Dine-in
Yes
Lanterns Keep in New York
Categories
Location on the map
New York, New York County, New York, US
Service options
Delivery
No
Takeaway
No
Highlights
Fast service
Yes
Great cocktails
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
No
Offerings
Alcohol
Yes
Beer
Yes
Cocktails
Yes
Food
Yes
Food at bar
Yes
Wine
Yes
Atmosphere
Cosy
Yes
Upmarket
Yes
Crowd
Tourists
Yes
Planning
Accepts reservations
Yes
Comments (94)
Lanterns Keep was great. Its a small speakeasy type bar just inside of a larger hotel. The ambience was a bit dark, but not so dark that you couldnt see the person you were talking to. The bartenders were very attentive, as well as very capable bartenders. I had a spirit forward bourbon, cognac, and dark rum drink and all of them were very well mixed. Id certainly recommend it to anyone looking to grab a well mixed drink in the times square area. One caveat, the cocktails were a bit pricey, coming in at 19 dollars per. However, the ambiance and the quality of drinks made it feel well worth it.
AMAZING speakeasy vibes, but it is a hotel bar so lots of tourists
As a guest at The Iroquois Hotel, Lanterns Keep was super convenient since its in the back of the hotel just behind the elevators. One night as we were trying to put our 8-week old down to sleep, I went down and bought two drinks and took them back to our room for us to enjoy (My wife and I, not my daughter...Shes too young).It was $18 per cocktail, but you expect that in NYC. We both got bartenders choice and we were not disappointed. He was spot on!The atmosphere is small and not super classy, but if you make good drinks, you can be whatever you want to be.
Definitely get a reservation! This speakeasy-vibe nook has a master cocktail craftsman manning the bar. I had a bartenders choice with rye and a preference to be spirit-forward. It was excellent! Great place to catch up with a friend, friends, or meet a date for drinks.
They have a extensive list of cocktails and a few beers. I got the Bourbon Buck, it was good and strong. $11 not bad. Nice dark atmosphere, its a tad loud inside and you have to raise your voice a little to talk with your friends. Nice place to veg out and get buzzed.
Tasty craft cocktails in a cozy setting. The bartender made my entire group delicious cocktails that were not on the menu. A little pricey but worth it for a post work cocktail or two. Get here early or youll be waiting for a seat!
Fantastic place to go for quality cocktails and atmosphere in Midtown. The Oaxacanite is my favorite cocktail on their current list. Their Sherry Cobbler is delicious. Although been wishing for one with blackberry, maybe for the winter months? Service is always welcoming and professional.
Friendly service, great portions for appetizers and fabulous cocktails.
I usually avoid hotel bars, but this is different. If you are looking for a small, quiet, unique place, stop in. They feature mixed drinks made from the 1800s up to 1940, all fresh ingredients, and things you wont find other places. They even will make something up for you - I said I liked rum, orange, bitters expecting the bartender to suggest something from the menu - no, they made something special up and it was awesome. Our whole table loved their drinks. Definitely try it out - my new favorite place in NYC.
The drinks would get 5 stars. I ordered a bartenders choice specifying the liquor and various other details and the product was spot on! The rest of the space however is less lovely. The bar is the back of the lobby of a hotel in need of a refurbish, the seating is awkward and limited and the acoustics of the place are unpleasantly reverberating. Drinks are delicious however, I repeat!
A speakeasy hidden in the back of the Iroquois Hotel. Not the bar in the front, go past the check-in counter. A place for top notch cocktails from a foregone era (see pics for the drink menu). Servers are extremely knowledgable. Request a certain genre or style of cocktail and the barkeep was able to ad lib something classic and tasty. Their food was of 5 star quality as well (see pics for the food menu). Prices higher than par. Portions less than par for food. (Honestly, par for the niche segment on both).
Unusually difficult to find but look for the sign on the outside of the building (right hand side of the door). Can be a tight fit when its busy but the ambiance is perfect. Unfortunately I found most of their mixed drinks overly complicated without much payoff for the very steep price. Advice to management: cut the number of cocktails in half and keep drinks to 4 ingredients or less. Keep up the great work!
