Where Mobsters Sipped in Disguise
Step into The Back Room, a speakeasy so steeped in 1920s lore you’ll half-expect Al Capone to sidle up to the bar. Hidden behind a faux toy store on the Lower East Side, this gangster hangout has been slinging booze since Prohibition—first illegally, now with a wink to its past.
A Time Capsule of Vice
Opened in 1922, The Back Room was a favorite of Jewish mobsters like Meyer Lansky. To evade raids, drinks were served in teacups (still done today), and the entrance was a labyrinth of alleys. After a WWII-era closure, it reopened in 2008 with its original mahogany bar, velvet drapes, and a secret bookshelf leading to a VIP lounge.
The vibe? Think Boardwalk Empire meets Great Gatsby. Cocktails like the “Reservoir Dog” (mezcal, blood orange, smoked salt) arrive in vintage glassware, while jazz croons from a gramophone.
How to Find the “Toy Store”
Look Closer: The entrance is through a graffiti-covered alley off Rivington St—follow the smell of cigars.
Password? Nope. Just tell the bouncer you’re “here for the tea party.”
Dress Code: Leave the flip-flops—this spot enforces a “swanky casual” vibe.
Pro Tips from a Regular
Order Off-Menu: Ask for the “Lansky’s Revenge” (bourbon, fig jam, black walnut bitters)—a tribute to the mobster’s favorite tipple.
Book the Library: The hidden back room fits 10 and comes with a private bartender.
Ghost Alert: Staff swear Lansky’s ghost haunts the VIP area—check for flickering lights.
Why The Back Room Endures
In a city obsessed with “new,” this bar is a love letter to NYC’s gritty glamour. As manager Rosa Diaz says: “We’re not a theme park. We’re a time machine.”
Visitor Intel
📍 Address: 102 Norfolk St (Lower East Side)
🕒 Hours: Mon–Wed 7 PM–2 AM, Thurs–Sun 7 PM–4 AM
💸 Price: Cocktails 22
🚇 Closest Subway: Delancey St-Essex St (F/J/M/Z)
Ready to Roar (Like the ’20s)?
Just remember: What happens in The Back Room, stays in The Back Room.
Next up: A medieval herb garden in Fort Tryon Park…
