Takeaway - terrific cocktails in the wasteland of midtown / Bryant Park, though a somewhat depressing room. I have no qualms with the cocktails here, they are excellent, and the barkeeps know what they're doing. Would be five stars for the cocktails, but for the space. It's small, with not much ambience save for darkness and candlelight. Felt a little claustrophobic in there. I guess you could say the same for PDT, but at least with PDT, since you're entering through a phone booth, you're expecting it to be tight. Lantern's Keep is, in the end, a hotel bar with excellent cocktails. Everything but the cocktails and the service, was enough to dock a star. Sorry, guys. read more

Imagine how cool I felt when the waitress said, "We just opened yesterday." Just like an insider, yo! We'll conveniently sweep under the rug the fact that the suggestion to come to Lantern's Keep was not my own. (In fact, my reaction to the proposal was more along the lines of: "Sophisticated cocktail-ing in Midtown? You sure you're s****ing me not...?") Tucked in the back of the lobby floor of the Iroquois Hotel, this tiny spot is dusky and chic-ly sexy. Like if you took Lillie's, cut off a small chunk and... made it completely different. (Anyway...) LK is the perfect location for dates-that-probably-shouldn't-be-happening-in-the-first-place, i.e., those secret romantic gatherings with your boss. (Pure speculation, I swear... I was there with two female friends... Just thinking ahead... You know, "what if..." STOP STARING AT ME, SWAN!) Clearly, I had no issues with the ambiance. But the libations still need time to find their footing. The Floradora, while tasty, was nothing too special - certainly not worth its $14 price tag. And my companion's selection - the Star - was completely devoid of flavor. Pure bitterness - now, how is that exciting? Dear LK, either slice your prices or get back to tinkering. Call me when you've met my demands - I'll be over at Rye House. read more

Hidden gem inside of the Iroquois Hotel. Delicious Craft cocktails prepared by a professional bartender in a intimate small space. The cocktails were unique but the service was not very attentive. Highly recommended. read more

Cocktails were decent, but the service was lacking a great deal comparative to similar places in menu/pricing/area. read more

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

The regular oysters were ok. The rockefellers were very buttery and good. The short rib sliders were delicious. Cute, small, hidden place.

Intimate, cozy, hidden, and most importantly their drinks - WOW! I came across this place after watching a late musical, and no other rooftop bars were open (due to the rain.) And am I glad to have stumbled here! I didn't expect such a high quality bar to be inside a hotel; I almost didn't want to share this review lest I bring in a crowd... But their drink menu is too fantastic not to share. Perfect for a small party, or a date... Enjoy! read more

Cozy little drinks spot in the middle of Midtown - perfect for after-work libations. It's nestled inside the Iroquois Hotel - they do take reservations and I have been turned away enough times from this place to know that the space fills up quick. Their juices are fresh-squeezed and their cocktail menu features creations from the late 19th-century to 1950s (I'm struggling to remember what the waitress told me). I ordered a Regal Gold Rush - bourbon, honey, lemon, twist of grapefruit. They practice ice artistry here, which is always appreciated. They also have a selection of small plates that looked really good. Next time I come I may have to indulge in the risotto balls. read more

A gem in an otherwise barren collection of mixology bar / places where you and your friends can hold a normal conversation (and feel noble doing it) in Midtown. It's also one of those establishments that you want to keep to yourself, yet feel obligated, by the quality product and the people behind it, to share it with the world. read more

Lantern's Keep - Iroquois number 2 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Would love go tell you that the cocktails were great. Can't. Would love to tell you that the service was impeccable. Can't Would love to tell you that it is totally worth your time to seek this bar out. Can't What I can tell you is that the staff is obnoxiously pretentious, decidedly overbearing & that we were asked to leave before we ever got our jackets off. I guess they are opposed to groups of people spending money in their establishment. Refreshing from the other comment to see this is part of their business model. Whatever - probably 5,000 or more bars in NYC that willingly will allow us to spend money with them - and in a far more comfortable environment I am sure. read more

Lantern's Keep is tucked away at the back of a hotel, and on an early evening of a Saturday it was rather chill and uncrowded. I got the Infante because I wanted tequila because it was Cinco de Mayo. My friend got a Floradora. Both drinks were delicious, but I especially enjoyed mine. It was smooth and I loved the nutmeg flavor in the drink as it softened the tequila for me. read more

