So beautiful! This new space in Binghamton is hands down gorgeous. I wouldn't expect anything less though, since I was a huge fan of the former upstairs space, Uncorked Wine Loft. I went with a group of 4 on Saturday night. Knowing it was going to be busy on opening weekend, we went right at 5 when they opened so that we could get in easily. There were some people already there ahead of us, but we got in quickly, and were seated in the back in a small dining room. The decor is era appropriate and you feel like you're in a swanky library. Tin ceilings, wall to wall book shelves, a library ladder, plush antique chairs, edison lights, swoon! Our waitress was very nice and let us know there was a menu item unavailable right off the bat. The cocktail list is expansive and had plenty of gin based drinks which tickled my fancy. The Rosey Posey was right on point, and the Sidecar came in a teacup and was adorable. Instead of entrees, we ordered a bunch of apps to split. We tried the fried pickles, duck nachos, chips and dip platter and meat and cheese platter. Everything was really good, BUT I thought it was overpriced for some of the items. While the queso on the duck nachos was worthy of drinking on its own (kidding!) there was a severe lack of duck on the nachos. Maybe 4 shreds mixed in? Kind of a bummer. The meat and cheese platter was also lacking meat, it had maybe 2 slices of prosciutto and was $22? No thanks! The pickles and chips and dip were spot on and well worth it though. Not wanting to hog a table all night, we scooted to allow other people the table. I was glad we were seated at an actual table. There are a few areas of upholstered chairs/coffee table nooks, and they didn't look very conducive for a sit down meal. I'm sure they'd be fine for a drink and a chat though. Other things to note is that the ladies room was epic with a huge sink/vanity and super tall doors. The men's room was lacking, as my fiancee pointed out there is no divider wall or swing shut on the door, so anyone walking by can see the dudes in there taking a leak. Def need to address that so no rogue parts are on display! Unless that's your thing ;) Walking through the packed bar and front dining area, I'm glad we were seated in the back. It'sa bit more intimate and I think you might have a hard time hearing people up front. I'm glad they limit the amount of people they let in at once. It's such a beautiful space it is better enjoyed if you're not crammed in there like sardines.I think the only thing they have left to do is figure out the menu a little more and either make them worth their price point, or add a few more cheaper options. I can't wait to go back and try some of the other things I wasn't able to try the first time! read more

The atmosphere is unique and chic. Food is perfection every single time. The drinks and staff are top notch. Escape to something different and classy. read more

I'd never been to a speakeasy so I was very excited to go. I was glad that I'd seen a video of the entrance on YouTube because I would have never seen it. In fact, a few people walked by unknowingly. The moment you push through the bookcase you are transported back in time. The ambiance, food, drink, and service was all impeccable. It was a FUN experience! read more

I had a handful of individuals tell me about the place. Looked it up online and it just happened to be there special night for there Filet Mignon. Never gone before, let me tell you WOW I was impressed! 25$ for a solid cut with two sides? Blew me away, and there Gouda Brussel Sprouts, if you know, you know plus the service was excellent, had a brother and sister duo killing it at the bar and the drinks were excellent tasting at a decent price. Walking through the front door, (I mean hidden bookcase) to an eccentric 1920's feel with candlelit lighting, and bookshelves full of books and a wild selection of booze. Thanks for having me, will come back again! Would highly recommend read more

205 Dry - Bar - Speakeasies Near Me - Binghamton, New York

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This is the most wonderful place. The atmosphere is like none other. Do yourself a favor and spend time soaking it all in. The attention to detail is amazing. The food is excellent and the drinks are so fun! Great service too! read more

The atmosphere is really cool; you really do feel like you're walking into another era. Loved all the touches, from the decor to the fact that the dishes and silverware don't match. Acoustics were a problem. We were in the back room and there was a large and very loud party. Once they left the noise level was better. Now the food: chips & dips were excellent. braised tenderloin and the 205 were delicious. Squash soup was delicious. Salmon got 2 thumbs up. Burgers, on the other hand, were not a hit. Everyone who ordered one said that the charred flavor was overpowering and not appealing. The burgers also seemed to come with toppings that were not listed on the menu. Overall it was a good experience and I would recommend a visit, but maybe avoid the burgers if you're it into a charred flavor. read more

