Apotheke Chinatown

A dark, cool escape from the hot streets of Chinatown. Great atmosphere and drinks. My girlfriend and I had the star crossed lovers for a quick pick me up. Delicious take on an espresso martini. Not terribly priced in comparison to some other overpriced NYC bars. Would definitely recommend coming in if you’re in the area.

This was a hard spot to find. It’s in Chinatown on one of there side streets. I actually felt as if I was in China with the little side roads. There is a little sign out front with no name of Apotheke just a symbol. My drink was delicious. Our server was absolutely adorable and sweet.

Amazing cocktails, try the beet one, amazing decor, great brass bands on Tuesday nights. Love that the bartenders where lab coats!Nice hidden gem in China Town

Amazing drinks, atmosphere, music and staff. I came here 11 years ago and was more than thrilled to visit again. I will always stop here while in NYC

The concept of the place is spot on. The decoration, the uniforms, the menu all in theme. Cocktails were good, music was good too but the place was so full that you don’t get to experience the making of the cocktail which I think is cool for a specialized cocktail bar. All in all it’s a good place, recommendation if you want to sit, get early because every time I’ve been it’s packed.

Really aesthetically pleasing place. “Lawyers, Guns and Money” is definitely a great drink. “Como la flor” is very bitter and lots of flavors, it wasn’t my favorite. The service was good and quick. The place is very small and it can get crowded. Limited sitting. It’s a good place to socialize and grab a drink.

As if the drinks weren't enticing enough, they brought out live music and a gogo dancer. Perfect ambiance to make speaking easy.

Awesome bar with great drinks and speakeasy atmosphere. However, the bartenders were lacking in engagement.

Absolutely love this bar!! I took my first solo trip to nyc it was such a good day Chinatown.. I googled bars near me and ended up here! I guess it's kind of like a speakeasy because it didn't have signage outside but not really.. I went at around 7pm and it was nearly empty and live music was playing. I got a booth all to myself and I was just having a timeee!! The music was great, ambience was sexy and dim with this vintage Parisian style decor. You can kind of talk in between music sets, kinda vibe to the music I think it would be perfect for a date. Service was great, bouncer was super nice, it was the most perfect day of my trip and this bar contributed. I tried the chili oil drink with sesame and they accidentally brought me the wrong drink something with cilantro which was oh my!! incredible!! I'm glad they brought it by accident because it was better than mine. Though they were both really good so I ordered an extra cilantro drink. The chili oil one wasn't spicy at all, I think I was expecting it to be and it would've been way better if it was but the flavor combinations were so unique 10/10 and the cilantro one was an aphrodisiac I think and it sure had me feeling hottt. I sipped on my drink for a couple hours and at around 8 it started getting so packed no seats everyone was standing. I left so happy like I was the hottest bitch in nyc. I actually think about it once a week like I wish I could go there. 10/10 I mean this review is so long for a damn cocktail bar, that should tell you how good it is!

This place is a vibe. They play great music. Some of the drinks are yummy! Some are okay The service was a little slow but they were packed. Also I was surprised that they didn't kick out people who were throwing up cause they snorted too much in the restroom lol and couldn't walk straight and were literally bumping into everyone.

Hidden China Town bar with unique asian inspired drinks. Ambiance is gorgeous and love the dim lighting. Note that there's limited seating but inside is spacious with room to stand. I had the Victoria Quay: sooo yummy and fun cilantro note. My friend had the Aniki which was the most gorgeous drink I've seen in a while. Drinks are priced at $21 each, great place to grab drinks with friends or a date. Hit up some amazing (& cheap) food nearby before or after!!

Love this place. When we last came, they had live music which was fantastic. The ambiance is SENSATIONAL, from the unassuming storefront to the green velvet stools to the crystal bar to the light installations. It's just one of the most beautiful bars in the city in my opinion. Service was good, both at the bar and tableside. Drinks are fantastic, although I wish they would list prices on their menu. They only have 2 wines: red and white, although I did like the red they had. I wish they had bar snacks but still love this place!

