A Coffee Shop with a Nautical Twist
Stone Street Coffee in Chelsea seems unremarkable—until you notice the porthole-shaped window on its side wall. Push the unmarked door, and you’ll enter Bathtub Gin, a Prohibition-inspired speakeasy where the cocktails are as dramatic as the backstory.
From Brothel to Bar
Named after the bathtub-distilled gin of the 1920s, this dimly lit den channels maritime mischief. Rumor has it the space once housed a brothel (ask the bartender for the NSFW tale). Today, it’s a cozy escape with copper pipes, vintage steamer trunks, and bartenders in suspenders shaking up drinks like the “Smoked Rosemary Margarita” (served in a smoke-filled cloche).
How to Navigate the Secret
Password? Nope—just stride confidently past the coffee drinkers.
Timing: Arrive by 6 PM on weekdays to snag a booth upholstered in vintage(nautical) fabric.
Must-Try: The “Espresso Martini”—it’s so good, locals claim it’s why Starbucks next door closed.
Pro Tips from a Bathtub Regular
Ask for “The Incident”: A off-menu cocktail with rum, burnt cinnamon, and a flaming orange peel.
Secret Seating: The back corner table (under the ship’s wheel) is prime for people-watching.
Late-Night Bites: The kitchen serves truffle fries until 2 AM—pair with a “Bees Knees” (gin, honey, lavender).
Why Bathtub Gin Endures
In a neighborhood overrun with trendy rooftops, this spot is a love letter to NYC’s seedy, spirited past.
Visitor Intel
📍 Address: 132 9th Ave (Chelsea)
🕒 Hours: Mon–Fri 4 PM–2 AM, Sat–Sun 2 PM–2 AM
💸 Price: Cocktails 16–20
🚇 Closest Subway: 14th St-8th Ave (A/C/E/L)
Ready to Set Sail?
Just don’t blame us if you develop a taste for bathtub gin.
Next up: Cold War relics hiding in plain sight…
