Apothéke

This place is like stepping back in time…
Great signature cocktails, frothy, strong, and delicious. My favorite part was that it is located off a tiny little road in Chinatown. It really is a hidden gem. No signs on the outside, password required, and actually very slow drink service, which is the way it should be in my opinion. They really take their time making the cocktails. Expect to pay about $ 20 for a drink and to wait about 15 minutes, especially if it’s busy.
Worth checking out!

Best cocktail bar sor far in NYC, for the drinks as well as for the place. Serious and creative cocktails with surprising ingredients. So far I’ve never been disappointed. You will find traditional cocktails and great creations often with asian twist like cilantro, lemongrass, matcha tea etc. Regular prices around 14 dollars

This is a super cool speakeasy hidden in the depths of Chinatown. It’s actually so funny because the neighborhood outside is actually kind of rundown and a little ghetto. You wouldn’t expect a fancy speakeasy in one of these places! But they actually did it up really nicely and the inside was gorgeous with dim lights with sofas spread out so people can have intimate conversations.
The best part about this place are the amazing cocktails being served at the bar. These bartenders really know what they’re doing and what concoctions they’re making! The menu changes every day so there’s always something new and cool to try. I had the jalapeño and lime and a bunch of other things in it drink it was called the Palomita! It was delish. I also tried the snake Pliskken with some egg whites and absinthe in it which was also delicious. If you’re walking through this area I would highly recommend coming and trying out some of their cocktails and not letting the exterior affect your decision to come here or not!

My Friends and I originally set out to go to the Penthouse of Hotel On Rivington but the party scheduled there was moved to their lobby bar and we weren’t feeling it. So, we fell back to this speakeasy. The cover for which was an old school Apothecary facility.
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Walk down a suspect sidestreet in Chinatown; Show your I.D. to an unassuming doorman, then enter a venue where even the décor has elements of a chemistry lab, beakers and flasks included. The real surprise was a DJ (DJ Greg Poole) who played Azonto, Dancehall, Reggaeton and Salsa! The place was actually jumping a bit.
We grabbed a table as soon as we got there. It didn’t seem like any of them were reserved. We got our drinks on our own from the bar but the waitress did inform us that she could have taken our orders. I can’t find anything to complain about.
When your plans go left, step right, into this place.

Love! It’s not so crowded during the weekdays and the lounge chairs are comfy!
The drinks ($ 16 – 18 I thought it was a bit pricy), they are all awesome I loved all four we tried. But they are not as strong as some other lounges in LES. They also have those huge pitcher mix drinks to share for $ 160+ that maybe should be tried next time w a large group!
The décor is way cool, the lights are made of chemistry’s bottles. Our server was super friendly!

Apotheke
So many ways I like thee. This is such a beautiful bar hidden deep within the seedy underbelly of canal street. The decoration is mad scientist with great taste, I love the fact that the bartenders are wearing lab coats as they prepare your elixir.

I have been wanting to come here for quite some time, and finally crossed it off the list this week.
A tiny speakeasy tucked away in the heart of Chinatown is marked by an alchemist sign and a host outside, who is responsible for not letting the casually dressed in. No trainers and shorts are questionable. Also no food allowed inside, which includes your Joes Shanghai leftovers.
Themed atmosphere around the chemist /​alchemy spirit, but the ingredients in these cocktails are really a standout from the other speakeasies. I ordered the Tokyo Drift ($ 18) which contained bourbon, sake, matcha tea, lemon, simple syrup, egg white and a Cabernet float. These guys know what they are doing — no joke cocktails that are mini pieces of art inside and out.
Check it out, at least once. It’s worth a visit and balance your $ 18 cocktails with some inexpensive Chinese food after.

This place is such a great surprise. If you are not in by 8:30, 9 on a Friday, you probably are going to be waiting at the door.
They really put a lot of thought into their menu. they made it appeal to a lot of people. —Having said that, you get what you pay for. A good 4 drinks will run you about $ 70.
We ordered a couple… GET THE DR RUTH.
Low lit, lots of people, you have to grind against people to get a drink but all and in all the environment allows for a good NY night.

Trendy «speakeasy» in Chinatown.
Good looking, yuppie ish crowd on a Thursday night.
Service was prompt and efficient, if not particularly friendly from the bartender.
I had the spicy smoky mescal drink which had. I e smoke, and a strong kick of heat. I found the viscosity of the beverage somewhat off putting, and beyond smoke and heat I didn’t get a lot of flavor.
Next up was the rye and oat drink, once again, a little thicker than I like my cocktails. This had a flavor I didn’t really care for.
Lots of tables for sitting.
When I came there was no bouncer at the door, but when I left he was there, so can’t comment on the door policy.
A nice addition to the neighborhood, maybe my palette isn’t nuanced enough to dig the actual drinks though.

