This is an under the radar gem of a speakeasy. Amazing cocktails. Great service. Super cool ambiance. One of my favorite places in New York City! read more

I ordered the mixed nuts with rosemary and a Manhattan. The cocktail was good even though it was a bit strong. This bar is a hidden gem, a class act. It is a bit cozy and has a certain "mood" to it. I enjoyed it and look forward to coming back. read more

Lantern's Keep - Manhattan - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Classy place and the drinks are pretty awesome. The Freshman Swizzle: white rum, lime, orgeat, falernum, orange. The cocktails are $16 each but definitely worth it as they're made really well. :) read more

Lantern's Keep - Freshman Swizzle and Royal Smile :) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

For a place that carries all spirits except for my god to vodka, it is a hidden gym in the heart of midtown/Times Square area. Who doesn't love a good bar in the hotel? The place gets pretty crowded even at 7pm. Got here, was told it's about a 30 minute wait went to a bar across the street, came back was seated promptly. The bartender made a bespoke drink, no idea what it was but was by far one of the best drinks I have had. read more

Beautifully decorated bar and a great place to come if you want to sit at a table and drink with friends. The setting is small and there are only 4 seats at the actual bar so if you're wanting to sit and converse with the staff make sure you come on a slow night. The focus is on classic cocktails and what's fun is that they have a stack of vintage cocktail books on the bar if you want to peruse and look for ideas. It has a completely different feel from Raines but definitely does feel like any sort of conventional "hotel bar". Nice to see more places like this opening up in midtown. read more

This bar is tiny, located on the lobby level of the Iroquois Hotel. Seemed like there was only one person running the show (taking orders and hosting). Took a good 20-30 minute wait to get in. The atmosphere in here is nice and intimate. The drinks left more to be desired.. the $17 price for cocktails in this area and style is expected, but I was not too impressed by the quality of the drinks. They were all pretty strong (esp my Old Fashioned), but I've had better. I would recommend trying this place if you haven't been, but I don't think I'll be coming back. read more

Lantern's Keep - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

This was such a cute place. It's sucked away behind the front desk of the Iroquois hotel. We came here before heading to our broadway show. We tried the keepers choice drink where you tell the bar tender what alcohol you want and the flavor and they'll come up with something. Both times he came up with some Great drinks!! We also had the cheese plate which had a great selection. And the bUtter jam was so delicious!! read more

Lantern's Keep - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Excellent craft cocktails excellently served. Prices are reasonable for Manhattan drinks. The place itself feels very classy and stylish in a throwback way. It's lively but not too loud you can't hear each other. Service is friendly though my only complaint is that it can take a little while to get drinks after you order since presumably they're spending so much time making your drink perfect. I recommend the gentleman's buck drink, sutter mill, and the jungle bird. read more

Excellent handcrafted cocktails tucked away in the Iroquois Hotel in Midtown West. My girlfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed every drink with both my gin-based Regal Business and Tattletale using Macallan 12 and Laphroaig 10 being absolutely outstanding. Even a request for something lighter and fruit-forward yielded a delicious Strawberry Honeysuckle that was sweet upfront yet possessive of a firm rum foundation. The room itself is on smaller side, yet not at all cramped or overly noisy. I loved the dark, intimate atmosphere and appreciated the helpful, consistent service throughout. Highly recommended for any and all cocktail fans. read more

I'll start by saying that I really wanted to like this bar. Online it looked amazing and I had really high hopes for it. Btw, if you haven't read the rules for this place (on their website) there is one that is absolutely hysterical and I hope someone has the privilege of someone seeing that rule be exercised. That being said, I felt the cocktails were rather expensive for the base liquors that are used in them. For example, the bourbon drinks leverage Four Roses as the base - not a necessarily bad label, though, for $19 a drink I would hope for something a bit more premium. Perhaps I did not order the right thing for me, though, overall I felt that the experience could have been a bit better. We came after work for drinks and the crowd was rather loud. Another callout would be that you really have to make yourself known outside the door as no one is walking over to check and see if someone is waiting (we waited for almost 5 minutes to be seated when almost all tables were empty). Overall, I recommend popping in if you're in the neighborhood and want something a bit more crafted in the cocktail realm. read more