I love the hidden entrance! So clever and the library theme is charming! The glassware, I understand from the menu, and everything inside was carefully curated - and it shows. The long bar is elegant and the cozy arms chairs and couches make this a lovely spot. I chose a drink that was new to me - their New York Sour which also involves a float of wine and foam. It was good- beautiful with the cherry and dried lemon slice. A visual please actually. The drink was good, though not my usual. I chose the special shrimp po boy sandwhich - in hindsight, I wish I had asked what their most popular dish it to give it a try- oh well next time! After trying something new I really wanted something familiar so I asked if they have any old Tom gin- and was sorely disappointed that they didn't have it. I settled on a perfect Manhattan on the rocks and it was well crafted again in lovely glassware. I look forward to coming back again! read more

First off, the concept is great. Fantastic job with the decor and staying on theme throughout the experience. Whiskey menu is really fantastic. Our server was pretty attentive. Nice touch with the backlighted menus. Unfortunately, the drinks were just average, overly produced. You have all this great whiskey, but my Manhattan was filled with a handful of machine made ice like I was ordering a coke (if you are going to go through the trouble of playing up your drink menu, get the big cubes). The food menu didn't match the vibe, salads and sandwiches, and the stuff was bland and uninspired. My chair was broken. The worst part? Being rushed out. They were wiping off the table before we even got up from our seats. No one was waiting for our table. Great to see a concept like this in Binghamton. Execution can be better. read more

Spent 45 minutes waiting next to the bookcase to figure out how to get in. This place doesn't even really need a review, just go. read more

The most aesthetically pleasing restaurant. Everything is so on theme and the food was amazing. They did a great job of socially distancing us and the service was so quick. How can you beat texting to make a reservation? read more

Coming to the East Coast from Whidbey and my cousins mentioned this place since we were going to hang around a little longer. It's not the food and drink that still linger after these many months but the place on the other side of the bookcase. You will have to listen and observe for yourself. Amazing use of the historic buildings high ceiling with mirrors, lights and bottles. But it was the music that eerily matched to the place that completed the experience. 1920's jazz, blues, bayou. read more

This is definitely the most beautiful spot in Binghamton to grab a drink! I came here recently with a friend for a quick dinner. They opened a couple weeks ago and are still working a couple kinks out but we had a nice meal. We were here around 530 on a Thursday and it wasn't too crowded when we got here, but it filled up pretty fast. The drink menu is great, there were some beers that I really wanted to try but I ended up going with a mixed drink because I feel like that's more of their specialty. I got the "horny housewife", which was good but not exactly what I was expecting. Idk why but I thought it would be a little lighter, but it was thicker and kind of syrupy. It was still very enjoyable though, fruity and very sweet, not too heavy on the alcohol taste. I enjoyed my food a lot too! My friend and I started off with the spicy pickle fries. The texture was great and I loved the flavor. The amount of heat was perfect, it was enough to notice but not enough to turn away people who can't handle it too well, and the ranch dressing served with it was a great match. I got the fried chicken sandwich as my entree. The breading on the chicken kinda got lost in the mix, but that's because this sandwich had a lot going on, so it wasn't missed in my opinion. The chicken was thick and juicy, definitely a good portion. I liked the bread it was served on and it also had coleslaw, pickles, and a house sauce, very delicious! The french fries served with it we're great too! There's some other items that I would really like to try too, so I will definitely be back, but I'm not sure how I feel just yet on the size of the menu. I'd kinda like to see them expand it and add more entrees, but I also get that their focus is more on the drinks, so the casual menu of appetizers and sandwiches seems fitting. The one issue with the food though is that my friend ordered a burger and she asked for it to be cooked medium but it came out pretty rare. Like I said earlier, this place is so beautiful, it does kinda feel like you're stepping back in time! I had no issues with the service when I was here, but my sister did have an issue on opening weekend. She and her friends were outside waiting to get in, they talked to someone there and they said it would be about 15 minutes before they could let them in, which they were fine with. Then a few minutes later another group walked up and said they had a table and they were let right in, but it says online that they don't take reservations at all. My sister and her friends ended up leaving because of this. I feel like a good solution for this would be to keep the upstairs "Uncorked" space open for spillover. I really loved uncorked and I miss it. I like that it was a slower pace and more relaxing, but now that the owners opened 205 dry they only use uncorked for private events. Having both bars open would probably help get people in and out of 205 faster. Just my opinion read more

