Courtesy of Meaghan Dorman
Courtesy of Meaghan Dorman

The Raines Law Room

New York
Speakeasy
$$$$

Reclaiming the name of an 1896 law that attempted to ban drinking outside of New York hotels, this faux-speakeasy lays on the Jazz Age vibes thick. You have to pull a doorbell and provide a password to enter the sultry, subterranean space, and once you're inside, push on a call button and wait for servers to ferry out pre-Prohibition-inspired Gershwins (gin, lemon, ginger, rosewater) and McKittrick Old-Fashioneds (bourbon, sherry, mole bitters). Many of the aesthetic touches aren’t exactly executed with restraint, like the large ornate mirror hanging over exposed brick and boozing flappers painted on the wall, but the quality and subtlety of the cocktails make it likely that you'll get into the Raines spirit quickly.

Available for Reservations
Monday
5:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Tuesday
5:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Wednesday
5:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Thursday
5:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Friday
5:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Saturday
5:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Sunday
7:00 PM - 12:10 AM

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Unlike some of the other speakeasy-style bars on this list, Raines Law Room is not the kind of place where you’ll find a rowdy crowd. Inspired by an 1896 law that attempted to curb New Yorkers’ alcohol consumption, Raines Law Room in Chelsea (there’s also one inside the William Hotel in Midtown) can be found behind a black door down a small flight of stairs on W. 17th Street. Get there early, ring the doorbell, and you’ll be led to one of their prime private seats in the back. Each one of these coveted tables has its own dedicated pull chains, making it easy to summon a server as you make your way down their cocktail list. Gin lovers can happily frolic through their “Juniper Garden,” full of fresh and herbaceous concoctions like the grapefruit-loaded Vice Versa. Meanwhile, their New York-inspired list is whiskey-forward.

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Monday
5:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Tuesday
5:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Wednesday
5:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Thursday
5:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Friday
5:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Saturday
5:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Sunday
7:00 PM - 12:10 AM

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