Little Branch

Basement bar of a nondescript corner building where the bartenders can concoct a customized cocktail to your personal taste and live jazz music sets a nice ambiance in the candlelight.

There are a few tables here, but the space is generally quite small like most speakeasies in the city. Expect a wait or come when it opens because they do not take reservations.

LB is not quiet enough for a first date or to have serious conversations despite other reviews saying so. I came on a Saturday night and it was quite animated. They occasionally have live jazz music, too--as you'll notice a piano inside.

Thus far, this is one of my favorite speakeasies in NYC. I love bars where bartenders offer bartender's choice, and at LB, they actually have a diverse base of knowledge for making many cocktails. What can I say? I am a fan.

Little Branch is a vibe.

When I think of all the cool Manhattan bars you see in big budget Hollywood products, I think of Little Branch. Although I was there with a friend this place screams date night. It's very dimly lit and in the basement of a nondescript building. You'd miss it, if you're not sure where you are going.

The bartenders were not only knowledgable but quick on their feet. Every suggestion they made were better than the drinks I thought I wanted. Also, it's surprising not overpriced. [Read still very on par with Manhattan cocktail costs but not outrageous lol].

The only reason I'm withholding a star is because it's small and the waitlist for a table was lengthy. Although the hostess kept checking on us and offered us a table as soon as one was available.

Very dark. Good for a date and to make out. Arrive early to get a table the bar isn't very inviting and cozy, but the booths are.

Not too noisy, good cocktails ($19, expensive). Bartenders make custom cocktails based on ingredients you like and you can exchange it if you don't like it.

Definitely a locals only spot which is nice. But it's WARM inside, if it's warm in May (when I went) then in the Summer it must be TOO HOT

We were in the area for dinner and were looking for a hip cocktail bar. There's no shortage of solid cocktail bars in the area so we decided to give this place a shot - primarily because it looked like it had a secret entrance and cool ambiance.

So the entrance is not so secret - there was a guy at the door checking vax cards and the like. It is unmarked which adds some charm. As you walk down the stairs, you are greeted by a decent sized bar area and the host.

In terms of availability and seating - you need to check in the host and they will put you on a list for seats. There are only so many seats here and, if you're planning on drinking a few cocktails, I'd recommend having your name down. If you don't have a seat, the bar area has some seats but the majority is standing room. We got here at around 8/8:15 pm and there were a few people standing at the bar area. After that, a lot more people started to flow in from the after or pre-dinner rush.

The drinks here are solid and the bartenders are able to answer any questions you may have. I asked about the Vieux Carre and what it would be like - the bartender said it's like a French style old fashioned. If it's super busy there, the bartenders might seem a bit short with their answers because there's a ton of orders needing to be fulfilled. With that said, you can't go wrong with this place.

This place was recommended to me by another bartender, so I knew it had to be good. Little Branch not only met, but went above this expectation.

I've heard it can get a little bit crowded on big nights, so we stopped by on a Sunday to also hear from live jazz, which I heard they had. It was still definitely busy, but we were able to get a table without any issue (2 people). Their bar area (no chairs) was very busy with lots of groups standing out and chatting. I will say, our hostess/server was a bit cold and seemed a little impatient and condescending, but the drinks we had made this all forgiveable.

My whiskey sour was so delightful- unlike any drink I've ever had before. The egg white was super foamy, and the bartender had done some kind of "latte art" almost, on top (see picture). Apparently he poured some bitters on top and swirled it with a toothpick. Absolutely amazing. The ratio of all the ingredients was exactly right, with the fresh lemon, whiskey and sugar melding together perfectly to give a soft, almost caramel-y flavor. I could never settle for a whiskey sour at another place ever again.

The 2nd drink I ordered was a bartender's choice, I told the bartender I liked cucumber and gin, and something a bit herbally. He (Alex! This is a shout-out) came up with a speckled hen for me, which had gin, cucumber, lemon, absthinthe, and egg white- with a crack of black pepper on top. Almost even better than the whiskey sour. I can't recommend this place enough. Stand at the bar for the real experience.

Great spot. It's intimate and a gooood date night spot. Defs a speakeasy vibe given that there is no sign - just have a lookout for the bouncer/card check person. I recommend doing the bartender's choice - it's fun and can be very interesting

One of the OG speakeasies. The signage is a bit hard to miss but just keep an eye out for a guy in a Mets jersey standing out front. They've also put out some tables and chairs outside for COVID reasons, I'm sure, but, depending on your comfort level, I would say to go for the subterranean seating to get a feel of what NYC used to be like.

It's super romantic inside, some candles and that's it (maybe too many, see my note below), don't worry, your eyes will adjust. I spied a few larger groups but definitely no more than four or five people. I really liked the cubby-style seating.

For $18, the cocktails are not cheap, though I guess you're there for the ambiance and the mixology talent. If you're feeling gutsy, I would say go for the Bartender's Choice. Each time, the bartender absolutely nailed it and I'm really also not the most helpful in describing what I want. The first time I went with "fruity, sweet, fizzy"; second time, I asked for "spicy or gingery," no preference on the liquor. The second drink was so delicious I had to ask what was in it.

At one point, the candle in the little lamp next to our table tipped over and caught on fire. The hostess rushed over almost immediately and took it away. Probably one of the most exciting moments so far this year (which should tell you something ...).

A bit loud but my friend and I could still hear each other pretty well; I don't remember if the music was turned up all the way.

Extremely narrow bathrooms. Oy vey. Definitely how you know you're in NYC.

Overall, a really cool place to grab some drinks with friends or a date but for the price tag alone, probably hard to come here as a regular.

Came in for the live jazz and one drink before peak crowds hit (but it was still pretty crowded). The space is TIGHT but it's still charming, the band was playing right in the center of the room with drinkers milling around the bar. There were no tables so we just got one round and found a little corner with some steps to hunker down with some strangers to sip. I went off menu and asked for something spirit forward with mezcal and got something out of this world delicious. Service at the bar takes awhile but given the space there's no way around that, trust when you get your drink you'll be happy. This is one of the few speakeasy bars I've been to that felt like it, according to the other reviews that's because it really used to be.

Nice venue that is ran orderly and as efficiently as one can. Good system to get folks in and out. The service was good, nothing to complain about here. Music and overall ambiance did set the mood for an enjoyable night. $18 a cocktail is the new standard pricing in nyc I suppose. #inflation

Meh. Typical speakeasy style bar. No sign basement type deal. All cool but cocktails are just mediocre. Go if you are in the area. Go if you are with a friend who is new to that whole no sign dark alleyway vibe thing.