Urban Village Tours
Home of the Prohibition Pub Crawl
...and the only Ghost Pub Crawl in New York City!
Harlem Prohibition Pub Crawl
Go back in time to the golden age of Harlem when this uptown neighborhood was *the* place to be for the best nightlife in the 1920’s and 1930’s for blacks and whites, celebrities and regular folk. It was where you would hear the best jazz, dance with the best dancers and of course drink the best booze in the whole city and never see a cop. Join Urban Village Tours as we re-create what once was in world famous Harlem during the so-called Harlem Renaissance.
You will also learn important African-American history and culture in the “Cultural Capitol of Black America”. Learn about the stories of two African-American heroes who sought refuge in New York—Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. Also learn about the 20th century Great Migration as tens of thousands of poor Black folk from the South arrived in Harlem with dreams, ambitions and hope.
Learn the amazing history of how the Black community of New York made their way uptown after years of racism, race riots and discrimination and created a cultural metropolis second to none. Learn about the important leaders who shaped Harlem often controversially.
Learn what the black community of Harlem did to cope with poverty, lack of jobs and over-crowdedness during Prohibition. Learn the advent of the rent party and engaging in the black market during Prohibition.
You’ll hear all about the music, the poetry, the paintings, the dances, the politics and the stories of what put Harlem on the map during this time between the wars. Who were these artists like Langston Hughes, James Reese Europe and Willie “The Lion” Smith? Learn about their lives.
See where the famous nightclubs in Harlem were located—Connie’s Inn, the Lafayette Theater, Small’s Paradise, the Alhambra Ballroom and more. And conclude the tour walking through the Original Swing Street where many great stars went to see future stars perform including the venerable Billie Holiday.
And of course enjoy some libations along the way as we stop at several speakeasies—with nary a hint of scandal—along the way.
Midtown East Prohibition Pub Crawl
Amongst the hotels, transportation and commercial buildings of the Midtown East section of Manhattan lies a fascinating gangster history from the 1920’s and 1930’s. On this "pub less" pub crawl through the East Side learn about the incredible history of Jazz Age era hotels, commerce, mischief and mayhem. Learn about a modern speakeasy fashioned from a personal office inside a train terminal, See the locations of not one but two infamous murders of mafia kingpins. And learn the circumstances which led to their demise. Learn about the history of one of the most famous hotels in the world and the famous gangster who actually lived at the hotel under an assumed name. View some of the iconic modern skyscrapers which help define the East Side and learn their stories. See a nineteenth century townhouse that was a popular speakeasy during Prohibition. See the location of a brothel of run by the most famous madam in New York City history. And see a Gilded Age hotel run by the wealthiest family in New York history that gave birth to the Bloody Mary. Cheers!
Times Square Prohibition Pub Crawl
Join a "pub less" pub crawl at the Crossroads of the World and learn about Prohibition and it’s effects on world-famous Times Square. In 1910‘s, Times Square was the new entertainment center of New York. The legitimate theater industry was moving in. Fancy restaurants called lobster palaces were in vogue. Illegal casinos would be opening up. Prostitution would spill north from the Tenderloin district. And then the most dramatic change would occur–-Prohibition. On this walking tour see the locations of where New York’s underworld held court during the Great Experiment. Visit a hotel dubbed the Country Club of 42nd Street that closed due to Prohibition. See a speakeasy on the famous Club Row. Drink where the Broadway stars and fans had dined for a generation. See the location of a famous deli where a visionary gangster funded the vice that made Times Square the epicenter of 1920’s New York Jazz Age. All this and more on this "pub less" pub crawl at the Crossroads of the World.
Hell's Kitchen Prohibition Pub Crawl
Prohibition was a unique period of time in American history. Perhaps nowhere in New York City was this more demonstrated than in the pre-dominantly Irish neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen. A journalist once asked a Hell’s Kitchen resident how many speakeasies are there in Hell’s Kitchen. She replied “There’s more speakeasies than children and there are very easily 200 children per block.”