My bf and I got to the bar after he got off from work nearby. The place was mostly empty save for two or three couples on a Sunday (or Monday?) night. Both of us being dressed super casual and feeling kind of self-conscious about it, my bf jumped for a bar seat. Unluckily, there was an annoying drunk Norwegian couple next to us. But luckily, we were able to have a nice conversation with the really sweet bartender, who was really very accommodating in helping us sort of divert our attention to him instead of the drunks. The cocktails were fantastic. I had the Wildest Redhead, which was really balanced in flavor and body. My boyfriend I think had the Poet's Dream, strong but smooth. While the location is a bit out of place for such a nice cocktail bar, I suppose it caters to the midtown and tourist crowd. If I'm in the area, I'd come back for sure. read more

Shhhhhhhhhhh. Don't tell anyone about this place. The drinks are great, the atmosphere was superb and the service wonderful. Also, the bar snacks are terrific. The ancho nut mix was excellent (but messy). read more

This is a small hotel lounge, which had a slight speakeasy feel only because of the wait. I would've given it 4 stars if the service was better. But it seems as if they did not have an efficient method of serving drinks even on a weekday evening. The drinks were on par with other fancy lounges price and taste wise. Nothing was spectacular though. The location is great though. read more

Wow. Had no idea about this place but I'm glad we came. We were able to snag a table on a Friday night for a quick round (or 2?) cocktails. We all opted for off-menu drinks and just gave some flavor profiles that we liked and left it to the bartender to whip up something amazing. And amazing it was. Mine was some sort of gin/grapefruit/citrus concoction that I could have had like 3 more of. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable and was the kind of person I'd totally want to be friends with. read more

Really great service! Super friendly bartenders and wait staff who are all super knowledgeable. Just beware that sometimes there may be a wait! read more

A prime location speakeasy inside the Iroquois Hotel filled with the afterwork crowd looking to unwind. There were a few booths on the side, but I felt the decor was a bit sterile and not the coziness that I expected. The drinks were standard speakeasy prices at $16 each, well balanced and tasty-- everything you can expect out of the well known speakeasies (Death and Co, Angel Share, PDT, etc.). If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can always request the bartender's choice. My companion asked for bourbon and egg whites and was rewarded with a riff on a Manhattan but with fresh nutmeg instead of the traditional cherry. The nutmeg had a nice warm nose aroma that bought a needed kick to balance out the creaminess of the egg whites. All in all, a solid choice and one I will likely be revisiting soon due to close proximity to my office. read more

I came here on a Saturday night at around 9pm, and it was surprisingly empty and quiet. There were only two other couples sitting by the bar, so we got a nice, big table for ourselves despite the fact that the venue is fairly small. I got the Troublemaker, a mix of gin, vermouth, lemon, cucumber, strawberry and seltzer. It was some of the most delicious cocktails I've had - sweet and fizzy, but not overly so. My bf got the Iroquois #2, which is a mix of cognac, lemon and pineapple. The alcohol taste was stronger in this one than in mine, but it still had a great balance with light, citrusy flavor. This is a great date spot - not too crowded (at least at the time I was there), no loud music, dimly-lit and nicely decorated. The bartender was very friendly and helpful with recommendations as well. This is now my favorite cocktail bar in NY, along with Angel's Share! read more

Perfect spot to catch up with old friends over cocktails after work. My friend made a reservation for 7 of us, thanks gawd, because otherwise, we wouldn't have gotten a table since the place is tiny. Like everyone says, it's a tucked away bar room within a hotel. Quiet place, not stuffy. Cocktail-driven (the choices are quite extensive ) although they have some esoteric beers. Snacks too, of the fancy cheese plate and cheese puff variety. Service is attentive (one minor complaint is that our party of 7 unexpectedly grew to 8 and someone-not-our-server-maybe-a-manager looked visibly annoyed that that happened but I still give this place top ratings because he was easy to ignore). read more

