It's on 2 of my lists. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
- Address67 Clinton St, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10002
- From my guide, updated February 2024.
Garfunkel’s is a speakeasy accessible via a vault door in a restaurant called The Burgary. Let me fill you in on a little bit of history, this bar is named after Garfunkel & Tauster. They were two felons who used the building the bar is housed in as home base of their delinquent bank nearly 100 years ago!
In the present, Garfunkel’s still has a similar 1920’s vibe. The bartenders are dressed in waistcoats and there’s often a live jazz trio, which create a Gatsby-esque aura. And this isn’t just a fun or a pretty bar, the drinks are among the best you’ll find at any Lower East Side bars.
I’m partial to Upmann the Banker, which uses a base of of cigar infused scotch, my mouth is watering just typing this.
Fun fact: If you’re a New York Times subscriber you can read the article from 1924, when Tauster was sentenced 2 to 4 years in jail for the crimes he committed with Garfunkel.
Garfunkel’s is tucked behind a vintage bank vault at the Burgary restaurant on the Lower East Side. This secret NYC bar was named after a notorious banker-turned–fugitive who conducted illegal banking schemed from this venue in the 1920s.
The bar employs a strict reservation-only policy, and scoring a table is no easy feat. But the effort pays off because the meticulously-crafted cocktails are nothing short of excellent. If you’re looking for unique libations, I recommend the Upmann the Banker, which is made with cigar-infused scotch, amaro, angostura and Orinoco bitters.
Between the history, chic vibes and exceptional service, Garfunkel’s is high on our list of the best speakeasies in NYC because it offers a timeless escape into the city’s hidden nightlife.
The best bars in NYC aren’t the ones with the longest lines, they’re the ones your bartender friend recommends.