Employees Only
Welcome to New York
In the heart of the West Village, the speakeasy Employees Only offers just about everything you're looking for as someone who enjoys the finer things in life: first-rate drinks, delicious fare, and a special kind of atmosphere. These were the staples the bar's five creators had in mind back in 2004, and it continues to embody them to this day. The concept has attracted not only a large number of fans among the bar scene's up-and-comers, but a loyal community of regulars who can't seem to get enough of the mysterious, yet sociable ambience at Employees Only. Featuring Art Deco elements, large paintings, and a curvaceous bar, it vaguely recalls the type of place where you might seal a lifelong pact or have a palm-reader tell you what the future holds. Of course, you can also just sit down and enjoy award-winning cocktails made by award-winning mixologists. This was where ground-breaking creations like the bar's famous twist on the Manhattan and its seasonally appropriate Ginger Smash got their start, to name just two examples. You can also pair them with hand-cut steak tartare, bone marrow poppers, or skate paprikás straight from the Employees Only kitchen. Given its blend of hospitality, epicurean perfection, and the many stories to which it has played host, it's not hard to see why this bar has developed its own mythology and garnered so many accolades - including fourth place among the "World's 50 Best Bars" (Business Insider, 2015) and "Best American Bar Team", "Best International Cocktail Bar", and "Best Drinks in the World" in Tales of the Cocktail's Spirited Awards. Simply put, if you're in the mood for those finer things we mentioned, you'll find them on Hudson Street the next time you're in New York. The Monkey Tonic is well worth the trip, if we do say so ourselves. Cheers!
