5 Secret bars in New York City

2nd Floor on Clinton

The Lowdown: Those drinking at the dingy Clinton Street bar Barramundi might wonder why people keep coming in and disappearing through a door in the back of the room. They're headed to this cozy second-floor lounge, which is much classier than the bar below.

How to Find It: Go into Barranundi and head to the back of the room, where you’ll find a door marked “private.” Yep – break the rules and head up the staircase into the speakeasy.

When to Visit: When you're looking for a more intimate experience on the Lower East Side in a room that appeals to a slightly older crowd, or when you’re trying to impress a new OK Cupid pal without breaking the bank. Just take note – this secret bar is only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Bathtub Gin

The Lowdown: A recent entrant to secret-bar land, this Chelsea speakeasy combines touches from the 1920s (waitresses dressed as flappers and a gigantic claw-foot bathtub) with a yuppie-skewing clientele that would be just as comfortable at one of the area’s numerous clubs.

How to Find It: This secret haunt is hidden behind an operational coffee shop – just look for the small illustration of a bathtub in the window and you’re set. The boutique seems tiny, but don’t buy it – a false wall in the back of the store opens up to a much larger bar.

When To Visit: Drop by for a serious cocktail or two before a bout of club-hopping in the area (fancy as those neighboring joints may be, many of them take fist-pumping more seriously than mixology).

The Details: 132 Ninth Ave.

Cabin Down Below

The Lowdown: While it’s not quite a dive bar, this basement drink den underneath Niagara comes equipped with a vibe that's full of East Village grit. That, along with hipsters galore, make it a perfect fit for this 'hood.

How to Find It: Head to the corner of Seventh Street and Avenue A, and then look down Seventh a bit for the black door and metal staircase that will lead you down the backside of the restaurant. This one isn’t that hard to find – on busy nights they post a bouncer outside of the “secret” entrance.

When to Visit: On Saturday night at 1 AM when you’re looking for a tattooed and hirsute crowd that’s less about sceney b.s. and more about taking multiple shots of Jameson.

The Details: 110 Ave. A; 212-614-9798

Bar Centrale

The Lowdown: Tucked into an unassuming brownstone on Restaurant Row, this secret bar draws in a pre- and post-theater crowd that skews more towards industry insiders and less toward fanny pack-clad tourists.

How to Find It: Look for the staircase leading up to an unmarked door next to Joe Allen’s steakhouse. Even though it looks like you’re entering someone’s apartment, go right in – a hostess will be waiting to great you.

When to Visit: Have you seen the other options for a drink on Restaurant Row? This is by far the classiest joint on the strip, and it's pretty much the only place to visit whenever you find yourself on this block. Broadway fans should make it a second home after the shows – you might just see a theater vet or two perched on one of the zebra-patterned stools (on a recent visit we spied Joel Grey sipping a cocktail).

The Details: 324 W. 46th St.; 212-581-3130

JBird

The Lowdown: Located in Midtown’s Hilton Garden Inn, this is the newest secret bar on our list. The lounge features top-notch mixology in an upscale setting that feels like an old-timey men’s club. If this location takes off, it could become something of a secret-bar mini chain – two more outposts are reportedly in the works.

How to Find It: This secret watering hole is actually located in another bar. The lounge shares an elevator and a doorman with much larger penthouse bar XVI, but the crowd here is much more sophisticated and subdued. Just tell the bouncer you’re there for JBird and then follow the bird logos that line the wall once the elevator lets you off at the top floor. You have to go down a staircase and through two doors marked “exit” that bring you into the lounge.

When to Visit: When you want to experience all of the up-to-the-minute trends of the modern mixology movement without tromping down to Death & Co. or PDT. The bartenders here make use of numerous varieties of ice, hard-to-find spirits and serve the drinks in unique containers (including a frozen pineapple). While this is the most creative libation list in the area, it’s also one of the more expensive. Drinks are $18 a pop, so only stop by if you have extra dough.

The Details: 251 W. 48th St.