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Employees Only Turns 20 with a Night Honoring the Roaring Twenties
December 6, 2024, 1:14.00 am ET

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Photos: Cititour.com

Employees Only, the legendary West Village speakeasy at 510 Hudson Street, celebrated its 20th anniversary with a decadent bash that felt like a step back in time to the Roaring Twenties. Guests traded modern hustle for vintage glam, reveling in a night of flappers, burlesque, and jazz that paid tribute to the Prohibition era and the bar’s storied legacy in New York’s nightlife scene.

Behind its trademark psychic’s neon sign, Employees Only transformed into a haven of indulgence. A roaring fireplace cast a warm glow over the festivities, while a lively jazz band set the tone for the evening. Burlesque dancers and costumed flappers added an air of sultry sophistication, with sword swallowing and playing with fire to the vintage tunes like Puttin' on the Ritz.

In true EO fashion, the party featured a Negroni fountain, punch and indulgent bites like bone marrow poppers and oysters on the half shell. The restaurant is also known for its Reuben croquettes, bacon-wrapped lamb chops and house rib eye with horseradish potato gratin.

The bar’s legendary cocktails took center stage, with drinks like the Amelía (Haku vodka, St-Germain, blackberry puree, and fresh lemon) and Besos Calientes (El Tesoro Blanco tequila, grapefruit cordial, lime, and habanero bitters) circulating among the crowd. For the purists, the signature Manhattan Cocktail with Wild Turkey 101 and Italian vermouth was a perfect throwback to classic New York.

By 9 PM, the energy spilled over to Macao Trading Co., EO’s sister spot, where a high-energy afterparty welcomed industry icons, longtime regulars, and VIPs. Opened in 2004, Employees Only is more than just a bar—its amazing creativity helped define the city’s modern speakeasy movement. Cheers to another 20 years!



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