I was excited to return to La Jolla this spring.  San Diego is one of my favorite cities in the United States.  The beach vibe, the surfer hippy feel, palm trees, and no worries.  It all seems to blend into happiness under the San Diego sunshine.

In line with our newly established tradition of watching a destination-themed movie at the start of our trip, we watched Anchorman on our first afternoon. One of the truly funniest Will Ferrell movies. As you know, San Diego was “Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means a whale’s vagina”, per Ron Burgundy.

San Diego

My expectations were low for speakeasies, simply because it is such a laid-back beach town vibe of a city.  Even Old Town and Little Italy seem more relaxed than many similar neighborhoods in other states.

Clearly, I was wrong.  We were amazed, again and again, at the upscale, big city feel of some of these locations.  It felt like they were ready to compete against New York City and Tokyo for a spot among leaders in the speakeasy world.

Let’s jump right in with the leader of all things La Jolla, the big dog if you will:

Raised By Wolves

Owned by the CH Group, they are THE spot to be in La Jolla right now.  They are past recipients of awards from the 50 Best Bars in North America, Esquire Magazine Best Bars, Cocktail Bar of the Year, and Tales of the Cocktail World’s Best Spirits Selection Award.  But that tells you nothing in detail, just an expectation of excellence, so let’s talk deets.

The Entrance

Super Cool!  Just Super Cool.  Hidden inside a bottle shop that sells real bottles (and some exquisite high-end selections for you label snobs out there), reservations are a must!  Check in at the bottle shop counter.  When your seats are ready you will be escorted over to a large fireplace, with two seats – one on either side.

And just like you are in a Clue movie (or Knives Out, for modern times), the fireplace rotates around and you find yourself inside the bar.

The Experience

We were already super excited about the means of entry; this was soon set aside when you see the room.  A large domed ceiling (think Harry Potter Gringotts’ dome), and large circular bar in the center of the room under the dome, and a large fountain in the center of the bar.

With an art deco, 1920’s feel, you are definitely feeling transported to a different time.  This is not only due to the full turn of the fireplace shutting out the outside world, but also the lack of windows, and low lighting, it is a full atmospheric transformation.

The Drinks

The book-style drink menu is expansive and separated by style of the drink “refreshing”, “Direct”, etc, to help you move right into your preference easily.  I opted for the Purple Moon Cobbler – which did taste very much like a berry cobbler – cachaca, sherry, black sesame, red bean paste, and ube.  I was only slightly let down that it wasn’t a brighter bolder purple from the Ube, but overall, the drink was a savory-sweet without being sugary. Definitely a creation I could get behind.

Peggy opted for the “First Course”, her first in a series of savory cocktails on this trip, featured Vodka, goat cheese, a hint of peach, with an olive oil and balsamic finish.  First sip was a bit shocking, but it definitely smoothed out after that first punch, into a velvety wonderful creation for the palette.

Overall

The crowd was not so fun.  The servers were too busy to give you any actual individual attention.  While the entrance was cool, there was a wait inside the bottle shop to get in, so it was not a surprise as you stood around and watched others enter. They could benefit by sectioning off this area for a more exclusive feel.  And there were plenty of signs and wolves out front.  It is getting a 4-Shaker from us, demoted 1/2 each for lack of service and lack of mystery,

Sister Side Note (ssn) – don’t let the 4-Shaker dissuade you, Raised by Wolves has the Wow factor and is worth the visit. It was one of our favorite experiences of the trip, It is just very much a fast-paced bar with little time for personal interaction. We found it fascinating that there was a bartender assigned to make drinks for the tables – and he was cranking them out, at an impressive speed. The bartenders taking care of those of us seated at the bar were the showmen. Slower, deliberate and artisan.

The Grass Skirt/Captain’s Quarters

Our second site in San Diego is in Pacific Beach.  It apparently used to be hidden in a sushi bar.  They have remodeled and the outside is definitely Tiki; you will know it when you arrive. Although, The Grass Skirt (GS) and The Captain’s Quarter’s (CQ) are two separate bars, we are listing them together as they share a building and kitchen.

The Entrance

There is a sign on the street for GS, but not for the CQ almost like CQ is the real hidden gem of a speakeasy.  You do enter through the same street door; the door is unmarked but is tiki décor and travel related.  There is seating outside like a waiting area, so it is not getting any points for being hidden.  You enter the door into a functioning kitchen.  A slight travel theme seems in the works, but not complete, there are old suitcases by the register and travel signs.

If your reservation is for GS, you will be taken to the entrance through an industrial freezer door.  If you are hitting up CQ, the entrance is completely hidden in the tile wall to the right of the register.

