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Though billed as a modern-day speakeasy, the most secretive thing about this lounge owned by the founder of the legendary Opaline is its basement-level location down a set of metal stairs. In two small rooms with corner banquettes, walls of exposed brick and stone lend further furtiveness. Leggy waitresses in revealing black dresses, heels and seamed stockings drift to cube tables wrapped in glinting pressed tin to deliver French and Italian charcuterie and artisanal cheeses, in addition to cocktails created by bar manager Charles Hardwick, a Pravda, Odeon, and Mercer Kitchen alumnus who leans heavily on sanctified ingredients like vermouth. His eponymous Blue Owl adds maraschino liquor and fresh lime juice to the classic gin martini to bitter, zingy effect. Although only private parties get to see it, the bar's true selling point is a narrow, bare-bones Cocktail Room that can be accessed separately through a courtyard: Private partiers can BYO iPod to override the nightly DJs and occasional world-beat acts. — David S. Hirschman

The Cocktail Room is available for parties of up to 20 people. The open bar starts at $35 per person per hour. Call for further details.

Trademark Drink
The Blue Owl