I dont usually write reviews if I havent physically visited a place or tried their food/drinks, but in this case, I feel a duty to warn. I know its New York City in 2018, but I dont think any place deserves to charge over $20 for a cocktail and a surprising number of their drinks are in that price range. They were considerate enough to provide a drink menu at the hostess booth at the entrance which is where I noticed the excessively priced drinks and made a prompt U-turn. If youre still intrigued, youll be able to find it after entering the Iroquois Hotel, going directly past the lobby.
Been to this place only once, but hope to come back again. Best time to come this place is mid afternoon, the place is pretty much empty during that time. Tried two very unique cocktails, cant remember the names, thats how good they are. The place has nice low lighting, and couches in the back. The drinks can be a bit pricey, and its impossible to get in on a weekend.
Besides its Midtown location, the cocktail bar is the best part of staying at The Iroquois. The space is dim and clubby, the bartenders are perfectly old timey, the cocktails are absolutely amazing (they have 4 kinds of ice!), and the weeknight crowd is attractive and upscale. My favorite drink is The Gershwin but you cant go wrong with any of them. Expect to pay $16 for cocktails. They also have a selection of very good small plates.
Old school (as in prohibition-era) cocktails.The place is dark and somewhat glossy, and totally in keeping with the upscale speakeasy trend that has been sweeping through the country recently (or has it petered out?).That said, there is nothing wrong with the (quite excellent!) cocktails. They are crafted (word used intentionally) take a wee bit to make, but are very, very worth it - pretty much something that you sit back and appreciate for the work that went into it.
This place is brand new, and not busy. The Iroquois hotel is a great setting and the cocktail list was developed by the same people who developed the Raines Law Room list. Great & fast service, tasty drinks. While the space is small, its well decorated and you can likely watch the bartenders prepare your drinks.
Gus was an absolute delight to talk to, the place was quite empty after a weekday dinner outing which my sister and I thoroughly enjoyed. We decided to let the bartender conjure up our drinks for the night, all three were fantastic! Will definitely come back here again
Went there on Aug 2018 with my girlfriend, location was very nice, so we ordered two cocktails (very good by the way). Total came out ti be 41ish$ tax included. On the bill, a tip of 20% was added (note:it was not listed as suggested, just added) so the grand total was around 48$ and something with the tip added. We chose to leave 45$ in cash and leave the building. After a minute, barman ran to us outside the building asking for the remaining 3$, when I objected that the tip is not mandatory, he said (exact words):”we are in Manhattan, they are mandatory here”. That is absolutely false and a scam for tourists that are not accustomed to the USA tipping system. Avoid.
Four stars. Used to be my favorite bar in the city hands down. But the drink menu is shorter and less interesting and more expensive. Still pretty nice if you manage to get a table. Ask for the bartenders choice. The menu may be boring but the staff is still awesome.
Lanterns Keep is a tiny, classy cocktail bar, a reliable choice in midtown. These folks are serious about their cocktails: theyre inventive and delicious and made with care and attention. The service is good, and the atmosphere is fantastic. Lanterns Keep is far superior, if less storied, than the Algonquins bar, which is next door.
I kinda balked at a $16 cocktail, and figured it was just par for the course in trendy Manhattan bars. It was actually a really incredible drink, and the waiter and bartender were able to give a pretty nuanced description of the flavors. I couldnt make a habit of going here, but it was really pleasant for a nightcap.
Very cozy spot, great for meeting close friends, insofar as Id think its a great spot to bring business prospects as well. Lanterns Keep has a true early 1900s feel, maybe even a sort of speakeasy feel. Patrons keep classy and quiet enough that you can actually have a conversation and have it be easily heard at your own partys table, and, save for the bustling of masterful drinks being made at the bar, Id argue that its not easy to find such a gem in NYC wherein you can actually hear your own thoughts and share in conversation.
Great late-night cocktail bar, fixed price of $16/drink which is pretty good for the location. Inventive menu, plus an option to just tell the bartender what youre feeling and get a cocktail back. Tiny space.
Small dark hidden cocktail bar in a hotel lobby. Maybe 25 seats and it fills up fast. They make great drinks and the bartender can make good recomendations based on your taste.