If you come early, you're guaranteed a table! I like the jazzy vibes and the drinks had super creative names. I forget which drinks I tried but for categories, aphrodisiac and stress reliever were my favorites.

This Apotheke location has a totally different vibe than the NoMad location. The bar is located next to Chinese Tuxedo restaurant in the building that has a "Chemist" sign out front. There is a bouncer out front as well checking ID. This location doesn't take reservations, doesn't serve food and has minimal seating. My friend and I stopped in on a Saturday evening for a quick drink. Upon entering, there's a tiny coat check window to your right. If you blink, you'll miss it. The bar itself of course is beautiful and the drink selection is fun and interesting. Upon walking up to the bar, we didn't have to wait long at all to place an order despite the crowd. The bartender recommended the Victoria Quay to me when I asked for something sweet. This drink was phenomenal! Smooth, sweet and went down easily. My friend had a Paper Plane which is her signature drink she orders at every bar. We stood at the bar to finish our drinks. It wasn't too bad. But people with no sense of space or respect did bump into us or stand right up against us. There's plenty of room for every one but most people I find have no spatial awareness of their surroundings. This is why I typically only like going to cocktail bars where I can sit. The minimal seating Apotheke had was taken of course and we didn't bother to wait around for one to open up. This location is good for a quick drink if you're in the neighborhood. If I was able to get a seat, I could picture myself staying longer and getting a second drink. I do not believe there is any server service at the seats, so you would have to order while one person holds your seat. The noise level was pretty loud but I did not find myself shouting to talk to my friend. Drinks were standard for this kind of cocktail bar (I.e pricey but worth it!) If I had to choose between either location, I would say I prefer the NoMad location because I like the vibe better with table seating, reservations and a full food menu. They have a bathroom though I did not use it so cannot comment on it. Small coat check is available upon entry. There are two small stairs leading to the front door, and I don't know if there's an accessible way to get inside if you cannot do stairs.

Apotheke is such a cool concept- an apothecary-styled bar where the bartenders wear white pharmacist coats and shake up concoctions claiming to cure various ailments ranging from stress relievers to aphrodisiacs (but most will just get u a bit buzzed which is a good cure-all!). The menu is intriguing- organized into various ailments and containing interesting ingredients. My friend and I went on a Friday early evening and were able to stand at the bar with no wait. I got the Moonage Daydream which was interesting- tasted a bit like soap, but in a good way? I loved the little seeds. My friend got the Lawyers Guns and Money, and it kinda tasted like a fancier negroni. Overall the vibe is immaculate and the drinks are interesting (if a bit pricey ~$24), but worth a try if you're in the area!

Unfortunately we were a bit disappointed with this Speakeasy located in Chinatown. It's very unassuming from the outside so fits the definition of speakeasy. The front signage says "Chemist". There was security in front checking IDs so you don't have to look for any type of hidden or trap door. Once you walk it it's actually quite spacious with decent amount of seating. We were disappointed with the drinks. We were told it was quite a show from the mixologist but we didn't get any of that. The drinks were weak and a bit watered down. It was cool but not memorable.

Came here unexpectedly on a Saturday night after leaving Peachys and I must say, it is such a better vibe if you are in your late 20s or in your 30s ! The music and drinks were very good ! I had the bartender make me whatever drink he wanted as long as it was spicy and had tequila and he definitely delivered ! Next time I'm in New York, I def will be stopping by again on a Saturday night !

Crazy unique and interesting cocktail flavors. Popped in on a Thursday night to live music and a good energy crowd. Was able to grab a seat at a low table and sipped on a sesame oil and cucumber cocktail while chatting with friends. Definitely a must try if you like interesting cocktails. The ambiance is elevated and nice but still you can be casual when you come here

Amazing drinks and ambiance! The cocktails are well worth the price and so is the service. The ingredients used alone make it a must try.

