La Noxe: NYC’s Hidden Speakeasy

Here’s one subway station where New Yorkers can do more than just catch a train.

At the southeast corner of 28th Street and Seventh Avenue, there’s a door on the platform between the staircases to the 1 train that leads to a hidden bar serving up a chic vibe along with $18 cocktails. When it opened in 2021, it made headlines for its long waitlist that at one point had over 900 patrons-in-waiting.

Discover La Noxe

Meet La Noxe, the brainchild of Jey Perie, who was the founder of the former Williamsburg dance club Kinfolk. “In early 2019, I was looking for any interesting locations that would allow me to develop my own take on a nightlife establishment,” he shares regarding the space he discovered in The New York Times commercial real estate section. “I lived in Tokyo for six years and was influenced by the restaurants, bars, and clubs I frequented while I was there.” As soon as he came across the underground space at 28th Street, he instantly knew that was it.

Perie transformed the overlooked venue at 315 Seventh Avenue, incorporating his global experiences from Tokyo and Barcelona with the ’70s style of Mexican architect Luis Barragán to create an “oasis of cultures and influences.” After collaborating with the MTA and Department of Buildings, he secured all necessary permits and licenses on March 17, 2020—only for the city to shut down as the pandemic unfolded.

Menu Highlights

After some delays, the bar opened in October 2020 by reservation only. However, after 12 weeks, there was another pause before reopening on February 15, 2021.

La Noxe is now serving food and drinks Thursday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday through Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. “Every day, we are hosting amazing new guests, many of whom I hope will become regulars,” Perie explains. “Our goal is to build a strong community of people who appreciate great food, cocktails, wine, and music.” He emphasizes that they aim to enhance the nightlife scene, stating, “We are definitely not trying to be a tourist attraction. We believe the right people will always find their way to La Noxe.”

On the dinner menu are seafood options like bass tiradito and grilled Galician-style octopus. The house drinks include Forbidden Love (aloe, cucumber, lemon, and vodka) and La Noxe’s Banana Daiquiri (banana liqueur, Jamaican bitters, and charanda).

The Unique Atmosphere

While the focus of La Noxe is its drinks, the atmosphere is what truly captivates guests. “The size and location of the room will make you feel as if you’re partying for a few hours in the apartment of an eccentric artist circa 1977,” he describes. “But first and foremost, La Noxe is a New York experience.”