Featherweight

Best speakeasy bar I’ve gone too. I’ve gone to so many in the city and the prices are super high and the drinks are bland and ordinary but Featherweight outdid itself. We went memorial day weekend and the place was empty (major plus!!) me and my husband had different drinks and they were all amazing.

The bar itself was lovely and the drinks were fantastic. We had a bizarre incident with the waitress that put a damper on the experience. When my mother and I arrived, we ordered at a standing table — quickly a booth opened up and I politely asked the waitress if she minded if we sat down. She seemed very conflicted and eventually allowed us to sit, only to come to our table a minute later and inform us that actually, the booths are reserved for parties of 3 or more. Funny, because there was a booth of two men next to us who looked quite comfortable there. When I asked her about that though she was dismissive. To get her to leave us alone we simply agreed to move if a large party came in. To our dismay, a party of 3 walked in moments later. She approached us and asked us to move. We reluctantly got up and went to sit on the uncomfortable stools at one of the high tables with two stools — why none of the high tables had more stools is anyone’s guess. Minutes later, not one but TWO BOOTHs opened up in immediate succession. We told the waitress we were sitting in a booth and she said «well you’re going to have to get up if a larger group comes in.» PHHH. After she bickered with us in defense of the policy for a few minutes, we told her we would «take the gamble,» since there were two booths open — which she repeated back to me mockingly. Ultimately no groups of 3 came in for the remainder of our time there. Another party of 2 sat down in the booth next to us. The entire situation was a joke and a fiasco! I’m not one to rant but I genuinely want the management to know what a ridiculous policy they have, if that even IS a policy and not just the waitress micromanaging the floor. People do not walk into bars and say «can you move those people so we can sit down?» FIRST COME FIRST SERVE is the name of the game… Even at Weather Up, the MORE UPSCALE sister bar to this establishment — where they have ONE BOOTH. Keep in mind I was with my 60 year old mother, and waitress still had the nerve to order us around. Absurd! Anyway, good drinks and ambience and I might be back but I might not because I don’t want to go through anything like that again. SMH

Super cute cocktail spots for cocktails. Also sell Miller high life if you’re more a beer person.

The bar itself was pretty cool with a small tucked away interior with darker lighting and no windows. The entrance to the bar simply had a small painted feather on the door so it helps to know exactly where you’re going.
My wife had the house moscow mule with a really fresh and spicy ginger beer, and i tried some sort of amped up mai tai with overproof room and cynar. The drink was gorgeously presented with a mound of crushed ice, a large spring of fresh mint and was rained on with fresh grated nutmeg. The drink was like a good fresh mai thai but a bit more bitter from the cynar and had a good sweet/​sour/​booze balance as well.
Good service and well made drinks with typical cocktail bar pricing for the quality. CASH ONLY so come prepared.

Probably makes one of my least favorite speakeasys in all of NY. I’ve been to many but this one was nothing memorable. Cocktail list was very subpar in comparison to PDT and death and company. Quality was lacking and the tastes were kind of unbearing. Drinks are fairly priced though and the couches were a nice touch. I’m digging the details of the décor. Not much ventilation though as they had to open the window to let the steam out.

This bar is perfect!!!
Gorgeous space and great cocktails
Bring your fav date here

Okay lets start with I met a cutie at a party and Told me to meet her at Featherweight no hesitation or questions i say Im there !!!
Hardest place to find. Almost gave up feeling punked then I see a alcohol induced couple burst out a unmarked door? I ask they laughed and said you found it. See the cutie and we got a table in a cozy out of the way spot This place is great for a first date. Great place to get to know someone very private and clean laid back vibe. She had such a great time I got to 1^st base and she insisted we meet again there next Friday. Service was awesome bathroom was clean atmosphere was grooving so why not the 5^th star ?. $ 15 drinks. 3 drinks each = $ 90 plus $ 20 tip. $ 110 for a couple hours and cash only… OUCH !!! At this rate Im planning on stealing 2^nd base Friday night. LOL

Oh, how I loved this bar. A small struggle to find the door, but after we were inside we spent the whole evening cozied in a horseshoe booth with cocktails.
I drank Choir Boys pretty much all evening and loved them, but the sips I had of friends’ drinks were also A+. The cocktails are a little pricey if you’re drinking here all night, but worth it. We also had excellent service, our waitress was attentive and thoughtful and kept both our water glasses and cocktail glasses full all evening, even into the busier hours.
This place is dark, dreamy, and intimate. It got a little loud on Friday night, but I think a weeknight here would be great for a one-​on-​one with anybody. There is one prime seat between the entrance and the curtain to the bar, which would be great for a date and/​or people-​watching the oncoming bar traffic. All in all, comfortable bar with great staff and vibes.
(Cash only!!)

