New York City Prohibition History & Drinking Tour

Overview

Sip, Swirl. Taste. Gulp! Take a tipsy journey through the spirit trails of New York's underground watering holes. Your journey will feel like a discovery of hidden escapes from the hustle and bustle of midtown's tourism hub. Sure to be guided by one of the most exciting tour guides today, you'll be captivated by the rich history that has inspired your evening's libations.

City: New York City

Sat 21 Sep

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

Sat 21 Sep

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Visit to three historical and iconic NYC bars and pubs

Local, professional and licensed guide

Free admission, express entry and preferred customer treatment at venues

Great storytelling of U.S. immigration, political and Prohibition history

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum drinking age is 21 years old
Dress code is smart casual
A maximum of 10 people per booking
Participants must bring a government issued photo ID or a passport for proof of age

What To Expect

Times Square

Visit historic Restaurant Row, NYC's hidden bars and the incredible lights and pageantry of Times Square.

Flute Bar

Historic, original speakeasy. Sip cocktails as they did in the Prohibition Era.

Theater District

Home to the world's most famous Broadway shows and amazing restaurants. Walk down the famous Restaurant Row.

Manhattan Skyline

City wide views from one of NYC's highest rooftop bars. Sites include Times Square, the Empire State Building and Hudson Yards.

Studio 54

Site of New York City's most iconic and famous dance club.

Hell's Kitchen

Recount the great immigration and Prohibition Era stories of this historic and notorious New York City neighborhood.

Paley Center for Media

Prominent NYC museum

Show 4 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (74)

Compass825432

Dec 2019

By far one of the coolest things I have done in NYC. Tour guide was fun and very interesting and Informative history. Three very cool speakeasy bars and loved the private lounge space reserved at each for the group. Didn’t feel rushed and enjoyed each stop! Drinks pricy at each but hey it’s Manhattan!

TRACY_C

Nov 2019

Emily was amazing and knowledgeable!!! Would recommend to friends and family!! She made the tour really enjoyable!

JillR1864

Nov 2019

We have previous experience with a cocktail tour in NOLA, and were so looking forward to this! Sadly, it was nothing remotely close to our expectations. Firstly, the departure point is misleading. There are 3 speakeasy stops on the tour, starting at the 21 Club, however, you will not be going into the 21 Club at all. It's just a misleading starting point. Secondly, our expectation was that there would be some reserved space for us, however, we were crammed into small spaces that simply could not allow for enjoying our drinks. Lastly, our tour guide didn't seem to take the history portion very seriously. There was interesting history, but it was presented in a jokey, sing-song way that was so off-putting, my husband had to walk away. Be prepared to purchase every cocktail along the way. It's a shame that they don't charge more for the tour, and include the one historical cocktail from each speakeasy in the tour price, along with reserved space in the locations to sit and enjoy your drink with your fellow tour mates. Our group was full of lovely people, by the way! It was the one enjoyable part of the evening. Also, our tour guide handled a conversation with me that left me feeling insulted in front of the whole group. She had no reason to be insulting, other than to make me feel dismissed in front of the group. Not very nice, when we had nice interactions earlier in the tour. My recommendation is to find a tour that is more expensive up front, with drinks included, because you'll end up paying roughly the same in the end anyway.

Response from Host

Nov 2019

Let us respond as a guide for future customers and explanation of our business decisions. First off, this history tour walks past a number of historic speakeasies, while stopping in for drinks at three of them. We have chosen to meet at the 21 Club since it is a part of the New York City speakeasy landscape and at 21 West 52nd Street is conveniently located right in the middle of Midtown and very close to a number of subways. We want the tour to be easy to find. We do not visit the 21 Club as time permits only three drinking stops so choices need to be made. Also, the 21 Club has strict dress code regulations and we know most guests don't have the time or inclination to meet them. As for the fantastic venues we do visit, the tour has a reserved seating area at each of them. The tour is treated like VIPs. Are there occasions where a venue may be particularly crowded? Of course. But the bars are crowded for a reason. They are great spots. As for our hosts not taking the content of the tour seriously. That is not the case. However, we do hire and support aspiring performers. It's part of the company DNA. So the history on the tour is delivered with high energy and flair. We want our guests to be entertained and educated. The tour is fun. But do not mistake theatrical dynamism for joking around. We hire storytellers. As for the pricing. We disagree with the criticism and choose not to pre-order inclusive drinks at a higher price. For one, we want guest to decide the drinks they prefer, the level of alcohol consumed and the amount of dollars spent on our tour. We deliver some of the most creative drink menus and mixologist in NYC. Selecting the cocktails is part of the experience. As for any guest feeling insulted, that is unfortunate, but likely not intentional. We will keep an eye out for such behavior, but our team is there to please. The overwhelming number of positive reviews is a good indicator. In conclusion, we learn from all feedback and welcome the commentary. It challenges our decisions and how we operate. Please feel free to contact us directly as well.