Probably my favorite bar from now on but really really really hope it doesn't get crowded any time soon. This is the kind of bar where you should go to if you want to have a great catch up session with a girlfriend. Since the space is small and intimate (covered with Degas painting prints, might I add) it's a cozy atmosphere that allows you to talk to your company with little interruption. The cocktails were strong and delicious. I don't want to go into details of each of them.. But if you're a tequila lover, the Monte Carlos and Better&Better are must-try's! read more

Lantern's Keep - Monte Carlo! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

A perfect spot for cocktails. They are all $16 which in NYC is not a bad deal for what you get. It's a quite bar with friendly bartenders. The setting is kind of like a speakeasy for the 20's. You wouldn't know it's there if you are not looking for it. The Lantern's Keep is a hidden spot so you have to be sure that the light outside is on and the curtains are open to make sure they are open for business. The bartenders make fantastic drinks, all with fresh ingredients. Each one that my date and I tasted were amazing. There is no vodka on the menu so if you are a vodka drinker ask for something similar to a martini. I did and got the Regal Business (gin drink) I enjoyed both the Trenchtown (rum drink) and Regal Business drinks. I'll def. be back the next trip to NYC! read more

Lantern's Keep - Regal Business and Hurly Burly cocktals - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Awesome little bar in the Iroquois hotel. Dark, classic ambiance. Excellent service. Mind-blowing cocktails. We opted for the bartender's choice, give him the type of spirit or theme and he'll do the rest. Cocktails $15. There was a slight wait though on a Tuesday night, about 30 min to grab a seat. Looks like the word is out! read more

My friend and I were waiting around Penn station for her next train, and decided to do something because we had some time to kill. Naturally, our thoughts led to drinking, and after digging around on Yelp, we came upon this little gem. Located in the Iroquois Hotel, this was a much fancier bar than we expected. However, upon entering the bar, we were warmly greeted by a waiter whom led us immediately to a table. The crowd was well dressed and was of an older demographic (30-40 range) than we were used to. Lantern's Keep definitely felt like a speakeasy, given the amount of jackets and suits, but without the overwhelming pretension. The conversations seemed casual and the people rambunctious, providing an interesting dynamic to the otherwise swanky bar. Our waiter definitely knew his drinks, as we both got something based on his recommendation. I had a ginger twist gin & tonic that was sweet, refreshing and light. The prices were also extremely fair, especially given the bar's atmosphere and proximity to Times Square. If you ever find yourself with nothing to do in Times Square, give Latern's Keep a chance. You will be pleasantly surprised. read more

Lantern's Keep - Gin-based cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The Bottom Line: Classy, with great service and solid drinks. Come here for a quiet conversation or if you are looking for a classy night out. Try: Charo's Kick Serenity Now Pro: Come here for an elegant evening and a good conversation. The service is what you'd expect; refined and on-point. They did their best to not be noticed, to their credit, but it was akin to what you'd see in a movie. The drinks were well made, had a good, clever balance of flavors. The ambiance is excellent as well. Con: The sound levels fluctuated considerably, from an enjoyable murmur to leaning in to understand each other. read more

A bit too pricey, the place tries to give a mellow vibe but the music is loud. Their beer selection is bad, so it is not really my kind of scene Their shining light are their cocktails. They are very well made read more

Super cool little hideaway in Midtown. There are only a few seats at the bar, but the cocktails are solid. read more

Lantern's Keep - The Conquistador - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