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This place is as unique as they come! Definitely is an experience! Try their old fashioned!

The decor is so fun and well thought out. The food is amazing! Literally amazing, such exceptional quality. We were a party of 3 who all ordered different plates. I had a delicious chicken quesadilla. The chicken was full of flavor from the marinade. It was served with a side of tortillas with salsa. The tortillas were nice and lite, not greasy or salty. The service couldn't have been better. Will definitely be back, again and again! I would like to see the menu expanded a bit. read more

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First thing to mention is the ambiance. They did a good job on creating the speakeasy vibe. The menus are LED backlit and easy to read but are really bright in the dark. They have a great selection of drinks and they tasted really good. The food menu looks promising but didn't get to try it yet. Definitely worth checking out! read more

205 Dry - Speakeasies Near Me - Binghamton, New York

A Prohibition theme classic bar. Classic and exclusive wine liquid and speak easy bar. The drink is quite good and the cheese plate looks good. read more

This place is great, and incredibly cool. The place attempts to recreate an underground speak-easy, prohibition-era style, and pulls it off greatly, with decorations and lighting... I mean the door to the restaurant is a bookshelf that opens as to recreate the need to have alcohol distributors hidden... it's great. The music is also a kinda 1920's-hip hop mix and it fits perfectly. Besides that, the service is great, and some of the employees definitely try to exude and dress with that same style. Besides how cool the restaurant and theme is... the food and drinks are great. There's not too much of a selection for the food, but wow are all of them amazing. The Brussel sprouts appetizer amazing, along with the Buffalo cauliflower bites surprisingly... especially with the dill sauce they come with. The main course OG chicken sandwich is HUGE and tasty, and the fries are great too, along with the jerk chicken... the peanut butter cake is also a nice way to finish. The drinks are all great, with an incredibly wide selection of liquors and wines and beers, which also fits the style of the restaurant. They even have some super expensive bourbons and stuff which I've never had but it just adds to the fact that this place knows they're alcohol! In terms of price, it's a bit steep for the area, but honestly, it's warranted here, the atmosphere, food, and drinks all are worth it! I'd absolutely recommend this for dates or parties. Probably my favorite place in Binghamton. read more

This place is by far the best speakeasy I've ever been to. Love the cocktails, service, atmosphere and food too. Everyone is super top notch that works there. Well done!! read more

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This bar was absolutely incredible. I felt like I had just stepped into the 1920's. The food was delicious and the drinks were outstanding. The server was very helpful with drink choices and very attentive. Try the triple chocolate cake. It's FANTASTIC. I HIGHLY recommend this place. read more

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Very nice atmosphere and staff, food and drinks were delicious! There was a loud group of women but besides that it was an excellent experience. Big plus for me was that you can text and ask how long the wait is and make reservations. read more

Really fun atmosphere. Great place to go for small celebration. Beautiful bar. Love the hidden entrance

