Overview
New York on Tap listed this bar without a review.
History
The wine cellar has a past
The best story at Onieals is underground. By the bar's own history, the system in the early 20th century was so corrupt that a tunnel was built to connect its building to headquarters1. The tunnel came in very handy during Prohibition1. The building's former occupants, the bar adds, include a brothel, a speakeasy and a gambling parlor1.
In 1987 the headquarters was sold and turned into luxury condos, and the tunnel was filled1. It's still visible inside Onieals, which uses it as the wine cellar1.
Its later fame was gentler: on HBO's Sex and the City it played Scout, a casually hip New York bar1. It's still at 174 Grand Street, booking tables and events2, 3.
Sources
Researched October 2026.