "Banana Panic," "Mystic Island," and "Green Grass of Home." "Green Grass of Home" tasted like whiskey, mostly, with a bitter matcha flavor--it was definitely picture worthy, as were all the drinks. "Mystic Island" was a huge kick to the face because it felt strong but subtle at the same time. The drinks range from $22 to $25, but I saw someone order a special $60 cocktail with Moutai, which is a unique and high quality Chinese liquor made from sorghum. We also had some food to share--mind I say the silverware was so beautiful. We got the wagyu ramen and karaage, and while the food was good, it didn't wow me since the bar is really known for its cocktails. The wagyu ramen broth was a bit too salty for my taste, but I enjoyed the texture of the noodles, and the wagyu tasted like standard beef. The karaage came with a few pieces and was definitely crunchy, though I felt it could've used a bit of pepper to add some extra kick. Overall, Yawning Cobra is a unique spot with a great atmosphere and excellent drinks, but the food is more of a nice addition rather than the main attraction. It's definitely pricey, but I'm excited to go back for more!

    Christina S.

    Cute new cocktail bar in Bowery perfect for a date night or catching up on the tea. Upon arrival you're greeted with some warm soup to prep your belly for what's about to happen. It was tasty by the way. My friend and I ordered some cocktails and shared the fried chicken- definitely recommend trying. Service was on point and vibes were just right. Definitely check it out.

    Sweet Potato cocktail - Imo Yaro

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    Sunken Harbor Club

    Sunken Harbor Club

    4.5
    (116 reviews)
    2.5 mi
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    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)
    0.5 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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    Attaboy

    Attaboy

    4.1
    (877 reviews)
    0.6 mi
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    Attaboy absolutely lives up to the hype…read more From the moment we sat down, we knew we were in for something special. Our bartender, Zack, was phenomenal. Calling him a bartender almost feels like an understatement--he's a true cocktail craftsman. I was amazed watching him create drinks based simply on a few words or flavors we mentioned. It felt less like ordering a cocktail and more like collaborating on one. Of course, he also nailed the classics. The Clover Club and Gimlet were both perfectly executed, and my husband tried three different whiskey cocktails throughout the evening and loved every single one. The atmosphere is exactly what you hope for from a speakeasy: dark, intimate, and unassuming. The space is small, which adds to the experience, although the bar stools are definitely not designed for settling in for a three-hour hang (my only minor complaint). But honestly, that probably helps keep the experience moving and allows more people to enjoy this special spot. Attaboy is a great example of why NYC has such a legendary cocktail scene. The drinks, the craftsmanship, and the personal attention make it clear why this place gets so much attention. We'll absolutely be back.

    - 1st drink: light n refreshing, fruity or floral but not too sweet, gin based, no spices; this…read morecame out to be pretty good but not anything special nor memorable - 2nd drink: smooth n creamy, could be foamy, refreshing, tequila, something that can wake you up; highlight of the night! It really is light and refreshing with egg foam on top; i like the smooth and creamy factor; it wasn't too sweet but had a slight brightening flavor - 3rd drink: dark and stormy and that was quite of an experience; i indeed felt the storm rumbling down my throat n tummy; do not order unless you're having a tumultuous day rating: 4/5 - i like the concept of not having a menu and you just tell them what you like, because it really challenges them on how well they can deliver what you're feeling; i personally think they slayed - lively vibes and nice lighting but music was a bit too loud n poppy for my preference - vibe was cool but more for friend hangouts not so much date - the service was amazing! I felt the 100% attention from the server as he listened to my order; he was also super demure and personable - the highlight of my night was when he took my order AND when he gave us the check which was his super cutesie pirate ocean drawing - id recommend come checking out if you have strong preferences for cocktails and know what you like! IG: @nom.noms.only

    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
    Steight

    Steight

    4.6
    (43 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Very cute speakeasy hidden behind an empty hair salon. The decor was very fun, and I couldn't quite…read moretell what the theme was. It's a very small space, so it may be a bit of a wait for a seat. We came around 8:45 PM, and got a spot at the bar after about 20 minutes. We tried the yuzu contact and the ma-chet baker, and the ma-chet baker was definitely our favorite. It tasted just like a matcha latte, and I liked the bits of gen maicha in it. It wasn't very strong however. The yuzu contact was also very light and citrusy.

    yuzu highball mt highball…read more- highball was nice, basic, and refreshing; nothing much to note about but ive definitely had better - i liked the yuzu a bit more because the mt highball was a bit too alcoholic hojicha colada - hojicha is their seasonal menu and it also is my favorite! The tea was strong and fragrant - it is on the sweeter side, a bit like dessert, so i had to pair it with water, but it was still yummy and would recommend yuzu contact - this was alright! Typical yuzu but ive had better ones - personally feel like the yuzu can be brighter and a bit sweeter rating: 4/5 - the drinks were all good but nothing particularly stood out except for the hojicha colada - the vibe and the music really brought up my rating though! It was such a cute, cozy, intimate spot for dates - small speakeasy with only a few seats, similar to bars in japan; it's one of those japanese listening bars and i love it - there was light jazz in the background, not too loud that i had to shout - the mood was perfect; I couldn't stop staring at the interior decor and immerse myself in this little cozy corner - service was super quick, nothing much to note IG: @nom.noms.only

    Photos
    Oolong Punch
    Oolong Punch
    Sake Flight.
    Sake Flight.
    Steight

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    Apotheke

    Apotheke

    3.8
    (1.6k reviews)
    0.9 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

    Yawning Cobra - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

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