Raines Law Room Chelsea

New York, NY · $$$

Inebrious

Beverage Program Score

Editorial review: 2026-09-19

Editor: Micah Rousey

How we score

The editorial take

Raines Law Room Chelsea opened in 2009 as a nightly cocktail party, building its reputation on a stellar canon of classic cocktails mixed with unique house creations. The room carries a speakeasy and Victorian apartment ambience, and the cocktail program has drawn global acclaim. Customers describe the drinks as wonderful and worth the price, with one noting they stood out compared to other places. This is a cocktail-first destination where the classics and house inventions share the menu.

What should I order?: Start with the classic cocktail canon, then move to one of the unique house creations. The two sides of the menu are the program's defining structure, and ordering across them gives the clearest read on what the bar does.
Who will enjoy this place?: Anyone drawn to classic cocktails and house inventions served in a speakeasy and Victorian apartment setting. The program has global acclaim and a nightly cocktail party format, so it suits drinkers who want a dedicated cocktail destination rather than a general bar.
When should I go?: Evenings, when the nightly cocktail party format is in effect. The 2009 origin and Victorian apartment ambience point to a dedicated cocktail occasion rather than a quick stop.
What should I expect to spend?: The drinks as wonderful and worth the price, indicating a program priced at a level guests find justified by the quality stands out repeatedly.
What makes the beverage program distinctive?: A nightly cocktail party since 2009, a stellar canon of classic cocktails mixed with unique house creations, and global acclaim for the cocktail program. The speakeasy and Victorian apartment ambience shapes the room around the drinks rather than the other way around.

Beverage categories

We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.

Cocktails

A nightly cocktail party since 2009 with a stellar canon of classic cocktails and unique house creations, set in speakeasy and Victorian apartment ambience. The program has global acclaim, and customers describe the drinks as wonderful and worth the price, with one noting they stood out compared to other places.

Menu strengths

— Opened in 2009 as a nightly cocktail party, giving the program a long-running identity.
— A stellar canon of classic cocktails mixed with unique house creations.
— Global acclaim for the cocktail program.; Customers describe the drinks as wonderful and worth the price.

Standout selections

— A nightly cocktail party and a stellar canon of classic cocktails mixed with unique house creations.
— Unique house creations that sit alongside the classics on the menu.

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