My speakeasy adventure led me to this very eccentric and intriguing place in the East Village. We were looking for a bar that wasnt so packed and decided to step into this place not knowing that we would be stepping into prohibition circa 1920′s. Inside, you will find a lovely honest to goodness Irish couple. They run the joint. Authentic Irish music fills the air and the interior is a little art deco-ish. Grab a seat at the bar so you can talk to the man of the house, Lorcan. He will engulf you with stories of his family and the history of the bar and what happened during prohibition in this exact place.

They have an amazing selection of whiskey here ranging from 10 dollars to 90 dollars. He is very knowledgeable with his whiskey as you can expect from an Irishman which delighted my date who was Irish as well and we ended up trying their best whiskey in the house. It was truly amazing. The top shelf one he served us had a delectable aftertaste, very woodsy. It had hints of oak and even almost charcoal-like in the back of the throat. The average whiskey even tasted fantastic as well. But Lorcan had a surprise for me. He concocted an absinthe cocktail that he discovered the recipe from one of the old artifacts he found in the speakeasy, I believe it was stuffed in an old beer bottle. Delicious and very exciting to be sipping an almost extinct drink!

We then found out that there is an old theatre inside this bar as well as a prohibition museum! What a surprise! Lorcan proceeded to give us hard hats and took us on a tour of the building. We saw the theatre and then we went downstairs where he showed us the original door of the speakeasy and the hidden tunnels they used to hide in! It was fascinating for sure. There were old artifacts everywhere, even extremely old beer bottles. Truly amazing treasures from that time. He showed us that the building still run on the old school air conditioning system where it pumps the water that creates the cold air. This place is really legit!
This is not your typical Irish bar for sure. It is serene and almost eerie. If you want truly great whiskey and great company come to William Barnacle. But sssssshhhhhhh…. You didn’t hear that from me. This place still hold that secrecy and mystery. It is one of those places that makes you feel like you are in the know if you go here. If you want an interesting time, and good place to go on a date that is quiet and intimate, come here. It was by far the most intriguing and one of the best dates I have had.
And Lorcan.. He is definitely the man!