The Experience

Completely different experiences.  GS is Tiki bar themed; it has fire drinks and is loud and fun.  It’s Tiki, but not over the top tacky tiki.  We loved the feel of it, it is a well-done tiki bar complete with Pain Killers, Mai Tais, and Zombies.  They have party punch bowls, which set off thunder and a light show while being served. You definitely get a good Tiki experience, if that is your jam. 

CQ is a little more subtle and laid back.  It is a nautical theme and feels more like you are on a big wooden ship inside the captain’s room (or, well, duh, his quarters).  Pick your vibe, pick you side of the building, we kind of liked that.

Overall

We were a little put off by the big “Grass Skirt” sign out front and the whole outside Tiki look to the building, there are also spots where you can see into the GS patio, so it is definitely not hidden.  If you can see it, I am sure you can hear it as well.  We were additionally put off by the fact that children are allowed in bars in California.  We love kids, but I can’t imagine taking my kids to a bar, especially a tiki bar. I just do not feel it is appropriate and don’t want to go to a bar to hang out with kids.

Captain’s Quarters is getting a 4-shaker, for being actually hidden, while the Grass Skirt does get dinged for average service and the sign out front so only gets a 3.5 shaker – neither has a task to get in, but do require the hostess to let you in through the secret doors.  Both did have commitment to theme and good drink selections.

Realm of the 52 Remedies

Yes, it’s a mouthful. It’s also worth remembering that name.  Located in the Asian Pacific neighborhood of Convoy, just north of downtown San Diego.  Realm ended up being one of my favorites of the trip (once I stopped tripping up on the name).

The Entrance

Inside Common Theory Pub House, at the hostess stand let them know you have reservations (you will want reservations).  Your lovely host (ours was Brian, he was fabulous) will lead you into the remedy room, just behind the host stand. 

The little room has apothecary jars and herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  There is a door filled with Chinese characters, just simply select the correct character and the door will open for your visit into the Realm. 

The Experience

From moment one, you feel the vibe.  The magic door doesn’t lead directly into the room; it leads to a dark hallway that leads to the room.  This creates a feeling of mystery and exclusivity.

The bar room has an Asian ambiance, a little dark, a little quiet, a little upscale Asian backroom secrecy feel.  Oh, look, I just described a perfect speakeasy!  The cocktails were unique, but not weird, incorporating elements of a Chinese apothecary.  Ingredients that could be use for healing and definitely enhance the flavor.  Think teas, bitter melon, sesame, herbal and floral hints, and Pocari sweat (electrolytes).  Peggy opted for Saigon Dreamer, with whiskey, cream, coffee, and pineapple that works amazingly well together (yes, coffee works with pineapple and lemon).  I had the Kasato Maru with yuzu, pear, jasmine tea with a cachaca base.  Both were beautiful, solid, and rank high on our list of cocktails for the year.

Overall

Full shakers for being hidden, for a challenge, for service, theme, and cocktails.  This was our first 5-Shaker of the weekend.  Well deserved.  Brian was awesome, engaging, and fun.  We loved him and wish he could leave the entrance and hangout with us.  Our bartenders were friendly, checked in often, and made some dang good drinks. The food looked amazing, but we did not eat.  We were happy and would definitely go back. Brian also recommended we pop down to their sister bar, Convoy Music Bar.  Just a short walk up the road and we were off with a one and done.

ssn – you know I love an Asian bar. Realm was beautiful, mysterious, and unique. And Realm lands at number 93 on The 50 Best Bars in North America for 2026!

Convoy Music Bar

This was an unplanned stop (although it was on Peggy’s original list), so we were unprepared.  Which is sometimes an amazing thing. When you don’t know what to expect you are less likely to be disappointed and more likely to find happy little surprises.

The Entrance

We were warned, Convoy Music Bar is down an unmarked alley. Now, my first response was “my mom says I can’t go down dark alleys”, but my sister is a rebel, and she made me.  You are absolutely in an alley behind a strip mall.  Complete with dumpsters, old containers, and empty kegs.  The door is unmarked except for the signature red light above the door.  There is a doorman to check IDs, which is really your only sign.

The Experience

Convoy Music Bar is small and dimly lit.  A long bar on one side, and several tall tables to the left.  We did not have a reservation, and the bar was full.  But the servers were nice, let us look around; they shared the menu and some thoughts with us. It was a quick stop, but enough for us to recommend it if you are bar hopping in Convoy.

