Garfunkel’s

Wonderful space. Fantastic bartender. Delicious and unique cocktails. Loved.

I almost don’t want to review this place so the word doesn’t get out. Lovely atmosphere. Amazing drinks and not too crowded. New favorite LES spot.

This place rules!!! Wow. What a night. The waiters knowledge on cocktails simply blew my socks off. Can’t wait to come back with friends :)

This place is very cute! The bartenders are nice and knowledgeable and the décor is really nice.
The only downside is that it smelled strongly like fresh paint/​gas the entire night which, combined with alcohol gave us all a headache.
Would go back again. Hopefully it wouldn’t smell the same way next time!

600^th review? Nice.
Formerly Second Floor on Clinton. Essentially the same layout and low-​lit classy vibe, but with a lot more portraits hanging on the walls, and in general, more of a Prohibition-​esque décor. Anyways, call it what you want: nondescript, cloak & dagger, unassuming, Garfunkel’s is all of those things. Seriously, there was a guy sweeping outside the door, and we thought he was just a guy who lived in the building, but he turned out to be the «bouncer.» Amazing. Everything is something. We came in early on a Friday night for post-​work cocktails, and only a few other couples were present. Immediately, we both began to imagine the space as a studio apartment, hypothesizing where we would place furniture, and how the space could be used. Such is life when living in New York City; everything is viewed as a potential living space.
The cocktails? Primo. They have a lot of fancy names for cocktails, such as the aptly-​name Fancy Free, which in essence, is a bourbon old-​fashioned: bourbon, maraschino liqueur, Angostura and orange bitters, on the rocks. It was incredibly strong and definitely knocked me back a little bit. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed it, and I kept going with the rye old-​fashioned, also known as the Monte Carlo. I also tried the Palma Fizz and the Chicago Fizz, the latter being my favorite of the two, mostly because of the use of egg whites, giving the citrus-​y taste some richness. I don’t typically go for rum drinks that often, but I enjoyed the Chicago Fizz immensely. Drinks aside, sitting on the plush couches and just conversing was very comfortable, and it just makes you feel good. Giggidy.
Service was excellent, and bartenders/​staff checked on us constantly, without being overly invasive. It might have been the fact that it was only 8pm and the place was half-​full, but I guess it really worked out for us. Prices are about $ 14 a cocktail, which is about average for most craft cocktails in the area. There aren’t too many crazy ingredients in the menu, but everything we had was made well, and made strong, and that’s what really matters in a good, nay, great cocktail bar.
Easily one of the best speakeasy experiences I’ve had in a long time. I enjoy that it’s located away from most of the hubbub of LES, and it honestly feels like a different world. Make sure to make a reservation if you’re going in on a peak weekend time. I’ll definitely be back, perhaps to try a Saturday night, or I may even try the early Friday night again, just to ensure that I’ll have a seat. Perfect for date night or a group of 4.

This place is VERY cute! Great for a date… it reminds me of Dead Rabbit, but more intimate.
We went on a Thursday night and we weren’t expecting to be greeted by a bouncer who asked if we had a reservation. We didn’t but we were still led upstairs, where it was fairly empty (I’m sure this will change soon). The ambiance is so cute, with lots of candles and low chairs – speakeasy vibe. Our particular loveseat was SUPER uncomfortable, so next time I’d opt for an armchair. But service was fantastic and the drinks were incredible.
Between us, we tried the: Chicago Fizz, Fancy Free, At Midnight and the Nightwatch. They were all really good– I just couldn’t taste the pumpkin in the At Midnight (it was super strong). Would definitely go back (and make a res) if I’m in the area!

This is 2^nd Floor on Clinton. I hadn’t realized this before coming here but chose Garfunkel so we cd stop by 2^nd Floor. The drinks and atmosphere are still 5 stars but the new attitude and bouncer placed at the door earns it one less star. There was no estimate of how long the wait would be (it wasn’t long) and once we got upstairs, there were at least 2 tables open for a very long while.
Initially when we got no clue as to how long it wd take to get in, I was ready to just head up the street to find 2^nd Floor. Only waited when I realized this was it. The bouncer confirmed it was but said «it’s totally different now — so much better». Besides a different entrance, it’s exactly the same — which is actually a good thing. It’s chill, relaxed and was nice to be back.