Overall: B) - Apotheke is a speakeasy located in Chinatown and it was actually quite hard to find as the sign outside was very discrete. I ordered the Shadow Roll, which demonstrated expertise in infusing strong fruits into bourbon, a naturally strong drink, which I enjoyed. Their menu also contains some notably interesting options worth trying as well. However, one thing I disliked about their atmosphere was that the seating is first come first serve and there's not that many seats so it's almost more of a traditional bar vibe than the intimate speakeasy atmosphere I was expecting based on other places. Furthermore, the music got progressively louder throughout the night, making it that much more difficult to talk. Finally, there is a hidden step in the middle of the room where people easily trip on, which is obviously unideal. -- Food: +1 Presentation: +1 Price: E Atmosphere: -1 Service: E Menu: +1 Overall: +2 B IG: @amei.eats

Coming with a group on Thursday evening, we found this speakeasy/lounge to be a warm, inviting space with a cool, old-school apothecary theme. The drink list is cocktail-focused, with a broad range from fruity to smoky to boozy. There is sometimes a live Latin band that brings a lighthearted vibe. The service is good, though not exceptional. Would recommend!

Apotheke's playin dress-up as a chemistry lab or vice versa. It's in Chinatown, behind a "Chemist" sign--Bartenders are in lab coats, mixin cocktails like they're about to invent fire. The menu's got "Painkillers" and "Aphrodisiacs"--I'm like, "Cool, I'll take one of each, but don't tell my mom." My drink showed up smokin like a cloud with an attitude. I love this place.... Not sure what else to say. Just go.

An amazing find in Chinatown! A bit hard to find because of the small sign but we were with NY natives. Upon entering, imagine a dimly lit space with a warm, inviting atmosphere. Behind the bar, shelves are stocked with with bottles of various shapes and sizes and the mixologists are dressed in pharmacist-style garb ready to mix up some crazy cocktail concoction. I ordered the Devil's Playground - a mix of gin, dragon fruit, prickly pear, lime and absinthe mint. My friends ordered the Sitting Buddha, Here Comes the Night and Siren's Call. Tried a few of their drinks and you really can't go wrong. We came in past 10pm on a Sunday so there was no line. We were lucky enough to find the last seat. By 11:30PM, there were more available seats. It's definitely the perfect background for a post-dinner date drinks or a small group. Music is playing a little loudly (not deafening) in the background and patrons lean in close to talk creating an intimate yet lovely vibe. A little bit on the pricey side for cocktails but the ambience more than makes up for it. I would definitely be back when I come back to New York!

The drinks were amazing. I tried out the shadow roll. Even though it's always packed the service was good. They bartender try to get to me as quickly as they can. Ambiance at the place is amazing for a date for sure. I remember last year when I took a date here, she would love the speak easy vibe. If you want a place where there's not just music blasting but a good vibe of just the right music then I would totally recommend. The drinks are amazing as well! I'll have to go back to try other drinks here.

Such a cool, moody bar in chinatown. This spot is dark with yellow ambient lighting and live music. The bartenders are really helpful with recommendations and suggestions on drinks. Their beet cocktail, last train to brooklyn is a mix between a beet juice and whiskey. They also do standard cocktails like martinis and whiskey sours well.

Honestly this place was super fun to explore! I loved the cool menu and the music they were playing. The crowd of people when we went set up the perfect atmosphere for bringing a small group to dance and drink. Sure the drinks were pricey but we each had one to taste and they were delectable! Very well done bar!! I took my chemistry loving friends and although it didn't boast the most nerdy chemE decor/drinks theme we still had a wonderful time. The only thing I would be wary about is the location. I felt a tad bit unsafe walking here from the train station we took at night so would definitely uber or come in a group. The line to get in wasn't too long at the beginning of the night and the actual location of the bar didn't feel particularly unsafe, just the journey to get there. Enjoy!

Idk how this place only has 3.5 stars. They're so consistent, I still love the vibe and drinks here so many years later. I would definitely recommend coming here for drinks.

Need a late cool spot to go on a Wednesday Night? Worth the wait if you are visiting New York. Open til 3am.

