Discovering Raines Law Room At The William: An Exclusive New York Experience
Nestled discreetly within the historic ambiance of The William hotel in Midtown Manhattan, Raines Law Room At The William offers a sophisticated and intimate escape from the bustling energy of New York City. This establishment is not merely a bar; it is a carefully curated experience designed to transport patrons back to an era of refined elegance and clandestine charm. Located at 24 E 39th St, New York, NY 10016, United States, this venue embodies the spirit of the Prohibition era while delivering contemporary excellence in mixology and service. It stands as a testament to the enduring allure of speakeasies—places where quality reigns supreme and conversation flows as smoothly as the expertly crafted cocktails.
The atmosphere at Raines Law Room is intentionally subdued, encouraging genuine connection and appreciation for the craft. Upon entering, guests are immediately enveloped in an environment that prioritizes privacy and luxury. The design aesthetic blends rich textures, dim lighting, and plush seating, creating pockets of intimacy perfect for a quiet evening or a significant celebration. It’s a destination for those who seek an elevated social setting, far removed from the noise and superficiality often associated with high-volume establishments. The commitment here is to the guest experience, ensuring every visit feels both exclusive and deeply personal.
What truly sets Raines Law Room At The William apart in the competitive New York hospitality landscape is its dedication to detail across several key areas. These elements combine to forge a memorable and highly sought-after destination for discerning patrons:
Masterful Mixology and Cocktail Craftsmanship: The beverage program is the cornerstone of the Raines Law Room experience. Bartenders operate with precision, utilizing premium spirits, house-made infusions, and fresh, seasonal ingredients. The menu often features inventive takes on classic cocktails, alongside signature creations that showcase deep knowledge of historical recipes and modern techniques. This focus on quality ingredients and expert execution elevates the simple act of drinking into an art form.
Intimate and Exclusive Ambiance: The physical space is designed to foster privacy. Unlike many large, open bars, this venue utilizes thoughtful layout and decor to create secluded nooks and comfortable seating arrangements. This intentional design choice makes it an ideal location for confidential discussions or romantic evenings, reinforcing the speakeasy ethos of being a hidden gem known only to those "in the know."
Impeccable, Personalized Service: The staff at Raines Law Room are trained to anticipate needs without being intrusive. Service is attentive, knowledgeable, and executed with a polished professionalism that complements the luxurious surroundings. Guests can expect detailed explanations of the menu offerings and recommendations tailored to their preferences, contributing significantly to the overall feeling of being exceptionally well cared for.
A Nod to Historical Sophistication: The venue successfully channels the glamour and mystique of the early 20th century. From the decor to the service style, there is a consistent thematic thread that honors the golden age of cocktails. This historical grounding provides a rich narrative backdrop for the modern indulgence, making the experience feel layered and substantial rather than purely aesthetic.
Raines Law Room At The William represents a commitment to the finer things in hospitality. It is a sanctuary where the pace slows down, allowing patrons to savor the moment, the company, and the exceptional quality of what is being served. For those visiting or residing in New York City and searching for an establishment that transcends the ordinary bar scene—one that offers genuine sophistication, unparalleled drink quality, and an atmosphere steeped in elegant secrecy—this location on East 39th Street provides an essential destination. It is an invitation to indulge in a truly refined New York evening.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Assistive hearing loop
Wheelchair-accessible car park
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
On-site services
Dine-in
Delivery
Takeaway
Highlights
Fast service
Great cocktails