My girlfriend and I came here in back in May, before dining at db Bistro Moderne, which is located right next door. I wouldn't classify this place as a speakeasy, tho they do serve a lot of drinks from the Prohibition era. I'd say the classification of Latern's Keep as a Parisian salon is a much more accurate description. That being said, Latern's Keep is cozy, upscale and elegant, without being stuffy or snobby. Located in the rear of the Iroquois Hotel's lobby, think of it as one of the better hotel bars out there. While reservations are recommended, we walked in around 5pm without one. We were greeted by the extremely friendly staff. They asked if we had a reservation, which we did not, but we were promptly seated and brought menus and water. Our server, the same gentleman who seated us, asked if we'd been here before - it was our first time - so he took some time to explain how things work, the kind of drinks they make, how things are prepared (freshly cut ice and fruit for every drink), etc. He then left and gave us some time to decide. Upon his return, my girlfriend asked if they could make something off the menu using fruit. His response? No problem, just let them know the kind of liquor she'd like. She chose rum and he said that they definitely had her covered with rum and fresh fruit. As for me, I chose the Floradora (gin, fresh blackberry, lime juice, ginger syrup & club soda). When our drinks had arrived, they had chosen to make my girlfriend a Raspberry Honeysuckle, which was rum, lime juice, raspberries and honey. Both our drinks were pretty good - not mind blowing, but Latern's Keep was a nice way to relax before dinner. The atmosphere, service and presentation definitely kick things up from three stars to four. Before coming here, I had known that Meaghan Doorman from the Raines Law Room had designed the menu here. I was also happy to see that the snotty attitude of the doorman (no pun intended) at Raines Law Room did not also make the journey uptown. read more

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Really tasty onion dip and chips but.... the service had my friends and I feeling like we were in a fever dream! The two guys on staff were all over the place, forgetting items, yelling, spitting on my arm... My girlfriend ordered a manhattan and they brought her an old fashioned. When she pointed out the mistake they rushed to grab a small thing of vermouth, reached over my shoulder, poured it into the glass and stirred it with a tiny straw - all on the table in front of us with their bare hands! Jarring. My eyes popped out of my head. Capped off the night by accidentally adding another table's drink on to our check. Oy vey! I will not be back....... read more

This cocktail bar in the Iroquois Hotel leaves something to be desired in terms of atmosphere, but the cocktails are phenomenal. The bartenders were nice, attentive and helped me pick a drink. I went with the Keeper's Pick which translates to "you tell them what you like and they make something specifically for you." I'd recommend this unless one of the cocktails on the menu really speaks to you. read more

This was my first speakeasy experience, so I don't have anything but imagination for comparison. That being said, I was hoping for a more discrete entrance. It was in the back of a hotel. Still not worth taking a star off though. Everything here was top notch. The menu had several craft selections to suit any taste. My friend and I both lent our trust to the keeper of the bar ("Keeper's Choice" on the menu). I had a few drinks with bourbon, gin, and mezcal bases. They were all delicious, and masterfully prepared. The seating was tight, but this a speakeasy and it is in NYC. Sharing a table with another party actually even elevated my experience. The conversation was great, and I would've missed out by having my own table. Overall, excellent experience. I'll be back, and strongly recommend visiting if you're near Times Square. You won't be disappointed! read more

A cute little backroom tucked in the Iroquois Hotel. Service here is okay, our waitress was pretty helpful and nice in helping us choose what drink was right for us. A dark lit room it is great for parties of 2-4 people, not larger groups. Drinks are mucho expensive $$$$, ranging from $18-$25 a drink. So don't come and expect to hang out over a few cocktails. That being said we were both very pleased with our drinks and the taste ratio of all ingredients was on point to a tee. They do have a small selection of snacks if you are hungry or looking to nibble. I would come here again, but would only order one drink upon visit due to pricing. read more

A cozy place to meet up & have a drink and small bite. It got a little noisy while there. Thought it would be quieter. Drinks are pricey but good. read more

