Freemans Alley
(b/t the Bowery and Chrystie St.)
New York, NY 10002
212.420.0012

Remember back, oh, six months ago when “secret” bars and restaurants were the hottest thing since leggings made a comeback? Freeman’s kind of started it all – and while trends (thankfully) die, this lovely LES hideaway lives on. Hidden in an alley off the western reaches of Rivington Street, this warm and crowded restaurant serves hearty American classics with a touch of British flair (in the good way, like Devils on Horseback). There’s always a wait for dinner because they don’t take rezies, but the cocktails are so good that you won’t mind camping out at the bar. BTW, the restaurant does have a room that you can reserve for big group dining. Freeman’s is filed under Food&Drink: Group Dining, Food&Drink: Restaurant Bar, and Food&Drink: Date Dining (but it’s not really a first date kind of place because of the loooong wait factor).