What's old is new again, at least in Westchester and Rockland, where speakeasies are having a renaissance. Once a hidden spot where you could drink illegal booze during the Prohibition era 1920s (provided you had the password), they're now out in the open — if you know where to look — and at a bar or restaurant near you.
In the last seven months, three have opened: Invito in Elmsford, OMC in White Plains and Six23 Social in Sparkill. That's on top of Divino Cucina in Hastings, which has been in business since 2019 and recently underwent a renovation; Whistling Rail, open since 2022 in Bronxville and Prohibition's End in New Rochelle, also open since 2022.
Plus more are on the horizon. Enzo DeRaco, who owns 140 Grand in Croton along with Slainte Peekskill and 140 Kitchen in Peekskill, is opening The Peek-Easy sometime later this summer (ideally end of July). The 1920s-inspired co*cktail spot, at 907 South Street (next door to 140 Kitchen), will be behind a 1950s vintage ice cream shop called Peek-A-Boo Creams that he plans to open this spring.
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Why the sudden interest? And what's so fun about speakeasies? Charu Rana, who owns Whistling Rail along with BXVL Coffeehouse at the Metro-North train station in Bronxville, said people are looking for a place to meet and connect that's a change from the usual restaurants or neighborhood pubs. They also like a spot with well-thought out co*cktails and an elevated nightlife experience.
For Angela Cipollone White of Elmsford, there's another reason: The mystery and intimacy. "There's intrigue and anticipation in knowing there's something hiding behind a wall or curtain," she said.
Melanie Zamenhof of Ossining also enjoys them but wishes our area had more, especially for a mom's night out.
What we DO have follows, along with details on how to find them.
Invito Restaurant, Elmsford
Invito is basically two spots in one: the 180-seat restaurant part, with its bright colors, colorful murals and menu filled with Mexican entrees, and its Sinaloa Lounge side, the 40-seat loungey bar that's hidden behind a mirrored door. You'd honestly never know it was there unless you knew to look for it — and that's the point.
Owner Luis Payano said he always wanted to open a place where you can come and dine, but then have a completely different, more intimate experience afterwards in a more hidden area.
"Often, our servers have to tell people about it and show it to them because they can't imagine what we're talking about," he said. The Sinaloa Lounge — Sinaloa refers to the Mexican city where most of the nightlife goes on — even has a different food menu featuring tapas as well as a separate co*cktail menu where you'll find, among others, the Invito Margarita, Lucky Luisa (with mezcal, Herba Luisa, almond, cinnamon, grapefruit and mango) and the El Fresca (Reposado tequila, rhubarb, strawberry, lemon, agave and clarified milk). There's also a DJ.
Sinaloa hours are from 6 p.m. to midnight Thursday; to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 210 Saw Mill River Road, 914-909-0191, invitorestaurantny.com.
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The Speakeasy at Divino, Hastings-on-Hudson
There's a new look to Westchester's oldest speakeasy starting with an alleyway lined with greenery, twinkle lights and a neon sign of a woman with fingers to her lips saying "shhh." Owner Floria Uli said it was her customers who originally named it the “speakeasy” when it opened in May 2019 because it was under the Divino Cucino Italiano restaurant.
"Unless you knew it was there you'd never know," she said. In February, the tucked away spot was renovated to include new flooring, new lighting (that changes colors), refreshed woodwork and a light-up onyx bar.
The focus has also shifted more on entertainment with DJ nights, live music, comedy and co*cktail events. To keep things fresh, the co*cktail menu changes seasonally. For now, try the Limoncello Cosmo (vodka, limoncello, triple sec, lemon, splash of cranberry juice, sugar rim) or Blueberry Manhattan (bourbon, muddled blackberries, rosemary, sweet vermouth, bitters). There's also a full menu available from the restaurant upstairs. Open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 4 p.m. 524 Warburton Ave., 914-274-8502, divinohastings.com.
OMC, White Plains
If you like The Blind Pig of Westchester, the 1920s-era co*cktail bar that opened in White Plains in December 2019, you'll love its new sultry sibling Operation Midnight Climax, otherwise known as OMC. Located directly across the street from The Blind Pig and behind the dessert shop Sweet Temptations, you enter this darkly-lit speakeasy via a curtain, but not before seeing the "one more co*cktail" signage written on the tiled floor just before the entrance.
