Apotheke was one of my first experiences with a hidden speakeasy a number of years ago, and it still remains the OG in my vast encyclopedia of experiences. :) Strolling down Chinatown's busy and gritty Doyers Street, looking for any sign of Apotheke is a fond memory, then finally figuring out where it was, and entering through the mysterious and otherworldly threshold resulted a transformative experience that made me feel like I time traveled. Mood lighting, comfortable seating, great drinks in a cozy and Victorian-inspired space are the perfect blend of unique and. I always felt like I was part of something special the few times enjoyed creative, delicious, and strong libations from the pros at the bar. While it has always been pricey, I do feel like the excellent service ambiance, and drink quality warrant this, but may prevent more folks from becoming regulars so to speak. I love the clever and compact bathroom design, too. IYKYK Long live Apotheke! read more

Fifteen years later and Apotheke is still one of my favorites! You will walk past this hidden speakeasy several times before finding it. I could tell you to look for the blue beaker sign that says "Chemist" but the better tell is the random guy sitting on a stool outside. He'll be the only person on the street, so no worries about missing him! The menu has changed over the years, but the quality has not. The bartenders are social and personable. And the prices are in line for the area. My bestie and I loved the vibe. One of the best speakeasies she's had the pleasure of experiencing. Don't miss out on this place! read more

Apotheke - It's ahead on the left! Look for the bouncer on the stool - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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This place can definitely be packed especially in the bar area. With the amount of people in there, it can get pretty warm. The service was good and the staff was friendly. I liked the science lab theming. The drinks were unique and but they tasted alright. For the expensive price, the drinks weren't that tasty to me personally. I got the Blue velvet and here comes the night. It's lively for sure but not my type of drinks. read more

Apotheke - Blue velvet and here comes the night - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

This place is cute with fun drinks. The place is VERY dark and relatively loud but a good place to grab a cocktail in Chinatown. The door is a bit hard to spot, and whatever was sprinkled on top of the drink kinda stuck to my lips... very odd. Otherwise a good time! read more

Apotheke - Star Crossed Lovers - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Dim lit, herbal smelling, open floor with cozy couches. First come.. cocktails were nicely crafted but were more sweet and flavored than alcohol forward. Since I am not a fan of sweet cocktails- I'll have to go in again for another round to see. Loved the ambiance and how very unnoticeable it was. Nice for small groups, spacious enough for large groups. Loved that there are no actual seats at the bar- just standing room. As mentioned- the smell was amazing. Gave me London' s Mr. Fogg's vibes. read more

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The atmosphere was sexy, the alcohol was really good and the design of the place was beautiful! We ordered drinks from the bar and he made them really fast and tasty. read more

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Cute bar in Chinatown that was very even on a weekend. Don't check ID so make sure you have your ID on you upon entry. It's a great small place to just kind of hang out and chill with your friends. The drinks were also great, taste great and well priced. We each got a drink and water and we were very lucky and a group of leaving so we were able to take a table and sit while we enjoyed that drink. read more

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Great cocktails. Good vibe. Fun atmosphere. Terrific service. Apotheke never fails to disappoint. read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

A hidden gem, a true speakeasy. Good luck finding it, but if you do, it is worth the stop. read more

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On June 1, 2009, I walked down the surreal, film-set-esque street of Doyers, and walked through the unmarked door of Apotheke. It was a Monday. It was early, and empty, and I was with eight other people who love to share, so we must've tried at least 25 cocktails. Each one better than the last. The bartenders then were named Jack and Craig, and they were incredible. They went above and beyond the call of duty: making us laugh, telling us the intimate details of their pineapple reductions, regaling us with their recent trips abroad, all the while pouring us well-balanced, delicious and cleverly named concoctions. Two of our large group were Brits. Jack poured the first one a shot of his favorite rum when it came up in conversation. I asked the second if she liked New York, and she said, "I LOVE it! It's filled with gin." I've rarely had a better time at a cocktail bar. It was fantastic. And I pledged to come back to this spot that gave us such a good time again and again, and I assumed I'd just review it after that subsequent visit. Well, life got in the way. Maybe I forgot about the bar. Maybe I forgot how to get to Doyers. Maybe I got married, had two kids, and mostly stopped drinking in hidden Chinatown bars that don't serve food. I'm honestly not sure how it is that I haven't set foot in Apotheke again until now, but more than 16 years later, I went back. Last night. It was a little more crowded, a little pricier, and most of the eight other people I was with have scattered across the world by now. In a post-Covid world, no one was sharing drinks with me except my wife. But Apotheke is still bewitchingly attractive, and the cocktails are still well-balanced and delicious (and if you pick right, on fire). Once again, I loved everything about it. See you in 2041. read more

