Raines Law Room

Hidden bar!
Like how sound proof this place is.
Can’t find it that easily…
Drinks were good
Not 5 star because the visual entertainment was not there. We were stuck in a corner.
I can come back here again with a group of friends j have a good time. Overall good experience

I’ve been wanting to try the Raines Law Room for quite some time now. Having visited other speakeasies in New York City such as Dear Irving, Madame Geneva, PDT, and abroad, I was hoping for more and was disappointed. I can get over the 1hr wait at 12:30am, as they are cute bars nearby. However I felt the room had little character and not much in terms of privacy for couples (private seats are better for a party of 4; weird to share with another couple). Drinks were well done; however, I would not return. Great staffing though!

Came here on a Wednesday around dinner time. They don’t accept reservations on Wednesdays so we thought we would try our luck and fortunately they were able to accommodate us at a table:
Atmosphere: I thought the atmosphere inside was awesome! It was super dark, really intimate, and the décor was sensual. Despite it being a Wednesday, it looked like most of the tables/​booths were filled (I hesitate to call them tables, however, because it was more like a couch with a tiny coffee table in front of us. The wallpaper, as many have pointed out, was discreetly risqué, kind of like the vibe in Raines itself.
Service: I also like the service model they utilize. The server will initially greet you and hand you a cocktail menu, and if you have any questions or want to place an order you pull a chain near your «table». I’ve been to restaurants that employ the same model of service, and, while it might not be for everyone, I like how it is non-​intrusive and allows you to dine/​enjoy your drinks at your own pace. Our server was very nice and friendly and was helpful when it came to answering any questions about drinks that we had.
Drinks: The cocktail menu was organized by «type», like lighter/​fizzy drinks, cocktails made for sipping, seasonal cocktails, and staff favorites. I liked the method of organization: for example, I’m not a big fan of spirit-​forward drinks, so I knew to avoid that page, while my boyfriend pretty much went straight there to peruse the menu. We each ordered two drinks. I can’t remember the name of my first drink but it was something with ginger, which as far as I can tell is the new hottest thing in the bartending world, and I love it. The ginger flavor was really strong, which might be off-​putting to some, but I really enjoyed it. It was a fairly strong drink but very smooth and refreshing. My boyfriend’s first drink was some twist on a Sazerac, which he had ordered the last time he went there and they had since taken off the menu, but still prepared it for him. My second was the Marie Antoinette, which was white rum, raspberry, lemon, and crème de cacao over crushed ice, which was super visually pleasing and good but not unique. I liked how it was a sweet drink but not overwhelmingly so. I can’t remember what my boyfriend’s second drink was but he enjoyed it.
Other: At roughly $ 15 a cocktail the drinks are priced about average for NYC. When we asked for our check we had a fairly confusing request with splitting between cash and card and the server understood and was able to do as we requested, which I appreciated. Great place, would definitely come back.

This place is incredible! I want it to stay low key but at the same time must write about it. My favorite spot in the city by far! It’s the perfect place with wonderful bartenders, amazing music, and most of all beautiful, delicious, quality drinks.
Once you walk in you are automatically transported back in time to a different era. The whole space is so cozy you can get lost in the experience for hours without realizing it. I bring everyone I know here and every time it a happy success.
My go to drink is the wildest redhead to start and something new for the second. Be careful they are all very strong! I’m usually a lightweight and shouldn’t have two but I usually can’t resist.
Also, stop by the restroom and glance at the wallpaper ;)

They didn’t have the pair of aces so they garnished my drink with cherries, I loved it. I got the nibbles and loved that too, this place is awesome! Again, the hostess had a funky attitude and it’s the same girl but otherwise, perfect.

5 stars because I can’t think of any wrong with this speakeasy. I made a reservation on line about a week in advance for Monday evening. Our cab driver knew the exact location and dropped us off at the door! Props to NYC cabbies!
We ring the door bell. Waited for the hostess to open the door gave her our name and were promptly seated at a roomy couch.
BF ordered the Kentucky maid. It was delish!
I ordered the paper plane, not as good but tasty.
BF then ordered the In Bloom, really yummy!
I ordered the second sight, carrot juice, kinda reminds me of Indian food? Was ok
Bathrooms are clean, service spot on.

