I've been meaning to post something about this awesome bar for a while. I was telling some friends about it again last night which has prompted me to write this post today.

I've been to The Back Room 3 times now, and I'm sure I'll be back for many more times to come. I've been told it's owned by Tim Robbins and that sometimes he serves behind the bar, but I've never seen him. But that's not what makes it cool. What makes it cool is that it's a totally hidden bar, modeled on the old Speakeasy hideaways from 1920s America.

On the street level the outside of the 'bar' is called 'The Lower East Side Toy Shop'. To enter, one must descend almost into darkness, down a flight of creaky metal stairs into a dimly lit alley in search of an unmarked black door. It's the sort of place you think nothing of, even to the point when you're knocking on the black door, you hardly expect anyone to answer. But lo and behold someone does. A towering security guard says 'ID please' (you have to be 25 and above) and then the place opens up into a lovely Victoriana type setting, with velvet paisley wallpapers, period chandeliers lit for mood, huge gold framed mirrors and a massive fireplace. Vodka and other spirit based drinks are served in teacups, and beer in paper bags as a salute to Prohibition. There's also a hidden room within, masked outside by an Anne Frank style bookcase. Every now and again you can see waiters making their way in and out, no doubt serving the celebrities and other high rollers as they party behind closed doors.

The only downside to this place, is the price of the drinks. But if you're small like me, you only need a couple and you're set for the night. It's definitely worth checking out...


Media_http3bpblogspot_xehot

The alley

Media_http4bpblogspot_bqdyk

Media_http2bpblogspot_cjhbj

scary green lighting in the alley

Media_http1bpblogspot_bxmcs

Media_http4bpblogspot_ggysi

vodka in teacups

Media_http1bpblogspot_jdtog

inside The Back Room