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Food
Food at bar
Private dining room
Spirits
Wine
Dining options
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Locals
Planning
Accepts reservations
Usually a wait
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Paid multi-storey car park
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Menus
SET PRECEDENT
AMBER OLD FASHIONEDUS$21.00
ISLA BELLEUS$21.00
IMPERIAL GIBSONUS$22.00
WILDEST REDHEADUS$21.00
DESERT BLOOMUS$21.00
LATE HARVEST
GOLDEN HIVEUS$21.00
BARREL RIDERUS$20.00
PUEBLA OLD FASHIONEDUS$21.00
ORCHARD STREETUS$21.00
WHAT WE'RE DRINKING
TATSUMI HIGHBALLUS$21.00
LOST IN PARADISEUS$20.00
REDACTED MARGARITAUS$21.00
HAT IN HANDUS$22.00
RESERVE COCKTAILS
KANZAN MARTINIUS$26.00
TAIL GUNNERUS$26.00
BRUNO'S VOWUS$30.00
TIDAL RANGEUS$28.00
ZERO PROOF
COOPER SQUAREUS$16.00
BACK IN BLACKUS$17.00
FLIGHT PATHUS$16.00
STUNT DOUBLEUS$17.00
SMALL PLATES
Spiced Nuts (vg/gf)US$9.00
Snack Tray (vg/gf)US$18.00
Thick-Cut Fries† (vg/gf)US$13.00
Golden Kaluga Caviar ToastUS$29.00
Mediterranean Platter* (v)US$19.00
Lobster Rolls*US$24.00
Tuna Tartare (gf)US$25.00
Crispy Goat Cheese (vg)US$16.00
NYC Pastrami Sandwich BitesUS$22.00
Au Poivre SlidersUS$17.00
Meat & Cheese Board*US$23.00
Macarons (5)US$12.00
Photos
Reviews Raines Law Room At The William
Taylore Fowler
20-09-2025
My fiancé (now husband) and I recently got married at Raines Law Room at the William. We cannot stress enough how incredible the team was in making our day extra special and one to remember (extra shoutouts to Lauren & Alex!). The full venue team helped us with every detail in making our day one to remember — from having our ceremony in the library room, hosting our tasting, to creating custom cocktails to highlight the importance of many special cities in our lives. We will 1000% visit again in the future to re-celebrate our special day and thank the team for all of their efforts in making our day so special. If you are seeking to have a small intimate wedding, definitely consider Raines Law Room at the William in your planning! Thank you all again so much again for everything!
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Moderate noise
Group size
9+ people
Wait time
No wait
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section
Parking space
Difficult to find parking
Parking options
Paid parking lot, Paid parking garage
Wheelchair accessibility
Elevator access from the ground level is fully available.
Joanna Choi
13-09-2025
Had an amazing time at Raines Law Room! The drinks are really good, they change up their menu. The ambiance was perfect not too loud, they also have different rooms with different vibes/decor. Our waiter (Austin) really went above and … More
Stephanie Braganza
05-09-2025
absolutely wonderful place for a date! So romantic and cute, because of its intimate and dark light setting. Lots of cool rooms, service was fantastic, something a bit different from the usual. The platter was absolutely amazing for only … More
Eric Steven Chin
01-09-2025
Great place for quiet date night or evening with friends. Service was exceptional. Austin took great care of us. He was knowledgeable, attentive, and definitely passionate about his craft. He recommended a Fireside Old fashioned which we ended our night on and it was delicious and well balanced. Definitely recommend coming here. More
Anna Friberg
30-07-2025
My favorite bar in New York, if I had to choose. The cocktails are fantastic and the service is amazing as well — Austin takes great care of us and is incredibly knowledgeable about ingredients and can easily help determine whether or not you’ll like a drink. Can’t recommend this place enough! More
Cindy W
29-07-2025
Without a doubt, this speakeasy is an absolute gem in NYC! In my honest opinion, it's unparalleled. The cocktail prices are incredibly reasonable, coming in at less than $20, making it even more appealing than many standard restaurant bars … More
Indy Life with Lexus
17-06-2025
Big wow for this place with amazing drinks !
And super nice atmosphere, I really love this place.
Rest room was clean and very good smell 😁, I love the wallpapers actually.
Staff were so nice and friendly service.
We ordered Old fashion/ No man’s Land / Pandora’s Journey/ Archer’s Draw / Verde Breeze … There were super good . We loved its all. And will come back for sure !
