86 Bedford Street
Located at 86 Bedford Street in New York City, Chumley’s is a historic speakeasy with a rich literary legacy. Since its establishment in 1922, this clandestine watering hole has been a favorite haunt for prominent writers of the time, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Willa Cather, among others. After closing its doors for nearly a decade, Chumley’s made a triumphant return in 2016, still attracting a literary crowd and maintaining its roaring ’20s charm. The owners went the extra mile during the renovation, enlisting a historian to curate an impressive collection of book jackets and writer portraits, creating an atmosphere that transports visitors back in time. While the cocktails served at Chumley’s pay homage to the Prohibition era, one thing that has changed is the entrance – the back alley door, once used by secretive patrons, is no longer accessible, adding a sense of mystery and nostalgia to this iconic speakeasy.