It's a beautiful Sat night. I walk across the busy busy NY streets and reach hotel Iriquois. I call my friend to check if this is where the little bar that I have heard "SO MUCH" about is tucked in. Yes he shouts and gives me a list of drinks that I "MUST" try. What's with all the 'do'es and do'es of this place? I walk in and see a tiny little bar. It is unusually empty for a Sat night. A mixed age group of ppl but I immediately take to the place. Great music .The Bar tender looks slick and neat in his suspenders ( I don't know why I like them so much). I don't think I have seen many shake that drink up like him. We ordered a bunch of drinks. My favorite was the wildest red head. I love the big ice cubes. ( Mental note to self: Get a tray to make big ice cubes before throwing the next cocktail party). Expat is a great Bourbon based drink. Troublemaker was nice and refreshing. Gosh, I think I want to try them all!! As I walk out I think the list of do'es now makes more sense. P.S order you food before 11:00 else you will end up with the nut mix, which is absolutely amazing if you can take in the spice. We ended up ordering 3 of those. read more

If the light outside the hotel is on then the keeper is in. A small room at the back of this SLH hotel is dedicated to the crafting of some great cocktails. We paired ours with the delightful cheese board. read more

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

Fantastic lounge with great, creative cocktails by knowledgeable bartender Brad and server John. Great, intimate atmosphere with old school rock playing in background. Sweet... Will be back... read more

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

Say hello to the epitome of chic, classy and delicious! John, Renée, Matt, and Brad always brilliantly take care of my guest and myself -- no matter what the occasion. I regularly go for the bartender's choice, and never seize to be amazed with the freshness and quality of the cocktails. This place is fantastic for casual evening business drinks, a night out on the town or a fun date. Lantern's Keep has fantastic small plates. I particularly recommend the escargot, the charcuterie board, oysters, and artichoke dip. read more

Speakeasy tucked in the back of the lobby of the Iroquois Hotel. I was honestly shocked at how much I enjoyed the feel of the Lantern's Keep given it's location in the back of the hotel. It is so tucked away from everything there that you still find yourself within a whole new world inside. The drinks we had were delicious and the prohibition-era ambiance added to the feel. We gave the bartender the freedom to make us whatever they felt like for our tastes and were not disappointed. read more

Walked in expecting nothing, and came out completely impressed!! Situated in the back of the Iroquois Hotel, this speakeasy feels more on the swankier side and definitely needs prior arrangements as this place gets really busy. My reservations were somehow lost but they had an empty table so we didn't have to wait. We were even given a complimentary plate of their chicken liver and brandy mousse which was ridiculously tasty!! This bar serves one of the best Sazeracs I've ever had--next to Attaboy in L.E.S. and Mandarin Bar in Las Vegas. To my surprise, I even received a side of the Absinthe wash instead of being thrown down the drain... how dope is that though?! Overall, Lantern's Keep is certainly one of the better lounges/speakeasies in NYC. Great drinks, delicious food, awesome atmosphere and friendly mixologists... I highly recommend this place!! read more

Who doesn't love a speakeasy "nook" with a downtown feel smack dab in the middle of midtown hell? Lantern's Keep is exactly what the mid-work-week doctor ordered. The drinks are bespoke and innovative, and the space retains a charming covert quality. A remarkable feat for the location. Visit immediately.... I just hope the tourists don't get wind of this hidden gem! P.S. Make sure to book ahead of time if you are going with more than 1 other person - the space is very small with only a few tables. read more

5 stars for the cocktails here. Great mixologist; will make you custom drinks based on your preferences. Try the Highland Scotch with whipped cream. Or any of their Old Fashioned variations. Small, can't accommodate parties larger than 4 easily. Located in the back of Iroquios Hotel, no signage. read more

It's like living in an in-flight magazine. A good-looking waiter tells you passionately about the staff's commitment to the art of the classic cocktail. An attractive bartender mixes drinks with spirits with names that sound like something out of McSweeney's. Different kinds of vermoutheseses all together in one tin cup... Peels from a citrus - but is it an orange? a grapefruit? a tangelo? Large, rectilinear ice cubes that are actually perfect cubes - and put to shame the notion that those other ice shapes would ever be called "cubes" (they are not, for me, any more). I drank the "double barrel" and the "monocle". They were delicious. I ate a cheese plate - which was very nice but - I've had cheese plates before, so who cares? You owe yourself this experience - for all your hard work and for your appreciation of people who appreciate the craft of making fancy antiquated drinks. You, and they, are worth "it". read more