Apotheke - The bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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While wondering around Chinatown my friends and I saw a line of people trying to get into a bar/club. We decided to join the line and it was a great time. They played a great mix of music, had a long list of craft cocktails and free coat check. Seating is open so when you see a free couch or chair you better move fast. read more

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Good vibes, friendly staff, gets busy quick Drinks: - devil's playground: tastes like fruit punch - word on a wing: good for whiskey lovers - Jekyll + Hyde: good tasting but licorice after taste read more

An amazing bar that has great vibes! We went on a night that they had a live band and entertainment. Had amazing drinks that were recommended by the bartender. Dark ambience and a bit hard to chat with the noise but overall such a fun experience. Loved the Aniki, the days before spring (with matcha!) and the victoria quay read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Really cool spot and vibe going. The space is so classy but not pretentious. Staff were cool and drinks were interesting. The location in Chinatown can be missed from the outside but walking in feels like you're in another world. Drinks are a bit pricey but I guess that's NYC. $85 for 3 cocktails after tax and tip. read more

Ended up here at the recommendation of a local. This is NOT the NOHO location, so no reservations. They open up at 6:30 PM and are first come, first serve. I recommend getting here as close to opening as possible. I got there pretty close to opening and most of the smaller seating arrangements (1-2) were already taken. After all those are taken, it's standing room only. The menu is broad and beautiful and broken up into sections. Under the "Health and Beauty" section, I had the melon king fizz, made with gin, eucalyptus, cantaloup, calamansi, Hawthorne berry, lime, and club soda. I also had the Aniki, made with gin, Thai basil, sesame oil, cucumber, lime, and chili crisp oil. I had the Victoria Quay, made with vodka, pineapple skins, cardamom, lemon, green chartreuse, pineapple and cilantro shrub, and soda. The drinks here were SO GOOD I couldn't stop, so I also had the Mistral Macaw, made with absinthe, ovenproof Haitian rum, gentian liqueur, pineapple, cucumber, and lime. The drinks here are wildly creative and delicious. Aside from the ingredients I already mentioned, they also have drinks with bourbon and passion-berry pepper, carrot thyme, Spanish brandy, Carolina BBQ (WHAT?!), smoked celery, rosemary, cranberry, and multiple other ingredients I would have to google. This is a true cocktail bar, in a beautiful setting, with beautiful people serving downright debaucherous drinks. I can't wait to go here again. read more

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Probably one of my favorite bars I've been to recently -- it's unassuming and tucked away from outside but inside has dimly-lit vibes with fire, well-crafted cocktails. My only knock is that seating is very tight, but we still loved it and I'd come back! read more

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Had amazing experience here! Located in the heart of Chinatown, lies this beautiful lounge pouring up libations with a flare. Had an amazing time in NYC. While planning my east coast escapade I decided to look for bars near the hotel. Walking distance close was what we went for. Just so we can explore as we wondered the streets! Apotheke was first on the list. Super swanky and just the chillest vibes all around. Shoutout to the guard as well, did his job and was super cool. Now the onto the bar, the bar was lit! I mean literally LIT! Had this beautiful lit up stone with the coolest decor. The bartenders were extremely friendly, they even offered to help us get seated but we already had beat them to it. Can't forget the awesome band that was covering that night. It really felt magical. Cocktails were perfect. I mean PERFECT. After being seated and cruising over to our seats, the tunes of La Banda Chuska filled the air. At this point we knew had come to the best bar in town. All vibes! Everyone was in their own world living it up. Like I mentioned drinks were amazing, perfect amount of bite and flavor with each cocktail. After a few drinks each we knew this will always be a go to spot if and when we decide return to the big apple. Bravo Apotheke. read more

Apotheke - Vibes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Apotheke is such a cute bar with great drinks! They're definitely Manhattan-priced but well made! The inside is very cute. It's best for groups of 2-4 and if you stay late enough around 11pm there was a band who played a live set. Service was great too! read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Fun cocktail bar The drinks are good and the music is loud. There is limited seating but plenty of space to stand or dance. It was fairly busy when I stopped by but didn't have to wait too long for service. Lots of good looking people and a good vibe from everyone having fun. read more

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Such a cool bar. Amazing ambiance. The drinks are also super cool and delicious. Guns, money, and lawyers was a good drink. Loved the flaming rosemary. The Carolina queen bbq drink was apparently one of the best drinks ever. Pretty good service but it can be slow when super busy. Would definitely recommend this cool place in China town. read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I love this bar! They do a really good job infusing fresh ingredients into their drinks and they're very well thought out. The outdoors rooftop is really nice for the summer! read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Lovely, inventive cocktails. We arrived around 9pm on a Friday and got a table. Both of the cocktails we had were fab! Will go again read more