I originally came here for a certain bartender. I embarrassingly didn't realize why it was so well-known until later: Meaghan Dorman of Raines Law Room handpicked LK's cocktail recipes from 1920s Europe, when many American bartenders fled to Europe during the Prohibition era. Dorman is rumored to be here on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The ambiance here varies depending on the crowd and who's working. Sometimes, we're the only patrons and it's very quiet. Other times, it's about half full, the music is much louder, and the lights are a lot dimmer. I'm usually here about an hour before closing, so I'm not familiar with the post-work atmosphere. If the Tiffany blue velvet seats, dark wood, and angel paintings do not teleport you to a Parisian salon, then let the drinks impress you. LK has a fairly diverse, rotating 10-cocktail menu, but the concoctions are classic and simple rather than who-would've-thunk-to-put-that-together innovative. LK stands out among countless NYC bars for two reasons. One is their advocacy of the Keeper's choice, in which the patron can customize his own drink. It's listed clearly on the menu, but on a recent visit, the bartender adorably flopped onto the chair across from us, introduced the menu, and strongly suggested it. It felt like he wanted to make his own drinks (off the menu) for us, which is completely fine by me! Their menu is great, but it's nice not needing to settle on a drink that doesn't fit your mood exactly. And they haven't missed the mark on my drink yet. Two, the freshness of their ingredients is unparalleled. Since I drop by LK right before closing, I've witnessed the bartenders gleefully throwing out the remaining ingredients of the night. And just like you can taste the dramatic difference in using fresh heirloom tomatoes in a salad or pasta dish, you can immediately taste it in drinks too. When I asked for a drink with gin, ginger, and strawberries, he made an incredible Strawberry Gershwin. The ginger had sweet, warm and wood notes, then the tangy bite kicked in, and then it had a numbing effect. That, my friends, is real, fresh ginger. It changes lives! I can never go back to "that other stuff" again. It's rare for me to enjoy every single drink ordered. Whether it's something more refreshing with grapefruit and champagne or old-fashioned with whiskey and applejack, the drinks at Lantern's Keep have been consistently exquisite in terms of having the most perfect proportions. Plus, with great service and cute bartenders, it doesn't get better than that. 5 stars. Notes: - LK is located in the back of the Iroquois Hotel lobby. - There are about 25 seats. - They're known for their classics e.g. Poet's Dream (gin, dry vermouth, Benedictine, and orange bitters), Maison Charles (muddled mint, lime juice, white rum). - They serve food from the Triomphe kitchen, never tried it though. - They also have red, white, & sparkling wine as well as a limited selection of beer (Stella, Ommegang Witte, Duvel, Maredsous). read more

Ambiance is dim light and romantic but it's a small room that gets loud. Cocktails are also pricey at $19. Service could have been a bit more attentive. Nothing stood out to me, but it's not terrible if you're in the area. read more

Lantern's Keep - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

In what used to be a private dining room for Triomphe inside the Iroquois Hotel, Lantern's Keep is the newest addition in what is quickly becoming a revolution of the Times Square Hotel Bar. The Head Bartender at Raines Law Room, Meaghan Dorman, has carte blanche over the cocktail program here and crafted the initial menu with an eye towards European Classic Cocktails of the 1920's and 1930's. The 25 seat, gorgeous French Salon is an intimate experience. The menu is a bit limited right now (compared to Raines), but the quality is miles above almost any cocktail bar above 23rd street. They use the same slow harvest ice from Okamoto Studio in Queens that supply many of the best bars in the city. There is a good range on display for a tight menu, so there is something always sure to please, but my guess is it will be expanded after a few months. The staff is awesome, friendly and can make you great off-menu selections if you are feeling inspired. If you had to choose between Lambs Club, Campbell Apartment, Rum House and here? This is your winner. On THE LIST: http://www.yelp.com/list/best-cocktail-bars-in-new-york-manhattan-3 read more

Omigosh! They make a mean penicillin. (Hmm. Might I have said that before?) There's nothing like walking into a little salon at 10 PM on a Saturday night, and yet not having to jostle for a seat. God bless midtown Manhattan. The seating is kind of varied, we took the table and chairs arrangement while I wistfully looked at the all the people plonked on the comfy sofas. They have all these cocktail recipe books by the bar, one or more of which I plan to steal sometime in the near future. Shh. The bartender here is just such a huge darling. He made us a beautiful first round of drinks, and personally came to our table to take our orders for the next. When each of us told him how we liked the drinks and if he could make something for us, he smiled. With a twinkle in his eyes and a snap of his fingers, he said, "I've got just the thing for you." And he spoke the truth. Almost all the cocktails we tried were smooth and well balanced. Among my favourites were the Wildest Redhead - with scotch, lemon, honey and spices. Winning combo that one. The Iroquois #2 with its fruity and herbal flavours was lovely too, and I believe I might have already mentioned the Penicillin. While I am less likely to order stirred drinks on any given day, I did enjoy (several) sips of their Old Fashioned and the Boulevardier. Since then I have been here on several occasions, and the bartender's selections have been usually on the mark once you tell him what you like. This one's a keeper. 4.5 stars. read more