Cute bar! Featherweight is tucked away off the beaten path, and the low key door can be easily overlooked. But venture in and it’s a pleasant surprise. The bar is dim inside with a good amount of sitting and standing space, especially because of the chill and never-​crowded setting. The cocktails are easy drinking, and not all that special to me, but still enjoyable. It’s a great place to catch up with friends. Only caution is that it’s cash only.

Love this bar. Well worth seeking out and finding it — if you can spot it that is. Seriously, you could walk right past the place. We did.
But inside an inconspicuous black door (with a subtle feather on it), down a corridor, up some steps to the left and you’re here! Easy.
We took up a booth and got some table service. As I had already consumed gin this evening, so I opted for the Gimlet and it was great.
Tastefully decorated, it has the feel of a dimly lit speakeasy. The bar counter has the classy look of one out of a 1950s New York movie. And the booths comfortable.
The staff were friendly, as well as being on the ball and very attentive. Even when it filled up with more patrons, they looked after us well.
Facilities were clean.
Highly recommend a visit to Featherweight.
PS I hope they enjoyed the Roberta’s pizza we inadvertently left behind. Nom.

Be prepared to have a hard time finding Featherweight. Unless you have extremely good eyesight, it will be difficult to spot the lightly etched feather on the door. Instead we ended up in the bar next door, Sweet Science, which had a secret entrance into Featherweight, also. It was worth it, however when we finally made our way to the top of the narrow stair case and found ourselves in a dimly light, hidden bar boasting excellent cocktails. My only complaint was the heat in the place. Space is limited so it was hard to find somewhere to put your coat so everyone was drenched in sweat until we finally snagged the only table outside on a tiny balcony. Still, I would recommend checking it out!

My new favorite bar/​speakeasy in Williamsburg. The competitive price points, high quality cocktails, chic laid-​back vibe, and best-​in-​class service are all reasons why Featherweight is a no-​brainer 5-​stars.
Came here a couple of weeks ago on a quiet weeknight. As is typical of me and most speakeasies, I of course walked right past the entrance while looking for this place. The only distinguishing feature from the outside is a picture of a white feather on the door. Upon entering, you go from ‘hood to haute in a matter of seconds. Up a small staircase and past some velvet curtains, is a cozy space with a bar along with a few tables and booths. The walls are mostly dark brick and the lighting comes mainly from candles lining the bar and tables. The ambiance is definitely more chill and intimate, than romantic. The indie Latin music playing in the background definitely help to set the mood. I dug it.
Unlike what you’ll see at most Manhattan bars, all the cocktails here are $ 12 and under. SCORE. The menu offers spins on old classics, as well as inventive originals. We each had three cocktails, and were floored by all of them. I started with «The Cleaner», which probably was my favorite drink there. Rye and Gin in a cocktail? What? I know, I know. But trust me, it works. Combined along with the bitters, the drink was perfection — well-​balanced, savory, and even little spicy. Bonkers. Next up for me was their take on a Manhattan. I can’t remember the name of it, but it was boozy (but not overpowering) goodness. For my last drink, I went with the «Keep Calm and Carry On» (bartender’s choice) and I asked for gin-​based drink that was both spicy and refreshing. And DAMN, it did not disappoint. That fruity/​spicy/​boozy ambrosia was the perfect night cap.
The service here is more than on point. Both the mixologists and servers have an understanding of how the palate works, and are more than capable of giving sound recommendations. The servers checked in on us regularly to ask if we needed another round and if we were enjoying the drinks. And unlike any other bar/​speakeasy I’ve been to, the servers also asked us if we have any alcohol/​food allergies before we ordered our cocktails. Fortunately for me, I don’t have any, but I really did appreciate just being asked. All those little things go a long way for me and don’t go unrecognized. Really can’t say enough good things about the entire staff here.
A trip to Featherweight is really unique experience and you will not leave disappointed. If you’re looking to impress a date, or to get away from your regular rotation of bars, this place is a must.