Inside, you'll find find a stunning bar backlit in pink, dazzling chandeliers, velvet booths, purple fringed stools, an electric fireplace and spirited co*cktails such as the Midnight Climax (vodka, lychee, Bacardi Razz, and coconut); the Pink Panther Negroni (guava mezcal, pomegranate, contratto, Campari, plum foam) and the Alley Cat (tequila, blackberry, chili, citrus). There's also a small plates menu with items such as prosciutto wrapped dates, pork belly bao buns and cheeseburger eggrolls.
As for the meaning behind the name? Owners Daniel Cahill and James Brennan got their inspiration from a real life 1950s mind control operation carried out by the CIA. Google it and you'll be able to better understand the wallpaper in the bathrooms. Just an FYI: OMC is cash only. Open 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Tuesday to Sunday. 181 Martine Ave. omcwhiteplains.com.
The Whistling Rail, Bronxville
Look for the hidden door (complete with peep window) near the Metro-North Bronxville train station (and near the BXVL Coffee House) and you'll soon find yourself deep in another world.
If you've been to The Campbell Bar at Grand Central Station it has a similar feel: Rumbling trains, an unassuming entryway, and the feeling you're partying the night away somewhere eccentric and Gatsby-esque. In keeping with the train theme, there's the Last Train to Guadalajara (tequila, mezcal, chartreuse, elderflower liquor, lime juice, jalapeño, agave, egg white and bee pollen), The Long Goodbye (bourbon, fennel, lemon juice, almond syrup, egg white, allspice bitters) and the New York Minute (tequila, sweet vermouth, maraschino liquor, lavender syrup, orange bitters) as well as a medley of small plates such as a cheese and charcuterie board, hummus platter and a country pâté plate. Open Thursday to Saturday starting at 5:30 p.m. 2 Station Plaza, bxvlcoffeehouse.com/whistling-rail.
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Prohibitions End co*cktail Lounge, New Rochelle
What long ago had been a speakeasy at the bottom of a residential building has been reimagined into a Prohibition-themed no-frills bar.
There's no food but there's a friendly camaraderie, a pool table, dart board, electronic fireplace and co*cktails such as Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita (with Dulce Vida pineapple jalapeño tequila with Naranja Orange Liqueur and fresh squeezed lime juice) and The Prohibition Old Fashioned (bourbon, orange bitters, simple syrup, housemade cherry and orange reduction, smoked and served over a large ice sphere).
Open since Sept. 2022, the 49-seat spot makes up for its lack of snacks with a Taco Tuesday food truck that starts around 8ish Tuesday's along with occasional game nights, live music, karaoke, Ladies' Night Thursday's and weekend lunch featuring food from neighboring Leno's Clam Bar. It's open seven days a week starting at 6 p.m. weekdays; at noon on weekends. 765 Pelham Road, 914-278-9470, prohibitionsendnewrochelle.com
Six23 Social, Sparkill
Just like speakeasies of the past there's a door with a peephole window, making this place, open since last July, feel very much like you time traveled back to another era. Inside you'll find lots of Depression-era lights and walls filled with black and white photos from the '20s and '30s— including lots of gangster photos. There's a loungey area at the bar with antique-looking sofas and, towards the back, a hidden room behind a bookcase that's used either for overflow or private parties.
Owner Denis Whitton wanted to bring fun to what had previously been his French restaurant, Autumn. And it shows in the decor and co*cktails.
Drinks play into the blast from the past theme with "The Cat's Meow" (Casco Viejo Blanco tequila, Giffard triple sec, fresh lime juice, salt), the "Bee's Knees," (London dry grin, local honey syrup, lemon juice), a Brandy Alexander and a traditional Old Fashioned, complete with smoke.
Other drinks are aptly named "Bonnie & Clyde,"(Agave de Cortes Joven Mezcal, Contratto Aperitif, Yellow Chartreuse and fresh lime juice), "The Flapper," (Wodka vodka, grapefruit juice, Giffard Pamplemousse Liqueur and club soda) and the "Sparkill Sidecar," (Cognac Park, VS Cognac, Giffard Triple Sec, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup).
As for the food, this is a proper restaurant with both large and small plates such as cheese fondue for two, fried panko-crusted branzino medallions, tuna tartare and braised beef short rib.
The bar is open 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday to Thursday; from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from 3 p.m. to midnight Sunday with the kitchen closing by 10 p.m. weekdays; to 11 p.m. weekends. The restaurant also does brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. 623 Main St., Sparkill, 845-836-3398,six23social.com.
Jeanne Muchnickcovers food and dining. Clickherefor her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram@jeannemuchnickor via thelohudfood newsletter.
