Boîte - Open House - NYTimes.com Christian Hansen for The New York Times The street-level bar has an old-timey atmosphere. WITH a name like Open House, one might expect no guest list, no hassles and no velvet rope. A big banner would seem appropriate, too. But partygoers arriving at this new Lower East Side haunt will have no such luck. In yet another iteration of the hidden speakeasy, Open House is disguised behind an unmarked beige facade with its misleading name spelled out in small, red neon letters. In theory, only in-the-know partygoers are supposed to be clued in. But a huge line was outside on a recent Friday night. "It's like a two-hour wait!" grumbled one novice. So much for keeping it a secret. THE PLACE Open House opened in November on a dim stretch of East Houston Street lined with shuttered nail salons and bodegas. The street level is a long, narrow room with pressed-tin-patterned walls, Encyclopaedia Britannica on bookshelves and wood tables fashioned from old letterset trays. But the real action is in the basement, behind a not-so-secret door camouflaged by Corona boxes that leads to a small dance floor with black banquettes, a D.J. booth and a disco ball. THE CROWD Around midnight on a recent weekend, over-groomed 20-somethings packed the dance floor, just as they would the No. 6 train during rush hour. Young women shed their furs and puffy coats to reveal sparkly dresses and tight miniskirts; their male counterparts sport button-downs and fleece. "It's not a very cool crowd, but it would be a safe place to bring my brothers," one patron said. THE PLAYLIST The D.J."s change their repertory depending on the night. On a recent visit, the duo upstairs mixed Ibiza-style techno with the occasional Adele or hip-hop track. Their counterparts downstairs drew from a similar stock of upbeat house music. GETTING IN Table reservations are important in securing swift entry on weekends. Otherwise, admittance is at the doorkeeper's discretion. DRINKS Bottle service is encouraged, with flavored vodkas starting at $250 and a magnum of Dom Pérignon capping things off at $1,200. Otherwise, mixed drinks are from $9; a pour of Johnny Walker Black Label is $14. Open House, 244 East Houston Street (Avenue A); (212) 982-3532; openhouse-nyc.com. Thursday 7 p.m. to 4 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday forthcoming.