Garfunkel’s.

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.

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.