Skip the Line NYC Speakeasy Walking Tour Ticket

Overview

Discover New York City's most secretive speakeasies on this guided, 3-hour, small-group walking tour in Lower Manhattan and Greenwich Village. 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 tour guide details the history of Prohibition and the causes and effects that led to pass and enforce the 18th amendment.

City: New York City

Thu 02 Jan

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

Thu 02 Jan

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

List of all the visited speakeasies (only after the tour)

Local, professional guide

Special treatment at the speakeasies

Guaranteed to skip the long lines

Highly accurate and documented history facts

Small-group walking tour

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum age is 21 years and bring ID
May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
No gym-wear and no fur. Sneakers and jeans are fine.
Face masks required for travellers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travellers
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

What To Expect

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.

Alex's Tours

New York City

See the true hidden gems NYC has to offer

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (218)

Pete P

Jan 2017

I am someone who travels quite a bit and always looks for some forum of walking tour to learn more about the city I am in and Alex's tours honestly was one of the best I have ever been on. Meet up directions were easy and Alex was there waiting for us even before the chosen time. He was knowledgeable and well spoken, with a slight accent it even added to the feel of the tour! The tour was just as described on the website and made our night, after days of touristy traps and too much shopping in NYC it was a great way to see the local nightlife and feel part of the city without the touristy feel of everything else you can do in NYC. For the city that never sleeps this tour truly made the experince, and even on a Monday night is one of the best times you will have. Highly recommended

kwebster2

Dec 2016

We went of a cold Friday evening. Directions to our meeting spot were a little tricky (Riverton at Attorney near Delancy street). There was no building in which to meet. The tour guide had a little sign. We were the first to arrive. There were 8 others who eventually joined the tour a little later. The meeting place is in an area which feels a little sketchy. Once we began, it was a short walk to our first location. Our first stop was upstairs in a typical bar. We were told that 'might have been a location' where we could imagine a speakeasy. The problem is that it was hard to hear over music, the information the guide was sharing. Drinks were $15.00 a piece, with tip and tax, more like $20.00. The second location was where there was a hidden restaurant up the top of a steep staircase. By the time we got to the third location, the bar was full and we had no place to sit. Subsequently, we opted out of the rest of the tour and headed out for dinner. I probably would not recommend this tour. Apparently, documented speakeasys are rare. We were to imagine that these bars, in the day, shifted locations on a regular basis so as not to 'get caught' serving alcohol. Our tour, without drinks and through Groupon, was $30.00. With each drink at about $20.00 per person per speakeasy location, did not make this an inexpensive tour. The final piece of information was that we received notice on the day of the tour not to wear sneakers or coats with fur trim. These of course, would not have been allowable back in the day. My problem was that traveling to the city from upstate, I did not have the appropriate footwear. However, no one ever mention my dress during the tour. My traveling companion also wore her warm winter coat with fur trim. That was also not ever mentioned. But just to be aware of this dress code concern.

Jennifer C

Dec 2016

My family meets in NYC every Thanksgiving and we love trying new and different activities every time we come. We had an amazing time on this tour. Alex went out of his way to customize our tour since we added two extra people last minute that were family friends (some speakeasies don't accept reservations on groups more than 7, and we had 9). That was so appreciated, and he even took us to see the entrance of and give some info on the ones we couldn't get into. It was just the right amount of walking - we got to see a lot of the charming East Village, and it wasn't tough at all on my ~60 yr old parents. Each of the speakeasies were different and unique, and the cocktails were all great. We loved how much history Alex knew, and he was great to chat with in general. We'll definitely try another tour next time we are in New York. Thanks, Alex!