The 4 of us were in Manhattan for the long weekend and we wanted to go somewhere fun to drink. We searched online and found this place. It sounded exactly like what we wanted.
We arrived about 11pm and went down the unmarked staircase to the door. We rang the buzzer after what I assume was the look-​see (cool check! hahaha) the door opened and a really sweet girl took our name and told us they would buzz us if they had room for us in an hour or two. That was odd, but seriously, it’s exactly what you’re asking for if you come to a place like this. It was a fun odd. You felt mysterious and cool.
They sent us a text about 90 minutes later and we came back. Unfortunately, that’s just the first step in the game. She let us in to a private entry room, shut and locked the door behind us, and took our coats. We were really excited by this point. It was fun. They have speakeasy bars in Orlando that do this exact thing, but this was the BIG APPLE!
We were taken to a second staging area. What??? We weren’t sure why they called us back if they weren’t actually ready for us. We stood in the TINY, TINY back bar area for a good while, being knocked around like bowling pins when people went to the bathroom and servers came by to get their drinks from the bar. We were told it could be up «however long it takes» to get a seat. I found this off-​putting. We waited about a half hour to sit.
The drink menu was extensive. It was also expensive, but that’s the charm in these places. You pay a fortune for the fun experience. The bartenders were friendly and working up a storm. Each drink had approximately 8.2 million different ingredients (never forget the random item bitters!!!) and these bartenders were clearly experts at making these drinks. I would never wish to diminish that fact. They worked HARD and seemed to be working in tandem well with each other.
The problem was that the drinks weren’t good at all. They were really bad. We all had drinks based on the main ingredients we loved. That’s setting them up for a win. They were just not good drinks. No one in group even mildly enjoyed their drink. Mine tasted like what turpentine smells like and I love a strong drink.
The atmosphere is amazing. The couches and comfortable chairs were wonderful. They have pull-​chains on the wall to ask for service and NEVER bothered us if we didn’t pull the tab. The place was exactly what you’d expect: crazy lamps, weird lighting, someone’s great-​grandma decorated it, ambiance out the butt, and so on. It was an amazing place to hang out.
That said, for the incredibly high prices, I expect drinkable drinks to go with the cool.
The bathrooms were unique. The wallpaper looks Victorian at first, but it’s shadows of people in Karma Sutra positions. They also have a mirror over the toilet that seems to be made especially for guys to look at their experience.

SO glad we found this place.
Came here with a couple of girlfriends — we were a bit confused at first since the door was closed and we had to ring the doorbell to get in.
Ambiance inside was cozy, reminiscent of times past. Great date spot as seating is all on love seats.
Drinks were superb. The bartenders were flexible and even made my friend a custom drink. I got the Marie Antoinette which was a bit stronger than I expected but delicious with the fresh raspberries.
Will definitely come again the next time I visit New York.

I visited Raines Law Room yesterday with a few friends and it was very cool — I would definitely recommend going. As the first speakeasy I’ve visited, I didn’t really know what to expect, but I had heard great things. It’s truly a different experience.
Experience:
When you find the place (speakeasy = no sign), you knock, someone opens the door, you tell them how many is with your party, they check your IDs, etc. — pretty standard. They ask if you’d like to check your coat or bag, which we opted for. My roommate checked his bag and I checked my coat, and we both received number tags. Note though that when we left, the hostess (who was the one who checked our coats) wasn’t at the door and I was able to just find and grab my own jacket without anyone checking my number, so I’m not really sure why they give them to us in the first place.
The space is quite small, so if you’re lucky enough to enter upon arriving and not have to put your name down and take a walk around the block, you might have to stand at the back bar for a while before getting a table. That was fine with us — the hostess led us to the bar and we got a couple of drinks to sip on while chatting for maybe 30+ minutes before the she came back and said there was a table ready for us. If you’re not really into waiting, this place might not be your thing, but I still highly recommend checking it out at least once because it’s really the experience that’s cool. When being led to the bar, you walk past all the tables and through sets of sort-​of sheer curtains and a certain haze. It wasn’t quite smokey in there, but it was strangely hazy and a little trippy, especially upon first walking in (after being outside). It’s also very dark, with very intimate lighting.
Actually, the whole place has a very intimate vibe. Its décor is very vintage and Prohibition-​era themed — from the couches to the lighting. The whole place felt pretty authentic and was very cute and interesting. Definitely not good for large groups — I’d say no more than 4 (we had 4 people). Definitely a great spot for a date, though :)
Drinks:
Besides the experience, the drinks here were also great. We each tried different cocktails on the menu, since they all looked so unique. They were moderately strong (none of that watered down BS you might find at other bars) and great to sip on. I liked the way they organized the menu — they had grouped drinks together in a unique and convenient way: if you like a «kick» (i.e. cinnamon, spice, etc.), what «we» drink (staff recommendations), spirit forward and made to sip, and more. It definitely made it easier to find what we were in the mood for, among the oh so many options that they offer. Each drink was about $ 15, which is a little pricey, but typical for cocktails in NYC and understandable for the small capacity of the space (they gotta make money somehow).
Overall, Raines Law Room could turn out to be your thing, or it might not — but for sure, a must-​try.