Having the benefit of being next to the Hudson River, many of the early successful bootleggers in New York City were Hell’s Kitchen residents at some point in their lives either in their formative years or as adults. They would utilize the coming and goings of ships on the Hudson River, called rum runners, to receive illicit alcohol. We will learn about who many of these early bootleggers were, their schemes and the organization they belonged to dedicated to trafficking in the shipped alcohol.
We will also learn of the rebels amongst these scofflaws. Those independent-minded gangsters who often didn’t play by underworld’s rules and the consequences of their actions. Further, we will see how Prohibition ended and how the gangsters ended—either their lives or their careers as bootleggers.
In addition, we will learn about some more historical facts of the neighborhood including Death Avenue, Doctor’s Row, the old Paddy’s Market and more. And, of course, you will learn why Hell’s Kitchen is called Hell’s Kitchen. All this and more on this "pub less" pub crawl through Hell’s Kitchen.
Edgar Allan Poe Pub Crawl
Visit the heart of New York's most haunted neighborhood, Greenwich Village, on Urban Village Tours' Edgar Allan Poe Pub Crawl. Learn about the most famous ghost in America. Where he lived, where he drank and where he composed his most famous work, The Raven. Learn about his life in New York City. Further, you'll visit the most haunted park in all of New York City and learn about a few grisly facts along the way. See the haunted townhouse where Mark Twain once lived. Visit the site of New York's most horrifying industrial accident. Spooky and scary, spirited fun.
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West Village Ghost Pub Crawl
Drink in the haunted bars of the West Village on Urban Village Tours' West Village Ghost Pub Crawl. Visit the pub where a rather famous Welsh poet still haunts his favorite literary landmark. See a well known West Village piano bar that has several ghosts inside residing in the restroom and basement. Ghost hunt at the most famous New York speakeasy which used to have two entrances--one for customers the other for apparitions. And visit a former carriage house owned by one of the most compelling figures in all of New York history. And meet his lovely daughter too! All this and more on this especially spirited trek in New York's most spooky neighborhood.
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eVil Sublet Ghost Tour
This ghost pub crawl is through the neighborhood where the eVil Sublet is located, the historic East Village. On this tour, you will learn about the many ghosts and apparitions that spook some of the watering holes in the neighborhood. Step inside one of New York's City's oldest bars and see where Harry Houdini still performs tricks. Check out a fancy hotel bar that is right next to and on top of a cemetery! Visit the oldest non-sectarian cemetery in the city. Hear the story of a Brazilian showgirl and her gangster boyfriend who still spook his old speakeasy. Learn of the famous 17th century leader of New Amsterdam at his farm house. And of course it wouldn't be an eVil Sublet tour without visiting the haunted building where the eVil Sublet stands. All this and more for eVil Sublet donors.
Boozy Brunch in Central Park
Giving new meaning to boozy brunch in the Big Apple! See Central Park while sipping Bloody Marys and Mimosas on Urban Village Tours' Central Park Bar Crawl. Visit three bars and regale in style as we explore the southern and midsections of the world's most famous park. Hear the amazing story of how Central Park went from a hilly and rocky squatter settlement to becoming the first urban landscaped park in American history. See many of the early attractions landscaper Frederick Law Olmstead erected such as the Carousel, the Dairy, the Chess and Checkers House and much more. Take a stroll on the Mall amongst the awesome collection of American Elms paving the way to the epic landscape of the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. See the beauty of the Ramble, a 38-acre wild garden. Learn how a former sheep fold was transformed into one of the most famous restaurants in America. Sip a cocktail right next to the pristine 22-acre lake amongst the paddleboats and gondolas. All this and more in the very first New York City pub crawl within a park. First round's on us! Cheers!