Talk about an old school speakeasy meeting modern day NYC coolness.
A mixologist is a person who mixes and invents cocktail drinks. All mixologist are bartenders, but not all bartenders are mixologists. The difference is abundantly clear the second you belly up to the watering table. Miniature torches providing a touch of fragrance to masterfully concocted bourbon or moon shine. Unusual herbs and spices muddled with a dash of amazingness or a pinch of sensationalism. The prices are in the $ 20 plus range, but oh so satisfyingly descendant.
Upon entering, provided of that the selective doorman approves your look and vibe. Uptight, hippless & posers need not apply. There are certain nights that are dedicated to certain themes such as prohibition where multiple moon shine options set our taste buds a fire in joy. Dimly lit and a clearly a throw back feel. Quaint, I can’t imagine much more than 50 peeps comfortably sitting and standing about. Even the bathroom has a strange dispenser of water that sort of looks like a brassish oil can spout.
There’s a slight incline as you leave the main lounge to the right that time and again seems to create a step illusion. We stood at the bar peering at countless passer bys almost trip habitually.
No food, clean and cool.
Break from General Tso’s chicken or Peking duck and drop the sake cup and head over here for an experience in fine drinking.

This is a cool place with quality drinks, but a few things took away from the experience. The service is pretty awful, at least from the one bartender who was profusely sweating over our drinks as he made them (in my pictures). I wanted to know the name of the drink he had just made and he wouldn’t take 5 seconds to tell me the name. So I never knew what it was. He is the reason for the 3 stars over 4.
There was a bar back who was nicer and seemed to be the one taking drink orders. It took a very long time to get our drinks, but yes it’s expected within reason when you are getting these types of drinks.
I think with better customer service and less attitude this place would have more to offer rather than just specialty drinks. The one bartender really takes his job way too seriously and was too obnoxious for my taste.
The space is cool, but it a cold vibe and seats are limited. It doesn’t foster an environment you want to hangout for a long time. So you have a $ 18 drink or 2 and leave. Over priced but interesting drinks you can’t find at your average bar. The Dr. Ruth drink tasted like a strawberry daiquiri, not what I expected. The others in my party liked their drinks but again for the price of $ 18 I’m not sure how worth it is really is.
This would be my first and last time here due to the service, location, and lack of seats. Plenty of better bars out there with great drinks and good service. There isn’t anything else near by except a tequila bar and it’s in Chinatown. So plan your trip accordingly. I hope you have a better experience with the bartender than I did! Good service really makes a difference.

Get to the Chase:
Pros:
1) All drinks are amazing! (You have to be adventurous, and if the first is not to your liking, definitely try another)
2) Very polite hosts/​waiters
3) Great personality through and through (unique yet unpretentious)
4) Prices aren’t obnoxious, but can be about $ 40−60/person after 2 – 4 drinks/​person)
Cons:
1) Can get extremely busy (best to go right when it opens… even has a small line starting to form at 5:30 — 6:00 on some days)
2) Location can be argued either way (good or bad), take your pick… it’s in Chinatown, next door to a Chinese hair salon

If you can make it past the puddles of grey colored water and smell of slightly decaying seafood that is Chinatown, you deserve to walk yourself into this hidden establishment right in the middle of the bloody angle.
Compared to most of the other speakeasies, this one has a real shortage of seating. So unless you are here early, chances are that you are part of the yearning masses hovering around the bar.
The drinks are fairly decent, but just slightly on the sweeter side for me. Prices are not posted on the menu, but they generally range from $ 16-​$ 18. Pretty standard for quality cocktails around town.
However, be aware that if your bill/​tab is over certain amount, they automatically add gratuity in. Can’t remember the % they applied right now.
Also, one thing that I haven’t really tried/​seen is the mixologists making custom cocktails. I have tried some great new cocktails this way at other spots. Just haven’t seen/​done it here.
Finally, the noise level is substantially loud between the background music and the numerous people trying to have conversations by trying to be louder than the music.
Overall, I would come here if I’m in the area, especially since it’s such a big contrast compared to the rest of the hustle and bustle you have on the streets. But at the end of the day, Angel’s would still be my first choice on speakeasy.

