Archive · modern edition Every bar New York on Tap knew, as it stood around 2008, with a 2026 check on each one. This page in the 2008 edition
Madame X, photographed for New York on Tap
Photo from the 2008 site

A New York on Tap pick

Madame X

A hue of sexy one shade short of tacky

94 W. Houston St. · btwn La Guardia and Thompson St
Greenwich Village, Manhattan

In 2026

Still pouring

Checked October 15, 2026.

Overview

A seductive dimly lit basement lounge, where the decor is red on red on red.
Madame X is sexy little lounge tucked away inside a Hourston St. basement. Dim lights, racey prints, and vast quantities of red quanof deep red create a lounge atmosphere which at best can be deliriously seductive, and at worst overwhelimingly stifling. It seems, that this is largely the product of the fact that although crowds seem to love this bar, this bar has no love for crowds. On a weeknight or early in the evening on a weekend, Madame X can be a great spot, otherwise give it a miss.

Why you should go

  • When it's not crowded this den is genuinely sexy.
  • The pornographic drink names, lend themselves to endless amusement - Darling do you think they put enough syrup in this? I think my Cherry Pop should be redder than this.

What you should know

  • The back garden is a treasure, but it closes early.
  • Crowds ruin the sexy atmosphere of this place. Go early or go on a weeknight.
  • Live Jazz Sun-Wed with no cover fit perfectly with the atmosphere.
  • DJs Thurs-Sat

History

Still keeping late hours on Houston Street

Back then we called its dimly lit basement lounge, done in red on red on red, a hue of sexy one shade short of tacky. Madame X has been in Greenwich Village since 19971, and it's still a bar and lounge at 94 West Houston Street1. On Fridays and Saturdays it stays open until 3 am1.

Sources

  1. madamex.com

Researched October 2026.

What's nearby