Double Happiness

04/08/08

The unmarked staircase leading down to this hip Chinatown hideout is now just an unmarked staircase to nowhere.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
This super-dark basement lounge retains the secret, illicit appeal that drew crowds during its past incarnations as a speakeasy and Mob-run gay bar. A large Chinese abacus borders the intimate wooden bar, while the rest of the exposed-brick space yawns into a silky blackness flecked with candlelight. Come early to snag one of the plush alcove booths or low tables before they're crowded with regulars, European tourists and cozy couples.

The Draw
DJs start spinning a smooth mix of soul, rock and house most nights after 10pm. In the meantime, the staff plays its own eclectic compilations. The bartenders deftly serve up beer and wine, though martinis are the drinks of choice, whether it's the Double Happiness lemonade, which mixes lemons with vodka and triple sec, or the lusciously tart pink grapefruit-cassis martini. The green-tea martini gives new meaning to "drinking to your health."

11/27/07

That Soft Touch of Happiness

by one_trick_pony at Citysearch

Ruined careers, shattered lives, broken dreams; in its day this place was accused of the works. Looking back, the scope of its influence is nothing short of epic. And now, you, the lost lambs of double happiness, where shall you congregate? Lest the flock be gobbled by the corporate wolves with their eyes on your golden fleece, let us go underground once more! Below the radar of the ogres of the Old World, we shall carve a new space of liberation, where anything can happen. Let us make the end of an epoch into a Happy Ending. Join me there, comrades, and we will once again relive that soft touch of happiness.

01/29/07

Nice Underground Feel

by moineau at Citysearch

Nice and cozy underground bar, you'd definitely miss it if you blinked. I like to cozy up in one of the booths with some friends, but the dance floor is always fun too. The DJ's always play a great variety of music that always seems to tend to the mood of the crowd. Sometimes the crowd seems a little to "sceney" for my tastes, but it's not always like that. Drinks are good and relatively priced. Nice place to go to if you're bar hopping, probably not a place where you'd want to stay all night... sometimes it gets too crowded late in the evenings.

• Pros: Nice Underground Feel
• Cons: Quite small, can get crowded quickly

01/14/07

Don't miss this lower-level gem of a bar!

by stlsunshine at Citysearch

My husband and I went for the first time last night, I'd heard this was a fun hangout. We had a great time! Tasty unique cocktails, nice staff, VERY mysterious, dimly-lit and cozy atmosphere...not to be missed! We got there at 10PM on a Saturday night and scored seats at the bar, by 10:30 it was standing-room only so we're happy we got there when we did. The crowd was a good mix of people, thankfully missing the overly-drunken early 20-somethings that tend to spoil a mood by staggering and shouting. We will definitely be back, would like to try a weeknight as well. Great music and sound system too!

• Pros: wonderful drinks, atmosphere and drinks
• Cons: small space fills up fast

05/23/06

Ultra Chill Hipster Lounge

by qtgurljny at Citysearch

Double Happiness used to be a big hipster lounge, and still somewhat is. The decor is a fushion between authentic, historic chinese and downtown cool. Drinks are pretty low priced and people are pretty attractive. A good place to relax, dance and hang out.

03/21/06

Great

by fchor at Citysearch

I love this place. The bar's name is very appropriate. Highly recommended.

• Pros: Atmosphere

10/01/05

Hidden gem in heart of Chinatown

by ariadne23 at Citysearch

I went here for a party, and that was a bad idea. No cell phone reception in the bar makes it hard to do the prerequisite party txt messaging you'll surely regret the next day. Also space is a little too small and noisy for a big birthday crowd. However, the bar itself is SPECTACULAR. Very nice atmosphere- dark and mysterious, lots of ambience. Speak-easy feel in the middle of Chinatown make this a pretty impressive hidden spot ideal for impressing the people you're hosting over the weekend. Drinks are amazing and unique. Place has a great late-late night vibe, with the small dance floor quickly becoming overcrowded and swarming with fun-loving and laidback people who just want to have a good time. Highly recommend it for smaller groups going out- definitely hit it up post-midnight.

• Pros: Creative Drinks, Music, Dancing
• Cons: Crowded, Noisy, No phone reception

02/29/04

Cool place

by cyl2272 at Citysearch

Highly recommended if you have friends visiting. Great place to hang out and chit chat ... on weekdays. I get a bit too crowded in the weekend.

11/28/03

no longer on top

by hollygolightly at Citysearch

this formerly trendy place is now more of a has-been with a heavy B&T crowd and a somewhat unpleasant door policy. Warning: local Chinatown residents have also taken to throwing water on the heads of unsuspecting patrons who make too much noise while traipsing in and out to smoke!

• Pros: underground vibe
• Cons: not great crowd

11/20/03

Like A Vampire's Lair

by adelly at Citysearch

We were taken here by a friend during our NYC vacation, and we liked it a lot. We went on a Monday night, so there were only a few people, but we had a good time. Drinks are reasonable, and the martinis are good. It's hard to miss on the street, so be cautious. It's really dark inside too, resembling a vampire's lair (?). Nice place to just chill with friends, drink and listen to music (mellow hip-hop the time we were there).

• Pros: Reasonably Priced, Nice Atmosphere, No Attitude
• Cons: Small