Stepping back in time to the roaring 1920s, the New Year’s Eve Speakeasy Drinks & History Tour in New York City offers a unique blend of festive celebration and captivating historical exploration. Kicking off at the clandestine Sir Henry’s bar, guests indulge in complimentary prohibition-era cocktails while uncovering the fascinating tales of gangsters and bootleggers who once frequented these secret watering holes. As the night progresses, the tour culminates with exclusive access to a VIP viewing area for the iconic Times Square ball drop, complete with an open bar and a midnight champagne toast – a truly unforgettable way to usher in the new year.
Key Points

- This New Year’s Eve tour explores NYC’s prohibition-era history, including visits to a 1920s speakeasy with stories of gangsters and bootleggers.
- The tour provides an exclusive VIP viewing area for the iconic Times Square ball drop, away from the crowded streets.
- The experience includes complimentary drinks, an open bar, and a midnight champagne toast, enhancing the festive and historical atmosphere.
- The tour offers an intimate group size of up to 30 travelers, ensuring a personalized and immersive experience.
- The tour is priced at $400 or more, reflecting the exclusive and unique nature of the experience.
👉 Check out our guide to the 3 Best Craft Beer Tours And Tastings In New York City
Contents
- Key Points
- Tour Overview
- Inclusions and Amenities
- Meeting and End Points
- Tour Details and Requirements
- Reviews and Feedback
- Pricing and Booking
- Exploring the Speakeasies
- Experiencing the Ball Drop
- Recap
- Our Top Picks in New York City
- More Historical Tours in New York City
- More Tours in New York City
- More Tour Reviews in New York City
- Not for you? Here's more things to do in New York City we have recnetly reviewed
Tour Overview
The New Years Eve Speakeasy Drinks & History Tour in New York City offers a captivating journey into the city’s prohibition-era past.
Participants will visit one of NYC’s last-standing 1920s speakeasies and hear stories about notorious gangsters and bootleggers.
The tour provides an exclusive view of the iconic ball drop from 12 blocks away, allowing guests to experience the excitement of New Year’s Eve in Times Square without being in the thick of the crowds.
With complimentary drinks, an open bar, and a midnight champagne toast, this tour promises an immersive and festive celebration of New York City’s rich history.
Fascinated by New York City's past? More historical tours we've covered
Inclusions and Amenities
The tour includes a complimentary drink at each of the first two venues, allowing guests to start the evening with a taste of the prohibition-era cocktails that would have been served in these historic speakeasies.
From 8 PM to midnight, an open bar provides unlimited access to refreshments, culminating in a midnight champagne toast to celebrate the new year.
Attendees will also have a VIP reserved viewing area for the iconic ball drop, providing an exclusive and unobstructed view of this iconic New Year’s Eve tradition from 12 blocks away.
Meeting and End Points
The tour begins outside Sir Henry’s bar, located at 795 8th Ave in New York City. This is the meeting point for the prohibition-themed speakeasy tour.
Guests will then be led to one of NYC’s last-standing 1920s speakeasies to hear stories about notorious gangsters and bootleggers.
The tour concludes at the Flute Champagne Bar, located at 205 W 54th St, where guests can enjoy an open bar from 8 PM to midnight and a midnight champagne toast.
This prime location also offers a VIP reserved viewing area for the iconic ball drop, providing an exclusive view from 12 blocks away.
Tour Details and Requirements
The tour begins promptly at 5:00 PM.
Travelers will have the opportunity to explore one of New York City’s last-standing 1920s speakeasies and hear captivating stories about notorious gangsters and bootleggers.
The group size is limited to 30 travelers, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience.
However, the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible and isn’t recommended for those with back problems, pregnant travelers, or those with serious medical conditions.
Moderate physical fitness is required, as the tour involves some walking.
The evening culminates with a VIP reserved viewing area for the iconic ball drop, along with a midnight champagne toast.
Reviews and Feedback
Travelers have left a mix of reviews about their experience on the New Years Eve Speakeasy Drinks & History Tour in NYC.
The tour has an overall rating of 3.5 from 2 reviews. Positive feedback highlights the informative and enjoyable experience, as well as the excellent view of the ball drop.
However, some negative feedback suggests the tour is overpriced, with insufficient food and lack of guidance for the ball drop timing.
Despite these drawbacks, the tour promises an exclusive look at one of NYC’s last-standing 1920s speakeasies and the opportunity to hear stories about notorious gangsters and bootleggers.
Pricing and Booking
The New Years Eve Speakeasy Drinks & History Tour in NYC comes with a price tag of $400.00 or more.
Attendees should note that the tour is non-refundable, and there are no refunds for cancellations. Upon booking, guests will receive a confirmation.
The steep price reflects the exclusive nature of the experience, which includes one complimentary drink at each of the first two venues, an open bar from 8 PM to midnight, a midnight champagne toast, and a VIP reserved viewing area for the ball drop.
Though the experience may be pricey, it offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and take in the Prohibition-era history of New York City.
Exploring the Speakeasies
Stepping back in time, guests embark on a captivating journey through New York City’s Prohibition-era speakeasies.
They’ll visit one of the last remaining 1920s speakeasies, where they’ll uncover the stories of notorious gangsters and bootleggers who once frequented these clandestine establishments.
The tour offers an exclusive glimpse into a world of hidden passageways, secret entrances, and illicit revelry that defined the Roaring Twenties.
As guests sip on complimentary cocktails, they’ll be transported to a time when the flow of alcohol was restricted, but the spirit of defiance and celebration flourished.
This immersive experience provides a unique window into New York’s vibrant and scandalous past.
Experiencing the Ball Drop
Where does the tour culminate in an exclusive VIP viewing area for the iconic ball drop in Times Square? After exploring several prohibition-era speakeasies, the tour reaches its crescendo at the Flute Champagne Bar. Attendees are treated to an open bar from 8 PM to midnight and a complimentary midnight champagne toast as they watch the ball drop from just 12 blocks away. This VIP viewing experience offers a front-row seat to one of the world’s most celebrated New Year’s Eve traditions, allowing guests to take in the excitement and energy of Times Square from a comfortable and exclusive vantage point.
| Viewing Area | Location | Capacity | Distance to Ball |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIP | Flute Champagne Bar | 30 | 12 blocks |
| General Public | Times Square | N/A | 0 blocks |
| Rooftop | Various Hotels | Varies | 0-3 blocks |
| Private Event | Invitation-Only | Varies | 0-6 blocks |
New Years Eve Speakeasy Drinks & History Tour NYC
“Great experience!! I highly recommend it best environment ! Tour guides were super nice and knowledgeable..”
Recap
The New Year’s Eve Speakeasy Drinks & History Tour in NYC offers a unique blend of festive celebration and rich historical exploration. Guests enjoy prohibition-era cocktails and tales of gangsters at a 1920s speakeasy, culminating with access to a VIP viewing area for the iconic Times Square ball drop, complete with an open bar and a midnight champagne toast – an unforgettable experience to ring in the new year.




































