George Bang Bang: A Hidden Speakeasy in Koreatown, New York

George Bang Bang is one of Manhattan's better-kept secrets: a dark, narrow cocktail bar hidden behind a Korean restaurant on East 30th Street, on the edge of Koreatown and NoMad. There is no sign for it on the street. You walk into Okdongsik, the small Michelin-recommended pork soup restaurant at number 13, and push through a door at the back.

What waits on the other side looks nothing like the room you just left. High ceilings, dark wood, oil lamps and vintage trunks used as tables, with a record player working through old jazz. It is run by HAND Hospitality, the group behind several of the neighbourhood's best Korean restaurants, and it shows in the detail.

What to Expect

• It is genuinely hidden. The entrance is through Okdongsik at 13 E 30th St. If you are standing on the street looking for a bar front, you are in the right place but the wrong door.
• Small and dim. A narrow room, low light, intimate seating. This is a place for a conversation, not a big night out.
• A sunken bar. The bar is set low so the bartenders work at eye level with seated guests, which makes the counter the best seat in the room.
• Asian-inspired cocktails. The drinks lean botanical and on the sweet side, some served in antique teacups. They are not cheap, and they are not meant to be knocked back.
• Snacks, not dinner. Bar bites such as honey butter chips and house-made jerky. Eat first — ideally at Okdongsik on your way in.

Hours

• Sunday to Tuesday: 6pm to 1am
• Wednesday to Saturday: 6pm to 2am

It opens in the evening only, and the room fills quickly on weekends because there is not much of it.

Booking and Tips

• Reserve on Resy, especially for a group or a weekend. The space is small enough that walk-ins can be a gamble after 9pm.
• Go early for the quiet version. Arrive near opening and you get the room at its calmest, which is when the design is most enjoyable.
• Have dinner first. Okdongsik out front is a proper meal; the bar is drinks and snacks.
• Ask the bartender. The menu rotates and the team will build something to your taste if you tell them what you like.
• Don't expect a dance floor. There is no DJ and no dancing. If you want a party, this is the wrong room.

Getting There

George Bang Bang is at 13 East 30th Street, between Fifth and Madison, a few minutes' walk from the Empire State Building and Koreatown's main stretch on 32nd Street. The 6 train at 28th Street and the N, R and W at 28th Street are both close, and Penn Station and Grand Central are each about 15 minutes away on foot.

Is George Bang Bang Worth It?

If you like a cocktail bar that takes the room as seriously as the drinks, yes. It is a short walk from some of the best Korean food in the city, it is dark and quiet enough to actually talk, and the hidden entrance is a genuinely good bit of theatre rather than a gimmick bolted onto an ordinary bar. Go for a couple of drinks after dinner rather than for the whole evening.

FAQ

Where is George Bang Bang in New York?

At 13 East 30th Street, between Fifth and Madison, on the edge of Koreatown and NoMad. The entrance is through the Okdongsik restaurant — walk in and head to the door at the back.

Do you need a reservation for George Bang Bang?

Reservations are available on Resy and are strongly recommended for groups and at weekends. The bar is small and fills up through the evening.

What kind of bar is George Bang Bang?

A speakeasy-style cocktail bar with an Asian-inspired drinks list, dark vintage interiors and a quiet, intimate feel. It is not a club: no DJ and no dance floor.

What time does George Bang Bang open?

6pm daily, closing at 1am Sunday through Tuesday and 2am Wednesday through Saturday.