Summary: Dark, intimate atmosphere. Very retro-​feeling. Drinks are about $ 15 each and on the small side, but well crafted. A fun way to experience craft cocktails with a little history.
My wife and I went here at around 7:30pm on a Sunday. We had no reservations, so we shared one couch in one of the partitions for two couches. We were greeted by a friendly hostess upon arrival and had our bags/​coats checked. We were then escorted to our seats, given menus, and told how to summon service using the pull-​chain. After figuring out what we wanted we pulled the chain and soon a server was taking our order. I got the 10 Gallon Hat, which came in a small wine glass and had a nice spicy flavor. My wife got a Jungle drink which was pretty bitter because of the Campari.
While there, we enjoyed the romantic/​nostalgic atmosphere and had some nice conversation. The drinks weren’t amazing, but we likely just didn’t pick the right ones for us. However, we were definitely able to appreciate the quality and craftsmanship that went into them. All in a all, a neat place to get a drink.

SUCH a great space! I had been to it’s sister bar — Dear Irving — a few times prior and was hoping Raines Law Room would live up to the expectation. It did not disappoint! In typical speak easy fashion, you enter the bar through an unmarked door and ring a doorbell in which a hostess immediately opens the door. They only take reservations on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays, and I believe can only accommodate parties up to 6. I highly, highly, recommend making a reservation or you will be standing in the back by the bar for a while– which isn’t necessarily a bad spot. It just gets crowded. The bar tenders have a truly special talent in crafting drinks that you know are strong but don’t have that sting the way a well drink at any watering hole would. The way they move about the bar, creating the drinks amongst literally TONS of different accoutrements is spectacular– definitely check them out and chat a little! They’re very knowledgeable about the drinks on the menu, but can also make anything you request– even if just given a few key ingredients or alcohol preferences.
The seating areas are quaint and intimate– perfect date spot with plush cozy couches and very dim lighting. The way the menu is set up is perfect as well– each page fits a different taste and the description is written up top (i.e.: Stirred and Strong, Island Time, Hint of Spice, etc.). I ordered the Pan American Clipper per the bartenders recommendation, and the La Reforma. Both very different but equally delicious and strong. Drinks are about $ 15 each.

It’s always helpful to have a friend who’s got the hookup! I love speakeasies but per their name, they’re a bit difficult to get into. Luckily, I’ve got a good friend in NYC who’s a frequent patron and on first name basis with the entire staff so he was able to get us in on a busy Saturday night with a minimal wait.
Since it is a speakeasy, there’s no sign that makes it known that you’ve found Raines Law Room. Simply go down a flight of stairs, ring the doorbell, and wait. A host will take your name and phone number. When you get past that initial barrier, you enter a windowless room with charming and old-​fashioned Chesterfield couches, interesting wallpaper, antiques, and an overall 1920s vibe. Each table also gets a wall buzzer and chain which you have to pull if you’d like to call your server over for another drink. This chain activates a light in the kitchen/​bar counter area which lets the servers know which table to go to.
We hung out by the kitchen/​bar counter and ordered a variety of drinks. Drinks like Sweater Weather (whiskey, apple cider, Palo Cortado sherry, lemon); New York style Sazerac (rye whiskey, cognac, bitters, absinthe); Mr. Fahrenheit (rye whiskey, allspice dram, bitters, chile liqueur); and the Gershwin (gin, ginger, lemon, rosewater). Most drinks are $ 15.
The mixologists behind the magic are fantastic and so much fun. Despite the unceasing fast-​paced nights, they never break a sweat and they make wonderful cocktails. You can also ask them to make a cocktail that’s not on the menu, and they’re able to whip up sensationally creative drinks for you.