The atmosphere was very warm and vibey. It's definitely a hole-in-the-wall are to impress your date. We both ordered cocktails (I got the blue velvet), and that drink was a safe choice with some flavors but lacking in the fruitiness and sweetness I was expecting. I also would never comment on the bathrooms, but having what looks like a speakerphone as a sink faucet was very interesting - definitely was worth at least a 5 minute conversation.

Prepare to wait in line for a while. Is it cool? I'll say yea. Good cocktails? Yes. Worth $24 a drink? No. No price on the drink menu. my final tab for 2 drinks, after tax and tips was $49. Damn. I get it Manhattan is an expensive place to hang out, but almost $25 for a drink? You stay there for an hour, and will easily spend 90 bucks per person. The whole experience was just alright, not too incredible makes me wanna go back.

What to say about this place, looks like you entered in a different century, everything there is so unique!!! About the drinks was amazing but then last time we went there was not that tasty.. hope they change the menu soon! Service was efficient.

Wow! What an experience. You walk into a dark bar and are immediately greeted with amazing live music. The bar looks beautiful behind the live musicians. They are a specialty cocktail bar so you have to open your mind and try something you normally wouldn't. I had a cocktail that they light on fire and it was so cool and also so delicious. The service is great and the experience is amazing. I highly recommend this place.

Long wait line for mediocre cocktails at an outrageous price. There are about 6 tables so everything else was standing room only. It's not a place to go dancing nor is it a place to catch up with friends as the music is too loud. No dancing since there's no space for it. It's just a gimmick

Drinks were fire. Service was great. Good ambiance in the spot. Was surprised the music was so good too. Definitely pulling up there again.

We came by on a Sunday night just before it got crowded. The Chinatown location doesn't have reservations, so it's first come, first serve. We headed for the bar to grab a drink. I had the Word on a Wing cocktail while he had the Dead Poet. The drinks are creatively made, but I did find mine to be too sweet and his was too bitter. We spend a good 20 minutes standing around at the bar, which wasn't very comfortable. There aren't a lot of seating with 3 booths and 3 couple tables. I was almost going to leave after our first drink, but luckily we were able to snag a table soon after. Since we did score a table, we had a second round of the Vanilla Saffron Old Fashioned. This drink was better than our first round. Overall, the atmosphere is intimate and dark, but the drinks are pricey and the lack of seating didn't help. We paid over $100 for 4 drinks, which is quite pricey as well.

Super cute little cocktail bar to end your night! My husband and a friend walked in here on a Thursday night and was able to get served rather quickly but did not get a table. Drinks are really good and quite unique! Pretty strong yet good so if you're someone who likes to try different cocktails, this is the place for you. Really nice staff and great vibes. I can see this being a place for a catchup or date!

I've been to Apotheke twice now and both times I can confidently say I was served the best alcoholic beverages in New York City. The menu is sectioned off into different types of perfectly synced drinks - I tried something similar to what I would normally order, and something very unique - and both were epic. The drinks are so balanced that the buzz you feel is airy, comfortable, and electric - no headaches, no drinking discomfort - they really have the bartending down to a science. I want to also mention how cool the atmosphere here is - it's modern, classy, exotic speakeasy. The music, the lighting, the interior design, the staff, and the large featured bar in combination with the amazing drinks creates a really, really cool vibe. Also, the outside is "hidden" with a simple potion-esque hanging sign outside - this really adds to the illusion as well. The biggest thing to note if you plan on checking it out would be to arrive early - otherwise you might not get a seat.

Went to @apothekenyc around 8pm and very happy that it was pretty empty then and we were able to easily grab seats. Fun menu and my drink was surprisingly tasty - fruity but not too sweet!

Apotheke has such a cute theme of being an apothecary. Bartenders are dressed in short-sleeved, white lab coats. Drinks are considered cures for ailments. I brought my pharmacist friend here and she really enjoyed the concept. Like most speakeasies in NYC, drinks here are pricier. But they taste unique and look beautiful. The service was also great! One of my friends struggled with choosing a cocktail. The server helped and later even brought another cocktail (the server's favorite) on the house for my friend to try. We had a lovely time and the space at Apotheke is much larger than other speakeasies that I have been to; I didn't feel cramped at all. Very Victorian interior, too. Head down to Chinatown and look for a little "Chemist" sign! Relax and have a drink or two!