Tucked away at the back of the Iroquois Hotel's lobby lies a hidden New York gem - Lantern's Keep. I know what you're thinking - a hotel bar? Your opinion of me just went down, didn't it? But hold up, hold up. This isn't just ANY ol' hotel bar. This bar is one of the finalists for Best Hotel Bar in the World for the 2012 Spirited Awards. I'm going to let that sink in for a second. Best freaking hotel bar in the gosh darn world?! Um. Yes. What makes Lantern's Keep so fabulous? Everything. The staff is friendly and it's my preference (as at most bars) to sit at one of the five seats at the bar while watching the bartender mix up a storm. Their drink menu changes often, sometimes keeping favorites and sometimes changing it up with shockingly different variants. No worries though, bartender's choice is always an option here - and the knowledgeable bartenders will do their best to match whatever flavor you're craving. There's a variety of food offered on the menu - from quality snacks to desserts, but they do close their kitchen before the bar closes, so if you're planning on grabbing a bite there, get there early enough. Lantern's Keep has its regulars - Frank, Regina, Theo the bartender's dad, and soon, me! read more

Cocktails are the point of Lantern's Keep, and as far as they go, this place is tops. I'm not a connoisseur and about all I know about mixology is how to spell the word, but I do have a rule I go by at fancy bars: if you give the bartenders your proxy, and they make you something interesting and/or excellent, it's a legit spot. Lantern's Keep qualifies: I got a Late Night Reviver off the menu, and it was OK--I'd had better versions of this sort of gin/ginger combo at other places (one of my all-time faves comes to mind, Weather Up: http://www.yelp.com/biz/weather-up-brooklyn). BUT! For my next drink I told the bartender to give me something heavy on the gin and ginger but left the details to him, and what I got was outstanding: a perfectly balanced combo of gin, ginger, lime juice. No sweetener, no ice--just crisp, dry deliciousness. So good, in fact, that it made the idea of adding other ingredients seem weird, like they'd adulterate the drink. My tablemate had a similar experience. When she ordered off the menu, the drink was good, but when she gave the bartender her proxy (a twist on my order: gin, ginger, but also very sweet) what she got was delicious, a gin-ginger-strawberry confection. Other details: ** The Space: Lovely ** A small space with room for four or five at the bar and maybe another 20 throughout, split amongst tables of two, three, and four. Mood lighting in effect. Walls decorated with a few paintings that look like details from Degas. There is a proper hotel bar elsewhere on this floor, but Lantern's Keep sets itself up as something else. It is a bar in a hotel, but not really a hotel bar. ** Food: No ** They do offer a small small-plates menu, but it seems like an afterthought. Spiced nuts, olives, risotto fritters, bruschetta, a cheese plate--that sort of thing. We had the nuts and risotto fritters. They were both fine for nibbling, but you wouldn't come here for them. Come here for the drinks or not at all. ** Volume: WHAT? ** There's no music playing so you'd think it'd be really quiet and chill, the perfect place for a first date or a deep conversation with a friend. And it is those things, except for the quiet part. Who knew a room of 20 people would get so loud. Rotten acoustics, maybe. It gets markedly better as the place empties out. By 9pm is was pretty subdued. ** Service: Excellent! ** Really friendly and attentive. I came here without a reservation, but I was early. The host took my number and said he'd call me if someone cancelled. Twenty minutes later, I had a table. ** Reservations: Recommended ** If you go, call ahead--it seems like this place is packed in the after-work hours. When I went, 7pm, they were booked. By 9pm they were half empty, so perhaps you can have better luck then, without calling. read more

