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 26 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

Thu 26 Dec

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)

Michelle E

Apr 2016

I discovered this tour through a deal on Groupon NYC and quickly decided that it would be a fun and cultural way to spend a day as a tourist in the city. A friend and I booked a trip to tour the West Village neighborhood for a sunny and warm Saturday in April. The confirmation email indicates that the meeting spot is in a park. It should be noted that there is no signage or indication of a meeting spot when walking through the playground area. This can certainly make for some awkward introductions but fortunately we were able to locate our group! We met up with our tour guide Rory and fellow group members and were quickly briefed on the itinerary for the rest of the evening. Rory was absolutely outstanding. Her outgoing personality and extensive knowledge of American history throughout the prohibition era made the tour educational and engaging. She was receptive to questions throughout the tour and was able to provide interesting pop culture tidbits the whole time. We walked through many of the smaller trendier neighborhoods in the Village and visited a few of the speakeasy themed bars. Despite only consuming beverages at two of the bars, we stopped at many historic hot spots and learned about the significance of each landmark. The drinks are pricey (about $15-16 a drink) but they are well worth the money. Most drinks on the menus included top shelf liquor and boasted some very creative concoctions. My favorite was the "Amelia" at one of the best bars in the city (you will have to join the tour to find out where since it is a secret)! It was a refreshing blend of fresh raspberry puree and vodka that went down almost as easily as a breakfast smoothie. Fortunately it provided a nice little buzz too. I would suggest that visitors wear comfortable shoes and definitely bring snacks. The tour lasted about four hours and we did not have a chance to eat at any of the bars. However if you let Rory know that you are hungry or at the very least have the munchies, she has a ton of restaurant recommendations throughout the city! I can't wait to start telling my friends about how much fun we had and hope you do too!

shewie100 .

Apr 2016

We had a fantastic time on the West Village speakeasy tour. Our guide Alex was very knowledgeable about the areas and history of Prohibition in America and was great company on the tour. This is a great way to see areas of NY that are away from the usual tourist parts. A great way to spend a few hours.

Irina I

Apr 2016

According to the description the tour was to connect the topic of prohibition to the bars. I personally felt it was more about bars and the drinks than about the historic topic of prohibition . If you look for fun and cocktails this tour is the right one. There is no doubt that the guide is a knowledgable and creative person. He has a charming personality. However, the explanations were made more on the spot. There was not strategically devised plan to deliver the topic in a consistent and enjoyable way.