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Group size
1 person, 2 people, 3-4 people
Seating type
Indoor dining area
Jane Burnett
14-06-2025
I went here last night for cocktails and was immediately met with excellent service and a friendly, warm welcome from Jax. From there, my friend & I had Jordan who took great care of us throughout the night and was very helpful and knowledgeable with cocktail recommendations! He was the perfect amount of attentive. My friend & I were celebrating a few things and Jax’s extra touches to honor this were so touching and memorable for us. The bar areas were gorgeous and I absolutely loved the aesthetic. This is a great spot for catching up with friends or even a date spot - it’s intimate, quiet and beautiful. The cocktails are top notch as is the service. Can’t wait to come back!
Price per person
$100+
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Group size
2 people, 3-4 people
Wait time
No wait
Ankita Chatterjee
04-06-2025
Outstanding place to grab drinks in this area of Manhattan! We walked in without reservations on Friday night and had a 30 minute wait for a table for 3. We sat in the library room which has a wonderful ambiance. There is a fireplace in the room and the ceilings are high. It is very intimate. We sat on a couch which was very comfortable as well. The standout part of this place is the service. Shout out to our waiter, Austin, who was one of the best waiters I've ever had! He had a broad knowledge of cocktails and when we described to him what we were looking for, he suggested a couple of cocktails that were on previous menus that turned out to be just what we were looking for. He checked in the perfect number of times and never let our water glasses go empty even though it was a busy night. All the cocktails were unique and well-balanced. The fries were also very tasty- so much so that we ordered them twice! We loved this place so much, we came back the following Saturday night and were seated in the "booths" in the room with the actual bar. The seats again were comfortable and blocked off from the neighboring seats by a black curtain. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a comfortable lounge to sip some delicious cocktails! We will definitely be coming back on our next trip up!
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Moderate noise
Group size
1 person, 2 people, 3-4 people
Wait time
10-30 min
Valerie H.
26-05-2025
Absolutely lovely experience here. I popped in to try the cocktails before a night out during a work trip. Even with no reservation, the team was able to squeeze me in a seat at the bar. The cozy space quickly filled up so I must have … More
A W
19-05-2025
Creative drinks, too heavy on the alcohol, and laughably overpriced. Beautiful but uncomfortable interior - tables are too low for the height of the surrounding seats, stage-like seating (built for appearance, not heavy use). Staff was rude … More
Franced Pinazo
14-05-2025
I celebrated my 30th Birthday on 081525 with a Black tie theme dinner party. Lauren Davis was very hands on and very helpful in catering what my party needed. She was very accommodating with my ideas and my vision, and made everything possible. The food was beyond what we expected, it was amazing! The open bar was one of the highlights of my party, the barista did a great job for the unending drinks that we requested. All of the staff that were assigned to my party were all nice and did an excellent service. Ive heard from my guests that they were very nice and kind with all their requests. For the price, I think I did get what I paid for (they are very flexible and generous with discounts, feel free to ask Lauren, she is very easy to speak with) Overall it was a great 10/10 experience!
Price per person
$100+
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Reservation required
Noise level
Moderate noise
Group size
9+ people
Matt Jitwichot
29-04-2025
I absolutely love this place I’ve been here a few times and first heard about it from a friend. Since then, I’ve recommended it to all of my friends visiting New York. … More
Taylor Ferris
31-03-2025
My husband and I just had our wedding here over Labor Day weekend. It was the exact wedding we had hoped for. The team was spectacular. Everyone was kind and accommodating (down to a full plate or two of just the mini hot dogs without mustard for my daughter). Even staff members not working the party were invested in making sure that the event went well. The set up was perfect. Even the ceremony set up was better than I could have imagined. Guests raved about the venue, the food and drinks, and the staff. Truly such a wonderful evening and experience. And we will absolutely be back as regular customers. Raines is truly a special place.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Moderate noise
Group size
Suitable for all group sizes
Seating type
Bar area, Outdoor patio / terrace
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section
Maria Klann
20-03-2025
A Hidden Jewel for a Romantic Night Out – Exceptional in Every Way!