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Times Scare! Ghost Pub Crawl
Take a ghoulish and ghostly walk through the Crossroads of the World and wait for it...Hell's Kitchen and enjoy some craft cocktails along the way on Urban Village Tours' Times Square Ghost Pub Crawl. See where some of the spooky ghosts reside inside some of Broadway's oldest and mysterious theaters. Learn about the tragic story of the demise of a beautiful Ziegfeld girl. Learn about the ghost who took a curtain call on Opening Night. Learn about the members of the famous Round Table who still haunt the famous Algonquin Hotel. Learn about a Broadway Theatre that has 103 ghosts! Futher learn about some of the spooks in Hell's Kitchen including a haunted former carriage house built in the eighteenth century. Enjoy a libation from one of New York's oldest and most haunted bars where a Confederate soldier killed in a bar fight. It will be spooky scary and fun!
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Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl
Explore the Broadway Theater District and some of the pubs that were actual speakeasies during Prohibition on Urban Village Tours Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl. Your tour guide will make the past come alive as you see the speakeasies that served a thirsty, theater going public. Learn about how one of the most famous speakeasies would dispose of their spirits in the case of a police raid. See where one of the most famous early 20th century show girls tended bar and had to confront her mad ex-husband. See where one of Prohibition’s most notorious gangsters was shot. Relive the location where the so-called Queen of the Speakeasies had a couple of her nightclubs. It will be bullets over Broadway!
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East Village Prohibition Pub Crawl
The East Village has a fascinating history. It is one of the more remarkable neighborhoods in New York City. Join us as we drink 1920's style on this entertaining and interactive “pub less” pub crawl. First learn what drinking was like on the Bowery in nineteenth century working class New York City. Learn about the important events which led to the eventual passing of the 18th Amendment. See the incredible history of one of New York’s oldest bars. Learn the fascinating gangster history of Second Avenue, one of the many red light districts on the Lower East Side. Hear a fascinating story of one gangster's amazing determination and fearlessness. Learn about some of the mafia history as well and see where the most influential and infamous gangster lived as a child. And see how Prohibition changed this neighborhood immensely.
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Lower East Side Prohibition Pub Crawl
Travel back in time to the Roaring 20's as you visit several LES pubs some of which served as speakeasies during Prohibition. Learn about the evolution of this neighborhood home to countless immigrants from Germans to later Eastern European Jews, it’s what made the Lower East Side the famous neighborhood that it is.. Many Jewish gangsters immersed from the ghettos of the Lower East Side and we will learn about them and the lives of crime they led. See the struggle for power during the Great Experiment. Look what lied beyond a delicatessen’s walls. See where one of the red light districts was located. All the while, you can sip on drinks with nary a hint of scandal.
West Village Prohibition Pub Crawl
Discover the hidden booze-filled under belly of the West Village with the West Village Pub Crawl. Explore this world famous neighborhood, known for it's bucolic setting and bohemian history. Start by checking out one of the oldest bars in New York. A place where longshoreman drank and told stories and later where a famous poet drank himself to death. See where some of the most bohemian digs were. Check out where the oldest gay bar in New York his and where the Stonewall Rebellion took place. See where an Italian woman made homemade wine in the spot where a founding father passed away. You will see what is the most famous speakeasy of them all and learn what the term ’86’ meant. All this and more on this spirited “pub less” pub crawl.
Little Italy Prohibition Pub Crawl
Come relive the past in Little Italy on this three hour exciting Gangster Prohibition Pub Crawl Tour. In 1920, the United States created the 18th amendment to the Constitution which banned liquor production, public consumption and the selling of anything alcoholic. This catapulted the criminal world and helped the gangsters monopolize and grow their illegal business of alcohol. It made some of the most vicious gangsters gain fortune and fame. Illegal bars known as speakeasies opened by the tens of thousands all over the country and served bootleg liquor to the thirsty public. When something is illegal it creates an underworld that will stop at nothing. As Al Capone said "All I do is supply a public demand."
On this tour you will walk in the footsteps of the gangsters and visit some of the watering holes that served illegal liquor during Prohibition. There you can sip a craft cocktail served by some of the top bartenders in New York.
While sipping on your now "legal" alcoholic beverage you will hear stories of the Mafia and how it infiltrated into society. We will stop at three to four pubs which were “speakeasies”. By the end of the tour you will be a "wiseguy" about Prohibition and the mob.