Lower Manhattan Tour: Explore NYC's Secret Speakeasies
4.3
303 Ratings
New York
Uncover the hidden world of speakeasies on a 3-hour walking tour in Lower Manhattan. Skip the lines, sip craft cocktails, and learn about the history of Prohibition.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Lower Manhattan - The meeting point for the group is always at a park where there is seating, shade, and water. While the group awaits for all the attendees to arrive, the tour guide will provide some general colonial history of New York City and deliver interesting facts related to the era — like why we say ‘bucks’ instead of dollars, why ‘Houston’ is pronounced differently in NYC, and much more.

Once the whole group is ready, the tour guide will provide a small introduction about the speakeasy tour and explain how long it is, how many speakeasies will be visited (it’s usually six or seven), and at which speakeasy the group will be allowed to grab a drink. The tour guide will also explain where the tour ends, which is always an area with nightlife, bars, clubs, and restaurants — all located in close proximity to subway entrances.

On every tour, the first drink is enjoyed at the first speakeasy. In most cases, the group will either skip the line, get a reserved table, or both — but skipping the line is guaranteed. While enjoying a high-quality, internationally recognized, award-winning cocktail, the tour guide will explain about the causes and effects that led to passing the 18th amendment (Prohibition). The guide will not only explain how and why it was passed, but the history of alcohol consumption in the US in general, the history of alcohol taxation, and most importantly, how the US tried to enforce Prohibition.

For each drink, spend up to an hour, but in most cases, the group only takes around 40 minutes. Tour guides are obliged to assure that no one feels too rushed to finish their drinks because they are high-quality crafted cocktails that ought to be savored and enjoyed.

Some speakeasies will have even Burlesque shows, but all are completely hidden from the exterior. Go through unmarked doors, back alley ways, phone booths, a bank’s vault door, behind a psychic shop, through doors indicating ‘No Entrance,’ ‘Emergency exit only’ or even through a Five Guys burger joint. Most of the speakeasies are so well hidden that most of our clientele are actually locals struggling to find them, even with the physical address on their phones.

At the last stop, the guide will give the option to either stay at the last speakeasy for a third drink or to explore the stimulated and vivid neighborhood where the tour ends, where there is many nightlife establishments, restaurants, clubs, bars, stand up comedy, life music and much more.

  • Alex’s Tours - Alex’s Tours
  • New York City - See the true hidden gems NYC has to offer
What's Included
  • List of all the visited speakeasies (only after the tour)
  • Local, professional guide
  • Special treatment at the speakeasies
  • Guaranteed to skip the long lines
  • Highly accurate and documented history facts
  • Small-group walking tour
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Gratuities
  • Transportation to/from attractions
  • Snacks
Additional Information

Embark on a 3-hour, guided, small-group explorative walk in Lower Manhattan, uncovering the most clandestine speakeasies of New York City. Amble through NYC discovering hidden gems located behind nondescript doors, cafes, and restaurant kitchens. Bypass the queues with reserved seating, enjoy finely crafted cocktails, and travel back in time to the effervescent era of the 1920s. Get engrossed in the intriguing stories spun by your guide about the era of Prohibition, and delve into the causes and consequences that prompted the enactment and enforcement of the 18th amendment.

  • Minimum age is 21 years and bring ID
  • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
  • No gym-wear and no fur. Sneakers and jeans are fine.
Location
67 Clinton St
Clinton Street
We will meet at a Burger joint called The Burgary on 67 Clinton street in Manhattan. For any delays contact your host.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(303 Ratings)
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Emilyt669
May 26, 2024
Loved, loved, loved! - Lyonel did a wonderful job with this tour! He was very knowledgeable and came prepared with pictures to make the experience even better. We went to 3 places and that was plenty because you spend about an hour at each one and the drinks were pretty strong (for me, anyway). As another review says, the other people in the tour make it even more special. It was a relatively small group, but each person was from a different place. I loved the diversity! Everyone was so friendly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maureen_f
Mar 11, 2024
Love the history that was... - Love the history that was shared on the tour. We met new people and shared lots of laughs! Lyonel knew his stuff about the speakeasies we toured, but even better he incorporated great party trivia into the mix!
Review provided by Viator
Jackie
Mar 7, 2024
Wonderful, but short - Very informational and full of history tidbits. We visited three different places, but I would have enjoyed more. Would go again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joann_k
Feb 22, 2024
Want to do it again. - Our tour guide Jett was very knowledgeable and very personable. We went to 3 spots and learned a lot about speak easys and prohibition.
Review provided by Viator
Patriciahl7742fh
Feb 19, 2024
Amazing hidden gem - I highly recommend this activity! Alex was very knowledgable and the speakeasies he took us too were wonderful and had amazing drinks. It was my friend and I's last night in New York and it was a great way to cap off our visit. If you're looking for something different to do and to see some hidden gems, check out this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle
Feb 11, 2024
Prohibition Tour!!! - Darius was an awesome historian of old New york! Such a wonderful experience! So much knowledge on old New york history. Thanks again!!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juliank1501
Feb 5, 2024
Fascinating flair behind secret doors - Intriguing tour through the backside of prohibiton. Lyonel opened those doors you wouldn't find on your own to augment the great scenery and flair of the speakeasys with stories and insights about the 1920 era. Much enjoyed the tour, the drinks and the company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maura_b
Dec 29, 2023
Lots of fun! - Alex was extremely knowledgeable and friendly , multi-lingual too! The speakeasys we visited were quite interesting!
Review provided by Viator
Isabelle_g
May 13, 2024
Very bad experit - Very bad experience. The guide didn’t show up at all. We could not reach the guide in any way ( the phone number in booking was not correct.). So never book this tour! We think it is scammed!
Review provided by Viator
Vbe
Jan 3, 2024
Not the slightest organization! - To avoid Very poorly organized On time at the meeting point at the 1st bar: not the slightest welcome or details about the evening Only choice order a drink Not able to identify “the organizer” during the 30 minutes during which we saw people marching by without knowing if they were part of the group or not!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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