Love the location, atmosphere, but the service is so so. I had to send back my drink a couple of times because it wasn't right - it was way too strong. The first one was okay. Overall, it's pricey for what you get, but it's a good location and you can still have a good time with your friends. read more

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

Yelp came through again with what seems to be a little gem of a bar. No pretense and attempt to out-trend their neighbors, this is simply a small intimate hotel bar that gets the classics perfectly and with great attention to detail. Staff was super friendly and did I mention not pretentious? read more

Open for just over a half a year in midtown, Lantern's Keep is overseen by the head bartender at one of my favorite cocktail lounges, Raines Law Room, and is one of very few (but growing in number) interesting bars in this area of Manhattan. Tucked inside the Iroquois hotel lobby, this cozy and elegant salon-like space is filled with white marble-topped tables and green-cushioned chairs, framed by a dark wood walls, large, ethereal paintings, and accented by small, yellow bouquet of fresh flowers on each table. Lovely place and romantic, but that atmosphere depends on those present; large groups can also be seated and in such a small space, if they're loud, there goes the atmosphere; such was the case while we were there. Coming after dinner, we made reservations. Mostly full when we arrived, we settled into one of the tables. Cocktail menu reminded me of Raines, divided up into sections of shaken (up, on a rock, or tall) or stirred, or order something you prefer or request a custom drink. A small selection of wines and beers, and diverse small plates and sweets to accompany the drinks. Despite our anticipation to try the house cocktails we ordered, and they all did sound delicious on the menu, our drinks were somewhat disappointing. Can't quite put my finger on why, they were not bad, but not great, and possibly high expectations affected my opinion. Because I enjoyed the ambience, I'd give them another try if I were in the area. read more

Great tiny spot in the Iroquois hotel. It's dim lit with only about ten tables - super intimate and cozy. Service is great, professional and attentive. Their cocktail list is incredible including the classics and eclectics that totally rock your tastebuds.The drinks will set you back about $15 a pop - but for the overall experience it's worth it. Didn't have any food - but I can say that drinks here in this hidden Midtown spot definitely will make you feel you are having one of those classic NYC nights. read more

Did they always take reservations? Because I don't mind it, but I don't like not at least keeping the bar seating open for walk-in's. Came here a few weeks ago with an hour to spare, no reservation, and had a small window to sit at the bar before a reservation came in. Lame! However, reservations seem easy enough to score and I made one in less than the 24 hour recommended window. And their drinks are still ridiculously good. Had a sort of miss the last round after specifying what I was looking for, and kind of got the exact opposite (whatever, I drank the entire $15 cocktail so who really cares?), but it's still worth it. Friendly bartenders/mixologists. And I take back what I said about this being an affair bar. A lot changes in a year, and there were a lot of dates and/or larger parties both times I went in the past month, so I'd suggest finding another illicit dimly lit bar if you're looking to keep something a real secret. read more

I have been so excited to try Lantern's Keep for a few months now, as ive heard nothing but great things about the small hotel bar. However, i was regretfully not impressed with any of the three cocktails ordered tonight. I opted for a glass of Merlot to end the evening and that too proved dull as well (and served in the wrong glass). At $16 each, these mixed drinks are highly overpriced and did not live up to the glory. I would much rather make a trip downtown to visit Dead Rabbit, Vintry, or the Mulberry Project. I tried the Son of a Bee Sting, St. Croix & another darker based that i cant recall the name of. None were well balanced or tasty; there was an overwhelming taste in each one of the mixes. Im not quite sure if it was a fluke of the bartender or the not-quite-right combination of ingredients, but sadly, they were all a fail. My friend had been here before and LOVED it; last night, he kept apologizing and said it was nothing like before. The cocktails including rosewater or absinthe are sprayed atop the glass from little bottles. I found it very weird and have never seen this before, especially when a drink is made with the green fairy. Maybe thats what threw off the flavors? Idk, but i dont think i would return unless they switch up the menu. read more