Sister bar to the Weather Ups, this place is a super-​solid neighborhood bar. Staff is great.
Recommend

** 200^th review! **
I think it’s only fitting that a cocktail bar — and a speakeasy to boot — receives this milestone review. Cocktail bars brought me to Unilocal,after all. Featherweight has been on my list for many months now, and after finally coming here last night, it’s pretty clear why.
Came here on a quiet Thursday night and immediately fell in love with the vibe. This place is, as «advertised», a speakeasy. The only clear marking on the door is a faint picture of a feather. Even if you miss that, it’s not too difficult to find if you just look up the address. Like many of my favorite speakeasies, the entrance to Featherweight features an ambiguous staircase and a velvet curtain. The inside is just as endearing: very tiny space, weathered brick walls, a few different seating options (booths, bar, a few tables), candles galore and a well-​lit bar area. I’m all about that subliminal deification (that doesn’t read too well — NOT defecation… I just confused myself too) of the bar. Overall, I’d say this place is intimate but not romantic — you could easily come here on a date, but it’s totally fair game for a small group of friends too if you come on a weeknight (the two of us had no problem grabbing a booth). Can’t speak to Friday/​Saturday nights, though.
My five stars is as much for the service as it is for the drink. In a bar this small, I just assumed we’d need to mosey up to the bar to order our drinks, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is indeed table service here. Before I move onto the drinks, I’d be remiss if I didn’t sing the praises of our waitress. I’ve been to a lot of speakeasies in my day, and one feature that I encourage everyone to take advantage of is ordering off the menu to let the mixologists work their magic. I do it often and I’m rarely disappointed. What I haven’t found anywhere else, however, is this degree of thoroughness in providing the utmost satisfaction for the patron. In my experience, the general chain of events is simply me telling the bartender my spirit of choice and general essences that I prefer — the rest is out of my hands. At Featherweight, we really felt catered to. Upon saying that you want bartender’s choice, you’re immediately asked about your likes, dislikes and whether or not you have any allergies. I’m so used to just telling bartenders my general affinities that this took me by surprise. I’ve been to quite a number of cocktail bars and last night I realized I’ve never once been asked about allergies. I don’t have anything, thankfully, but this type of stellar service does not go unnoticed. And if you were wondering, my bartender’s choice was deeeeeelish.
Onto the drinks! Sadly, I can’t provide much in terms of names/​ingredients, but I’ll do my best. I ordered one of the two rum drinks on the menu, a drink called «The Cleaner» which featured both rye and gin, and my bartender’s choice (gin, spicy, savory/​not sweet). I’m typically not a rum fan, but I sincerely enjoyed whatever it was that I ordered. Maybe I’m turning over a new feather! Or, er, leaf. That’s it. The Cleaner was actually the standout for me, which was quite unexpected. Rye and gin aren’t an intuitive combination, yet in this drink, they blended in perfect harmony. The drink was also slightly spicy (perhaps due to bitters?), which was a lovely touch. I’m always impressed when bars are daring with their ingredient combos, and in this case, the risk was more than worth it.
Despite being the cause of today’s sleep deprivation, Featherweight still gets five stars from me. The cocktails here are masterfully crafted, the ambiance is warm, relaxed and free of pretense and the hospitality element is a wonderful touch. Add the fact that cocktails here are $ 12 as opposed to the typical $ 15/​$ 16 you’ll find in Manhattan, and you’ve got yourself a fantastic night.

