Guided Speakeasy Walking Tour of New York City

based on 300 reviews

Duration:3 hours (approx.)
Location: New York City, New York

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ADULT (Age : 21 to 59)

SENIOR (Age : 60 to 90)

Free Cancellation

Upto 24 hours in Advance.

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

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Discover New York City's most secretive speakeasies on this guided, 3-hour, small-group walking tour in Lower Manhattan. Take a friendly stroll to discover NYC's most secretive speakeasies, hidden behind unmarked doors, coffee shops, restaurant kitchens, and more. Skip the lines with reserved tables, sip craft cocktails, and turn back the clock to the roaring 20s while the host details the history of Prohibition and the causes and effects that led to pass and enforce the 18th amendment.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Lower Manhattan
The meeting point for the group is always at a park where there is seating, shade, and water. While the group awaits for all the attendees to arrive, the tour guide will provide some general colonial history of New York City and deliver interesting facts related to the era — like why we say 'bucks' instead of dollars, why 'Houston' is pronounced differently in NYC, and much more. Once the whole group is ready, the tour guide will provide a small introduction about the speakeasy tour and explain how long it is, how many speakeasies will be visited (it's usually six or seven), and at which speakeasy the group will be allowed to grab a drink. The tour guide will also explain where the tour ends, which is always an area with nightlife, bars, clubs, and restaurants — all located in close proximity to subway entrances. On every tour, the first drink is enjoyed at the first speakeasy. In most cases, the group will either skip the line, get a reserved table, or both — but skipping the line is guaranteed. While enjoying a high-quality, internationally recognized, award-winning cocktail, the tour guide will explain about the causes and effects that led to passing the 18th amendment (Prohibition). The guide will not only explain how and why it was passed, but the history of alcohol consumption in the US in general, the history of alcohol taxation, and most importantly, how the US tried to enforce Prohibition. For each drink, spend up to an hour, but in most cases, the group only takes around 40 minutes. Tour guides are obliged to assure that no one feels too rushed to finish their drinks because they are high-quality crafted cocktails that ought to be savored and enjoyed. Some speakeasies will have even Burlesque shows, but all are completely hidden from the exterior. Go through unmarked doors, back alley ways, phone booths, a bank's vault door, behind a psychic shop, through doors indicating 'No Entrance,' 'Emergency exit only' or even through a Five Guys burger joint. Most of the speakeasies are so well hidden that most of our clientele are actually locals struggling to find them, even with the physical address on their phones. At the last stop, the guide will give the option to either stay at the last speakeasy for a third drink or to explore the stimulated and vivid neighborhood where the tour ends, where there is many nightlife establishments, restaurants, clubs, bars, stand up comedy, life music and much more.
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Posted By : emilyt669
Lyonel did a wonderful job with this tour! He was very knowledgeable and came prepared with pictures to make the experience even better. We went to 3 places and that was plenty because you spend about an hour at each one and the drinks were pretty strong (for me, anyway). As another review says, the other people in the tour make it even more special. It was a relatively small group, but each person was from a different place. I loved the diversity! Everyone was so friendly.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-26 20:22:51

Posted By : Isabelle_G
Very bad experience. The guide didn’t show up at all. We could not reach the guide in any way ( the phone number in booking was not correct.). So never book this tour! We think it is scammed!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-13 14:45:54

Posted By : Maureen_F
Love the history that was shared on the tour. We met new people and shared lots of laughs! Lyonel knew his stuff about the speakeasies we toured, but even better he incorporated great party trivia into the mix!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-11 14:00:01

Posted By : Jackie C
Very informational and full of history tidbits. We visited three different places, but I would have enjoyed more. Would go again.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-07 14:19:16

Posted By : JoAnn_K
Our tour guide Jett was very knowledgeable and very personable. We went to 3 spots and learned a lot about speak easys and prohibition.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-02-22 17:00:44

Posted By : patriciahL7742FH
I highly recommend this activity! Alex was very knowledgable and the speakeasies he took us too were wonderful and had amazing drinks. It was my friend and I's last night in New York and it was a great way to cap off our visit. If you're looking for something different to do and to see some hidden gems, check out this tour!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-02-19 16:57:01

Posted By : Michelle R
Darius was an awesome historian of old New york! Such a wonderful experience! So much knowledge on old New york history. Thanks again!!!!!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-02-11 12:08:17

Posted By : JulianK1501
Intriguing tour through the backside of prohibiton. Lyonel opened those doors you wouldn't find on your own to augment the great scenery and flair of the speakeasys with stories and insights about the 1920 era. Much enjoyed the tour, the drinks and the company.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-02-05 16:06:01

Posted By : Vbe V
To avoid
Very poorly organized
On time at the meeting point at the 1st bar: not the slightest welcome or details about the evening
Only choice order a drink
Not able to identify “the organizer” during the 30 minutes during which we saw people marching by without knowing if they were part of the group or not!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-01-03 18:59:19

Posted By : Maura_B
Alex was extremely knowledgeable and friendly , multi-lingual too! The speakeasys we visited were quite interesting!

Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-29 16:40:27