Dead Drop

You know the speakeasy game is getting pretty intense when a speakeasy burger joint opens up. Dead Drop is located in the basement of Nite Owl, down a flight of stairs as you walk in. There’s some signage in the dark on the wall and a buzzer. You buzz, they open up and take your name, and you wait until they text you that there’s a table open. Typical speakeasy formula. Nice thing is here is I’ve actually found them not to be that busy, and the door girls genuinely try to accommodate everyone instead of acting like some kind of cool-​litmus test (looking at you, Death & Co.). The inside is dark and romantic, really a typical speakeasy vibe.
The cocktails are small but very well made. They’re $ 15 a pop which is par for the course. I don’t remember everything I had but I do recall «Results May Vary», which comes rye whiskey, amaro and gin along with some other stuff for a truly poignant cocktail. Not many mixologists have the balls to combine those 3 ingredients alone, and I love that they do here. Luckily there are also plenty of lighter and fruitier cocktails here too for the lady/​metrosexual man in your life. They even have beer available if you’re opposed to liquor for some reason (why would you be here then?).
The burger here is awesome. It’s served on a black charcoal bun (mostly gimmicky), stuffed with gruyère cheese, topped with a little black truffle and also black garlic mayonnaise. It’s not the most balanced burger, it doesn’t come perfectly cooked or anything, but it’s such an explosion of different flavors and textures that it works anyway. The beef quality is good, the gruyère isn’t overwhelming, the black garlic mayo is delicious, and the truffle plays a supplementary role which is what it should do. Split some fries with your friends over these burgers and it’s the perfect late night meal. Best thing? It’s only $ 17, which sounds pricey for a burger but compared to other high end burger places – and the fact that this is served in a speakeasy – is very reasonable.
What Dead Drop gets right is that it doesn’t think too much of itself and adds nice little unique touches to the speakeasy experience that end up adding a ton of value. Wish the drinks were bigger but lack of BS relative to most speakeasies makes this a winner. This is right behind Dear Irving and Angel’s Share for the best examples of this kind of bar.

Hands down one of the best tasting cocktail bar cocktails I’ve been to not only in NY but across various cities. Very unique blends of flavors expertly mixed to perfection… still dreaming about my next visit.
This is one of those speakeasy types where you have to ring a bell and wait. There is very limited seating and it’s a very cute intimate/​industrial blend of décor.

Excellent venue. For the size accommodation, this place is small but still has a comfortable feel to it. Came here with a couple of buddies (6 of us all together) and we all sat very comfortably. I didn’t eat here but my friends ordered a burger and enjoyed it. The drinks here are all excellent. Had 2 drinks roughly but they did a solid number in hitting me. Definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY recommend this for cocktail lounge/​speakeasy lovers.

This is a really cool speakeasy with an excellent burger and fries. All the drinks that we had were beautifully presented and more importantly, tasted awesome.
They did a great job accommodating a party of 6 and the bill was fair. My favorite drink was their tiki drink.

Look out for the Dead Drop sign outside of Night Owl. At the top of the stairs it will look dark and mysterious as you walk down each step. You will then see a sign saying «Press Button & Await Further Instructions.» I was intrugued and couldn’t wait to enter!
A well dressed gentleman answered the door and advised us of the seating options. As we walked to our table, I noticed how cozy and intimate Dead Drop really is! They have a few tables for larger groups, but I wouldn’t advise going there with more than 3 or 4 people. The bar was smaller than most other bars in NYC, however, had a vast amount of spirits neatly arranged against the wall and on top of the bar which can accommodate about 3 individuals. The ambiance is dimly lit, but the small candles on each table really set the tone, and added a romantic flair to this super adorable speakeasy.
As soon as you open the menu the drinks are listed. Dead Drop features a wide range of interesting drinks that are categorized as either «Lively» or «Lethal.» The drinks have a combination of different flavors that you would never imagine could taste so good together! I ordered the Fictitious Entry which reminded me of a Tiki drink. It had a combination of Jamaican rum, Apple Brandy, Pineapple Juice, Cinnamon Syrup, Housemade Orgeat Syrup, Apricot Liqeur, Curaçao and Lime Juice. Don’t let the cute exterior of the drink fool you! It was definitely LETHAL and for $ 15.00, most definitely worth every penny.
I couldn’t go to Dead Drop without trying the infamous «black burger.» The burger looks very interesting due to the charcoal infused bun. It is thick, succulent, and had black garlic mayonnaise, black truffles and gruyère cheese. Now my honest opinion is that the burger was good, but it definitely wasn’t the best burger I ever had. For $ 17.00 it would have been nice if the burger came with fries, however, expect to order a side of fries if you enjoy the combination of burgers and fries as I do!
I would definitely return to this cool speakeasy for the interesting drinks and to engage in lengthy conversation. The customer service in Dead Drop is excellent, and you will not be disappointed by their intriguing drink menu!