With bartenders dressed in lab coats, why wouldn’t you come here? Super cool ambiance with varied music (when we got there, they were playing Latin music, and then they switched to some 80s pop, then some modern pop).
Oh, and fantastic drinks! Pricy, $ 16 for a drink, but really really good.

A hidden little spot in an alleyway gives Apotheke a bit of mystery. The place looks like an apothecary, (duh) with old school chemist’s tools decorating the room. Take note of the overhead lighting masquerading as beakers. Even the bartenders were wearing lab coats. The bartenders were very friendly and chatted with us for quite some time. The manager even gave us free shots. The vibe was very relaxed, friendly, and easy-​going. However, it was just a tad too crowded. I think even 5 people fewer would have made a tremendous difference.
All of that being said, I can’t bring myself to go back because of the $ 18 price tag on the cocktails. Though good, no cocktail is worth $ 18. Some might disagree, but I can’t justify it, I’m sorry.

Love the vibe of this place. Rustic, dim lit, talented bartenders (excuse me, «mixologists»), great music and friendly DJ. The bartenders wear white coats, which I found ridiculous, but it’s a cool and unique touch to this place. I had a great time and we thankfully entered before a line built up outside.

Finally came here after trying a lot of other speakeasy places.
This place has about 5 tables and nowhere to sit by the bar. We got here when it opened and it started filling up within the first hour. I imagine it can be hectic when it gets later in the night since the craft cocktails can take a few minutes to prepare.
We were recommended a few drinks for people who aren’t into those dark liquors like brandy and bourbon and loved them all. We were very surprised since many have an unappetizing list of ingredients.
All drinks averaged between $ 16 & $ 18, so pretty typical for a cocktail bar/​speakeasy in NYC.
Here’s the recommendations for people who like something sweet:
Everything Zen
Dr Ruth
Machete
Pillow Talk
Deal Closer
Sitting Buddha
Overall, no real complaints and the drinks were tasty and unique.

Amazing venue! I’m vip host in nyc +25/​50 clubs Free drinks&entrance with my guest list. The best table with us every night If you want to come with us. Just let me know
Contact: 518−256−6814
Email:berkbeykan@hotmail.com
Intagram: eaglenightlife

I’m not really into the club scene or liquor drinks but I like to take my out of town friends here for the experience. If you’re not from New York, it’s fun to say you went to a speak easy in Chinatown and had a delicious hand crafted drink. I make sure to get there early and leave before the club scene arrives. I realize this sounds ridiculous but I’m old. I hope this does not make this place seem less appealing. I here it’s a pretty happening place during late night! Just saying it’s worth checking out even if that’s not your scene.

This place is by far one of my favorite local bars. Great atmosphere, great design, great concept and most of all great service! Highly recommend it.
They have live music sometimes and it brings great vibes.

I love how the setting is such a dump on the outside. You wouldn’t even know it was a bar. Walking in from place is Chill. Intimate. Date night is a must here. I just love the whole ambiance of the place. It looks like seatings are a first come, first serve. Luckily, a group was just leaving. Timing couldn’t be perfect.
Drinks are unique & pricy but worth it.
Place is a must.
Cons: Closes at 2am.

The most unique cocktail bar I have ever experienced. I tried about 4 different drink (don’t judge) lol and they were all very well balanced– I had a drink made of kale juice– De-​lish! It is a bit hard to find the first time and cozily small but the scene is very cool.

A wonderful discover in the heart of Chinatown! I never imagined this fancy place was actually for real behind those common dark doors. The street is curved, the doors to get in are dark, and it really seem the scene of a Chinese mafia movie set. But no! You jumped into a Art Deco/​vintage bar, with comfy couches, a mysterious nice atmosphere, and free mandatory coat check.
Drinks are amazing, but expensive. Be prepared. Cocktails are about $ 16, but it’s worthier. Plus as soon as you are done, around the corners there is a great Chinese restaurant, with Michelin mentions, in which you can have a great dinner, for less of the price of one cocktail.
I absolutely loved this bar, and I can’t wait to find another occasion to come in!