The Lantern's Keep left a little to be desired. During our visit this bar seemed like it was trying to be something it was clearly not. I think it was going for the 'Speakeasy' type-of-place but it's in the back of a hotel and not THAT hidden. We enjoyed delicious cocktails but the service was a little lacking. I understand that the space was small and there was only one server but still, I thought she could have done a little better. The Lantern's Keep did have a menu but you also had the option to order something not listed, specific to your taste. Our experience was good enough to warrant 4 stars and I will likely return. read more

I should have my head examined for telling anyone about this place, but it's a solid (and relatively reasonable) option for this part of midtown. Not cheap, but you're not going to pay 20 clams for a martini. Hard to find in the back of the Iroquois, it's a quiet cocktail bar that's good for business and romance (or both?). Drink selections are eclectic and plentiful. That being said, their selection of gins was not exactly up to snuff. Be sure to make a rezzie. read more

Such a great romantic, dark and not-a-secret-anymore find. The drinks are strong and for that reason alone... worth the typical NYC cocktail price. The menu features lots of unique and original drinks, really fun to see/try something new in a place with deep history. Sometimes the line to get in is long, but there are really only a handful of seats and all handled by 1-2 super attentive bartenders at most. Worth the wait. read more

Lantern's Keep - Imperial Fizz - Rye, Jamaican Rum, Lemon, Seltzer, Egg White - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Looking for a different joint than the typical Irish bars in Midtown, some work colleagues of mine came here for an evening of longer-than-expected drinking yesterday. We got here early - we were the first ones in at 5:25 on a Friday afternoon - but the rest of the tables filled up relatively quickly. It's not a huge space, but it never gets a packed feeling because most of the tables get reserved quickly, and there's no standing room available. They're definitely very picky about sizes - we had one extra person beyond our reservation for a little bit, and we could tell the server wasn't thrilled. That aside, it's very cozy, and it's easy to lose track of time when you're here with the dim lighting and light music playing in the background. As for the drinks themselves, there's a pretty eclectic mix of drinks, and it seems like you can have the bartender stir one up for you if you don't see something to your liking. All of the cocktails I had were very good, and the few beers that are available are a good sampling across the spectrum (I had the Bitter American, which has a nice bitter flavor despite the lower alcohol content, and the Rasputin Stout is a very warm dark beer that has a very intense flavor without being too dense and heavy). The finger foods are passable as well, if a little expensive. I will say that you get $4 worth of herb-flavored olives if you choose that route; the charcuterie plate is pretty solid (if a little light on the bread), and the bruschetta is very fresh and light (although not the best I've had). In all, if you're looking for a slightly classier drinking joint in the Midtown area post-work, this is a nice little place that will do the job. It's a little on the pricey side, but the atmosphere and the drinks list is pretty difficult to beat. Definitely call ahead for a reservation, though - it's unlikely you're going to be able to walk in during prime hours unannounced. read more

I'm very glad I made sure this was on my list of bars to check out this trip. Located just inside a beautiful hotel lobby in mid town this small bar has everything I wanted. It's not large (I recommend making a reservation), its relatively quiet which means is great for a conversation. The tables are arranged to seat smaller groups 4 is comfortable, 5 is a little tight. The decor is calm and clean. Looks very upscale and keeps with cocktail lounge vibe. The music was a pleasant surprise. Rather than the typical prohibition era music I'm so used to hearing in lounges and speakeasy this bar played reggae in the background. It wasn't too loud and didn't feel obtrusive or interfere with our conversation. After speaking with the owner/manager inward please to learn the bars beginnings were a mish mash of great establishments Such as milk and honey, rained law room, and death and co. The end result and obviously most important plus are the cocktails! An amazing list of drinks! A good balance of familiar cocktails as well as a bunch of recipes i was completely unfamiliar with. Having just come from dinner my party did not order any food, but I've read their food is also quite good. A definite must on my New York list from now on! read more

Cool little place tucked in the bag of a hotel serving great drinks with a speak easy vibe. There are not many food items on the menu- just a couple snack type foods to go along w your drinks. That being said, the drink menu is great. They will make you something to your taste, or you can pick from the many different options they provide. This is a perfect place to bring a date or catch up w a friend. I will go back. read more

Nice place for a business meeting. Excellent cocktails in an intimate venue. It fills up quickly in the evening. We arrived a little after 5pm and were the only ones there but by 6 the place was completely full. They do not take reservations. This is an excellent place to meet someone for drinks. read more