It’s right in front of you. Just go down the steps.
Came here early and it was basically empty, but withing 30 minutes it started filling up. We got the famous Black Burger to try and it was decadent. You have to try it for yourself. I’m not saying that because the bun is black and it looks cool, which it does, but it actually tastes really good.
Drinks are pretty good. I got something with dark rum (not the fictitious entry) and it had the most interesting mix of flavors.

Came around 7pm on a Wednesday and was the first patron. I ordered the One down, One to go cocktail which was smooth and refreshing. I usually opt for whiskey based cocktails and this one had a bit of a lighter, fruitier flare.
Ordered the black burger and a side of fries. I am giving this review 5 stars because of the burger. Not only was it delicious and filling, but the unique charcoal bun is something I haven’t seen anywhere else– hard to say in New York! The truffle cheese and umami flavored of the patty were heavenly. I only wish the charcoal bun was fluffier since the consistency was a bit chalky– but necessary to balance out the heaviness of everything else. The fries were also outstanding. Beautifully thick and crispy. They came on a huge plate, enough for 2 – 4 people to share.
I liked the intimacy of this place. You really get the basement speakeasy vibe without the EV pretentiousness. We had to catch a movie by 8pm so by the time we left, there were many people pouring into the bar.

Fantastic little bar with a phenomenal burger.
5 stars all around. The service was amazing and expeditious; the bartenders are very nice and quite knowledgeable; the cocktails are meticulously prepared; and finally the burger is succulent and out of this world.
Had the Following Orders cocktail which was supposed to be a spin off of an old fashioned. They hit the nail on the head with this one. This crafty concoction is better than the original. Highly recommended.
The black burger was exceptional. Very tasty, succulent, and perfectly cooked; this burger melts in your mouth. With every bite you unveil yet another steaming portion beef. Delicious!

Interesting cocktail concoctions. Loved the ‘some restrictions apply’ cocktail, which includes the questionable combinations of cream cheese, rosewater and strawberries. A delicious dessert cocktail that tastes like a strawberry shortcake or smoothie.
Other drinks include quirky (or culinary pairings as the waiter calls it) ingredients, such as truffle, curry and coconut. The pricing is a bit steep compared to that of other speakeasies ($ 15 per drink), but I love the interesting mixology behind these drinks.
Small place with comfortable leather chairs. Great hidden date spot, but availability really depends on luck!

The bartenders were so nice!!! They will listen to what you enjoy and make The cocktail for your liking!!!
We also got the famous black burger and fresh fries. The food came out pretty fast. We were a little disappointed they didn’t have the uni mayo anymore with the fries, they change it up to saffron mayo, which was pretty yummy. The burger tho was the highlight! The paddy was trufle-​ly delicious!!! Though the buns need some sort of moist. Our buns were a bit on a dry side so we just ended up finishing just the meat.
Overall great spot in East Village. Def will go back for more burgers and drinks! Thumbs up!!!