Once again, Unilocal did it again! I was browsing through Unilocal to find something to do on a weekend night and I stumbled upon Raines Law Room. After reading other reviews and looking at the available photos, I wanted to go myself.
I went with a friend and I was greeted by a doorman with an iPad that was putting people on the waitlist. You give the guy your name and phone number and he’ll tell you how long to wait. The wait was 30 min at the time we went which was around 7pm, so we ventured around Union Square and Madison Park until I got a text.
When you first enter Raines Law Room, the first room you step into is the coat check. I opted out to use the service. There was room for you to put your coats and bags on the couch anyways. The next room, the main seating room, was filled with couches and no draperies while further in the back, where we eventually got seated, had six «private rooms» all separated with draperies. In the way back, where we were first led to wait to be seated, was the bar itself. I probably could of stood at the bar all night and watch the bartenders make these cocktails all night if I could. The photos that are posted on this site don’t really give you the perfect image of what this place looks like because of the dim lighting. You pretty much have to see it with your own eyes.
Now onto the drinks. This was the hard decision, but I finally decided to get the Jungle Bird. This was listed under the tropical drinks. My buddy got Sweater Weather, which was the first drink listed at the top of the first page. All drinks are $ 15. This is a bargain in terms of alcohol content. Both of us felt the alcohol kick in 30 min into finishing our drinks.
Other things I left out: you pull a chain on the wall to get service which was cool. I ended up sitting with other parties of 2 since only two of us came so be prepared to sit with other people. And there are no cellular service since you’re in the basement of a building, so be social like technology never existed.

Raines Law Room is one of my good friend’s favorite places so I guess I had very high expectations.
Overall, this crowd much older than (Dear Irving) and the setup was also more antiquated. It does feel indeed very cozy and dark and romantic I suppose. However, in terms of privacy it is a bit awkward to face another party opposite your couch.
The cocktails never disappoint and I always stick to gin (Right Now was amazing). Very pretty bar display case with whiskey collections. Definitely a place to check out on a non-​prime time such as a Monday 5pm kind of deal as the wait could get very long, possibly even on the most dreadful of days when no one is out.
Luckily I had no wait coming in here on a Tuesday 6pm-​no reservation. However, I would highly suggest making reservations in advance if possible as when we were leaving at 8PM there was already a line at the door. Waiting outside is also pretty dreadful in the winter so I think the idea of ringing and having the hostess check a party should change on freezing days…

I’m so torn…
I had been all «we have to go to Raines Law Room» for months! I discovered there was one in the William hotel now too and really wanted to go to that one because of the no-​need-​to-​take-​the-​train deal, but friends had been looking it up and heard the original was better, so off we went.
As noted, there’s no official sign. You duck down a staircase to a door several feet below street level and ring the door. They answer, take your info and tell you they’ll call you x (in our case, 20) minutes.
It was a little longer than that, but they called (from a private number) and we dutifully made are way back down the little staircase. We were told they’d have us standing at a back bar and would let us know when seats opened.
I fully realize they’re going for the Speakeasy theme, but the great thing about this country is Prohibition ended like 85 some years ago when the 18^th amendment was repealed. You can stand at many many bars for free and without a phone call. I’m not a fan of themed restaurants — bars — shopping areas, etc recreating annoying aspects of their said theme (I know, I’m no fun), and really, not a fan of having to wait for a call to come stand at a back bar.
Now that we have that out of the way… The place is really cute inside. All vintage sofas and Edison lights in a Midnight in Paris sorta way, with the furniture having just the right dusty patina touch to seem authentic. The bartender’s were friendly, engaging and attentive. They have a whole book of drinks, and I had a gin based one called «right now» which i really enjoyed. All drinks appeared to be $ 15 which seemed appropriate but… for that price me and my subway floor gripping feet want a seat.
We were finished with our drink, and it didn’t look like a seat was forthcoming so we decided to head out for dinner.
I’d still highly recommend… Maybe with a reservation or if you have more time. I’d still love to try the one at the William hotel!