An odd speakeasy misfittingly placed in the heart of Chinatown – if you’re not looking for it, you won’t find it. But if you keep your eye out for a velvet curtain behind a cast iron door and rusty windows barricaded with medicine bottles, you’ll find yourself in Apotheke.
This place is strange to say the least. Velvet seats line the walls, get here any time after 6:45, you’ll likely find yourself standing. Each drink is as unique as it is expensive – but the great thing is, there’s something here for everyone. I ordered the Machete which was creamy, with a strong hint of prune. The flavors blended together well however, as it did with my friend’s drink — Pillow Talk – as well. I would akin it to a green juice but sweet and bubbly. At an average of $ 17 a drink, I might think twice about rushing to Apotheke again, however there’s no denying the allure of its ambiance, and its promise of a good drink.

i loved everything about this place! free coat check, great live band, wonderful atmosphere, not too crowded, hidden away but also findable, lol. and the drinks were very interesting and different.
the price is high. like really high… $ 16 for most cocktails, $ 18 for the ones with an asterisk, and $ 21 for the double asterisks.
however…
if you think about price as… is the food i’m consuming yummy + is there a great plethora of options + are the options interesting and unique + is the atmosphere nice and what i hope for + bonus band night! + band is actually good + free coat check + easy to get to + not over crowded + no long wait to get in + not overly pretentious of with a crazy dress code… you see? it adds up. so are the drinks so expensive my insides are crying? yes, that too. but am i super excited to have a perfect experience and a cool new drink to try? yes yes yes. squid ink cocktail with seashell & pearl garnish and seaweed salt rim was an epic and weird and wonderful and inventive and delicious creation!
my experience with this place (9:30 pm, random monday night in feb) was absolutely perfect.

I thought this speakeasy cocktail bar lounge was pretty unique and not unreasonably priced. The two drinks I got were only $ 16 each. With no clue to as what the prices on the menu were (other than the $ 180 pitchers), I was expecting to pay $ 35 a cocktail!
The entrance was a little spooky, just a random dark door, no lights, a small sign that says «chemist.»
This is a dimly lit romantic-​type atmosphere. The seats were pretty comfortable, candles on tables, very interesting décor and lighting fixtures.
All the drinks were very uniquely created. The cocktail waitress was very helpful in selecting a drink if you had preferences. The Dr. Ruth was like a delicious strong, sweet and smooth strawberry daiquiri. The Everything Zen was like drinking the mild ginger and wasabi sides they give you at a sushi restaurant. It was different, and not that bad.
Restroom was clean, the sink was pretty cool, but there wasn’t any hot water.
I would definitely recommend you try this romantic speakeasy out!

Don’t understand what all of the fuss is about. The drinks are okay; out of the three that I tried, two were too sweet for my taste. The one I ordered and liked the most was the Tokyo Drift, although I couldn’t really taste the matcha.
For how much you pay for drinks here and based on the fact that everyone makes such a big deal about how great the bartenders are, I was surprised at the lack of even decent service at the bar (and it wasn’t a crowded night). One of my friends was ordering for us, and he got asked four times what he was ordering by the same person (and he didn’t even move from his spot at the bar). Another bartender asked him the same question in between. Our orders went ignored for a while after all of those repeated requests. When our drinks eventually came out, there was massive confusion as to whether those were drinks we had ordered, or someone else’s.
Not a terrible bar, but there are definitely better options out there.

Their drinks are amazing! Had dinner literally next door at Nom Wa Tea Parlor and were looking for this place. Definitely wouldn’t be able to tell that this place was going to look so hip inside from the outside as its in a random alleyway in Chinatown. The ambience of this place is very cool. The mixologists all have lab coats on and the drinks are separated into prescriptions list like (health & beauty, stress relievers, etc.). I don’t think you can really go wrong with any drinks as all the drinks have a beautiful presentation and I felt that the cocktails also really emulate the descriptions from the menu.
Highlights:
— Dead Poet: This drink is so cool! On the menu it lists that there are smoked cloves. In order to create that flavor they literally light the cloves on fire and let the smoke scent engulf the glass. By doing this, you can smell the smoke throughout your entire drink. Brilliant.
— Tokyo Drift: Not too sweet and loved the hint of matcha powder on top!
It isn’t the coolest speakeasy that I’ve been to in terms of having a cool entrance or being underground or hidden in any way, but the ambience is interesting and the drinks are simply amazing. The only downside is that there isn’t really anywhere to sit, so you have to just stand-​around, but the drinks are well worth it!

9:58pm on Wednesday night with half of the bar full (we saw how busy was the place when the 3guys band got in just in front of us) the guy at the door made us wait for 10 minutes just to open the little window to tell us again“guys, is a a l little bit of a wait here!!!“
good job big guy, you won’t see us here ever again!

Awesome variety of specialty drinks! Neat vibe. Can get crowded between 11 – 1. Go early or later. Must call to be put on list in advance.

