Hidden Tiger

Not enough great things can be said about this bar. The DJs and music 12/10, lots of 2000s era hip hop/rnb, Latin music, and whatever else that literally gets you dancing all night. Vibes are impeccable - everyone is always in such a good mood, from staff to patrons— so friendly, spicy, and so much fun! Food and drinks 10/10 - their skewers were reportedly delicious (I was too busy dancing and forgot to eat), their whiskeys are fantastic, and they even serve sake!!! Service - 15/10 - Cliff, the owner, is so genuine, chill, KIND, and just all around good vibes!!! We hosted our engagement party here bc we loved this spot so much and we, and all of our guests, had A BLAST. So grateful to have such a great establishment in the neighborhood.

This is a small spot with a live DJ and a tiny area for dancing. The music is incredibly loud—if you’re hoping to have a conversation, forget it; you’ll be yelling just to be heard. It’s fine for a quick drink and a dance, but that’s about it. We stayed for an hour and left with physical ear pain. I’m genuinely concerned about the decibel level and my hearing after that.This is a small spot with a live DJ and a tiny area for dancing. The music is incredibly loud—if you’re hoping to have a conversation, forget it; you’ll be yelling just to be heard. It’s fine for a quick drink and a dance, but that’s about it. We stayed for an hour and left with physical ear pain. I’m genuinely concerned about the decibel level and my hearing after that.

Now the secert behind Cafe joah is the amazing Speakeasy know as hidden tiger. Literally one of my favorite spots to visit when down in NYC LES, quick fun fact how I learned about hidden tiger was the legendary Keith Shocklee of Public Enemy ans Bomb squad took RDF and myself there to meet his producer Studdah man and we just feel in love with the vibez, the music and the food OMG the wings are a must have and the bao buns and to start it off right have the mango mochi before the wings cause as RDF says we big kids here, plus who don't like dessert before food. Most nights there is a live dj and on the weekend you never know who you will see there just chilling and enjoying the iconic vibez that Fat Buddha has paved for hidden tiger to keep alive.

Ordered the Macho Libre and The Fat Buddha drinks as well as a side of their Tteokbokki rice cakes with brown butter. The Macho Libre was a spicy pomegranate margarita with a tajin rim; it was a pleasant drink with pomegranate notes and the fun spice from that tajin around the glass. The Fat Buddha was their signature lychee martini, like a sweet milkis drink with lychee flavor. The tteokbokki rice cakes were a sufficient amount as a light appetizer. The brown butter tastes great on top of this, giving it a sweet buttery flavor. Staff are friendly, patronage was medium traffic on a weekday. It’s not particularly a speakeasy, just merely tucked through another door behind another storefront.

This place had good food, drinks, and service, but was deafeningly loud. The DJ had no tact. If you hope to hear at least 50% of your date’s conversation, go somewhere else. It would have been a nice evening if the DJ had taken the volume down several notches to an appropriate level for dinner. I shouldn’t have to scream when I am 2 feet across from someone and struggle to hear them respond.