The West Village Prohibition Pub Crawl

Overview

It should come as no surprise that New York City was a rather rebellious place when it came to respecting the laws of the Eighteenth Amendment. We will explore this Greenwich Village neighborhood that certainly was also at the vanguard of so many radical changes in American society in the Roaring Twenties.

We’ll learn about some of the stars who frequented the speakeasies. The actors, writers, poets and the playwrights of the era and other bohemians. And we’ll also learn about some of the club owners and entertainers who earned in some cases millions of dollars and how they kept the alcohol flowing and the parties rolling right under the authorities noses.

We’ll visit some unusual not so unusual haunts on this tour including a place more associated with literary greatness where the Village Voice newspaper was founded and perhaps the most famous speakeasy of them all that once had two entrances—one for patrons and one for the police.

City: New York City

Sat 19 Oct

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $59.00

Make a reservation

Sat 19 Oct

Starting at $59.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Beverages

Alcoholic Beverages

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Dress code is smart casual
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Face masks required for travellers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

What To Expect

White Horse Tavern

Visit the spot where the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas drank himself to death. Learn about the history of this 19th century tavern and the famous people who drank there.

West Village

Walk through one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in all of Manhattan. Enjoy the gorgeous tree-lined streets nestled amongst the handsome 19th century brownstones and winding streets.

The Stonewall Inn

Pass through the location where the modern gay rights movement began and the National Park in honor of it.

Gay Street

This is a charming little street with some beautiful townhouses. We will stop at the most famous one.

Jefferson Market Library

Named one of America's prettiest buildings of the nineteenth century, this architectural gem is a sight to behold and is an ideal photo op.

Show 2 more stops

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews (3)

jennifercC1379PW

Jun 2022

Guide was not organized and did not make any reservations so we did not get into any places advertised. Drinks were supposed to be included in at least one stop but wasn’t. That being said he was super knowledgeable about the neighborhood and very friendly. His information was interesting and he had lots of pictures to share.

melissacC9074AN

Sep 2021

I had a good time! Aaron had lots of fun knowledge of the local bars and relevant trivia. He was kind and funny, and I enjoyed his company ☺️ If you are looking for some good spots to grab yummy cocktails and hear about the local history, give this tour a try!

Response from Host

Sep 2021

Glad you enjoyed the tour.

John K

Sep 2018

Basically, the tour was SO bad that we ended it and parted ways with our tour guide after our first speakeasy, which we did not reach until 30 minutes into the tour. We were looking forward to this tour of the Greenwich speakeasies, but it was hopeless from the very beginning. We had been on several different New York City tours this week and had wonderful experiences, but this one was BAD... VERY BAD. Our guide, Aaron Tabackman, the owner of Urban Village Tours and a self proclaimed “improvisation expert” who “walks and talks fast” has limited knowledge of Greenwich Village and its speakeasies. As we walked he read to us historical landmark signs and appeared to be skimming Wikipedia and Google on his cell phone. He was just quoting to us whatever he read. His walking and talking fast seemed to be his attempt at covering up his lack of knowledge. He was also filthy... his clothes stained and his finger tips stained with blood (I can’t and wouldn’t make this up.) suffice to say we were terribly uncomfortable from the moment we met him. We finally got to a speakeasy about 30 minutes into the walking tour and shared a drink with Aaron. Though the drink was good, it gave us the right amount of “liquid courage” to tell him we had enough and wanted to part ways. Please read the other reviews for Urban Village Tours and save yourself the frustration, discomfort, time and money. I wish I could get my money back.

Response from Host

Oct 2018

We are sorry your experience wasn't what you expected. We strive to make all our tours fun for the pub crawler. You may have been on a ghost tour in which our guides do wear fake blood and clothes from the nineteenth century...Further, sometimes our guides consult with their phones for GPS directions to the most direct route to the pubs.