A bit precious with the secret entrance (that really does not work if you don't know how to find the door knob or the hostess is not camped at the door). Look of the main bar area is VERY well done and music selection adds to the vibe (tho a bit loud for conversation). Corpse Reviver cocktail was fabulous (absinthe, gin, cassis, Cointreau, lemon) and served in retro-style cut glass. JP Burger came highly recommended and did not disappoint. On the downside, place filled quickly and let's be honest, the bar is the place to be at this speakeasy. Back room and up front do not have the same charm. Food order service timing was so far off you would think we had ordered on different days - not only did one item come so far in advance you may have thought it was an appetizer (vs a main) - but two remaining identical orders came far enough apart that we may as well have been at different tables. Parking will become an issue for this part of State Street. Like the vibe but not interested if not at the bar. Good but a bit not perfect. I'll be back but not a regular. PS at this point, they don't take Amex. Like but want to love. Hope it makes it. read more

205 Dry - Corpse Reviver - Speakeasies Near Me - Binghamton, New York

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Amazing bar, ESPECIALLY for Binghamton! The entire theme of a speakeasy is maintained from the hidden doorknob to enter, to the staff who are decked out in 1920's attire. We had a round of Horny Housewives, and I also had a sidecar, and the drinks and presentations were great! Service at the bar was a little slow since the place was packed, but once we were seated in the dining area, service was fine. I had the chicken sandwich, which was crisp and juicy, and came with a mountain of fries. I'd absolutely go back, and hope they set a new expectation for nightlife in Binghamton! read more

205 Dry - The bar - Speakeasies Near Me - Binghamton, New York

This is one of the best speakeasy bars I have been to. I am from Binghamton. Recently moved to NYC. I thought 205 DRY was better than the speakeasy bars in NYC. The inside is classy with a menu of many choices for drinks and food. Must check out. Support local. read more

205 Dry - The best strawberry beer! - Speakeasies Near Me - Binghamton, New York

My favorite bar in Binghamton. Love the fact that if it's your first time, you can't find the door handle. Great place to go on a date!!

My wife and I have gone there two times and both times were amazing. On our first visit we went just to the bar. Their presentation of our cocktails were outstanding. Both of the bartenders were very knowledgeable. On our second visit we had dinner.... it took a while to get our food but it was hot and delicious and the waitress was attentive. We definitely have made this one our favorite spots to come to. Just wish parking was better for everyone. read more

Update: Someone reached out to me and addressed the issue which I was really impressed with. They checked the cameras and the server I had thought was drunk was not drinking- just overwhelmed which is understandable. Knowing that this restaurant cares enough to reach out and address negative experiences makes me have a lot of respect for them and I will definitely be back in the future. I would like to apologize to the server I had thought was drunk- lesson learned to not judge someone when I don't know the whole story! read more

We had an amazing time at 205 Dry last night (a Friday night). When we first came in, the local opera company was singing and advertising their newest play "Carmen" coming soon! As they left, we were told it would be a little bit for a table, but we could wait at the bar. Considering the bad experience we had just had at Craft (see other review) we should have been hesitant - but this place just had a cool vibe. We looked through the drink list which is fun and retro. My husband had a Tom Collins and I had a Strawberry Mule. Both came in appropriate glassware for each type of drink. I saw folks with champagne glasses, teacups and more. Love those details. Delicious drinks made by people who obviously know how to make a mixed drink well. We were given a table right away and had great service! We were given a table in the back which was a little more quiet, and still cool. We had Poutine with spare ribs, which my husband says he hasn't tasted anything like it since our days in New Orleans at Parasol's. So good. He got a burger and ended up sharing it with me and it was - the best burger I've had in Binghamton. I'm just saying. Big juicy burger with the fixins and I was super impressed. If there was more room at the bar we probably would have stayed to hang out, but it was really busy by that point so we headed out. Had a fabulous time and this will definitely be my new favorite place to eat and drink in Binghamton! read more

A great date place or girls night out! Service at the bar was attentive and excellent. Not pushy with recommendations. Extensive specialty cocktail list, beer list & wine list! We didn't order food but it all looked very nicely plated. Prices were on point for a place like this. The older guy at the door fit the establishment perfectly. We loved the decor and trying to figure out how to get in was fun! The outside appears to be 2 large bookcases. Our 4 cocktails (prices ranged from $9-11 each) and were tasty & worth every penny! I've never tried anything with egg whites. And I was skeptical but both of my drinks had egg whites and they were superb. Will be back! Upscale for Binghamton. Refreshing! read more

