Little Branch
Cocktail bar · West Village
20 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014
Highlights
Descend into the charming depths of Little Branch, a speakeasy where expertly crafted cocktails and live jazz create an inviting, intimate vibe.
Descend into the charming depths of Little Branch, a speakeasy where expertly crafted cocktails and live jazz create an inviting, intimate vibe.
"Little Branch was an early pioneer of the speakeasy scene, and you can still find it behind an unmarked door on 7th Avenue. The underground space is limited to a strict capacity (first come, first served), which keeps the mood inside pretty intimate and perfect for a date or small groups. Expect perfect cocktails, a nearly pitch-black atmosphere, and occasional live jazz. " - bryan kim, katherine lewin, neha talreja, carina finn koeppicus
"Beyond an unassuming small door and down some steep-steep stairs, you’ll find a dimly lit underground speakeasy that’ll transport you to another time. Serving first rate cocktails, from the classics to new inventive concoctions, Little Branch is a great place to get a tipple or two. There’s live jazz on weeknights and the dark, leathery booths envelope and invite you to linger long into the night." - Superficial Studio
"This communal aspect of bartending is something the veteran bartenders experienced as they were coming up — Robinson at Momofuku Ssäm Bar and Flower at the iconic speakeasies Middle Branch and Little Branch." - Janey Wong
"If you’re wandering around the West Village and stumble into Bandits only to realize that you're the only one in the room who learned of the demise of Alexander Hamilton from a "Got Milk?" commercial, head to Little Branch across the street. One of the oldest and most pleasant speakeasy-style bars in NYC, the place is dark and subterranean, with quality cocktails and a 1920s theme. They don’t take reservations, and there’s usually a line outside, but there are much worse lines to stand in." - bryan kim
"The oldest bar on this list, Little Branch remains one of the best places to grab a cocktail in the West Village. It’s not as hectic as nearby competitor Employees Only, and, somehow, it still kind of feels like a secret. Down a set of stairs behind a plain brown door on 7th Ave, you’ll find a cave-like room with a subtle Prohibition-era theme. The bartenders wear ties and are knowledgeable enough to teach cocktail history at NYU, but this isn’t a formal place, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Bring a date, and get here early if you don’t want to wait in line outside." - bryan kim, sonal shah
