Bar as Time Machine
Where to Sip Like It’s 1927, 1975, 2003, or 2040—Without Leaving NYC
One of the best things about going out in New York City is that time feels elastic.
One moment, you’re in a velvet booth under jazz-era chandeliers. The next, you’re dancing under a mirrorball to the sound of disco. Or sipping futuristic cocktails that feel like they were designed on another planet.
Across Manhattan and Brooklyn, nightlife professionals are reimagining the drinking experience as something more immersive—a chance to step into another era for a few hours. Whether you’re in the mood to time-travel back to Prohibition or skip ahead to 2040, New York’s bar scene has something for every moment in history.
Here’s where to sip through the decades—no passport or flux capacitor required.
Step Back to 1927: New York’s Speakeasy Revival
New York’s obsession with the Roaring Twenties never really ended.
Dark wood paneling, hidden entrances, bartenders in suspenders—it all still lives on in modern speakeasies that recreate the thrill of drinking something “forbidden.”
📍 The Back Room – Lower East Side
One of NYC’s last true Prohibition-era speakeasies, The Back Room serves cocktails in teacups as a wink to its history. Enter through an alleyway, slip past a bookshelf, and sip in candlelight.
📍 Apotheke – Chinatown
Inspired by 19th-century European apothecaries, this bar feels like an absinthe-soaked dream. Bartenders wear lab coats and serve drinks labeled as "Health & Beauty" or "Painkillers," all with a touch of theater.
Dance into 1975: The Disco and Fern Bar Comeback
The 1970s are alive and well in bars that blend retro design with a healthy dose of kitsch. Think wood-paneled walls, potted plants, vinyl booths, and disco tracks on loop.
📍 Bandits – West Village
Channeling pure fern bar nostalgia, Bandits feels like a dive in the best possible way—retro lighting, bar snacks, and playful cocktails served with a wink.
📍 RetroclubNYC – Times Square
Turn up the disco and head to RetroclubNYC, where the lights are low, the beats are vintage, and the bar is ready to serve you a drink that pairs perfectly with your platform shoes.
Relive 2003: Y2K Nights and Early 2000s Energy
If you’re nostalgic for the era of frosted lip gloss, Motorola flip phones, and pop-punk anthems, NYC has you covered with early 2000s-inspired nights.
📍 Beauty Bar – Union Square
Half salon, half cocktail lounge, Beauty Bar lets you sip cosmos or martinis while getting your nails done under vintage dryers. The playlist is pure early-aughts bliss.
📍 S.O.B.'s Y2K Throwback Parties – SoHo
Known for its themed dance nights, S.O.B.'s regularly hosts Y2K parties featuring pop classics, throwback hip hop, and cocktails served with just the right amount of glitter.
Skip Ahead to 2040: NYC’s Futuristic Bar Scene
The future is already here—at least when it comes to some of the city’s most imaginative bars. These venues mix tech, neon, and otherworldly design with unexpected cocktail menus.
📍 Area 50 – Brooklyn
Step into a sci-fi lounge complete with glowing cocktails and galactic décor. It’s like drinking inside a spaceship, minus the zero gravity.
📍 Jupiter Disco – Bushwick
Part electronic music hub, part cocktail bar, Jupiter Disco is retro-futuristic perfection. Come for the deep beats, stay for the drinks served under soft neon light.
Let Art of the Cocktail Bring the Eras to You
At Art of the Cocktail, we specialize in era-inspired cocktail experiences that bring the energy of any decade directly to your private event or venue.
Our professional mixologists can recreate:
1920s speakeasy bars with vintage glassware and classic pours
1970s disco pop-ups complete with funk-inspired cocktail menus
2000s throwback stations with playful, nostalgic recipes
Futuristic bar activations featuring LED-lit cocktails and smoke reveals
Whether you’re hosting a corporate event, private celebration, or brand activation, we’ll design a drinks program that feels immersive, memorable, and completely transportive.
Need the Perfect Venue to Match the Mood?
Partner with Morgan at NYC Event Venues to find the setting that fits your theme. Whether you need a vintage loft, a disco-ready dance floor, or a futuristic gallery space, Morgan curates New York’s most unique venues for events that stand out.
With Morgan managing the space and Art of the Cocktail managing the experience, your guests won’t just attend a party—they’ll step into another time.
Book Your Time-Traveling Cocktail Experience
Custom mobile bars, private mixology classes, and event activations available citywide.