Duck down the flight of stairs by the host table in Nite Owl, and you’ll come across a set of dark doors — the only thing separating you from one of the newest cocktail bars to join the East Village speakeasies. The space is dimly lit, relying solely on a handful of candles on the tables, outfitted with plush seats bordering small, circular tables. It’s perfect for intimate and lengthy conversations, the moments that a brief escape from the busy city is needed.
The menu is dizzying and comprehensive, with a number of drinks labeled as either «Lethal» and «Lively». It’s roughly correlated to the potency of the drink, and for the most part, I found the classifications to be fairly accurate. They’re broken out into three categories as well: Yet To Be Classified (the newer, original drinks), Recently Declassified (remixes on older classics), and From the Archives (the classics). And for those that can’t find something they like on the menu, the bartender’s choice is always a solid option; specify your drink and liquor preferences, and you’ll have a have a personalized drink brought to you.
One of the newer additions to the menu was called the «Khao Yai Park Swizzle», a gin-​based drink that mixed together coconut milk, curry, and lime juice. Served tall with a garnish of mint leaves, it was one of the more impressive and certainly most unique drinks that I’ve yet to try. While the combination of coconut milk, lime juice, and mint was a delicious and refreshing choice, the addition of the curry paste completely threw off the entire flavor profile of each sip. While I can appreciate the pairing of sweet and savory, it became a little too heavy towards the end.
The Son of a Beesting, on the other hand, was much more successful. It’s a riff on the classic «Bee’s Knees», a seemingly simple drink that melded gin, ginger, honey, lemon juice, and a hint of rose water at the end for the finishing aroma. It’s sweet, tangy, with a slight zing from the ginger — a balanced drink that’s perfect for enjoying towards the tail end of the evening. The adventurous drinkers will also be delighted to find that the Fictitious Entry, a seemingly lethal blend of Jamaican rum, apple brandy, and apricot liquor with pineapple juice, cinnamon syrup, and lime juice, was quite delicious for this lightweight as well. It’s a sweet, tropical blend served in a tall tiki cup, cheekily garnished with a paper umbrella. If there’s any drink to have that disguises the sheer potency of its contents… it would be this one.
Dead Drop also has a tempting food menu, as many have already heard of their signature Black Burger (served «juicy-​lucy style» with Gruyère, black truffles, and black garlic mayonnaise), and reservations can be made by emailing the cocktail bar. All considerations aside, there’s really no reason not to make a visit — an inviting ambiance (that, at least to the best of my knowledge, is still relatively unoccupied), excellent drinks, and the excuse to wile away a few hours should be more than enough incentive for anyone.

I don’t normally appreciate a good, classy, drink (hit me up with Long Islands please and I’m good to go!), but Dead Drop was wonderful.
Came here last night around 9PM for drinks with a girl friend and got seated quickly. It’s easy to miss this place, though they now have a sign outside to make it a bit easier. You walk down the dark mysterious steps and the hostess greets you upon opening the door (there’s a buzzer outside with a sign that says «buzz and await further instructions» but since we got there so early we didn’t need to wait).
The room itself is incredibly intimate and cozy. I love the speakeasy feel of Dead Drop. There are maybe 5 or 6 tables for two and two or three larger corner booths, along with some seats at the tiny little bar at the back.
The menus are adorable, with drinks labeled as «lively» or «lethal» and incredibly creative names to go with the drinks. The bartenders and staff were all incredibly friendly and the bartender took a lot of time to explain drink options to me and my friend. I first ordered the Fictitious Entry and my friend the Honeypot.
The Fictitious Entry might be the cutest drink on earth. I love how it’s a little gimmick-​y. The drink comes in a tiki mug with a slice of orange and an umbrella. The drink itself was strong, but very light and easy to drink. Definitely recommend this!
I tried a sip of the honeypot and it was delicious as well. The last drink I ordered was the Ransom Note to end the night, and it was definitely a very old fashion drink, but I didn’t mind it.
Incredibly good drinks and incredibly amazing atmosphere. My friend and I stayed until around 11:30PM and it was just a perfect and relaxing night.
Definitely want to come back and try their black burger, though I’m not a fan of truffle… feel like I need to just for the experience!

