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.
- Address49 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001
- From my guide, updated September 2026.
The Patent Pending is a very popular NYC speakeasy, but what some folks don’t realize it that there’s now a second bar tucked behind it called The Lab. Opened in 2021 and seating only 30, the space is tiny (does “intimate” sound more romantic?) but memorable.
This newly-opened Manhattan bar is housed in the building where Nikola Tesla lived. This the very building where he performed various experiments on radio waves. Today you can experience the world he surmised a century ago whenever you pull out your phone and connect to WiFi. This bar is located in the heart of innovation and action and simply can’t be missed.
Serving some of the most exciting cocktails in Manhattan, the Lab is all about creativity. I’m partial to the Suspicions of Espionage (Peruvian Pisco, Single Malt Scotch, wildflower, passion fruit and egg white) and the Radio Waves (Tequila, Mezcal, basil, Thai chile, lime and cucumber).
The Lab at Patent Pending takes inspiration from the building’s most famous resident, Nikola Tesla. Accessed through a hidden door in a café, marked only by a sign reading ‘Patent Pending,’ the bar transports you into a world that echoes Tesla’s inventions and electrical experiments.
The Lab’s cocktail menu is neatly categorized into themes like ‘Energy’ ‘Vibration’ and ‘Frequency.’ If you’re looking for suggestions, I’m partial to the Suspicions of Espionage (Peruvian Pisco, Single Malt Scotch, wildflower, passion fruit and egg white) and the Radio Waves (Tequila, Mezcal, basil, Thai chile, lime and cucumber).