Raines Law Room
NY Manhattan Flat Iron
11pm Thursday 7^th January 2016
Four Stars
Another New York Speakeasy, where you walk down some stairs at a nondescript location. Once you ring the bell, a person takes your name down. We waited next door for an hour before heading back. We checked our coats and headed to the back bar to drink and wait for a table. I had the Screaming Viking, Sweater Weather, and Sazerac ($ 15 Each + tax). We sat a cozy couch facing another another couple. The area was sectioned off with a shear curtain for a bit more privacy. There is a little chain on the wall for you to pull for table service. The drinks were strong, interesting, and quite enjoyable. The service was a bit standoff-​ish which I really liked. You can really chill without pressure to drink which is probably why wait times are so long.
Another proper place to enjoy a cocktail or three.

It’s as if I just stepped into the 1920’s.
I have only been to a few speakeasy lounge bars, but this one is authentic as it gets. I went with a friend who made reservations a few days in advance. I didn’t have that much of a hard time finding it, but may be tricky at first since it’s pretty tucked away and concealed. Ring the door bell and there will be someone there to open the door. I’m pretty sure you have to have a reservation, or else you just won’t get in. We went on a Monday night, so I could only imagine how hard it would be to get in on a weekend night.
Even though we had a reservation and were allowed right in, we still had to wait. They took us in the back where the bar is as we waited for our table. It took a lot longer than we thought, which was a little irritating due to the fact we were on time for our reservation, but it’s the kind of place where people lounge and drink in no hurry.
The mood is romantic. The couches are vintage and comfy. The service is on point too. Everyone is dressed classy yet authentic. It really gave off that authentic speakeasy feel. There’s even a chain you pull that looks like a fancy light switch you pull when you need the server to bring you more drinks. Pretty classy, I’d say.
I was actually was thinking the drinks would cost more. I expect to pay $ 15 in NYC for a well-​made cocktail, which is exactly what they were. I ordered a drink called Sweater Weather, which was mixed with apple juice. Perfect for the fall seasons.
The only downfall I found in this place was the fact that they only have drinks. My friend and I came during dinner, so after a few drinks, we were both starving. They have a fancy olive platter you can order, but I hate olives. It would have been nice to be able to order at least more snacking foods. So go there only expecting drinks. Other than that, loved my experience.

A great find! A secret hideaway.
The entrance is a small stairway down to a closed door. You knock and they will get your name. Hopefully you made a reservation. In that case, they keep you outside and say they will text you when your table is ready. You then go next door to an adjacent restaurant to wait until the privilege of entering this secret place.
When you finally get the text, you are led to the basement lair, of which the front is lounge-​like with scattered sofas and chairs. There are 4 private «cabin”-like areas that feel like you’re on an old Russian train. If you’re 3 people, you get one side and awkwardly face another set of strangers. However, if you’re 4 – 6 people, it’s a perfect little private cubby hole.
The ceilings are mesmorising, and you get the attention of the wait staff by pulling on a doorbell cord. There is a tiny table along the wall that does not extend to the people seated near the «aisle.» In the back is a kitchen-​turned-​bar area with a broken dishwasher. Fascinating esthetic.
The bar tenders are very nice, and the drinks are AMAZING (hence 5 stars). I’m not even much of a drinker, and I got the «bartenders choice» once I let the waitress know what kind of drink I was looking for. It had strawberry, concord grapes, and a bunch of other things. Best drinks I’ve ever had. My friends ordered off the menu, and loved their drinks as well. It’s a place with character and substance. You will love it.