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I LOVED my experience here, I was here for my bday on 1/22/25, my friends surprised me. The staff was so nice. They accommodated us on cold winter day. On Wednesdays they have a live band and burlesque dancer, it was so sexy and enticing! The cocktails were amazing, they're made with house-made ingredients daily using organic produce, herbs and botanicals. I'll be back soon!! read more

Apotheke - Live Band - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Still great vibes and good cocktail mixes here. Music is pretty loud so having a conversation is very difficult. Love the good music and DJ but hard to socialize. Great drinks and mixes. read more

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Love this place. When we last came, they had live music which was fantastic. The ambiance is SENSATIONAL, from the unassuming storefront to the green velvet stools to the crystal bar to the light installations. It's just one of the most beautiful bars in the city in my opinion. Service was good, both at the bar and tableside. Drinks are fantastic, although I wish they would list prices on their menu. They only have 2 wines: red and white, although I did like the red they had. I wish they had bar snacks but still love this place! read more

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hidden gem on doyers st in Chinatown very nice & intimate vibe. super unique drink menu & the drinks were perfectly made! They're a little more on the pricier side ($20+ per) but definitely worth it. Place is on the smaller side so I'd recommend going early to get a good seat read more

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Absolutely love this bar!! I took my first solo trip to nyc it was such a good day Chinatown.. I googled bars near me and ended up here! I guess it's kind of like a speakeasy because it didn't have signage outside but not really.. I went at around 7pm and it was nearly empty and live music was playing. I got a booth all to myself and I was just having a timeee!! The music was great, ambience was sexy and dim with this vintage Parisian style decor. You can kind of talk in between music sets, kinda vibe to the music I think it would be perfect for a date. Service was great, bouncer was super nice, it was the most perfect day of my trip and this bar contributed. I tried the chili oil drink with sesame and they accidentally brought me the wrong drink something with cilantro which was oh my!! incredible!! I'm glad they brought it by accident because it was better than mine. Though they were both really good so I ordered an extra cilantro drink. The chili oil one wasn't spicy at all, I think I was expecting it to be and it would've been way better if it was but the flavor combinations were so unique 10/10 and the cilantro one was an aphrodisiac I think and it sure had me feeling hottt. I sipped on my drink for a couple hours and at around 8 it started getting so packed no seats everyone was standing. I left so happy like I was the hottest bitch in nyc. I actually think about it once a week like I wish I could go there. 10/10 I mean this review is so long for a damn cocktail bar, that should tell you how good it is! read more

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A good cocktail is worth the search and Apotheke proves it, if you can find it. Tucked away on Doyers Street in Chinatown, it's easy to miss, with no flashy sign and barely a hint that something special is behind the door. But once you step inside, it's like entering another world. The space is moody and elegant, with vintage apothecary vibes and bartenders who mix drinks like they're crafting remedies. The cocktail menu is creative and themed, with categories like "Pain Killers" and "Euphorics," and each drink feels like a small adventure. We ended up there - thanks to my husband's uncanny gift for finding hidden gems, and this one was a standout. read more

I love Apothéke. The dimly lit space, tucked away on Doyers Street in Chinatown, feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle. The cocktails are exceptional and thoughtfully crafted, and the atmosphere is perfect whether you are on a date or hanging with friends. A must-visit if you want something intimate, cool and elevated read more

If you come early, you're guaranteed a table! I like the jazzy vibes and the drinks had super creative names. I forget which drinks I tried but for categories, aphrodisiac and stress reliever were my favorites. read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

This Apotheke location has a totally different vibe than the NoMad location. The bar is located next to Chinese Tuxedo restaurant in the building that has a "Chemist" sign out front. There is a bouncer out front as well checking ID. This location doesn't take reservations, doesn't serve food and has minimal seating. My friend and I stopped in on a Saturday evening for a quick drink. Upon entering, there's a tiny coat check window to your right. If you blink, you'll miss it. The bar itself of course is beautiful and the drink selection is fun and interesting. Upon walking up to the bar, we didn't have to wait long at all to place an order despite the crowd. The bartender recommended the Victoria Quay to me when I asked for something sweet. This drink was phenomenal! Smooth, sweet and went down easily. My friend had a Paper Plane which is her signature drink she orders at every bar. We stood at the bar to finish our drinks. It wasn't too bad. But people with no sense of space or respect did bump into us or stand right up against us. There's plenty of room for every one but most people I find have no spatial awareness of their surroundings. This is why I typically only like going to cocktail bars where I can sit. The minimal seating Apotheke had was taken of course and we didn't bother to wait around for one to open up. This location is good for a quick drink if you're in the neighborhood. If I was able to get a seat, I could picture myself staying longer and getting a second drink. I do not believe there is any server service at the seats, so you would have to order while one person holds your seat. The noise level was pretty loud but I did not find myself shouting to talk to my friend. Drinks were standard for this kind of cocktail bar (I.e pricey but worth it!) If I had to choose between either location, I would say I prefer the NoMad location because I like the vibe better with table seating, reservations and a full food menu. They have a bathroom though I did not use it so cannot comment on it. Small coat check is available upon entry. There are two small stairs leading to the front door, and I don't know if there's an accessible way to get inside if you cannot do stairs. read more