I was super excited about coming here; however, it didn't really work out. My three friends I haven't seen in over a year came up from jersey and Virginia. The whole situation was partially my fault, I guess. On their website it says you can text to reserve a table, so that's what I did. We had a quick conversation about the number of people and we agreed on the time. Now I'm not a person whose on their phone very much, so I though that was everything they needed. never even saw another message come through. They did thou send me another message, asking me my name, which I didn't see so I never responded. I can see how the restaurant could try to say they weren't at fault but at the same time I dont understand what happened that would make them think I wasn't coming in. They could've called as well, not like they didn't have the number. Once we arrived the lady quickly told us since we hadn't given a name our reservation was never confirmed and they're wait was 2 hours. Honestly I'm just disappointed but I know good help is hard to find now a days. read more

Modern recreation of a classic high-end speakeasy. You literally have to walk through a bookcase to get in. Super beautiful. Put a jazz age bar in a nineteenth century library and you get the idea. Good food, plus six or so unique craft beers. Cocktails are the focus, however, and they fall somewhat short. In the several times I've been here, they have been inconsistent, sometimes not made properly, and for the price they should do better. A couple examples (there are more). One time, my wife's Margarita was served in a tea cup? Also, I had a Pimm's Cup and not only was there no cucumber , but the Ginger Beer was completely flat. read more

Way, way cool speakeasy! The decor is jaw dropping, stunning interior considering all you see are bookshelves and a door man when you arrive. The place was mobbed when we arrived but no problem getting a drink at the bar--bartenders go out of their way to service folks standing 3 rows back. Major thumbs up there! This is a drinking establishment but the food is halfway decent. I really enjoyed the buffalo shrimp appetizer. This is a place to socialize and kick back. The volume is loud from a crowd having a great time. Very good selection of wines and liquors, beer--not so much but any beer snob should walk away satisfied. If you have a hollow leg, the Prohibition Burger is a huge slice of heaven on a bun. One of the best burgers I've had in a while. Warning--it's huge. All in all, a fantastic experience reminiscent of days gone by. Had a great experience, highly recommended. read more

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I've always believed that a restaurant's support should be based on the quality of the food, the service provided, and what they stand for. They represent themselves inside and outside of the facility. For these reasons I can no longer support 205 Dry, and would not advise others to either. The day after my college graduation, my family and I were very much looking forward to continuing our celebrations. I had been to 205 Dry before and thought my family would really enjoy it, so I called the restaurant at 8:30 to see if they happen to have any availability for the evening. The person who I spoke to said that they could seat us at 10:30. We were still full from earlier, making this music to our ears. After we confirmed with such excitement, they informed us of their graduation weekend policy that if we cancel or do not show up there would be an outstanding charge and they would need our credit card information beforehand. This was very understandable and having no intention of missing this dinner, we gave the okay. My mom had not been feeling too well so we went back to my house for her to lay down and the rest of us to talk downstairs. Just before 10 we got the heartbreaking call that my grandfather had passed away. Amidst waking up my mother to tell her she just lost her father, calling my sister who was not with us to tell her she lost her grandfather, and trying our best to fathom this news, I wanted to do right by the restaurant. Our reservation was in a half hour and on what is probably their busiest night of the year I felt it was the right thing to tell them as soon as I could that we would not be coming in order for them to give our table to someone else. I also did not want my family to have to deal with the charge and give them one more thing to worry about, as I figured the restaurant would understand the circumstances and courteously waive the charge. Unfortunately, on such a devastating night, I was reminded that there are people without kindness in their hearts and run their businesses without any care for their customers. The call was picked up rather quickly and while holding back tears I apologized for the last minute cancelation. I explained how we had just made a reservation not even 2 hours prior for 10:30, and sadly we just had a death in the family and would not be able to make it. Immediately, and in the most chipper voice, I was responded with "okay! We are still going to have to charge your credit card". That was it. No I'm sorry for your loss or even the hint at sympathy in her voice or words. At first I questioned this, and repeated the situation to make sure she had heard me correctly, but she was insistent that "that was their policy" and they would still have to charge us. Trying to maintain my composure, I began to say that I understood they were probably so busy and I should go be with my family, therefore I was going to let them go, but that ultimately this was unacceptable and at a later point they would be hearing back from me. Without a hesitation, the person I was speaking to then said that they were actually the owner so I would just be talking again to them. Still remaining calm, I simply said I looked forward to it, have a good night, and sorry again. Between the two of us and the positions we were in, I was the only one to utter any sort of apology and did so multiple times. That is just to show what kind of person not only works at this establishment, but owns it. They are the face of 205 Dry and made it blatantly clear they have no sense of morality, principles or regard for others. Shortly after the call, I received this extremely insensitive text from the restaurant: Hey Mia/it's 205-we didn't realize you made the reservation a few hours ago then we spoke. We won't be charging you, sorry about your friend! Of course it was nice that they were dropping the charge, but one right in no way takes away from all of the wrongs of the phone call or the rest of the message. They didn't even address me by the correct name! Since then I have tried to follow up with the owner and confirm both the removal of the charge and that it was in fact the owner I had spoken to, and have since received nothing. This experience was very disheartening, just making a devastating situation that much worse. I will no longer recommend this restaurant to friends and family as I had always done so in the past. I would not advise anyone to go here and support the ways in which 205 Dry chooses to do business. If you find yourself in Binghamton, please go to the many other local restaurants who have much more to offer their customer in both food and respect. read more

