Employees Only

Words by Simon Difford

Address: 510 Hudson Street , (btwn Christopher & W 10th Sts), New York City, New York, 10014, United States
Tel: +1 212 242 3021
Email: employeesonlyinfo@gmail.com
Website: view Employees Only’s website
Instagram: @employeesonlyny
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmployeesOnlyNYC/
Style: Lounge bar
Food: Bar Snacks

Atmospheric with soft, welcoming lighting and art deco features, Employees Only is a speakeasy style bar in New York, founded by five industry professionals and accessed via a fortune tellers shop. Cocktails aim to be of the highest quality and hospitality is a key focus.

Review

The fortune-teller in the window marks this bar out from other nearby venues. Whether by tarot cards or palmistry, guests can learn their future for as little as $20. Behind red velvet curtains lies an art deco lounge with carved wood panelling, marble floors, a classic tin ceiling, an onyx framed fireplace and a long, welcoming bar.

Past the bar and up a few steps is a small, sky-lit dining area. From here a sliding door leads to a small backyard with further seating for those warm summer evenings.

The five co-owners are all veterans of noted Manhattan bars and restaurants, which could help to explain Employees' popularity from opening. The bartenders are dressed in white jackets by Savoia and their cocktails live up to their reputation. There are eight wines by the glass and a beer selection that includes Pilsner Urquell and Anchor Steam.

Employees Only attracts a good looking crowd who dress to impress, drawn by the quality of the drinks and atmosphere. Some bars make great cocktails but very few manage to combine this with dancing on the bar counter. You'll not want to leave at 3:30am - especially on a Sunday.