The Secret Speakeasies and History Experience!

New York’s old speakeasy story comes alive best when you are moving through the city, not sitting in a museum. This evening tour takes you from Times Square to Hell’s Kitchen, linking Prohibition stories with at least three bars, pubs, and modern speakeasies.

I like the small group of no more than 15 and the free admission with express entry. Guides such as Walter, Ariel, Ryan, Kate, and Arielle are praised for keeping the night social and adding useful drink and dining tips. The main drawback is simple: drinks and food cost extra, and not every stop may feel truly secret or historic.

Key points to know

• Three different drinking stops: Expect a mix of cocktail bars, pubs, and modern speakeasy-style venues rather than three identical hidden rooms.
• Prohibition stories with a New York setting: The tour connects immigrant neighborhoods, Hell’s Kitchen, the Irish mob, Broadway, and the city’s old alcohol trade.
• Express entry matters: At one popular bar, the group walked past a long line and went straight inside.
• Rooftop skyline views: One stop offers Manhattan views with the Empire State Building close by.
• Cocktails are not included: A recent outing put drinks at about $15 each, though prices can vary by venue.
• Dress neatly: Upscale casual clothing is required, and sportswear or ripped clothing is not permitted.

A Prohibition night between Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen

This is not a dry lecture about the 1920s. You hear the story while walking through Midtown, then stop for drinks, atmosphere, and perhaps live entertainment. That combination gives the subject a pulse.

The evening begins at 825 8th Avenue, near Times Square, and finishes in Hell’s Kitchen. The route brings together Broadway theaters, restaurants, immigrant neighborhoods, old nightlife traditions, and bars that use the speakeasy idea in modern ways.

I like that the tour is built around movement. You get some city orientation, but you also have a reason to look up from the bright signs and crowded sidewalks. The guide explains how Prohibition affected New York, including the role of immigrant communities and the rise of organized crime around illegal drinking.

Do not expect a museum-quality reconstruction at every stop. One venue may have a stronger historical link, while another may simply capture the style, secrecy, or cocktail culture of a present-day speakeasy. That mix is part of the appeal, but it is also the point to consider if you want three perfectly preserved Prohibition bars.

What happens at the Times Square starting point

Times Square is an energetic place to begin, though it is not a quiet meeting spot. You will be surrounded by theaters, lights, restaurants, and people heading in every direction. Give yourself enough time to find 825 8th Avenue and arrive ready to walk.

The first portion helps place Broadway and Midtown in the wider story of New York nightlife. This is also where the guide sets the tone for the evening. Guides including Walter, Ariel, Ryan, Kate, Arielle, Emma, and others have been praised for humor, energy, storytelling, and smooth group management.

The guide matters here. A good host can turn a crowded sidewalk into a useful introduction to the city. Ryan, for example, has been singled out for connecting Prohibition with Hell’s Kitchen, Irish organized crime, and the neighborhood’s immigrant past. Arielle has received praise for making the history lively while offering drink recommendations.

The route requires a moderate level of fitness. You will walk between venues and spend time on your feet. The walks have been described as easy, but comfortable shoes still make sense.

The rooftop stop and the Empire State Building view

One part of the evening takes you to a rooftop lounge with broad Manhattan views. The Empire State Building is visible up close, giving you a classic New York photo opportunity without adding a separate sightseeing stop to your schedule.

This pause changes the rhythm of the tour. Instead of moving through packed streets and dark bar interiors, you get a wider view of the city around you. I like that balance. The skyline helps explain how close together these neighborhoods are, while the bar visits show how much character is tucked into the streets below.

The rooftop is also useful for people who want more than drinks. You are not just hopping from one bar to the next. You get a bit of Midtown sightseeing, a chance to catch your breath, and a different setting for conversation.

Still, the focus remains the evening bar experience. The description does not promise a full rooftop meal or a long sightseeing session, so think of the view as one part of a three-hour route rather than the main event.

Broadway, restaurants, and the city after dark

Broadway gives this tour a particularly New York setting. The route passes through the area known for major shows and a dense collection of restaurants. Depending on the timing, you may see theater crowds heading to performances or dinner.

Some stops have theatrical touches. One outing included stage-scene models, and another included live music from Broadway performers. A hip-hop-themed venue was also part of one evening. These details show why the bars are not interchangeable. Each stop can have its own mood, entertainment, and design.

That variety is one of the strongest reasons to book. You might find a polished cocktail room at one stop, a more playful venue at another, and live music at the third. You are not paying simply for three drinks. You are paying for access, a route through Midtown, a host who keeps the group together, and a night with several different settings.

The exact bars are not named in the supplied details, so you should not book expecting a fixed list of famous venues. The experience is better understood as a guided introduction to several popular spots, some with direct Prohibition connections and others with a modern speakeasy feel.

Hell’s Kitchen and the immigrant story

The final area is Hell’s Kitchen, where the tour finishes. This neighborhood gives the historical discussion more weight because the guide connects Prohibition to immigrant life, local power, and the Irish mob.

That context helps explain why illegal bars were not just places to drink. During Prohibition, alcohol restrictions created demand, profit, conflict, and a network of people willing to supply what the law prohibited. In New York, immigrant neighborhoods played an important part in that story.

The tour does not present Hell’s Kitchen as a frozen historical display. You encounter the neighborhood as it is now, with restaurants, bars, theaters, and nightlife. That contrast is useful. You can hear about the old city while walking through the modern one.

