Banzarbar

Intimate cocktail spot in a great location with fantastic bartending staff!

Service - phenomenal. We got a nice welcome drink which was interesting and the bartender was super nice and friendly! The bar manager and other staff even stopped by and everyone was very friendly and welcoming - loved the overall vibe and theme of the place!

Ambiance - Cozy and intimate. there was probably about 10-12 seats total. We went for a quick drink around 5:30 on a weekday and it was cozy enough to have a lovely conversation with everyone there!

Drinks - were amazing! We got the Felix which was more savory than I expected and I loved and my husband got the Kingston Okinawa which was strong and delightful

Reservations? Yes we had them but you could probably get away with a walk in right when they open on a weekday - otherwise would plan on making a reservation given how intimate this place is.

Overall highly recommend!

TLDR: Get a spot here before it becomes too famous!

These are hands down the best cocktails in NYC. Move over Double Chicken Please- theres a new best cocktail bar in town.

I almost don't want to write any reviews about it so fewer ppl will know how amazing this bar is. It's such a gem!!! The cocktails are some of the best I've ever had. The menu changes every 6 months and the recipes are created by the bartenders who are truly passionate about cocktails. The vibe is great, we went on a Tues night and it wasn't busy so I loved chatting with our bartender. They have such a great selection of liquors as well. Come if you really love cocktails!

Banzarbar is the true definition of a speakeasy. You go through a back alley, go into a restaurant that gives no indication of a secret backroom bar, get confused and then confirm that there is a secret backroom bar, then get led through a maze of hallways to finally get to the bar.

As with any speakeasy, Banzarbar fashions a sultry, dark, and intimate vibe. My partner and I were seated next to the door with a full view of the bar. While the ambiance was beautiful, the bar was clearly understaffed (and confirmed by the hostess downstairs before we were seated). In a rush to serve the patrons, the busboy spilled water on me and one guy had a whole drink spilled on him by the bartender (at least he got a free drink out of it). But despite all of that, the night went on and the good drinks and ambiance more than made up for the fumbles.

My favorite drink was God's Green Earth which was one of the most unique drinks I've had in a while. Earthy but refreshing and almost floral, it was a real standout. A close second was the cocktail served in a teacup which I can't remember the name of. And while I'm not a fan of whiskey, the whiskey based drinks were definitely smooth. We also tried the Shackleton's Urn which was also very good and was lit on fire for our viewing pleasure. They give you a good amount so it's worth the price. Taste wise, it's not something I haven't gotten elsewhere.

If you have the money to spend and want the speakeasy experience, I would recommend Banzarbar. While the drinks are great, my wallet didn't agree. Maybe next time I'll come when I have some extra cash.

Upstairs from Freeman's, Banzarbar is a terrific bar with amazing cocktails. The drinks, ambiance, service and glassware are all excellent. It is a true classic.

Hidden upstairs at The Freeman is Banzarbar. Let all of your wildest imaginations come to light. Kidding of course

A very small, intimate space, but one that really sets the bar high. Their menu is based off periods of history. For my first drink, I decided to go with The High Alps (look it up if you want to know more about their cocktail menu inspiration) and order the Mont Blanc. Tequila is the base, but the anise and lemon really popped out. For my second drink, I decided to order From Prussia with Love. The Old Tom Gin paired with the various floral and vegetative flavors made this a very refreshing drink. For my last drink, I decided to go with the Polynesian Triangle and ordered their staple, the Shackletons Urn. Being a gin guy myself, I truly enjoyed the London Dry and Old Tom's Gin that were the base. The green chili and peach was a nice touch that added some differing contrast to what is a very, very exceptional drink. I really, really enjoyed it

My experience at Banzarbar was excellent! Nothing disappointed me. Cocktails were very impressive, ambiance intimate, and service was exceptional! Will definitely be back!

This is a cute spot,it's cozy and has a speakeasy vibe. I think the place can fit around 20 people, the room is dimly lit. Great for dates! They have unique cocktails and some light snacks. We had the duck confit dumplings, which were crispy and delicious, the lamb skewers that were good and oysters. The passion fruit dessert was so good. The drinks were unique and delicious. The bartender, Beatrice, was attentive and friendly, and she made the best drinks! If you like a speakeasy place that's intimate and cozy, you must come here!

I loved this bar. It was super vibey - had some Raines Law Room vibes but lighter and more elevated? It's a speakeasy in a restaurant and a very small space. But the space feels very intimate. I really enjoyed sitting at the bar. The bartenders were great and recommended great drinks - I really liked my teacup drink (it was a tomato one but had no tomato flavors, Dw it's not v8 ;) ). I think this makes it into one of my fav bars. It's a good spot for dates (incl 1st dates) and friends! While the environment is dim it's prob a lil light for any canoodling action unless you hide in one of the booths but those are for larger parties. Overall I did love and would recommend :)

This might just become my go-to spot in the city! They change the menu every few months -- keeping things fresh, especially with their inventive takes on classic cocktails and more experimental cocktails. The bartender gave us a sample of the mushroom gin--imagine hints of vanilla and earl grey. I opted for the vøkkå nåtu swiit (pronounced: "vodka not too sweet"), and it was a unique, flavorful choice. Plus, the staff is super friendly and the vibes were incredible!

A nice speakeasy with some interesting crafted drinks that I would have never thought of! The drinks are inspired by different cultures and countries so it was very fun to look around. Their drinks are pretty tasty and can be also strong so be wary with what kind of liquor they use. Again, it's usually a hit or miss for me with drinks but I got a hit so I was content. Very strong but could barely taste the alcohol. The drinks are presented very nicely too. Definitely would recommend to make a reservation for this place. It is also in a sketchy looking alley so don't be concerned if it seems you're headed to the wrong place because you are going the right way.