Anyone Know of any "Hidden" Restaurants/Bars?

[JamesG.]

What I mean by "hidden" is that you wouldn't know at first glance that the place is a restaurant or bar. It could have a nondescript entrance or be an exclusive "members only" or reservation-only type of place.

Here are the two that I know of:





Criff Dogs / Please Don't Tell in St Marks Place, NYC


Criff Dogs is a small hot dog restaurant down a small set of stairs in St. Mark's Place. What some may not realize is that the restaurant serves as a "secret entrance" to a small pub, Please Don't Tell. It is open to the public, however reservations must be made.

Inside Criff Dogs is a telephone booth where guests go through to the bar. Inside the booth is an intercom where guests tell the hostess the name on the reservation and then then another door opens allowing the guests to enter.

Guests of the pub can also order from the Criff Dogs' menu.
























Okatshe in Tropicana Resort - Atlantic City, NJ


Okatshe is a small imported Japanese snack shop in the Tropicana resort, but it is also the entrance to a sushi restaurant. It is open to the public as guests just have to tell the cashier that they want to go inside.

The cashier then opens a door hidden within the shelves to a modernized sushi establishment.

Secrets of Okatshe by Chef Jose Garces! - YouTube

[RageATL]

We hit one in Denver that was REALLY cool (can't remember the name) and there is one here in Atlanta called "The Fred."

http://www.atlantamagazine.com/article/the-fred-bar/

EDIT: I guess now it's called The Georgia Chapter Room.

[JamesG.]

Hidden VIP Lounge in Forest Hills Stadium - Queens, NY


There is a secret VIP lounge in Forest Hills Stadium where guests enter through a porta potty. The VIP guests are given directions to the exact location and a 9-volt battery to open the door.

Inside the lounge is a self-serve bar of free booze, sofas and chairs, and a prime view of the stage.

[JamesG.]

NYC's The Back Room, located at 102 Norfolk St, is one of the few Prohibition era speakeasys still in operation.




You would find a small gate leading down to an alley that says "Lower East Side Toy Co". Patrons would then go through a maze of dark alleys w/ signs and lights leading the way to the entrance that's up a small set of stairs.














Guests will then enter a Roaring Twenties style bar/lounge where drinks are served in tea and coffee mugs and beer in paper bags.

[JamesG.]

NYC's Fig. 19 (Figure 19) is located at 131 Chrystie St.

There is no sign outside and guests enter through an ordinary looking building up the stairs to the 2nd Floor. They will arrive at what looks like an art gallery, but there is a plain white door off to the left that lets you into the bar.

There apparently is a long wait list to get inside and a strict dress code is enforced.

[JamesG.]

The Blind Barber has locations in NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Philly and looks like a regular barbershop on the outside. There is a door at the back of the barbershop that takes guests to the bar/lounge.

It does function as an actual barbershop and seating is very limited since, depending on the location, they only have betw. 1-4 chairs available. The barber usually works by appt. only during the daytime.

[JamesG.]

Beauty & Essex has locations in NYC, LA, and Las Vegas where the front is a plain looking pawn shop.

In the back of the shop is a door that leads into the fancy lounge/restaurant.

[JamesG.]

There is a nightclub on 389 Broome St. in Little Italy called GoldBar that has no sign outside.

Behind the huge wooden doors is a brightly lit nightclub that has golden skulls along the walls and crystal chandeliers. They serve "gold-inspired" cocktails, such as "The Gold Rush" that's made with Bourbon, Honey Syrup, and Lemon Juice.

It opened in 2007.

[JamesG.]

Opening a couple of years ago, NYC's La Noxe is entered by going down into the 28th Street subway station.

[JamesG.]

The Garret is a bar located above a Five Guys burger restaurant on 296 Bleeker St. in NYC.

The only way inside is going up a staircase in the back of the restaurant. Though the restaurant and bar operate independently, patrons are allowed to bring their restaurant orders into the bar.

[JamesG.]

Nothing Really Matters

Opening in 2022, the bar is located between the entrance and the turnstile in the downtown-bound 1 train station at 50th Street and Broadway.
















Nōksu

Opening in Oct. 2023 inside the Herald Square subway station at 49 West 32 Street, the unassuming black door down the entrance staircase leads to a 13-seat eatery where an exclusive 12-course tasting menu at $225 per patron is served by Chef Dae Kim.

Reservations must be made where guests are given the door keycode.

[Agent Bond]

If you know, you know.