SAAQI

We stopped by Saaqi – the speakeasy at Musaafer, having heard incredible things about the restaurant itself, but this time we came specifically for drinks and their special dessert menu curated by their in-house pastry chef from India. And truly—what a genius this chef is. The way he balances classic Indian flavors with modern pastry techniques is remarkable. Every element felt intentional, and the presentation was absolutely stunning. We also tried their signature bonbon filled with an Old Fashioned cocktail, which was such a creative touch. For drinks, we ordered the Zaffran and Bombay Velvet, both bursting with flavor and beautifully crafted. From the sharable menu, we had the Jhol Momos, which were nice, and the Pindi Channa Hummus with papdi crackers—a standout item. The hummus tasted exactly like authentic pindi channa, and that nostalgic flavor was amazing. The vibe of the speakeasy is elegant and intimate, making it perfect for a refined night out. After experiencing the drinks and desserts, we’re now genuinely excited to return and explore the full dining experience at Musaafer.

Loved the downstairs speakeasy vibe. It’s intimate, low-lit, and very much about the cocktails. No wine or champagne down there, which actually keeps the focus clear. Every drink we tried was balanced and thoughtfully made, not overly sweet, and the bartenders were happy to guide us based on what we like. Great spot for a small group and a few well-crafted rounds.

Saaqi Speakeasy Bar is an absolute hidden gem tucked below Musaafer in New York City. What a stunning space! The ambiance is luxurious and artistic, with massive wall murals featuring characters holding grand Indian spirits - truly a visual treat. We tried the Gin Martini along with several regional cocktails inspired by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal — each one unique, flavorful, and wonderfully crafted. The bite-size food pairings were delicious and perfect with the drinks. A special shoutout to Mef, our bartender, who was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the experience even better. With such an incredible menu, it looks like we’ll definitely be returning to try more cocktails! Highly recommended — fantastic cocktails, great vibes, and a beautifully curated speakeasy experience. 🍸✨

Great vibes and great drinks! The cocktails are very meticulously curated to represent the culture and spices of different states of India. Even the ambience has been thoughtfully designed to bring back Indian history. Definitely recommend!!

Absolutely blown away by this spot, def became one of my faves for Indian food and drink in the city! The chicken 65 and mushroom momos were splendid. Also loved the Sikki drink that was infused with a banana flavor. The decor and ambiance here are ideal, it was hard for us to leave!

We are spoiled for cocktails choices in NYC. This one does a very good job I wouldn’t say mind blowing but cocktails are decent and the vibe and mood is very good for clients, entertaining purposes etc. my favorite has always been been the fat washed truffle

I’m so impressed! The inside is spectacular, it’s absolutely breathtaking, the artwork and the decor. The drinks are absolutely beautiful, each drink is so good but on top of that there is a beautiful origin story as well as an amazing presentation of the drink itself. The staff was so kind and personally kept making sure we were having a good time. Our server Vipin was great and had good recs for us. The bev director himself, Afzal came and introduced himself, and asked us for our thoughts. You can tell everyone here is wanting to make sure their guests are happy. And we were! I had the truffle master which was my favorite but I recommend trying the others. You can’t go wrong

One of the best bars I’ve ever been to. The flavors explode on the palate, and each drink is a journey. I’m coming back. $22 on average per drink, but honestly one of the absolute most mind blowing experiences for cocktails. 10/10 recommend