Great menu but go with the bartenders choice. If you can articulate what you like Garfunkel’s will serve you well. Cozy and intimate — great date spot.

Awesome find! Great cocktails in a comfortable setting! Can’t wait to go back!

I really liked this place! We came here on a Saturday night, and waited a bit downstairs for a table to clear up. But when we got upstairs, we found ourselves on some comfy high chairs seated right by the window and bar-​good times!
We had the buzzword and queen’s park swizzle, both which were pretty, sweet, yet super strong drinks (the perfect mix I tell ya). We couldn’t even finish our drinks since they were so potent… but they were tasty at the same time! It was a fun night: P

Super, loved this place. The staff was very nice and the place is very cozy and intimate. Great new spot.

Love this place! It’s a bit confusing figuring out how to get in, we actually followed someone that maybe lived in the building? Any who, the atmosphere is super cool, very sleek easy feeling. The bartenders are great, I would highly recommend the bartenders choice as far as drinks go. Will definitely head back soon!

Couldn’t have been happier to spend this month’s date night at this newly opened second floor speakeasy. Upon arrival, we were signaled in by the bouncer and sent upstairs where the door swung open by the head bartender and we were greeted with 1920s swing jazz and adorable eclectic décor.
The bartender spoke to us about our drink preferences and I got a tequila cocktail then a house made twist on a Pimm’s cup and both were excellent. My boyfriend ordered a pumpkin bourbon cocktail for his first drink, and the bartender made a homemade concoction with ginger beer, whiskey, and honey for his second.
We had a beautiful corner couch overlooking Clinton street and a great time. Would absolutely recommend for a great date.

I really enjoyed this place. It was pretty cozy, a perfect date spot. The drinks were on point and the service was great. The bartender Ivo was really warm and friendly.
We got there fairly early so it wasn’t crowded, which was good. The music was low enough to carry on a conversation.
My only wish was that they served something to nibble on while sipping their deliciously strong drinks. But according to Ivo that is soon to come! It’s a pretty new spot with a cool unpretentious vibe. I hope it stays that way. I will be sure to find my way back there soon.

Great atmosphere, friendly service, excellent drinks. A really comfortable place to kick back, relax and enjoy a cocktail.

Didn’t even have to think before giving it 5 stars. Perfect camouflage, classy décor, comfortable setup — it was love at first sight. We got the tip from the girl working at Prohibition Bakery just down the block and doubled back — we had obviously walked past it on the way to Prohibition — and it was with some poking around (bouncer was probably on break when we arrived) which resulted in a finger pressing on the intercom marked «G» that we stumbled in.
Good service, super strong drinks, luxurious seats. Décor was somewhat eclectic but in an impressively good way — tin tiles on the ceiling, a wall shelved with a random collection of books, large windows facing Clinton St. There were even power outlets by the two-​seater tables! Good for charging your phone after a drunken night I suppose; laptoppers, no offense but please stay away from this place ;)
Prices are comparable to other speakeasies or cocktails served in the general LES area. Selection is pretty overwhelming; being indecisive as usual I went with the Bartender’s Choice, and was served a glass of Old Fashioned mixed with tequila. Pretty insane, but I did manage to finish.
The intimate ambience and soft background music make it a great spot for romantic dates. Would definitely return and maybe try an actual cocktail on the menu.

