Dial 1 to Get a Drink
By Lucas Compan
One of the coolest things about traveling is when we get to know a place that just locals can find. In the days of Prohibition (1920-1933), a speakeasy was an illegal booze bar hidden in an unlikely spot behind a heavy door, its location – and often a secret password – known only to a select few.
PDT (short for Please Don't Tell) is one such well-hidden gem. Although the address is on St. Marks Place (in the East Village), no matter how carefully you search, you won't find its front door. You enter through a hot dog joint – Crif Dogs – under an eye-catching wiener-shaped sign with "eat me" mustard-scrawled on it. Discreetly step inside a vintage telephone booth, follow instructions posted on the wall, then dial number 1 (one) on a rotary phone to reach the hostess.
right after you enter ‘crif dogs,’ look to your left and you’ll see the phone booth
in the phone booth, dial 1 and the hostess will answer your call to check your reservation
Crif Dogs, hot dog joint under an eye-catching wiener-shaped sign with "eat me" mustard-scrawled on it. photo @lucascompan
A cool, intimate, cocktail lounge, perfect for a date, PDT seats 45 patrons – no stands allowed – at an elegantly rectangular bar and four oval booths. What people say about PDT? Click here to find out.
Known for its innovative and unexpected cocktails. One of its most famous drinks is the Benton's Old Fashioned, a deceptively simple drink made from bourbon infused with bacon from famed producer Allan Benton, a bit of maple syrup, and little else. Click here to see how to learn how to prepare it with Don Lee, the drink's inventor.
PDT in New York City is known for its innovative and unexpected cocktails. One of its most famous drinks is the Benton's Old Fashioned.
If you crave a snack, order a Crif Dogs frankfurter with unexpected toppings like avocado, cream cheese, jalapenos, chili, bacon, pineapple, peanut butter. Add a side dish of waffle fries or ever-popular tater tots. Food is delivered via a small pass-thru at the mirrored back bar.
you can get a hot dog from crif dogs
Important: to ensure a warm welcome (and coveted seats), call ahead. Reservations are same-day only – the phone line is open from 3pm until they're fully booked.
Please, Don't Tell. A secret place where local New Yorkers hang out and chill out.
Weekend walk-ins should expect a lengthy wait: the hostess takes your name, then calls your mobile when seats become available. If you don't like to wait, get there at 6pm on a weekday night when it's usually less busy.
Cheers!
HOURS: Sun-Thu, 6pm-2am; Fri-Sat, 6pm-4am | SUBWAY: 6 train to Astor Place / N, R to 8th St-NYU
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