I hovered around 3.5 for this place, but rounding up to reflect the talent behind the bar. I stopped in with some co-​workers after knocking back a few beers at our normal after work haunt, and you know what they say about «beer before liquor,» so… I stayed away from the cocktails (which is why you come here), had my glass of wine, and bounced out of here to dive into some much needed Chinese take-​out at home.
DRINKS: whatever you’re in the mood for, they can make it. That was obvious by the diversity of cocktails that I was able to try courtesy of my sloshed co-​workers. I’m not kidding about whatever you’re in the mood for either. I swear one drink tasted like wood, literally (the correct use of this word) wood, with a hickory smoked bacon aftertaste. Not my kind of thing, but there you go.
AMBIANCE: very cool speakeasy vibe, as should be obvious if you are successful in finding the entrance on a nondescript street in Chinatown that you should otherwise have no reason to be on. Seriously, I work right near Chinatown, and I’d never seen this street before. Inside there are a number of couches and plush foot stools turned seats, and you can mix and match to fit your party’s numbers. I also appreciated that on a Friday night there wasn’t blaring music making it impossible to hear what the person standing right in front of you is saying.
PRICES: this will break your wallet if you are not careful, and it will do so quickly. While my glass of wine, which had a decent pour, was $ 13, I saw cocktails on the list in the range of $ 25, $ 30, and $ 35. No. I’ll go buy the ingredients from my local liquor store for a little more than that, and get more bang for my buck than one drink.

Absolutely FANTASTIC staff! Mixed crowd from tourists who think they’re the shit and locals who are just looking for a place to chill. The place can get really busy and packed, so go early or just expect to be standing elbow-​to-​elbow. The drinks are amazing, and list is incredibly extensive. Wish they had a breezeway setup right inside the door though, as in late October when I went, it got really cold standing near the front of the room. The velvet curtain is not much insulation.

One of my favorite speakeasies of all times. If it wasn’t for the awkward location in Chinatown, I would definitely make it out here more often.
Came there on a monday night and it was still popping. Many groups here for a late night drink. Around 10, a small intimate band come on in the corner by the bar and brought a very jazzy feel to the mix.
The décor is amazing and the color scheme was very cute. The bartenders or mixologists rather wore lab coats and were extremely friendly. Again, I asked for something fruity and they made me something pink with gin in it and it was amazing.
The price tag per drink is high just like any speakeasy but the experience was nice. I would definitely bring friends from out of town here. Not sure what it’s like on the weekend yet.

So cool! Unassuming cocktail bar in a random spot in Chinatown. You probably wouldn’t notice this place except for the line outside.
Then in you go and there’s a DJ blasting the latest hits in a dimly lit room with weird lights and décor that is reflective of an apothecary/​pharmacy. It’s quite dimly lit, so hard to read the extensive drinks menu, but read it you must! Didn’t see prices but your average cocktail is $ 15.
Highly recommend the Buddha drink if you like cilantro and pineapple; vodka base. I also tried the Matador, a habanero pepper and tequila drink. I’m a sucker for a spicy drink so this is the one to pick if you’re like me.
Bathroom sink is kind of cool. This funnel with tubing releases water so you’re entertained even when hand washing.

Went on a speakeasy-​scouring journey across Manhattan for five days with my girlfriend and this was by far our favorite destination. The location is a bit strange and out of the way, but it’s worth it to make the trip. The theme is awesome and the décor really sets the scene — dim lighting and great music make this feel like a bar torn straight out of the 1920s. The servers are great, the menu and all the little categories therein are awesome, and I REALLY wish I got to try more of the drinks here.
The cocktails are very pricy, but seeing as they’re amongst the best in the city, both in presentation and in taste, I can totally match the value to the price. I got the Pillow Talk, the Sitting Buddha, and the Deal Closer, and I rank them in that order. The Pillow Talk and the Sitting Buddha are, without exaggeration, the best cocktails I’ve ever had. It was really difficult to decide which one I loved more. The Deal Closer was good, if a little bland (the cucumber makes it taste like spa water).
Be sure to come a little earlier into the night, since this place gets packed pretty quickly on weekends. Also, be sure to dress nicely if you do decide to come later — the bouncer may not let you in if you’re in sneakers and a polo!

