Little Branch
Cocktail bar · West Village ·
Dimly lit underground speakeasy with live jazz and handcrafted cocktails
Dimly lit underground speakeasy with live jazz and handcrafted cocktails
"In the subterranean West Village bar Little Branch, Sam Ross tinkered with variations on a classic whiskey sour; when the owner of Compass Box Whisky brought a Peat Monster scotch, its nutty, caramel-like qualities added complexity to Ross's simple honey-lemon-ginger formula and the Penicillin was born. The fact that those flavors feel curative and familiar, with just a twist of smokier whisky, made the drink seem like a timeless classic even though no one had formally recorded it at the time." - Jess Mayhugh
"Little Branch was an early pioneer of the speakeasy scene, and you can still find it behind an unmarked door on 7th Avenue. The underground space is limited to a strict capacity (first come, first served), which keeps the mood inside intimate and perfect for a date or small groups. Expect perfect cocktails, a nearly pitch-black atmosphere, and occasional live jazz." - bryan kim, neha talreja, carina finn koeppicus
"Beyond an unassuming small door and down some steep-steep stairs, you’ll find a dimly lit underground speakeasy that’ll transport you to another time. Serving first rate cocktails, from the classics to new inventive concoctions, Little Branch is a great place to get a tipple or two. There’s live jazz on weeknights and the dark, leathery booths envelope and invite you to linger long into the night." - Superficial Studio
"Little Branch was an early pioneer of the speakeasy scene. Its underground space is limited to a strict capacity (first come, first served), which keeps the mood inside pretty intimate and perfect for a date or small groups. They also have live jazz sometimes, which either gives you another good reason to go or makes you want to head straight for whatever club in the Meatpacking is playing The Weeknd." - katherine lewin, hillary reinsberg
"The oldest bar on this list, Little Branch remains one of the best places to grab a cocktail in the West Village. It’s not as hectic as nearby competitor Employees Only, and, somehow, it still kind of feels like a secret. Down a set of stairs behind a plain brown door on 7th Ave, you’ll find a cave-like room with a subtle Prohibition theme. The bartenders wear ties and are knowledgeable enough to teach cocktail history at NYU, but this isn’t a formal place, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Bring a date, and get here early if you don’t want to wait in line outside." - bryan kim, sonal shah
