Long Island City Speakeasies
The speakeasy is a funny thing. The city is littered with them. Just a rotary phone call away, hidden behind false doors and bodega fridges. As a concept, they sit precariously between gimmick and whimsy. But, the best dining experiences are just that. An experience. The speakeasy has this down to an art.
At first thought, Long Island City doesn’t scream nightlife. As of late, however, the waterfront neighborhood in Queens has become a bit of a socialite. It’s making a name for itself in the niche bar scene, with a handful of proper speakeasies within walking distance.
This evening, we’ll be heading to three of them. These spots all have something in common, besides a low profile. They share the central theme of music. I’m not talking about a DJ booth and a vibey playlist set to shuffle. We can sample Japanese pop hits at one bar and enjoy hip-hop greats at another. Join me for a taste of culture and your drink of choice in Long Island City.
As dusk hits, a single door opens on the bustling corner of the Court Square Station. A stop away from Manhattan, this hole-in-the-wall is easy to walk right past. Never mind the oddly hype-beast nature of it’s retail counterpart Extra Butter, the Infamous is a classic dive. Sticky floors, good deals and a total of five tables. Exactly as it should be.
We’re here early to take advantage of the Infamous Hour. Monday through Thursday from four to seven, drinks are reasonably priced. Think New York ten years ago. Their cocktails are each named after hip-hop and R&B tracks from the nineties and early oughts.
A few friends and I shared great conversation and one too many rounds of La Schmoove – rum, rosemary, passionfruit, and blood orange – with some regulars.
The entire bar is an homage to Mobb Deep’s album The Infamous. Their cover art was originally photographed less than a mile away in Queensbridge Houses, the country’s largest housing projects. It’s painted front and center across the outside of the bar as you walk in.
56709
If I’m going to spend $19 on a singular cocktail, it better be hidden behind a fried chicken shop. And, that’s exactly where we’re heading next. A short walk brings you to Japanese pop bar, 56709NYC. They opened this month, inheriting the intimate space behind Gulp, a Taiwanese counter-serve restaurant.
Step inside and head for the door in the back. Velvet curtains and bright, electric music quickly transport you to another world. This is a speakeasy done well. Magenta mood lighting reveals strong drinks and an even stronger vision. 56709NYC is bringing Japanese city pop to New York. The genre perfectly represents a blend of cultures, incorporating western influences like jazz and rock.
Their drink menu freestyles a range of classic cocktails. The Kaoru is an espresso martini of sorts, with vodka, hojicha and dark beer. The Pika Pika caught my eye as well – a rum base with tomato and mango.
The owners of 56709NYC noted anime and convenience store snacks as inspiring factors for the space. Naturally, we had to stop at the local Teso Life for potato chips before the last speakeasy of the night.
Record Room
A visit to Long Island City is never complete without a walk along the waterfront. Hunters Point offers clear views of the East Side and Roosevelt Island. It’s a refreshing nightcap. Alongside a real nightcap, of course.
Record Room is easily the liveliest bar of the bunch. Coffee shop by day, nightclub by night, it’s the real deal. They card, they pat you down, they recommend reserving a table. Otherwise its standing (or dancing) room only.
You’ll find all the usual suspects on the menu. Cocktails in the form of their “latest hits” and a few “hip hops” on draft. They too lean heavily into the musical theme, promoting themselves as an all-vinyl listening lounge. Rows upon rows of records line the walls. It feels alive with hazy red hues and happy people.
They also offer food until ten, a non-negotiable for the final stop on a bar crawl. And when you’re ready to call it a night, Grand Central is a stop away by the seven train.
Record Room is a quintessential speakeasy: swanky and experimental with rules and reservations. But in reality, a hidden bar can be just that. A dive you’ve walked past a dozen times before. Each in their own way, they offer a sense of inclusion and novelty. Something to spice up an average weekend.
It’s really this feeling of mystery we look for. Or at the very least, the allusion of mystery with a public Instagram and detailed instructions on how to get in.
