First off, I know what you’re thinking – “A casino in New York!?” – No, it’s not quite that kind of casino, but it’s just as exciting.
Big Deal Casino is an entirely unique NY bar concept that marries speakeasy culture with all the fun of high-stakes gambling. Like all the best casinos and speakeasies, it’s hidden behind a traditional business that can be hard to find – but with the right reservation and password you’ve got a one-way ticket to an elegant evening of casino entertainment.
It may sound like they’re pushing the barriers of what’s legally acceptable, but they don’t gamble with real money. Actual casino-style gambling is fully illegal in New York, but that doesn’t mean Vegas and Atlantic City get to keep all the fun to themselves. At Big Deal Casino once you’re granted entrance into the hidden speakeasy, you’re given a collection of free chips to gamble with throughout the evening, enabling you to join your fellow patrons in various rounds of poker, blackjack, roulette and other casino staples.
Founded by Poker pro Wendy Rubin in 2015, Big Deal Casino has remained the only casino-speakeasy in the entire city. Originally founded as a licensed dealer school, Wendy is eagerly awaiting the day that New York legalizes gambling and casinos and hopes that by the time it finally happens, her company will be ready to lead the charge. Doing the majority of their business as an event space, Big Deal Casino has remained the the premiere destination for all New York casino aficionados.
Now though, Wendy and her team are gearing up to expand their operation by launching a second casino/speakeasy. Tentatively called The Syndicate, the new bar will be opening at 225 West 17th Street, between 7th and 8th avenues. Expected to be an extension of the Big Deal Casino/Speakeasy concept, the new bar will feature two floors – the main floor and the basement – that will function as a combination casino/speakeasy, as well a small sidewalk café.
Thanks to Wendy’s diligent application process, local residents have expressed their support en masse, joining together to sign her petition on favor of opening up The Syndicate in their neighborhood. While a select few residents have expressed concern about the potential for noise and pollution, Wendy has gone out of her way to assuage those woes and assure locals that her new bar will be well-managed and an extreme asset to the neighborhood.
