New York City: West Village Speakeasy Walking Tour

The West Village in New York City has long been a hub for the city’s clandestine drinking culture, dating back to the Prohibition era. Now, visitors can explore this captivating history on a guided walking tour that delves into the speakeasies and secret taverns that once operated in the shadows. Led by knowledgeable guides, you will be granted exclusive access, skip the lines, and sip craft cocktails as they uncover the hidden gems and intriguing stories that define this vibrant neighborhood. With an immersive experience and potential savings, this tour offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and discover the allure of the West Village’s elusive drinking establishments.

Key Points

A 3-hour guided tour that takes visitors to 3 top speakeasies and secret bars in Manhattan’s West Village.
Participants can skip the line through an express security check.
Tour is led by live guides who can speak multiple languages, including English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.
Group size is limited to 8 participants for a small and intimate experience.
Tour includes a subway ticket for a one-stop ride and provides insights into the Prohibition-era history of the area.

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Activity Details

The West Village Speakeasy Walking Tour in New York City lasts for 3 hours and allows participants to skip the line through an express security check.

The tour is led by live guides who can speak in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish, ensuring a personalized experience for all attendees.

The small group size is limited to 8 participants, creating an intimate and interactive atmosphere.

Visitors will explore 3 top speakeasies, secret taverns, and famous bars in Manhattan, taking the subway to W4th Street in Greenwich Village before finishing at LB.

Throughout the tour, guests can sip on craft cocktails while learning about the history of the Prohibition era.

Pricing and Availability

Savings of up to 15% are available for the West Village Speakeasy Walking Tour, with prices starting from €26.66 per person.

Participants can reserve their spot and pay nothing today, taking advantage of the ‘Reserve now & pay later‘ option. Plus, free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

The 3-hour tour offers an express security check, allowing guests to skip the line. Led by live tour guides in multiple languages, the small group experience is limited to 8 participants, providing a more intimate and personalized exploration of Manhattan’s top speakeasies, secret taverns, and famous bars.

Visitors can sip on craft cocktails while learning about the history of the Prohibition era.

Itinerary

The tour starts at the Dr. Gertrude B. Kelly Playground in Chelsea, where you will then take the subway to W4th Street in Greenwich Village to visit 3 top speakeasies, secret taverns, and famous bars in Manhattan.

During the 3-hour tour, the live guide will lead the small group of no more than 8 people through the historic West Village, sharing stories and insights about the area’s Prohibition-era speakeasies.

From the subway, the group will explore several hidden gems, sipping on craft cocktails and seeing the storied past of these once-illicit establishments.

The tour finishes at the LB location, allowing participants to continue their evening in the lively Greenwich Village neighborhood.

Highlights

Participants can look forward to sipping on craft cocktails within the historic speakeasies that dot the West Village, seeing the storied past of these once-illicit establishments.

The live guide will share insights about the area’s Prohibition-era speakeasies, allowing guests to feel like local New Yorkers as they explore the hidden gems of the neighborhood.

The tour’s highlights include the opportunity to learn about the history of Prohibition and how it shaped the city’s underground drinking culture. Travelers will be transported back in time, discovering the secrets and stories that lurk behind the discrete facades of these legendary watering holes.

Important Information

This tour isn’t suitable for individuals under the age of 21 as it involves visiting speakeasies and bars. Participants must bring a valid passport or ID card for entry.

Alcohol and drug consumption is strictly prohibited during the tour. A subway ticket is included for a one-stop ride on the tour.

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as the tour covers several Manhattan neighborhoods and requires a moderate amount of walking.

The tour is led by a live guide who can provide commentary in English, French, Italian, German, or Spanish. The small group size, limited to 8 participants, ensures a personalized and intimate experience.

Exploring Historic Speakeasies

During the Prohibition era, speakeasies served as clandestine watering holes where patrons could surreptitiously enjoy illicit libations.

On this captivating tour, visitors step back in time to explore some of Manhattan’s most iconic speakeasies, uncovering the storied history and hidden charms of these legendary establishments.

Sipping on expertly crafted cocktails, guests will be transported to the roaring 1920s, as they discover the secret entrances, password-protected doors, and intimate ambiances that defined the speakeasy experience.

From hidden taverns to illicit bars, each stop on the tour offers a glimpse into the bygone era of Prohibition, allowing participants to feel like true New York insiders as they uncover the city’s most elusive drinking spots.

Discovering the Prohibition Era

The Prohibition era in the United States, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, gave rise to a thriving underground culture of clandestine drinking establishments known as speakeasies.

During this time, the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages were all illegal, forcing patrons to visit these secret bars to satisfy their thirst.

Speakeasies often operated in hidden locations, sometimes behind fake store fronts or in the basements of buildings, and required special passwords or signals to gain entry.

Visitors would enjoy carefully crafted cocktails in a clandestine atmosphere, while evading the ever-vigilant law enforcement.

This intriguing history of the Prohibition era provides the backdrop for the West Village Speakeasy Walking Tour, where guests can step back in time and experience the mysteries of these legendary establishments.

Taking in Local Culture

By embarking on the West Village Speakeasy Walking Tour, guests can enjoy the local culture and history of Manhattan’s secretive prohibition-era drinking establishments.

Participants’ll step back in time, exploring hidden speakeasies and uncovering the mysteries behind these legendary watering holes that once thrived during the U.S. Prohibition.

The tour guides share captivating stories about the underground bar scene, revealing how creative New Yorkers circumvented the law to enjoy their favorite libations.

As visitors sip on craft cocktails in these historic settings, they’ll feel like local insiders, immersed in the speakeasy ambiance that defined an era of glamour, secrecy, and rebellion.

The tour provides an unparalleled opportunity to authentically experience the vibrant culture and rich heritage of New York City’s West Village.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gratuity for the Tour Guide Included in the Price?

The price of the tour does not include the tip for the tour guide. Participants are expected to provide a standard 15-20% gratuity to the guide at the end of the tour to show their appreciation for the service provided.

Can the Tour Be Customized for Private Groups?

Yes, the tour can be customized for private groups. The tour provider offers private tours that can be tailored to the group’s preferences, such as group size, start/end locations, and language preferences.

Are There Any Food/Drink Options During the Tour?

The tour includes opportunities to sip craft cocktails at historic speakeasies, but does not offer any food options. Participants will need to plan their own dining arrangements before or after the 3-hour walking tour experience.

How Strict Is the Dress Code for the Speakeasies?

The dress code for speakeasies is typically casual, but some may have stricter requirements. Guests are advised to wear neat, smart-casual attire to ensure they can access the venues without issue.

Is There an Option for a Longer or Extended Tour?

Unfortunately, the West Village Speakeasy Walking Tour does not offer an extended or longer option. The standard tour lasts 3 hours and covers 3 top speakeasies in Manhattan. Extending the tour would likely require booking a private or custom tour.

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Recap

The New York City: West Village Speakeasy Walking Tour offers an immersive journey into the city’s captivating Prohibition-era past.

Guests can explore hidden speakeasies, sip craft cocktails, and uncover the rich history of the West Village’s illicit drinking culture.

With knowledgeable guides, exclusive access, and unbeatable savings, this tour provides an unforgettable experience for any visitor seeking a unique glimpse into New York’s vibrant and secretive past.