PRESS
19 Hidden NYC Bars Worth Seeking Out
“While this tropical Japanese-themed speakeasy behind Wanpaku is small (there are only 18 seats), the brightly lit, airy space doesn’t usually feel overwhelmingly crowded. Owner Leif Huckman, who is also behind Donna in South Williamsburg, calls the bar a “Japanese clam shack,” and as such, small plates like …(see more)”
— EATER NY
IYKYK: Hidden in Greenpoint
“We didn’t intend to be a speakeasy,” says Arnold Cheung, owner and designer of The Hidden Pearl. And while The Hidden Pearl is not expressly a secret, it is a hidden gem that’s all too easy to miss. So pop into Wanpaku for a comforting bowl of ramen, then confidently stride (like the insider you are) through that light blue door in the back. There, you’ll discover the lush, tropical Japanese cocktail bar that lies beyond.
— EDIBLE MANHATTAN
A SECRET CRAFT BAR IN THE BACK OF THE RESTAURANT
“Between the restaurant’s food and the bar’s drinks, it’s hard to say which is better. Luckily, they pair perfectly. Stop by the bar before having a meal, or vice versa, but be sure to make a reservation at the bar; given The Hidden Pearl’s size, it’s best to put your name ahead. No one would fault you if you wanted to head back into The Hidden Pearl…(see more)”
A Speakeasy with a Killer Cocktail List
“Tucked behind the minimally styled noodle spot Wanpaku Ramen, The Hidden Pearl is a discreet watering hole, armed with a high octane cocktail list. Created in partnership with Leif Huckman, mixologists Jeremy Ortel and Natasha David have designed an evocative drinks menu that conjures up tropical Japan.”
A Tiny Bar Tucked Behind a Brooklyn Ramen Shop
“Billed as a speakeasy – the name given to the illicit establishments that sold alcohol during prohibition – The Hidden Pearl is accessed from the restaurant via a door fitted with transparent glass. Only a glimpse is offered through a clear glass circle in the door until it swings opens.”
— DEZEEN
Tropical Inclinations to Japan
"The Hidden Pearl keeps its sister bar’s tropical inclinations, but brings them to a new place: Japan, and more specifically, Okinawa. To go with the drinks, there’s a menu of mostly bar snacks. Think fried gobo chips, crispy rice with spicy tuna, and uni toast, plus a couple more ‘adventurous’ dishes like bonito stomach with cucumber and a single dessert of mochi ice cream."