Hotel bars are the underrated heroes of the late night cocktail hour. This bar is super small, located inside the Iroquois hotel. There is a coat rack and rest room right outside of it to the left. When we arrived we were asked to wait outside of the bar until there was a space for us. Finally one stool opened at the counter and we were asked if one of us wanted to sit and one wanted to stand. We decided this was fine until something else opened up. However, Even when a small table opened up, the next duo was seated there, so I guess they forgot about us. It was fine, as the guest next to us left after a bit and we were able to take that stool. The drinks are expensive, so just be ready for that. But they are fantastic, and the bartenders are truly skilled. Yes we spent almost $100 when you count tip for a total of four drinks. But they were some seriously good drinks. read more

Lantern's Keep is definitely filling a void by offering cocktails in this area. While located inside the Iroquois Hotel, once you are inside it's easy to forget that this is a hotel bar: the space is small and intimate. It has the vibe of 'One if by Land Two if by Sea,' but a more modern version. A variety of textured fabrics including blue velvet upholstery on the chairs, well placed drapery and a lush rug beneath your feet add to the cozy feeling- while cleverly providing sound control. The space seats twenty to thirty people with 5 seats at the bar itself. The staff was attentive- even as the bar became more crowded there was no slip in service. I was here on the 2nd day post-opening, and it bodes very well that everything was on point service wise. As for the drinks, they were quality, but of the three sampled there were no real standouts. I had the Star: apple brandy, sweet vermouth, orange & angostura bitters. While it was stirred and boozy, there was no distinguishing flavor. The Floradora: gin, fresh raspberry, lime & lemon juice, ginger syrup & club soda and the West Indian Planter's Punch: rum, lime juice, simple syrup, angostura bitter & club soda- both shaken and tall- were very drinkable concoctions, albeit not surprising or unusual either. The menu will be a crowd pleaser though- and in this part of town, crowds are guaranteed. Convenient to my work, there will be a next time- I'm hoping at that juncture to secure a seat at the bar and give bartenders choice a try. read more

Those that live or work near midtown know that there is a serious dearth of cool bars. The neighborhood is surrounded by loud Irish bars, bridge and tunnel crowd filled hangout spots, and lost tourists. Gross. The Lantern's Keep is the one shining establishment amongst a sea of sheer awfulness. It is a gem tucked away at the back of the Iroquois Hotel. But make no mistake. This isn't your average hotel bar. I am so happy with this find that I was hesitant to write a review, because it is one of the best kept secrets in the area. The bar itself is small and intimate. Everything is beautifully lit by candles and perfectly dimmed lighting fixtures. Everyone looks sexy in this type of lighting, which also makes it an ideal place for a date. The dark wood paneling and paintings in the room make for a classy and elegant setting. Jazz and soul music play lightly in the background. The staff is friendly and the cocktails are exquisite. The cocktail list is extensive and is constantly changing. If you're overwhelmed, just tell your server the kind of drinks you enjoy and the brilliant mixers behind the bar will concoct pure wonderfulness in a glass. Yes. I just said pure wonderfulness. The drinks are some of the best you will have in the city. The drinks are pricey, but well worth it. The perfect place for a date or catching up with an old friend. read more

This bar is a hidden cozy (expensive) cocktail bar. I've come here a total of 4 times in the last 4 years. It's not my go-to because it's quite pricey at $19 per drink, the menu is small, and it can get pretty loud. The last time I was there, there were two groups that were so annoyingly loud, which annoyed both my boyfriend and I because we wanted a quiet date night. The drinks are strong and tasty, though, and service is good. read more

I stayed in the theater district, with Times Square right around the corner, for a week in January. The most revered cocktail bars in Manhattan aren't really nearby, so I'd been trying to do a bit of homework in preparation--there are still a few stars to be found shining around this area. Thanks to some awesome door guys at the Iroquois Hotel watching my motorised scooter, I got to head down to the back of the hotel and pull up a lovely little marble table of my own at Lantern's Keep. It's simply a small, dark room with a killer cocktail list, all at the flat price of $16 a drink. The cocktail list was so killer that I couldn't decide--and I hadn't had ANY of the gin drinks on the list. Oh my! I leaned toward the bartender for his advice and much to my delight, he engaged me in my favourite game--the Questions game. What's my spirit? Gin. Do I prefer sweet, sour, bitter or citrus? ... and this is where I failed badly at the Questions game. I just had no clue what I wanted that night. But thanks to the bartender's skills, I ended up with exactly what I needed. Gin, Cynar, lime juice and Campari came together very nicely in a Leg Before Wicket cocktail from around prohibition days. The drink was so delicious and the atmosphere was so great that I had to be careful not to end up back there every night for the rest of my Manhattan stay. Having said that, when I did rock up for a repeat performance, all the tables were reserved! So bookings are accepted here and I'd even go so far as to say mandatory if you're headed here around happy hour. read more