This is it. This is my favorite bar in New York.
They have an expansive cocktail menu with drinks for just about every refined taste. You can tell that each one was crafted with care. I intend to be back to go through the entire menu (in due time of course).
THE VIBES. Yes, the cocktails are good but the vibes are my favorite part about this spot. Leather chairs, curtains, the perfect place to post up with a few close friends or significant other. The outside patio in the back (yes, there is one. It’s apparently kinda a secret?) makes you forget that you’re smack dab in the middle of Manhattan. It’s a calmer oasis on the ground floor.
I really can’t say enough great things about Raines Law Room. It’s my top speakeasy type bar recommendation in New York.
Tip: Make a reservation.
Another tip: if you want to impress your date, take them here.

4.5 stars. Holy crap. I FINALLY made it into this place. As a speakeasy fan, I can now rest easy.
Let me just start by saying that this place is a freaking commitment. If you come at any sort of normal going out hour on Friday or the weekend, expect to wait not 1 – 1.5 hours like the nice hostess at the door always claims, but 2+ hours. This means you MUST have a contingency plan: aka do something else during your wait or you will quickly give up.
Once inside though, you will lose yourself in the magic of this place and forgive how ridiculously long it took between when you put your name down and when you finally entered. As you go down the steps and encounter an intimate area with booths and shadowy curtains on either side of you, you forget that you just came from the crowded streets of NYC. As you grab your drink from the bar at the back, you get a peek into the saloon life.
The drinks here are delicious and high quality, as would be expected in such an establishment. I tried the Pear of Aces and Strawberry Business. They are a huge fan of bitters, so lots of that on the menu. I really appreciate how they maintain a certain volume of people inside so that it’s lively and cozy but never too loud. Although the bar area was nice, the booth was the real experience: it was a luxury to lounge on the plush seats and pull on this bell whenever I desired another drink.
I am a fan and I hope to make it back at some point!

Voilà quelque chose d’intéressant: un «bar de la prohibition» ou «speakeasy» dans le texte. Le principe est simple: un bar qui est très bien caché puisqu’il sert de l’alcool, en référence à la prohibition. Donc si on né connait pas, on peut passer à côté plusieurs fois sans trouver.
Après avoir frappé à la bonne porte, celle-​ci s’ouvre sur un espace en entre-​sol, voire franchement sous-​sol, et dont la décoration n’aurait pas bougée depuis les années 20. Rassurez-​vous, table et canapés sont bien modernes et l’agencement de la salle est nickel, entre coins très intimes (à l’aide de rideaux) et espaces pour groupes plus nombreux. A noter en arrière cour une terrasse superbe et très calme pour l’été. Le menu des boissons est surtout intéressant pour ses très bons cocktails (niveau top 10 à paris… fond de top 10 quand même). On appelle le service pour commander en tirant sur une petite chaînette fixée au mur: ce qui amuse un peu.
Au final un lieu très atypique dans sa réalisation mais dont l’ambiance né change pas énormément par rapport à un bar lounge classique. Les tarifs sont un peu élevés mais pas déconnants par rapport à la qualité des cocktails.
J’insiste, les cocktails sont recherchés et très bons, ce qui, allié au lieu atypique vaut déjà le voyage.
Personnellement j’ai adoré.

Knock on indistinguishable black door on a random street in NYC. Very well dressed, poised man resembling a better looking Lurch opens door. Can I have a table for 6? Lurch looks around, and answers with an accented yes, we will have a table ready soon. Takes our cell phone number. Calls 15 minutes later and we enter the dimly lit lounge.
This is not the kind of place I’ve ever seen before. This was the first bar I went to in New York City after living in Alabama forever, and I loved it. The whole production of getting in was getting me jittery, but then when we were lead to a little area sealed off by translucent black curtains and I was hooked.
The most interesting part of this place is the little history blurb they provide in the menus. It’s worth a read if you’re interested in where the name Raine’s Law Room came from. When you’re ready to order you pull a little cord in the room and a server comes to you and takes your order. There’s a little bar area where the drinks are prepared right before the bathrooms (which are adorable).
My only qualms with this place is that it gets LOUD depending on who is in the rooms around you. It’s easy to talk to the person next to you, but it might be a little hard hearing someone seated across from you on a busy night.
Edit: The drinks are great! I’ll try to get names of the ones I like the next time I go.