Behind the Grind, a new speakeasy-style lounge, has quietly slipped into the back of The Coffee Grind, the popular café at 9 Broadway in Massapequa. Hidden behind a wood-paneled wall, the room is reachable only through a concealed door that opens with a special card or passcode, and owner Lewis Sigelakis says it is meant primarily for private events with occasional public ticketed nights.
As reported by Greater Long Island, Sigelakis spent about a year and a half building the lounge, designing it to “evoke the feel of a Manhattan cocktail bar.” The outlet also quotes him saying he wanted a “modern, fun, exciting” speakeasy with city vibes and that, down the road, he hopes to run the space every Friday and Saturday night.
Licensing and launch timeline
State records show The Coffee Grind applied for an on-premises liquor license and appeared on 500-foot hearing calendars required for new licenses in built-up areas. Those hearings are listed by the State Liquor Authority, and a Casting Networks posting earlier this year calling for models for a “Behind The Grind” influencer launch suggests the team is planning a social-media push as the space comes online.
What to expect inside
Inside, cocktails will echo The Coffee Grind’s travel-styled coffee menu, leaning on global flavors, and Sigelakis told Greater Long Island the bar will feature “flavored inspired cocktails” that pair spirits like Japanese gin with hibiscus and other botanicals. For practical info such as hours and the café’s address, check The Coffee Grind's website, which lists 9 Broadway and weekday hours for the shop.
Where it fits locally
The move tracks with a broader trend of restaurants and coffee shops adding hidden cocktail rooms and ticketed nightlife, a pattern seen in other New York projects. Back-room concepts let small operators monetize evenings without altering daytime service, and for towns like Massapequa they add an extra draw for nights out.
For now, Behind the Grind will primarily host private gatherings and the occasional special event; more public ticketed nights are expected to roll out as the space ramps up. Locals curious about tickets or launch parties should keep an eye on event listings and The Coffee Grind’s social updates as the new lounge fully comes to life.