Having heard that Meaghan Dorman from Raines Law Room headed up town to work on this little venture, my coworkers and I came by one evening a few months back to sample the drinks. To be fair, this is possibly the best mixology bar north of 23rd St so I do have to give them some credit. But let's be honest, that's not saying much. Something is just off about the ambiance. While it is tucked away in the back of the Iroquois Hotel (ohh, so fancy), the decor and atmosphere screams stuffy-older-gentleman-bar more than it does classical speakeasy. The drinks were solid, but not nearly as original or unique as some of the speakeasy alternatives downtown. I'd recommend trying something in the "Stirred" section of the menu - those drinks were far more interesting than the other sections of the menu. I really wanted so badly to like this place, but sadly I think the most appropriate words to describe Lantern's Keep are "pretty good". read more

If I could give it 0 stars, I would. We went there after a Broadway show and while trying to sit down at a table with my wife, my parents and sister and brother-in-law, they told us they can't serve more than five at a table and walked away. While I politely asked them why, the bartender ignored me and walked away. My mother than tried to explain it was our anniversary and he again ignored us and walked away. They won't be getting our business at the hotel or bar anytime soon and will be known as my first Yelp review, negative or positive. read more

Amazing place. Craft cocktails. A true mixologist and great service. Definitely highly recommended. Just tell them what you like and the they take care of the rest. read more

Classic cocktails. Small and intimate. To me, bars don't get much better. We were stuck in midtown with out of town guests and wanted to grab a drink and talk. Quiet enough to talk: pretty much Classic cocktails to keep me happy: yup Snacks: sure! read more

Barring the several thousand Irish pubs and/or chain restaurants in the Midtown-Times Square Area, I was hard pressed for a presentable happy hour location that didn't involve Jagerbombs. A little Yelp search showed that Lantern's Keep had some promise and with a friend dropping by the office, a brief crawl to some happy hour libations was in order. Slightly difficult to find in that Lantern's Keep is actually inside the Iroquois Hotel, once we were there and situated, it was really an overall pleasant experience. We walked in a little before 7pm on a Thursday and were first stopped by the tattooed pierced waiter for not having reservations, but then quickly given a little loveseat by the side of the front door which was just fine. Definitely a good perch for viewing the rest of the room and the mixed crowd of tourists, business people and couples. The cocktail menu is quite extensive and definitely formulaic in its approach. The "single big ice cube" thing is now everywhere, including here. Most drinks seem to involve brown liquors (dark rum, whiskey, Rye, bitters and other modifiers) so I went with an American Triology which was a bracing whiskey mix with a citrusy essence. Just the right mix and the bartender mixed up something called "The Presbyterian" for my friend after she requested something based on preferred flavor profiles alone. All in all, Lantern's Keep is a good spot for a quick happy hour drink or to while away a few hours in an intimate setting. I think the Lobby Bar at the Royalton and a few others in the 'hood give them a run for their money, but do check it out if you're over the "suits running to GCT after their 5th pint of Guinness" scene at nearby pubs. read more

This is one of those places that feels like a well-kept secret, that you'll only know about if someone brings you here. Lucky for me, I had a friend in the know. Holy cow, impeccable service, and the drink in the copper cup made it all that much more perfect. Their use of ice cubes shows they really know how to cocktail. Great place for a chat, a top quality cocktail, and an escape from the bustle of the city outside. Not for the beginner or novice drinker, their cocktail menu is for the advanced. Or at least have a willingness to be adventurous. read more