Loved the drinks, music and overall ambiance of this place. Will definitely be returning again soon.

I've been on a speakeasy mission these days, and this was next up on my list! We were inside the bar within 5 minutes of waiting, but I also think it was not a long wait because you're not given a table when you come in. Either you had a table or you were standing at the bar. Inside, the place is gorgeous -- lots of gold, low lighting. The workers here wear short-sleeved white coats. The idea is that they are chemists! The music is kind of loud, so you may be raising your voice quite a bit. I remember them playing more hip hop/rap music as well. Ya girl has had too many drinks recently, so I decided to get a mocktail here instead. They can make any drink on the menu a mocktail -- you just have to ask for it. For me, I chose the Devil's Playground. Granted, I know I basically ordered juice, but I can just tell that if they spiked it would still be perfectly fruity/sweet for me still. The flavors were definitely on point. I liked the theme of this place as well as the drinks, but I would not say it's my go-to speakeasy just because I prefer places where it's not as hard to hear what the other person is saying. Also, I felt awkward because there wasn't a place for us to sit. By the time we finished our drinks, we were still standing and no table was opening up, so we left shortly after. That being said, I did enjoy the refreshing theme, low lighting, and flavorful drink.

Apotheke wasn't a bad time, but I don't imagine we'll return. The basement bar gave the quintessential speakeasy vibe, but you're immediately hit with an overpowering smell of mold when you walk in. The penthouse bar is much nicer. Space is limited. The drinks are unique, well made, and strong. They average about $25 per. The servers were great. Nice spot to show off a bit and take in a decent rooftop view, but overall not a place you'll likely need to visit a second time.

Bouncer declined me at the door because my florida drivers license looks fake. Never had an issue at any other bar in NYC. Disappointing.

(Solely about the lack of customer service): very disappointed that I came to both this location and the nomad location on Tuesday and both had private events without any notice on their website. When we tried calling too we got an automated voice that didn't give us any information either. And bouncers at both locations didn't know if there was another event at the other location, so we wasted our time commuting there just to be told the same thing. Please let your customers know if you're going to be closing the bar for a private event!!

I'm a bit shocked that this place isn't a 5 star rating. But after thinking about it, I sort of get it. This place fills up QUICKLY! So your best bet here is to get there early and wait in line. I was shocked (shocked) that our server was able to navigate the sea of people and pretty much keep our drinks flowing as soon as the last sip was taken. The cocktails are very inspired and I wouldn't hesitate to make this the single reason you visit this area.

Found this little treasure from being at the Nom Wah Tea Parlor next door and stopped by with a few friends. Delicious cocktails with really great themes. I had the moonage daydream and it was well balanced, flavorful and not too sweet. Prices aren't listed so you don't know how much they are until you get the tab. I was surprised at how pricey they were. Not outrageous for New York standards, but pricy for the environment (I think it was about $22/ cocktail?) It's really cute, but it's so packed and busy with no place to sit so you spend your time there yelling at your friends and sipping your cocktails standing up the whole time. I think this place would be lovely on a less busy night but not a Friday or Saturday night. The service was okay. I think the staff was either new or just wasn't sure how to handle a large crowd because they were overwhelmed, inattentive, and agitated. Understandable, but for the service and environment, the cocktails should be cheaper.

Apotheke has fun interesting drinks. Lots of very unique ones, and has a great lounge vibe. A good blend of dancy but also able to talk and have a good conversation. It's definitely a unique bar and there are so many interesting drink titles!

Cocktails are so original and out of this world. Even though it is a busy bar the service was phenomenal. I just wish there were more places to sit- however this place use to be a speakeasy so it is suppose to be small and secretive. It is absolutely a hidden gem and worth a trip. Great ambiance- low lights, back lit bar, and comfy sofas and chairs.

