1. Angel’s Share

NYC Hidden Bars and Restaurants-Angels Share-East Vilage-Michelle Young-Laura Itzkowitz-NYC

First the rules: no reservations, no groups larger than four, no standing room, and no yelling. Ascend the stairs and enter through the unmarked door to the left of the sushi counter in Yokocho restaurant. If there’s a bit of a wait, be patient. The cocktails here are worth waiting for.

If the rules make you think this place is stuffy, think again. They were instated by the Japanese-born owner, who prefers to go unnamed. He came here to study, but missed the quiet bars back home, where people can actually hear each other talk. When he couldn’t find any, he decided to open one of his own. That was over twenty years ago, and Angel’s Share has remained one of the more obscure speakeasies to this day. The lack of a website and a dearth of press has kept the bar shrouded in mystery.

Take your time with the menu, and don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation or an explanation. Angel’s Share has some of the most unique cocktails in the city, thanks to the house-made infusions.