4.5 stars. I came here around 12/12:30 on a Saturday after a night of joyful bar-​hopping. The downside to this is that I was three drinks in and very, very tired, so my memory of this place isn’t stellar. So I’d love to return when I’m a) more alert and b) hungry, so I can try the famed black burger.
I’m surprised that more people don’t know about this place! The cocktails are unique and tasty, and for people who like a speakeasy feel, this definitely fits the bill. Dark, cozy and romantic, this place nails it on ambiance. It’s not a true speakeasy though — it’s pretty conspicuous. Though, ironically enough, the big speakeasies (Death & Co, Angel’s Share, Raines Law Room, etc.), though «hidden», are in much higher demand than Dead Drop.
We were able to get a table right away, which I found surprising. But considering this place doesn’t have many reviews, I suppose it’s just not on the majority’s radar. This could be the exhaustion talking, but one small con here was the service. It might’ve been the fact that we were seated at a table near the entrance as opposed to at or around the bar, but it took a while to flag down a waitress. The drinks were certainly worth that wait though!
I got the «Following Orders» (Malt Whiskey, Genever, Homemade Peanut Liquer, Chinese Bitters, Fernet Rinse), which is classified as «lethal» on the menu. Lethal indeed. Considering I was already tipsy and tired, this did it for me. But as far as nightcaps go, this one was speakeasy-​grade. I’m sold on anything with «homemade peanut liquer». And I don’t know what in the world fernet is, but apparently it’s an ingredient that sporadically finds its way into cocktails.
So, come here if you:
–Like a speakeasy feel, but are not fond of waiting (so, everyone in New York)
–Want to have a classier night with a friend or two
–Are on a date
–Want a drink that will knock you out
–Like cocktails with ingredients that look like gibberish to you

Dark, cozy and comfortable. Menu of drinks are well thought out and the bartender can always think outside the box to mix up a concoction at a moments notice. Tell him the flavors you like and he’ll whip up something great.
Music is pretty good and it wasn’t too loud where you couldn’t hear yourself talk.
The place isn’t huge and although it’s not a real speakeasy, it sure makes you feel like you’re at one. A definite recommend for anyone that enjoys cocktails done right.

A bonafide, awesome cocktail bar in the East Village, Dead Drop is a must-​try on the cocktails bar list. This is probably one of my new favorite speakeasy spots, next to places like Angel’s Share and Little Branch. Admittedly, I would hate to reveal too much. It is a spot to check out though if you want quality service and very well made drinks, a low-​key, sexy yet simultaneously casual atmosphere. I will say in short that there is very little to dislike.
Located inside the North River restaurant in the East Village, go down the small set of stairs upon entrance. A button on the wall will call for the hostess, who should open the door promptly. It is first-​come, first-​serve basis, so obviously you will want to come earlier than later if you want to avoid the wait. Not a very large place, but accommodates just the right amount of people for a good night’s crowd without being obnoxious. I love the red walls and the dark, intimate, and super cozy atmosphere it creates. Two bartenders man the tiny bar at the front, but this tiny bar has a lot to offer.
What is great is the breakdown of their menu, which displays ‘Yet To Be Classified’, ‘Recently Classified’, to ‘From the Archives’. Under these categories is the classification of ‘Lethal’ and ‘Lively’. Lethal, is of course, the stronger of the cocktails. Lively is the refreshing/​lighter ones. I started off with a lethal Red Orchestra (Gin, Kumaru, Maraschino, Cherry Brandy, and Celery Bitters). This was an excellent stiff cocktail yet not peaty and smooth to the last drop. Second drink was the classic yet lethal Martinez from the archives (Old Tom Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Maraschino, Boker’s, and Orange Bitters). Again, while it was a lethal martini, it was very tasty and easy to take down with each sip. Service was excellent too, as one of the bartenders/​servers was very helpful in providing input.
I will definitely be returning to Dead Drop soon. Bring a friend or two, a date, and you should not be disappointed. Do not be shy going for the lethal cocktails either. They are all tasty and will be worth it in the end.