We had a truly wonderful experience ( my husband and I) at The Raines Law Room at The William. From the moment we arrived, the hostess greeted us with a warm and gracious welcome, setting the tone for a special evening. Our waiter provided equally exceptional service, attentive without being intrusive, and genuinely kind. Also, very elegant waiter!
The cocktails were fantastic—a well-balanced whiskey drink and a passion fruit cocktail that I absolutely recommend if you're looking for something both refreshing and unique.
We were celebrating my husband’s birthday, and the thoughtful touches made it extra memorable. They surprised us with a sweet handwritten card on our reserved table and generously offered us two glasses of champagne on the house—a lovely and personal gesture that meant a lot. Thank you so much for this!
The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, with decor reminiscent of a classic, antique library. It feels like you’ve stepped into a private, timeless retreat—perfect for a date night or any special occasion.
This place is a true gem in the city, combining elegant ambiance, thoughtful service, and masterfully crafted drinks. I can’t recommend it enough!
I'll repeat it again!
Price per person
$50–100
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Wait time
No wait
Mysha Azzad
10-03-2025
Nemo and Austin were so sweet and attentive to our group! The space itself is beautiful ~ perfect for grabbing drinks and snacks with friends and catching up. Definitely a great spot to hang out and unwind.
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Group size
2 people, 3-4 people
Stephanie Qualman
08-02-2025
Top-tier service. We had the opportunity to sit at the bar and spent the evening engaged in conversation with great staff who were welcoming and knowledgeable. Ambiance was dark, moody, and fit the expectation, creating comfortable high-end … More
Joel Witten
23-01-2025
I’ve been going to Raines Law Room on and off for almost 15 years, and I was really excited to show this amazing bar to my friends. Unfortunately, we all left mildly disappointed and underwhelmed.
First, the drink menu felt much more limited than I remember, and our server seemed noticeably less knowledgeable. In the past, I could describe the kind of drink I was in the mood for and the staff would riff on it or suggest something creative. This time, I didn’t get that at all. For example, when I asked for the most bitter cocktail on the menu, I was pointed to something that had campari - which is fine but disappointing for a supposedly renown cocktail bar.
Once we ordered, the drinks took so long to arrive that people in my group started asking wondering where they were and I had to ask the server.
And when they finally came, the drinks themselves weren’t anything special. I liked mine well, but one person in our party actually sent theirs back. I even tried to kick off a positive moment by saying, “Mmm, great cocktail,” expecting others to chime in, but… nothing.
Overall, it just wasn’t the experience I’ve come to love over the years and I was a little embarrassed for having talked it up so much.
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Group size
5-8 people
Kathryn Camisa
19-01-2025
We hosted our wedding at Raines Law Room at The William, and it was everything we dreamed of—and so much more. What made it truly special was how different it felt compared to a typical wedding. The space has such a cool, speakeasy … More
Cecilia Lee
12-01-2025
Food 4.75/5
Service 5/5
Ambiance 4.75/5
Raines Law Room is an intimate, dimly lit speakeasy known for its crafted cocktails and luxurious Victorian era vibe.
I came here recently to celebrate my friend’s intimate wedding with about 40 guests, and honestly, this might’ve been some of the best wedding food I’ve ever had. From cocktail hour to the main course, everything was a hit.
Cocktail Hour:
Caviar toasts – 5/5: Fan favorite for sure!! The butter on the toast paired perfectly with the caviar.
Potato balls – 4.25/5: More classic, but still really good and comforting.
Fries – 5/5: Possibly some of the best fries I’ve ever had — we ordered so many more.
Beef sliders – 4.5/5: Perfect brioche-to-beef ratio, and the beef was super juicy.
Truffle pastry (not sure of the name) – 5/5: Rich truffle + buttery pastry = an unreal combo.
Main:
tuna tataki – 4.75/5: tasted fresh, and was abs delish
Steak with fries – 5/5: Cooked to a perfect medium rare, it was tender, juicy, and simply delish.
And ofc, the cocktails here are top tier using top shelf liquor which you can tell!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reviews Raines Law Room At The William