Why go to a proper bar when you can sit at little marble tables from an outdoor cafe that have been jammed into a little back room of a hotel lobby? Why patronize an establishment that wants your custom when you can be jostled and ignored by overworked waitstaff whod apprently rather be reading up on latest man-bun hairdos than serving you? I dont know where to begin with the shortcomings of this place. First, there is no bar in sight. Second they dont know the basics about bar etiquette. Yes, I should get a napkin under my cocktail. No, spending 20 minutes making my drink doesnt make it better even if its served in an oversize cocktail glass with an icecube that never melts. At the $22 price point there are a dozen better bars in the area. Even gave them the benefit of the doubt and went back a few months later.
Wonderful, sophisticated bar, but more like a private homes comfortable entertaining space. Ambiance old world and cozy. The barkeeep is a charming fellow and the prohibition era drinks are splendid. A New York City must.
Great cocktails, fresh ingredients, interesting mixes, made with flare. Small, only a few tables and 4 seats at the bar. Sliders were tasty, made me think the food would be good in general.
Small venue, filled with individuals from the finance world. The service is slow, because of the intricacies of the drinks being served. If you want nice pricey cocktail drinks then this is a good spot.
Im honestly hoping they were just short staffed that night. Drinks were not good and the bartender didnt look like he knew what he was doing. Customer service was non-existent.
Show off your intimate knowledge of the cocktail scene by making a reservation for you and your date at Lantern’s Keep. The sister spot to downtown’s Milk & Honey, this midtown locale has cocktails are crafted by superb mixologists which you’ll never forget. The limited amount of tables at this hideaway will prove that you’re in the know.
The bar is much smaller than I thought and it was pretty empty. However, the cocktail I got was delicious! I just ask the bartender to make me something “unique”.. and it was worth it.
Such an awesome cocktail place, still not busy because it just opened. Small, quiet, great music and super nice service. I would have expected nothing less from somebody that worked at Raines Law Room.
Absolute hell yeah to this place, dope cocktails and even better service. Shoutout to our bartender Doug:)
I know, I know -- its a tad pricey but the quality of service as well as the quality of the drinks served are absolutely worth it. I came here with my fiancé earlier in the week and we adored it! Ask for the Keepers Choice!
Great little place, they have a small menu of drinks, but will make anything you care to ask for, we both enjoyed a few of our favourites.
One of our favorite Midtown hotel bars, due to the intimate vibe and delicious upscale, classic cocktails. Be sure to snag a seat near the fireplace if possible!
Great little bar, cozy, not loud and relaxed in the crazyness of it all. If you are in midtown looking for a place to talk and be heard, this is a nice setting to try out.
A hidden gem in midtown. Quite simply, the best bar in this part of town. Talent from all five boroughs on tap. Do not miss.
Only briefly popping it, I felt this place to be very dark, lacking ventilation, and having an exotic menu. Perhaps I have to give it a second chance, but I was not in the mood to drink in an isolated back room at 5:00 that particular day.
Great cocktails though a bit on the pricey side. Also a bit small but overall a good place for a good cocktail
Amazing hidden gem in the Iroquois Hotel. No external signs - need to walk all the way through the lobby and into the doors at the back. Once youre there, youre in a whole new world. Go there and get the McKitrick
Nice bar in back of the Iroquois Hotel
Aside from its small size, its a perfect bar/lounge. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy, out of the way spot in midtown.
Go with the chefs special and just the bartender/server what you like in your drink and youll get the best experience
Check to make sure they are open before going. They were closed due to a labor shortage according to the hotel it resides in.
Quiet place - somewhere you can easily chat, closes early though.
Great cocktails. Not a great location. Not much else around it. Good cucumber drinks .
Cozy speakeasy with awesome bartenders, cocktails, silent soundtrack. Did I mention it is not crowded? (On weekday night though)
Good cocktails, but the space is uninteresting and definitely not a speakeasy
If you desire a quiet, intimate, regal setting with top tier cocktails, this is your spot.
A bit on a louder side. Good cocktails but they come at a price
Original and delicious drinks. Cozy atmosphere. Service could have been better.
A quiet, cozy and beautiful spot in the back of a hotel on the first floor. I hardly want to share this spot since its so special to me.