Finally got to go here after having wanted to for a really long time. Met some friends that I haven’t seen in years. Flirted with some strangers. Tasted some expensive cocktails. Perfect post-​dinner venue. Heard a really awesome band. Snazzy verison of Stevie Wonder and some disco and lots of other things in between.
Lots more reviews to write, but I’ll save the rest for later. I’ve been kinda lackluster and disenchanted lately. And some venues I’ve already been to more than once, and I don’t have much new to say… and, well… the verbiage I traditionally used is frowned upon. Is what it is.
Odd little location in Chinatown. Super close to our hotel. I dig this neighborhood for some reason, fishy smell aside. I dig the oddball location of this bar– It makes it feel more off the beaten path, although I think it is becoming more touristy than it was when I had first heard about it several years ago. «Speak-​easy» is kind of a conundrom these days, because everyone knows about these sorts of venues and they aren’t physically, nor proverbially «underground», like they once were. Pretty interior though.
Was super crowded for a night that usually is not a big «going out night», but my longtime friend who works in the entertainment industry told me no night is sacred in the city anymore. Everything is always packed all the time. I think the holiday season adds to the crowds. I will say, however, that the weeknight crowd *always* trumps the weekend «bridge and tunnel» crowd. Without doubt.

Absolutely love this place! Apotheke in german means pharmacy so if you go in and wonder why the awesome bartenders are wearing pharmacy style lab coats, this is why!
Also, ever heard of a kale cocktail which you cant get enough of? Yep, you read it right a kale cocktail! Its not just that drink but, everything on their menu makes you want another one till of course you cant feel you legs anymore! Kidding! The drinks are perfectly stiff and have great flavors.
The décor is really cool and love the concept of no prices on the menu and you would think its expensive but, its really well priced.
Probably one of my favorite bars in the city right now. See you soon Apotheke!

Finally returned to experience Apotheke again (see previous 1-​star review). The cocktails were delicious and the medicinal theme was present. We were able to get our drink orders in and soothe our thirst by the bar in a timely fashion.
Unfortunately, it was still very crowded and loud like your typical neighborhood bar. I understand that this speakeasy is popular (and for good reasons as it really does have one of the best cocktails in the city) but if I’m looking for a bar that exudes exclusivity (more than just a hidden door) AND serves well-​crafted cocktails, I’d rather go to another speakeasy like Angel’s Share, Back Room, or Attaboy.

A Colombian, a Mexican, 2 Cubans, 1 Brazilian, a Costa Rican, 2 Dominicans and a Saudi girl all walk into a bar in China Town…
Pretty much how last night went after work. Our HOLA (Bank Latino Affinity Group) all went out after our group Holiday party and decided thanks to my good Mexican friend to continue the festivities in China Town. Soo hating on the Client Managers and their expense accounts.
I actually have been meaning to come here for years, it just never worked out.
Last night was great, it wasnt too crowded, the atmosphere was awesome and the huge group that we were all fit in a corner table.
Drinks to try:
–Fig & Oak
–Cilantro Paso
–Sitting Buddha (this one is tasty)
Bartenders are cute brooding heaps of tortured man-​bun sporting sexiness.
Pro Tip: Go to the bank before, this spot is cash only!

Came here late on a Saturday night and it was PACKED. It took about 20 minutes of waiting in line to get in. Really not too bad for a Saturday.
The bouncer was kind of on the rude side, although I will admit that’s not unique to NYC. They let a lot of people in that they seemed to know, but kept the rest of us waiting in line outside in the cold. Not cool.
We were expecting more of a relaxed lounge atmosphere, but when we got inside the bass was pumping and people were doing their best at attempting to hit the dance floor. Seemed like a pretty decent crowd of people though.
Our situation resembled a National Geographic documentary about predators and pray. We had to carefully stalk down a table with people who looked like they were about to leave, then we had to guard it from the vultures. We created a human barricade around the table until the occupants left, then we were able to settle down and claim the table as our own.
Once we got seated we proceeded to order drinks. I’ll rate the ones I remember:
Dead Poet — very unique, I liked it, but my friends didn’t. Has a smokey taste and a touch of bourbon. I love bourbon, so ⁵⁄₅
Pillow Talk — Sweet with a melon taste. ⁴⁄₅
Kiwi’s Playhouse — Sweet, but sort of bland. 3.5÷5
I have to give them major credit for having some really unique drinks.
Bottom line: it’s a cool place to kick it, the drinks are good, and the atmosphere is cool. Is it worth waiting in line and dealing with bouncers to finally get inside and pay $ 18 for a cocktail? For me, not really.

Great bar hidden in an alleyway in Chinatown. Old school speakeasy /​jazz bar vibes, comfy couches, and great cocktails. A bit on the pricey side but you’re getting what you pay for. Unique drinks with generous amounts of alcohol, and they actually taste good!
Coat check is available as well for no charge, but please don’t forget to tip.
The only thing that I didn’t like about this place was the wait time for the drinks, although that can’t be helped due to the crowds and how meticulously they prepare the cocktails.

