The Hidden Pearl

"What It Is: A cocktail bar behind a ramen place in Greenpoint Perfect For: First/Early-In-The-Game Dates The Hidden Pearl is only “hidden” insofar as you have to walk through Wanpaku Ramen in Greenpoint in order to get to it. But it isn’t hard to find: there’s a sign on the door, and inside, the little room has a relaxed, not-taking-itself-too-seriously feel. You’re here to drink some fancy, Japanese-inspired cocktails (ours had whiskey, passionfruit, and a flower garnish, and if it weren’t a weeknight, we would have ordered nine more). There are also little Japanese snacks like pork buns and crispy rice with tuna that we’d like to try when we come back. The Verdict: For a semi-secret bar, this place is pretty laid-back, and it’s a great place for a quiet drink in Greenpoint." - hannah albertine, bryan kim, katherine lewin, hillary reinsberg, chris stang, matt tervooren

"The Hidden Pearl is a nice little cocktail bar behind a door in the back of the ramen place Wanpaku, and it serves some impressive Japanese-inspired cocktails. It’s a great spot for an overachieving first date, or a drink with someone who claims to know every good bar in Greenpoint, and there are small plates like pork buns and crispy rice with tuna for when you get hungry." - Bryan Kim, Neha Talreja, Kenny Yang, Willa Moore

"Hidden Pearl is a very small, minimalist space with a few potted plants and a blue-and-white color scheme, and it mostly just feels like an extremely nice and pleasant neighborhood cocktail bar. But unlike most neighborhood cocktail bars, this Greenpoint spot is hidden in the back of a ramen place (Wanpaku), and the Japanese-inspired cocktails are made with ingredients like shiso, yuzu, and miso-infused bourbon. Bring a date, get the drink with passionfruit and coconut that comes in a big glass chalice with a flower on top, and avoid telling other people about this place." - bryan kim

"While this tropical Japanese-themed speakeasy behind Wanpaku is small, the brightly lit, airy space doesn’t usually feel overwhelmingly crowded. Owner Leif Huckman, who is also behind Donna in South Williamsburg (RIP), has called the bar a “Japanese clam shack,” and as such, small plates like spicy tuna served atop crispy rice or fried baby octopus round out the menu. The drinks menu has an entire section devoted to highballs, all of which are worth a try." - Eater Staff, Paul Schrodt, Lorelei Yang

"This 20-seat cocktail den, tucked in the back of Greenpoint’s Wanpaku Ramen, pays homage to tropical Japan both in drink and food. A cocktail list spotlights inventive highballs and locally produced sake, accompanied by a menu of Japanese small plates, or sakana. Options include Asari clams steamed in garlic-sake broth, fried chuka idako (baby octopus), and salty fried burdock root chips." - Dan Q. Dao