Garfunkel’s is the hot new sexy thing on the block (quite literally) that everyone is dying to meet.
I wish I could give this something other than five stars, because walking right into a top-​notch speakeasy at 11pm on a Saturday night with no wait is almost unheard of in Manhattan — and I wish it could stay this way here (it won’t). But Garfunkels is more than deserving of this praise, so praise it shall receive. Fantastic cocktails, gorgeous décor and sexy yet classy ambiance. Everything you could want in a speakeasy.
Much to my chagrin, I never made it to Second Floor on Clinton, which was high up on my to-​do list. So unfortunately I don’t have that frame of reference. So I went into this experience blindly — so do with that what you will.
Garfunkel’s is a TRUE speakeasy. There are zero markings, zero gimmicks a la PDT and it’s quite removed from the bulk of the LES action. A very suave-​looking bouncer who looks like he could double as a secret service agent will call up to his people as you arrive and inquire about the existence of this new spot. Once he deems you worthy (pomp and circumstance removed: if/​once there’s a table available), you’ll ascend an assuming staircase and walk through the first — also unmarked — door on your right. Then, as many would hope with a speakeasy, you’ll find yourself in an homage to the Prohibition Era. Low lighting, smooth jazz playing softly in the background, huge, plush armchairs at each table for two, old-​timey photos, antique light fixtures and sharply-​dressed servers create quite the immersive experience here. Gone are the memories of living in the frenetic, technology-​obsessed New York. Your only job here is to imbibe happily in this gorgeous, intimate space.
The cocktail menu at Garfunkel’s is sprawling. Very overwhelming if you’re like me and want to try absolutely everything. While they only have one vodka cocktail (which I don’t mind a bit, vodka is a cop-​out liquor in my opinion, with the exception of Mules), there’s pretty much something for everyone here. After a bit of back and forth with our server, he recommended the «Nightwatch» (Scotch and Tequila, pear eau de vie, honey and fresh lemon juice, shaken and served on the rocks, sour style) with bourbon instead of the tequila/​scotch combo (I don’t drink tequila and he thought bourbon on its own would be more concordant than scotch). Semi-​sweet, right in the middle of boozy and refreshing, and of course, yummy. My typical routine at speakeasies is to order one drink off the menu and then go for Bartender’s Choice for the rest of my cocktails. I actually enjoyed my Bartender’s Choice (gin/​spicy) more than the Nightwatch. The only ingredients I remember were gin, pineapple and hellfire bitters. I had been opting for whiskey all night, so this ended up being the perfect nightcap for me.
I’m going to give Garfunkel’s the benefit of the doubt here in regards to service. It took an unacceptably long time to flag down our server (who was otherwise knowledgeably and very friendly) after ordering our first drink. But this place is brand new (hence the one — now two — reviews on Unilocal), and they’re probably still working out the kinks. Despite the issues with ordering drinks, we had a comically efficient candle-​lighter tend to our malfunctioning candle. This guy was seriously on his game. We weren’t sneezing or breathing heavily or having a makeshift birthday party… our candle was just stingy. But this guy came to our rescue seconds after those ominous flickers, and the romantic vibe was resuscitated quickly.
Absolutely will be back. This place is heaven.

Garfunkel’s takes over the old spot that is Second Floor on Clinton, which was one of my favorite speakeasies due to its relatively obscure location — it was on the second floor of a douchey type bar that had an entirely different flavor from the classy lounge itself. You used to enter the speakeasy from the douchey bar, but with that gone too, now you have to look out for a door that says 67, a security keypad by the door handle, and a bouncer with a wire in his ear.
Since Garfunkel’s is relatively new at this point, there weren’t a lot of people at the bar on prime time Friday night. I loved the intimacy and privacy it afforded, although I suspect it wouldn’t be this way forever. The décor is a mimicry of the swinging 20s, with velvet loveseats, old newsprint articles, and dim Edison light bulbs. The cocktails are all priced at a standard $ 14, with a variety of really classy drinks. I had a Chicago Fizz with rum, tawny port, and egg white — really yummy. You can also leave your drink choice up to the bartender at $ 17 if you like — what’s $ 3 more if it gets you a bespoke cocktail?
What really sets this place apart from other speakeasies like PDT and Angel’s Share and Death & Co is that the tables are spaced fairly far apart so you don’t feel like you’re sharing your romantic date with the couple next to you. They also have larger format tables for groups of four or five, so it’s not exclusively a date spot. Come here and bring your friends! It’ll be a good time.