Because my sister knew one of the bartenders, I can’t comment on having to wait in any lines luckily. But when you do come in, the drinks are worth it! There is a page filled with creative drinks made with a wide array of ingredients and I’m sure there are more off the menu as well. The bartenders know what they’re doing here and with the big group I came in with, we ordered a gauntlet of drinks and not one was not fully enjoyed.
It’s not too small of a bar, but we came on a Saturday night so prepared to deal with some crowds, and the music gets pretty loud, but it’s a fun bar to visit.

500^th review? Better make it worthwhile.
Over the years, Apothéke has become one of my favorite speakeasies in Manhattan. I’m actually quite surprised that I never reviewed this place, given the number of great nights I’ve had here. Located in the shady back alley on Doyers St, next to scene-​y bar Pulqueria, Apothéke is designed in the theme of an old-​time European apothecary, hence the name. Oh yeah, and also, the space used to be an opium den way back in the day, so that’s kinda cool.
While the word has spread like wildfire, and the crowds have gotten a bit out of hand at times, during my most recent visit, it wasn’t terrible. I wouldn’t necessarily bring a date on the weekends, but during the week, the space is a bit more conducive to intimate chatter. Since they have long couches, it’s not the most efficient use of space, because no one really wants to sit on the same couch with another party, so a lot the space gets unused, simply because people like to have an inordinate amount of personal space (does that even exist in New York?). That being said, after a few drinks, people, including me, cease to care about that.
My most recent favorite cocktail is the Catcher in the Rye, which featured Jim Beam, Amaro Nonino, chamomile bitters, Bärenjäger (honey) liqueur, and a mist of Bowmore scotch. It’s a pretty sweet twist on an old-​fashioned, and very full-​bodied. I probably could have drank it all night, if it weren’t for the fact I wanted to try absolutely everything on the menu. The Stolen from Eden cocktail is one of my favorites as well, featuring gin, snow pea, dill, basil, pink and black peppercorns, lime, and agave. Again, as you can see from these cocktails that the range of ingredients that the use here is unmatched, and even with this wealth of ingredients, I’ve never had an experimental cocktail that I didn’t enjoy here. Not only that, the cocktails are very beautifully crafted, and easy Instagram fodder if you can get enough lighting, which can be challenging in a dark, intimate room.
Prices are on par with most high-​end cocktail bars, ranging from $ 14 – 18, depending on how exotic or extensive the ingredients are in the cocktail. The bartenders really know what they’re doing here, and the range of knowledge surrounding the ingredients is pretty great. I refuse to call them mixologists, not out of disrespect, but I just highly dislike the pomp and circumstance surrounding that term. That being said, it should be known that you can take private mixology (ha) classes here, which are pretty expensive at about $ 125 a class, but given the range of ingredients you would have access to, it could be worthwhile. It can be a while between ordering and receiving your cocktail, but you can just sit and enjoy the music and ambiance while you wait for a nicely crafted cocktail.

This place was the complete opposite of what I was expecting based on the reviews that I have been reading.
1. This place is pretty big. Lots of couches and the bar area is pretty large.
2. This place is not a quiet speakeasy. The whole time I was there, they were blasting hip hop/​R&B (NICE)
3. The drinks are excellent.
4. The bartenders aren’t very chatty. You order, pay and go. Each cocktail is 18 bucks.
5. If you have a hard time finding it, just follow all the folks stumbling out of a «chemist» shop. Everyone comes out of this place walking funny (on a monday night at 3AM).

Mehs.
$ 19 cocktails… and it wasn’t anything super special.
This place is definitely all hype. I guess you’re paying for the experience of bartenders in lab coats and cozy ambiance.
Ordered the «Tokyo Drift» — (Four roses bourbon, Sake, Matcha tea, lemon simple syrup, egg white. red while float)
The egg white gave it a nice texture. the four rose bourbon was pretty good. But I didn’t taste the matcha.