I went here for my birthday and left here having a blast! The whole restaurant is decorated in a 1920-30 prohibition/art deco/jazz style, with no nook and cranny left undecorated! There are books and book ends,nd decorations,chandeliers, glasses, and a safes that contribute to the 1920's atmosphere in the restaurant. Even the wait staff are dressed in 1920's outfits which makes you think you stepped back in time! You can tell whoever designed this place paid attention to the small details! But on to the food, I had a few martinis and a prohibition burger which were excellent. The food menu is made up of small plates and sandwiches, but the cocktails were pretty spot on. The beer menu is made up of mostly IPA's which wasn't too bad (unfortunately my boyfriend doesn't like IPAs). Overall I would recommend this place for people who like fun 1920's art deco decorations, cocktails, and a little bit of history! read more

Pretty awesome. Great drinks and authentic atmosphere. Great food too. Just try it out! read more

205 Dry - Speakeasies Near Me - Binghamton, New York

The foods mad good. i really recommend the spinach and kale dip. the employees are mad nice too. really friendly. i also love the inside decor and the entrance way! read more

You have to make a reservation to get a table on a Friday night, in Binghamton! Times have changed and this place is leading the way. I wasn't able to order food (no reservation and the bar/ entire place was packed) but the drinks are unique and strong! The atmosphere of a speakeasy/ back of a book room or library feel is great. The only downside of this speakeasy feel is that the music isn't live or super jazzy as expected. Overall, this place is amazing and I can't wait to come back- definitely recommend the Spicy Sailor if you like rum but also like Moscow mules! read more

Such a fun spot, something different and really nice inside. Great drinks, just had apps the buffalo shrimp was delicious! Will be back

We had a great time enjoying their whiskey list, trying rare bourbons and ryes. Very tasty appetizers, especially the fried pickles! Our server was friendly and helpful, but a bit overloaded on a busy Saturday night. Maybe another staff member would help. Cool vibe, excellent cocktails - the bartender has skills! Noisy bar, but our table in the back room was cozy and quiet-conversation level. read more

First off I should tell you that parking for Dry is horrible (at least until I found the parking garage just a block or two away). But then......once you enter Dry you're whisked back to the rouring 20's. The decor was great, the food was amazing, and the furniture was very comfortable. This was a first date and I dont think there could have been a place that was more perfect than Dry. Reservations are a must!!!! This is a pretty popular place. read more