If you enjoy urban history, this is probably the strongest part of the experience. If your interest is only in secret doors and hidden rooms, the history may feel like more than you wanted. The tour works best when you treat the bars as places to understand the city, not just as checkpoints for cocktails.

The three venues and what to expect inside

Admission and express entry are included at each location. That is a real benefit in Midtown, where popular bars can have lines and busy door policies. One outing passed a long line at a trendy venue and went straight inside, then found seats at the bar.

Each venue offers drinks for purchase. Cocktails are the main focus, not a round of included beverages. One reported evening put drinks at about $15 each, and several accounts describe the cocktails as carefully made and worth treating as part of the entertainment budget.

You can also buy food or small bites, but meals are not included. If you want a full dinner, eat before the tour or plan a meal afterward in Hell’s Kitchen. The experience gives you access to bars, not a guaranteed dinner at every stop.

The atmosphere can vary. One location has been described as a little raunchy, so keep that in mind if you are booking with children or prefer a quiet, traditional pub. The material describes the tour as suitable for adults interested in nightlife, cocktails, and Prohibition history, but it does not provide a specific age policy.

The small group helps inside the venues. With a maximum of 15 people, you are less likely to lose the guide in a crowded room, and it is easier to chat with other members of the group. The social side is a genuine part of the night. People often book as couples, families, solo visitors, or friends, and the setup encourages conversation.

The guides make or break the evening

This experience depends heavily on the individual host. The guide is responsible for keeping the walking route on time, explaining the history, helping the group enter each venue, and making recommendations.

Walter has been praised for being funny and well informed, while Ryan is noted for smooth organization and strong storytelling. Ariel and Arielle are described as lively hosts with useful drink suggestions. Kate, Emma, Christopher, Jenna, Jack, Kamala, and Emily have also received strong praise for making the evening welcoming and interesting.

That range of names suggests a team-led experience rather than a single guide every night. You may not know your host until the tour date, so book for the format and subject rather than for one particular personality.

The best guides add more than facts. They point out local places to eat, explain the character of each bar, and help a mixed group of people from different countries feel comfortable. A guide who can handle a busy weekend afternoon in Hell’s Kitchen is especially valuable.

There has also been at least one poor experience involving a last-minute cancellation at the scheduled start time and difficulty obtaining a refund. It appears to be an exception among the supplied feedback, but it is worth remembering that tour operations can occasionally go wrong. Keep your confirmation details and understand the cancellation terms before you set out.

Is $38 a fair price?

The base price is $38 per person. For a three-hour evening with a licensed host, entry to at least three venues, express access, and a rooftop stop, I consider that reasonable if you plan to buy drinks anyway.

The value improves if you would otherwise spend time waiting outside popular bars or trying to find the venues yourself. The guide gives you a ready-made route and removes much of the guesswork. For a first visit to Midtown, that convenience matters.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink or if you are mainly looking for preserved historical sites. Food, drinks, and gratuity are extra, so your real spending will rise. With cocktails often around $15, two or three drinks could cost nearly as much as the tour itself.

I would budget at least the ticket price plus money for drinks. You are not required to treat every stop as a full round of cocktails, but the experience is built around being in bars, and ordering something makes the evening feel more natural.

Dress, timing, and practical planning

Wear upscale casual clothes. Sportswear and ripped clothing are not permitted, so this is not the night for gym clothes or very casual streetwear. Comfortable shoes are still important because the tour includes walking.

The experience lasts about three hours and starts at 825 8th Avenue. It ends in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, 10036, rather than returning you to the starting point. That makes it easy to continue with dinner or another drink nearby, but you should plan your return journey from the ending area.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives when you book. The tour is offered in English. It requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, refunds are not provided and changes are not accepted. Keep that deadline in mind if your New York plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this for couples, solo visitors, friends, and families with adult members who enjoy cocktails and city history. It is also a good choice if you want a social evening but do not want to plan every stop yourself.

It suits people who like variety. You may hear a history talk, see a skyline, visit a theatrical bar, listen to live music, and try different cocktails in one evening. The experience has more range than a standard pub crawl.

I would be more cautious if you want a strict historical tour with original speakeasy interiors at every stop. At least one account found only the first venue truly speakeasy-like, with the others feeling more like regular trendy bars. That criticism is fair and points to the main tradeoff: the tour sells the idea and atmosphere of speakeasies as much as direct historical preservation.

Should you book The Secret Speakeasies and History Experience?

Book it if you want an easy, social night in Midtown with Prohibition stories, three distinct drinking venues, express entry, and a rooftop view. The $38 fee is fair when you value the guide, route, and access, especially on a busy weekend.

Skip it if you dislike cocktail prices, nightlife, or theatrical bar settings. You should also look elsewhere if your main goal is a serious architectural study of original Prohibition sites.

For most visitors who want history with a drink in hand, this is a lively way to see Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen from a different angle. Just dress neatly, bring extra money for cocktails, and expect a modern interpretation of the speakeasy rather than a perfectly preserved time capsule.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at 825 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10019.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, NY 10036.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many bars or speakeasies will I visit?

You will visit at least three iconic bars, pubs, and speakeasies in New York City.

Are admission fees included?

Yes. Admission and express entry at each location are included in the tour price.

Are drinks and food included?

No. Alcoholic drinks and food are available for purchase at the venues but are not included.

What should I wear?

The dress code is upscale casual. Sportswear and ripped clothing are not permitted.

How large is the group?

The experience has a maximum of 15 participants.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.