I can’t believe I have been coming to Chinatown for over a decade and never knew that this place existed, right next door to a restaurant that I frequent to! I wasn’t sure where this place was exactly or what it looked like until I saw the little «Chemist» sign hanging from its doors. My friends and I arrived here right when it opened at 6:30 so it wasn’t crowded at all. When I walked in, I was stunned to see what was inside. It felt like a true representation of a speakeasy: secretive and sketchy on the outside, beautiful with some swag on the inside! We tried a few drinks and I will just say right off the bat it did not come cheap, ranging from $ 15 – 18 from what we ordered.
Smooth Criminal: Rum based with kiwi, lime, agave and some other yummy fruits. Super nice and fruity. Came with a slice of Kiwi as a garnish, making it smell so fresh when taking sips. My friend got this first and I liked it so much that I chose this as my second drink.
Paid Vacation: Super smoky from the mescal and a great kick from the habanero bitters. If you have a sensitive pallet, this drink may not be to your liking as my friend was not a fan but I thoroughly enjoyed the smokiness this drink left me off with.
King’s Landing: I think this was my least favorite drink. Although really cool with the presentation of the drink, the end taste was a bit too bitter for my liking. The waitress comes out with spices and lights it on fire to capture the smoke in the glass. From there they pour the drink into you cup to retain the smoky after taste. It was okay. Just a bit bitter.
Overall, the décor and feel of this place is amazing. I can’t say what it’s like when it’s super crowded but I am more than willing to give it another go. Loved the vibe and the best part is that drunk munchies are right around the corner!

Very cozy and dark place. Drinks are pricey but delicious. I would highly recommend coming here at 6:30 to snag a good seat as seating is very limited and is pretty much first come first serve.
Also an excellent place to take a date to.

Na minha opinião, um dos melhores Speakeasies de NYC.
Fica numa rua escura e escondida em NYC, e o único jeito de encontrar é pelo símbolo de químico que fica na porta (e pelo segurança).
Quando voce passa pela porta e pela cortina, é um local inesperado. Decoração classica, e um bar que lembra um apotecário (farmácia antiga). Inclusive, os barmen se vestem de acordo.
Alguns dias tocam jazz, outros apenas musica eletronica.
Mas o melhor são os coquetéis. Tem tanta coisa diferente, mas eu recomendo os que levam mezcal.
Lugar legal para um date ou sair em grupo.

Est-​ce le fait d’en avoir attendu trop après lecture des avis Unilocal?Toujours est-​il que sans Unilocal,jamais nous n’aurions deviné la présence d’une telle pierre précieuse derrière une porte secrète.
Les avis disponibles sont déjà complets, alors j’ajouterai simplement :
— que les cocktails, aussi insolites soient-​ils, sont très peu copieux et pas forcément imaginatifs ou délicieux ;
— les prix, eux, sont bel et bien imaginatifs.
Astuce: venir dès l’ouverture pour avoir un peu de place et éventuellement une table ;)

Tolle Location versteckt in Chinatown und mit absolutem Barfeeling (leider ein bisschen zugig, brrr)!!! Die Cocktailkarte ist voll mit tollen Kreationen, die alle samt gut geschmeckt haben.

Für Fans ungewöhnlicher Locations und ausgefallener Drinks ist die Apotheke ein echter Anlaufpunkt. Ein Schild oder Hinweis auf die Bar findet man unter der angegebenen Adresse allerdings nicht, zu Stoßzeiten dafür eine kaum zu übersehende Menschenansammlung. Dabei geht es kaum um die Masse als vielmehr darum, dass man in dieser dunklen Seitengasse in Chinatown keine Menschen vermuten würde — zumindest keine meist gut bis sehr gut gekleideten.
Wer rein will muss am Türsteher vorbei (meist ein guter Mensch aus Südlondon namens James — wenn ich mich richtig erinnere), der aber durchaus fair ist. Wichtig: Pärchen und kleine Gruppen mit Frauenüberschuss haben es leichter, gut gekleidet sollte man auch sein. No sneakers and sports hats! Da der Bar-​Raum eher klein ist und allem Anschein nach nicht überfüllt werden soll, ist es nicht immer einfach Einlass zu finden. Kleiner Tipp: Einfach mal fragen, ob Esteban heute arbeitet. Wenn man einen der Barkeeper kennt — oder zu kennen vorgibt — dann hilft das meist schon weiter. Es lohnt sich! Die Location — angeblich ein ehemaliger Opium-​Treffpunkt — ist im Stil einer alten Apotheke gehalten, die Barkeeper in weißen Kitteln nehmen sich viel Zeit und zelebrieren die Zubereitung der Cocktails im Stil eines Chemikers. Die Drinks sind mit 15 Dollar zwar kein Bargain, aber auch nicht wirklich teuer. Vom Ambiente und den ungewöhnlichen Geschmackskreationen (persönlicher Favorit: Cranberry Flambé) bekommt man auch einiges geboten. Einziges Manko: Einige der Cocktails könnten eine Spur weniger Süße vertragen