VENUE FACTS
The Back Room — Lower East Side
Status: Open — official site current. Unusual policy worth knowing: 25+ on Friday and Saturday nights.
Last verified: 2026-08-25 — every fact below is sourced; anything we couldn't confirm is marked as reported or unverified.
The facts
| Address | 102 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002 — through the “Lower East Side Toy Company” gate, down the alley, up the metal stairs |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood | Lower East Side, Manhattan |
| Type | Genuine Prohibition-era speakeasy — cocktails in teacups, beer in paper bags |
| Music | DJs Thursday–Saturday 9pm–close; free Monday night jazz (music 9pm–12:30am) |
| Nights & hours | Sun–Mon 6pm–1am; Tue–Thu 6pm–2am; Fri–Sat 6pm–3am |
| Cover / entry cost | No cover — “Always Free” per the official site |
| Dress code | Official code: no baseball hats, no flip-flops, no tank tops (men), no real fur |
| Age policy | 21+ Sunday–Thursday; 25+ Friday & Saturday (official — and rarely reported anywhere else) |
| Tables & reservations | Walk-ins and reservations both accepted |
| Peak times | Weekend DJ nights get packed; Monday jazz is the connoisseur move |
| Official site | backroomnyc.com |
| @thebackroomnyc |
How to get in
Find the alley entrance at 102 Norfolk and walk in, or reserve on the site. Check ahead for private-event closures.
The honest take
One of only two NYC bars that actually operated during Prohibition — real history, free entry, real late hours. Weekends run young, loud, and packed; drinks are solid rather than exceptional.
Plan the night around it
Sources
- backroomnyc.com (official, fetched 2026-08-25)
- Diffords Guide (2026)
Spotted something out of date? Nightlife info rots fast — tell us and we'll re-verify.