Upscale food options and great cocktails. Small space so come early!
Really nice, great service, great drinks, but a little pricey
Wow what a great bartender - Daniel knows how to make a man feel wanted
Great service, drinks, and atmosphere. Awesome date spot.
Definitely one of the better hotel bars in the city.
Glad they are back!!!! Drinks still as good 👌
Great drinks, snack options leave something to be desired
Great cocktails. Quiet enough for conversation.
Cozy upscale place with just unbelievable cocktails.
Great environment and drinks, pricey though
Brilliant service
Gone way down in service and quality over the past 5 years or so.
Great place, drinks priced high though
Really cute, private feel, cocktail bar
Speak easy Matt and lyn went to. Inside iroquois hotel.
Old school speakeasy with a solid cocktail list.
Great cocktails in a intimate setting.
Great cocktails and atmosphere
Great service and drinks!
Hidden spot for a great drink.
Perfect place for a quiet drink.
Great speakeasy style bar
Cute hotel cocktail bar
Cozy place with great drinks.
Bartenders choice is the way to go
OG oasis in the heart of midtown.
Fun
Nice place
Small bar, good bartending, reasonable price
Good drinks
Total reviews rating
94 Reviews for Lanterns Keep 2023:
Review №1
2018-10-16Great cocktail bar! The drinks were amazing and prepared with fresh ingredients and care. I was lucky enough to sit at the bar and watch the bartenders at work. They really put in the extra effort and are passionate about their work. During my stay in the hotel I got to meet Natalia, Daniel and Gus. Super friendly and knowledgeable about the cocktails. You can also order small bites at the bar. I recommend the cheese plate. Excellent. Can’t wait to go back.
Review №2
2020-02-21Awesome hand-crafted cocktails in a small, dark, & comfortable space by The Sofitel. We were super lucky that a group was leaving as we entered. Great service & great music playing too! The McKittrick Old Fashioned was amazing & the West Side Rumble was really good as well. They had a small selection of wine & beer also. If youre nearby & love good cocktails, make sure to try to get in here!
Review №3
2021-12-10Really good cocktails but very slow service. We ordered food and our waiter forgot to put in the order. 90 minutes later, he claimed it would be another 20 minutes. Didn’t admit to his mistake and didn’t comp us anything for messing up our dinner plans.
Review №4
2022-03-05Just a cozy place where these two bold guys make you feel right at home! Food drinks and such a small and amazing place! Definitely coming back for the vibe!!!
Review №5
2017-11-12The bar and Dan have the best drinks. Get there early and get a seat at the bar. Special thanks to Natalia for making my special night memorable. We will be back. Cheers!
Review №6
2018-09-06Showed up early to get my name on the list for this place as they don’t take reservations. Gus was the guy from Lantern’s Keep who greeted me at the door saying that I was not “eligible” to be “on the list” because my “whole party was not present”...Okay, Gus, I’m not asking to be seated, just on the list since your establishment does not take reservations and according to the rules posted, the one you were pressing on me is not an “actual rule”Get it together, Gus. Please raise your hand if you have felt personally victimized by Gus 🙋🏻♀️
Review №7
2021-12-12Super cool cocktail bar. The drinks are fantastic and the bartenders and waiters are amazing. Great small plates too.
Review №8
2018-05-27Small speakeasy like space past the hotel lobby. Server was a delight, and the drinks were delicious, although they do run on the pricier side of NY cocktails being close to Times Square.
Review №9
2017-04-01Great cocktails of large variety. Good service and decent atmosphere. The price is good for value in NYC.
Review №10
2020-03-11Truly a hidden gem, steps away from Times Square, where you can have a conversation while sipping a custom cocktail. Choose from the variety of house offerings, or request the Keepers Choice, and be dazzled by the artful result when the bartender takes your preferences (what spirit? Alcohol forward, or more refreshing? Sweet or dry?) and comes back with a creation made to your specifications. Sleek jazz age decor with deep turquoise tones and gold accents, velvet chairs, reflective tables, and subdued lighting make for a relaxing time away from the crowds. I brought my friends here from out of town and it was the perfect place to catch up. Highly recommend!