Absolutely in love with the ambiance of this place, the light up marble bar is such a vibe, along with the live music they have in this small space. The drinks here are pretty expensive but creative; the flavors were a bit too heavy. We came here with a group of 6 and this spot is not cut out for larger group since there's probably a total of 4-5 tables available and staff doesn't help with seating.

Apotheke is no longer the tucked away, electrifying underground Chinatown hidden gem that comes alive during the dark hours that it probably once was, perhaps 15 years ago. Whatever it was during its early years, I was not fortunate (old) enough to experience them in their heydays. By now, everyone and their mothers know about Apotheke--so much that it has expanded to two more locations in the past 5 years, one even being in LA. I first checked out Apotheke back in 2015. I wouldn't be able to tell you if the cocktails were good or not back then because I was just a starry-eyed recent college graduate who was just eager to drop money to cement my "adulting" crisis, only to complain about being a "broke bitch". I can't say that I have changed much but this time, I'd like to say that I drink to taste now, but that's also debatable. I took my friends visiting from Chicago on my most recent visit and it was disappointing for them--the drinks and the atmosphere, coming from a city that has true speakeasies and a remarkable bar scene. The crowd during my recent visit this year vs back then is staggering. Lines, lines, linesssss! And a drawing of pretty terrible crowds, at that. This place is so well known and draws so many tourists now that etiquette seems to have been lost--you have groups of people rolling out of Ubers and trying to cut the line as if they're on a VIP list. First of all, this ain't no LAVO or 10OAK--sure, there are tables and the music now resembles a club that it might as well be one. I do appreciate that they're still keeping this place at capacity (as they should), but it was very different from what I experienced a few years ago and it was still overwhelming with the capacity. While the drinks weren't memorable (and I can't even remember which one I had anymore), I didn't have high hopes when I realized how popular this place has gotten while I was standing on line. The mixologists looked overwhelmed while they were still trying to serve as many people as best as possible, but drinks should be enjoyed for how expensive they are these days.

Initially I went to the nomad location which was just as appealing as Doyers st. All I wanted was the sirens call lol. Absolutely amazing . The drink was very refreshing and it snuck up on me . I also had the sitting Buddha so good as well. The drinks were very refreshing and def give you a nice buzz. Staff was beyond pleasant. My new hide out spot. Shout out to Andre , Jermaine, and Gustavo.

Came here on a Thursday night, and they allowed us to order one cocktail, before last call. The bar tenders were excellent, but the door guy could use some more tact when trying to rush everyone out at the end of the night.

Very good cocktails with a unique menu, atmosphere is great and they have live music on certain nights. Great service as well everything is well done and doesn't disappoint.

Roomy, honesty it's a hit or miss with the drinks. I loved the vibe and service there!

Door guys were cool and the inside was nice and dark the way I like it. I only stayed for 1 drink and it was good. Kinda small place tho

Lucked out and came with a large group late on a rainy Friday night and we were able to walk right in AND score a seating area right by the front. I loved the drinks (strong and well made) and the ambiance was awesome -- music was also great. I'd most definitely come back again! And definitely to try out more of the bespoke cocktails that everyone talks about, since I stuck with my standard vodka and soda.

Overall rating: 4.45 Tbh average rating of 4.4 feels accurate. I absolutely hate all of the reviews mentioning a speakeasy and! the fact that this is on so many "speakeasy" articles. This is not a speakeasy. -_- Anywho, I walked in with my friend when it opened. Really cute, fancy, bar. Extremellyyyy expensive.. like $25 for one cocktail expensive. I know I should probably rate less stars because of the price but I mean it's a high quality bar. But I am pretty torn given it's IN Chinatown. Like, these drinks should be $17-$18 max. I am curious to know what it's like at night, and what that crowd is like..Since I went in the very beginning only a few people were there & it was mostly dates. I would probably come back if I was in the area and on a date. Doubt I'd come back on my own or with friends. Doesn't seem worth the trek for me personally.