I had to try this place before we left New York. I love exploring bars and this place kept popping up on Unilocal.Luckily it was close to our Airbnb so we decided to try it on our last night here. I did have trouble finding this place though (note: my boyfriend and I are tourists so… just keep that in mind when I say I couldn’t find the place!) but it’s cool because that’s the point, right?
The wall inside the door is marked with a giant feather. You follow the arrow, walk up, and enter into the place. I can see how easily crowded this place could get on a weekend perhaps, but we chose to go on a Monday night.
Ambience ⁵⁄₅ — It was calm with probably about 6 other people in the room (besides us and the employees) but the room still felt alive. The lights were dimmed to the perfect degree. The place had a very mysterious/​classy almost «fine dining» vibe to it, yet the music and the crowd reminded me that I was just in a really cool place. The playlist that night was spot on and honestly, I was just so cozy there, I didn’t want to leave! As I did leave, I was just wishing that a place like this would open up back where we are from. The ambience in this place is like no other.
Drinks ⁵⁄₅ — My boyfriend and I ordered 4 different drinks (2 each), and I loved them! He ordered from the menu and I asked for the bartender to surprise me.
The first round he ordered a cocktail with tequila (forgot the name but it is from the menu) and the bartender made me a sour-​ish drink. I tried the tequila cocktail and to my surprise it was smooth and did not leave a terrible aftertaste. However, due to an outing a few nights before where I ordered just one too many shots of tequila, I just couldn’t stomach the strong taste of it. I am sure on a different night I would’ve loved to sip on it but it was just too soon. My drink was pretty good — the bartender had made me a drink based on what I told him. I really enjoyed the sour taste of it because it didn’t really give out the strong taste of alcohol.
The second round we ordered different drinks again. My boyfriend ordered the cognac cocktail off the menu and the bartender made me a ginger cocktail (I believe he called this «late night revival?»). My boyfriend’s drink was delicious! I haven’t tried cognac before but his drink was delicious and if we didn’t have to go I probably would’ve ordered another one for myself. My drink was also delicious! The bartender is amazing — I asked him for something refreshing and this drink LITERALLY was the definition of refreshing. Just imagine jumping out of the pool on a really hot sunny day and you sip ice cold lemonade — THAT was the feeling I got from my drink.
Service ⁵⁄₅ — The bartender/​server was extremely helpful. I know I can be a little difficult with drinks (especially if I had a rough night just a few nights before), but he was extremely helpful in making really tasty drinks that didn’t taste strongly like alcohol.
My only squabble is that the check came and said «cash only». Luckily I always carry cash, especially when traveling, but I would’ve been in a pickle had I not had cash. Just a warning for anyone else traveling and coming here!
If I ever find myself staying in NYC in this area again, I will, without a doubt, be visiting this bar. Until then, I’ll just be wishing I can find something similar in my city!

For the area, you cannot beat this bar. True speakeasy and amazingly crafted cocktails. While the place is small (duh), we still managed to snag 2 seats at the bar on a Friday evening so I guess it’s hit or miss.
Make sure to fully explain to them what kind of cocktails you enjoy so they can craft you up something wonderfuuuuuul!

This is an awesome little place tucked away in the neighborhood. I almost missed it walking by because the door was open. I was able to walk in and grab a seat by the bar right away. They had their usual drinks on the menu that you can choose from but I ordered drinks off the menu and had the bartender make whatever they wanted each time. For the for drinks I got I wasn’t disappointed. She was really good at making whatever she wanted when I gave her a couple of suggestions. In about the hour or so that I was there each drink was just as good as the other. If you are looking for a good drink and a nice little speak easy you need to check out this place!

This place has been on my list for a while now and super happy I am finally able to check it off my list!
Featherweight is a speakeasy so there is not much signage to find this place, just a feather in front of a door. There is a really relaxed vibe to the place. Perfect for conversations with friends or even a date. I would be impressed if you brought me here.
Drinks are reasonably priced for a speakeasy. Around the $ 11 to $ 12 range. I have the peacemaker and the custom drink where you name your favorite ingredients. Both were tasty and refreshing. I could’ve had like ten more and I would’ve still been very happy.
Servers were extremely nice and attentive. Please note that its cash only! Highly recommend!

F*ck yes. I loved this bar! I spent an entire week destroying my liver by visiting cocktail bars across a few boroughs and Featherweight was a standout experience for me. If you like serious cocktails, take them seriously.
From the outside of the building it’s not terribly obvious what you’re looking for but you’ll suddenly notice that «duh! There’s a feather on the door!» Then if you peer up there’s a massive mural of a boxer that crawls up the building. Suddenly it’s very obvious you’re in the right spot. Walk up a small flight of stairs and you’re in the main space of the small bar. It’s got a bit of that speakeasy vibe that people are crazy about, but it’s not over the top and it’s not kitschy or touristy.
Built in an older building I absolutely loved the rusted tin tiles that are nailed in along the walls and ceiling. It cools the space, makes it feel like it’s been there forever, and just adds a darker, older ambience. It’s a somewhat dimly lit spot so it’s perfect for grabbing a drink alone or for taking a date. Not a ton of room to bring your 10 best friends but that’s what great about it — it can’t get too crowded or too loud.
Everything I drank ruled and the backbar for such a small space is really extensive. You can get anything you want here and quality is key. House made ginger syrup, fresh squeezed juices, that whole shebang.

Very awesome spot right down the road from my place. Come here on a weeknight and the place is yours. This is a true speakeasy (and my first in NYC!) and I use this as a comparison to every others in the city, as it’s fairly hard to find. Do yourself a favor and don’t look up a picture of the front — just check out the address and you’ll be fine, I’m sure!
I can’t get over how expensive drinks are at speakeasies, which is why the lack of one star. While the drinks may be good, I just can’t afford to fork over $ 15+ for a single drink all the time, as I’m sure many in this particular area can’t.