O-​M-​G
I want everyone on Unilocal to experience this burger because this was the best burger I have ever had in my life. Before I came here I was told that this would be the best burger and I was like «yea sure» until I bit into it and I was like wow. The burger with the charcoal infused bun is serious!!! I usually get all my burgers well done but in this instance they didn’t even ask. The burger came out medium almost medium rare. But it was so juicy and so flavorful my well done went straight out of the window! I don’t know how I can eat a burger anywhere else again!!! Anyhow on to the spot…
This place is very small and very dim. There is only 1 bartender who makes specialty drinks and he is good at it but he was slow. I ordered the fictional entry. Very good but mostly filled with ice. I wish the drink was more of drink than a splash with ice. Service is great. Tables are small. But with a burger like that who cares!!! This is a MUST DO!!!

dead drop is weird.
weird is a good thing, let me elaborate.
arrived last night to a dungeon of a room. with black leather chairs, dim lighting, bizarre metal fixtures & water served out of tin mugs, the décor can be described in one word: weird.
servers are weird. bathroom is decorated weird. their burger is served on a black bun (weird). their fries are served with sea urchin mayonnaise (weird). you get the picture.
that being said, i loved this place. most definitely recommend, especially for whiskey lovers. and to try the black burger which happens to be delectable.

Dead Drop is as of now a fairly unknown speakeasy in the East Village — it’s in the basement of North River, also a great restaurant with an inventive brunch menu.
I think my favorite thing about Dead Drop currently is how it’s still not that popular. It’s not that comfortable an experience, because: the tables are tiny, lightweight and wobbly, so if you’re more than five feet tall you’re pretty much going to knock your knees on the table. It also gets a little loud — the room echoes a little bit since it’s all metal and brick.
Other than that, the drinks are fairly interesting. I tried the Antidote and the Martinez. They were both decently strong and fairly tasty but I couldn’t say it was remarkable. Anyhow, get in on Dead Drop before it gets too popular.

Pretty nice speakeasy, down the stairs beneath North River. You actually have to walk through the entrance of North River, and then go down the unlighted stairway and press the button. Pretty standard speakeasy procedure.
Came on a Friday night around 9pm, was told we needed to wait about 30 minutes, but we were able to get a table in just 10 minutes. The menu has a bit of a secret agent theme, which is pretty cheesy, but also kinda cool at the same time. The «lively» drinks refer to drinks with lower alcohol content and sweeter tastes, while the «lethal» drinks are stronger and pack a bit more of a punch.
We got the Antidote and the Bagman, which were both a bit weaker than we had anticipated, but the flavors were at least good. The Antidote was comprised primarily of kombucha, while the Bagman was almost all whipped egg whites with a bit of soda, lemon and rye. The atmosphere is very intimate, and while it is a bit livelier than most cocktail bars, it’s still very laid back. Overall, I’d come back here more for the ambiance, more than the cocktails themselves.
There’s nothing that really sets this speakeasy apart from others, but it is a great place for a date or a chill cocktail kind of night. Considering that the drinks are decent, the crowds are generally limited at this point in time, and the space is very intimate, I’ll definitely be back.

Dead Drop is everything you want from a speakeasy/​bespoke cocktail club. It is small enough that it is cozy, intimate, and good for conversations. The small bar is easily viewable throughout the room, so you can watch the bartenders as they do their craft.
We tried a few cocktails off the menu, as well as gave our server some spirits and flavors we enjoyed and let the bartender come up with something for us. The menu cocktails are split up between lively/​lethal, which could loosely translate to, less of an alcohol bite and sweeter/​stiff and less sweet, more bitter. All the drinks were delicious and well balanced, and the underlying impression I got was that this place is about experimenting with different flavors and trying combinations you never knew you liked.
Service was very friendly, helping us accommodate a third person later in the evening, attentive with suggestions and recommendations, and the bartender was efficient and created excellent drinks based upon our flavor requests. Also, they serve your drinks on this very neat tray. I did not try the burger, but regret it based upon other reviews here.