Osamil Upstairs: Award-Winning Korean Cocktails and a Happy-Hour Oyster Deal in K-Town
Osamil Upstairs is the speakeasy cocktail lounge above Koreatown’s Osamil gastropub — a dim, upscale 12-seat bar with butler-uniformed servers and a cocktail program named Best Cocktails of New York. Pair the creative, Korean-ingredient drinks with the happy-hour oyster special: a half dozen for $18, all day Sunday and Monday and 5–7 the rest of the week.
The happy hour at Osamil Upstairs runs Sun & Mon all day; Tue-Sat 5pm-7pm.
The deals: $18 half-dozen oysters, $36 dozen (happy-hour oysters), plus happy-hour cocktails and small bites.
About Osamil Upstairs
Tucked on the second floor above Osamil at 5 West 31st Street in Koreatown, Osamil Upstairs (“Osamil” means 531 in Korean) is a sophisticated speakeasy-style lounge — a 12-seat bar, a cozy living-room private area, and a communal lounge. Helmed by beverage director Gelo Honrade, the cocktail program is one of the area’s best (it won Best Cocktails of New York at the 2023 NY Cocktail Expo), built on creative twists and unique Korean ingredients.
The Happy Hour in Detail
The shared happy-hour oyster special is the value play: a half dozen fresh oysters for $18 (and a dozen for $36), available all day Sunday and Monday, and Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 7pm. The cocktails run premium (often $20-plus), so the oyster deal — plus the small bites sent up from the gastropub downstairs — is the smart way to anchor a round. Confirm current pricing when you go.
What to Order
The cocktails are the reason to climb the stairs — each is beautifully presented and precisely balanced. Standouts include ‘Life is Like a Movie’ (popcorn-infused tequila, Don Papa rum, coconut, corn, lime), the soju-spiked banana-milk, and the kimchi-rita with a dehydrated-kimchi rim. On food, the oysters (with wasabi popping roe) and the addictive honey butter chips are must-orders, with scotch eggs, fries and wings, and uni bibimbap available from downstairs.
The Space & Vibe
Intimate, sexy, and upscale — dim lighting, classic furnishings, and servers in butler uniforms that make it feel like a wealthy manor. It’s a standout date-night and impress-your-out-of-town-guests room, and it works for a small group looking to sneak away for a serious drink. Expect a high-end experience at a high-end price.
The Midtown Angle
On West 31st in Koreatown, at the southern edge of Midtown near Herald Square and the Empire State Building, Osamil Upstairs is walkable from the B/D/F/M/N/Q/R/W at 34th St-Herald Square. As one reviewer put it, it’s close to the Theater District but without the touristy Midtown vibe — a hidden, cocktail-forward escape.
Who It’s For
| Best for | Why |
|---|---|
| After-work drinks | an easy walk for the NoMad crowd |
| Pre-dinner or pre-show | a round before the night gets going — $18 half-dozen oysters |
| Groups | room for a few friends without a reservation headache |
| A low-key night | Osamil Upstairs keeps it neighborhood, not touristy |
FAQ
Does Osamil Upstairs have a happy hour?
Yes — a happy-hour oyster special: a half dozen for $18 (a dozen for $36), all day Sunday and Monday and Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 7pm, plus small bites from the gastropub downstairs.
Where is Osamil Upstairs?
On the second floor above Osamil at 5 West 31st Street in Koreatown, near the B/D/F/M/N/Q/R/W at 34th St-Herald Square.
What’s Osamil Upstairs known for?
An award-winning, Korean-ingredient cocktail program (Best Cocktails of New York 2023) in an intimate, upscale speakeasy setting above the Osamil gastropub.
Is it expensive?
Yes — cocktails typically run $20-plus, so it’s a high-end experience; the happy-hour oyster deal is the most accessible way in.
Happy hour details verified June 2026. Times change — confirm with the venue.