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bouncer is rude and argumentative. we came from the next door bar and he immediately wants to pick a fight as we're taking out our ids. drinks are ok. read more

This place is a vibe. They play great music. Some of the drinks are yummy! Some are okay The service was a little slow but they were packed. Also I was surprised that they didn't kick out people who were throwing up cause they snorted too much in the restroom lol and couldn't walk straight and were literally bumping into everyone. read more

Apotheke - Amazing beet root dragon fruit drink! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Apotheke is such a cool concept- an apothecary-styled bar where the bartenders wear white pharmacist coats and shake up concoctions claiming to cure various ailments ranging from stress relievers to aphrodisiacs (but most will just get u a bit buzzed which is a good cure-all!). The menu is intriguing- organized into various ailments and containing interesting ingredients. My friend and I went on a Friday early evening and were able to stand at the bar with no wait. I got the Moonage Daydream which was interesting- tasted a bit like soap, but in a good way? I loved the little seeds. My friend got the Lawyers Guns and Money, and it kinda tasted like a fancier negroni. Overall the vibe is immaculate and the drinks are interesting (if a bit pricey ~$24), but worth a try if you're in the area! read more

Apotheke - Moonage Daydream (front right), Lawyers Guns Money (back left) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Apotheke offers a great, inventive list of cocktails themed like treatments for different ailments. The drinks are strong and delicious, and the vibe is that of an elevated speakeasy with some seating around the perimeter of the room. They also feature live music on some evenings, which provides great entertainment. This is a great spot - if you can find it discreetly hidden on Doyers Street in Chinatown with no real signage (the only indicator really is the bouncer outside the door). read more

Hidden China Town bar with unique asian inspired drinks. Ambiance is gorgeous and love the dim lighting. Note that there's limited seating but inside is spacious with room to stand. I had the Victoria Quay: sooo yummy and fun cilantro note. My friend had the Aniki which was the most gorgeous drink I've seen in a while. Drinks are priced at $21 each, great place to grab drinks with friends or a date. Hit up some amazing (& cheap) food nearby before or after!! read more

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Love this bar!!! Amazing cocktails. Creative menu. My coworkers brought me here years ago after work in 2011. And its been one of my favorite places. read more

Unfortunately we were a bit disappointed with this Speakeasy located in Chinatown. It's very unassuming from the outside so fits the definition of speakeasy. The front signage says "Chemist". There was security in front checking IDs so you don't have to look for any type of hidden or trap door. Once you walk it it's actually quite spacious with decent amount of seating. We were disappointed with the drinks. We were told it was quite a show from the mixologist but we didn't get any of that. The drinks were weak and a bit watered down. It was cool but not memorable. read more

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Overall: B) - Apotheke is a speakeasy located in Chinatown and it was actually quite hard to find as the sign outside was very discrete. I ordered the Shadow Roll, which demonstrated expertise in infusing strong fruits into bourbon, a naturally strong drink, which I enjoyed. Their menu also contains some notably interesting options worth trying as well. However, one thing I disliked about their atmosphere was that the seating is first come first serve and there's not that many seats so it's almost more of a traditional bar vibe than the intimate speakeasy atmosphere I was expecting based on other places. Furthermore, the music got progressively louder throughout the night, making it that much more difficult to talk. Finally, there is a hidden step in the middle of the room where people easily trip on, which is obviously unideal. -- Food: +1 Presentation: +1 Price: E Atmosphere: -1 Service: E Menu: +1 Overall: +2 B IG: @amei.eats read more

Apotheke - Shadow Roll. 5 stars. IG: @amei.eats - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Idk how this place only has 3.5 stars. They're so consistent, I still love the vibe and drinks here so many years later. I would definitely recommend coming here for drinks. read more

Apotheke - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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