Overall

Hidden: yes. Service: yes. Task: no. Theme, not really, but will get 0.5 shaker for the vinyl listening bar theme but kind of generic aside from that.  I’m giving them a shaker for cocktails because they are inventive, but also the menu gives you the ingredients but also shares the feeling of the cocktail and I loved “Monte Carlo on holiday in the Far East” and “Martini? Kinda, pero mas Rico”.  So, you gotta love that.

Mothership

I’m making an executive decision and including Mothership in our review list, although it’s not technically a speakeasy (and I won’t provide a shaker review). But it made Esquire Magazine’s list of Best Bars in American 2025.  Esquire made a very explicit—and intentional—shift in how it chose the Best Bars in America 2025. The list was not based on technical mixology, novelty, or spectacle. Instead, it was built around emotional use, community value, and personal loyalty.  With criteria like that, I was IN for this San Diego experience.

The Entrance

The door is almost unmarked.  There is no big sign, and nothing pointing it out, but there is a reference to it by the door.  The door is marked Authorized Personnel Only, but under that is the warning about Mothership.  Go in that door.

The Experience

Give your eyes a minute to adjust, because the long hallway is a cave, with rock walls and blue lights.  But keep walking and you will hit the bar area and host stand. The ceiling lit up like the night sky, the walls foam sprayed to look like a cave, complete with stalagmites, and high back chairs that look like rocket ship control chairs.  It is IMMERSIVE.  And it’s pretty amazing.  Think of Tiki bar on a foreign planet. Even the typical tiki drinks have a reimagined galactic theme. 

Overall

If you are looking for a playful bar experience and love tiki bars, go visit Mothership!  And don‘t skip the bathroom where you might get freaked out mid-urine stream when an astronaut voice starts reporting updates to NASA.

Part Time Lover

This was not one I was excited about, but it turned out great.  I love music, but I’m not really into the music scene – I’m much more carpool karaoke than Jeopardy level music expert.  Part Time Lover is a listening, vinyl bar, much like Dorian’s in Chicago.  They’re fine, but not usually my jam.  Part Time Lover was great, however, a great 70’s theme with that 70’s wood detail our mom used to have, fantastic lighting, and fun people.

The Entrance

There is no task to get in, but it is hidden inside a deteriorated Records and Liquor store sign with a retro design like throwing back to a 1950’s soda shop.

The Experience

I thought this had a great feeling.  Laid back, fun, like a 1970’s summer hangout (to distinguish it as separate from a disco). It is order at the bar, which sucks for service shaker, but the bartenders were great, and social, and we had a great experience.  There is a vinyl room in the back, and we did see several people just come in to browse for music.  The seats are deep bench seats and couches with additional chairs set around.  Like you are at your parents house…before you were born and they were actually fun people (but don’t go looking for a fishbowl for your keys).

Overall

We had a great, relaxed time.  We would definitely hangout here and not just go for the speakeasy experience. The menu is not extensive, but it is solid.  We are giving them one shaker for the cocktails, 0.5 for service, zero for Task, one for hidden, and one for theme.

ssn – why was this so good? Part Time Lover just has that certain je ne sais quoi. So comfortable and inviting. It is part of the CH Projects group that owns Raised by Wolves, Young Blood, and False Idol (all from our list) – so you know it is solid and well-executed!

Room 56

I originally thought this one should be a back-up plan, not a main event, based solely on a fairly boring name. Peggy got us reservations and insisted this was on our day two list. She was right (it happens sometimes).

The Entrance

One of our best entrance experiences in a list of some pretty great entrances.  With a reservation, you will receive instructions for entry.  I will spoil that for you now.  Room 56 is inside the Moxy in downtown San Diego. We love a Moxy!  The main floor of the Moxy is centered around a bar, which also acts as the hotel check-in desk.

Go up the lobby stairs to the open loft where there is a little library full of books.  They will send you instructions earlier in the day, when that task is done, they will come get you. That’s all I will tell you, the rest can be a find out on your own, leave you a little mystery.

The Experience

Inside you take a spiral staircase down to the bar.  It’s not huge, maybe 40-person seating and a small bar.  Amy was adorable, friendly, and fun.  Henry came back to check in and walk us through the drink list and present our bubbly welcome drink.  WIN with a welcome drink!  He assured me the Keep Calm and Curry On would not be too spicy and the mezcal would not overtake the balance – he was right, it was a red curry and Mezcal was balanced well with the full flavor, plus all the basil!  Peggy jumped off the savory train and back to her passionfruit and grapefruit wheelhouse with the Hop, Skip, & a Jump. 

Overall

Amy and Henry were a fantastic team and as we were leaving presented me with a gift: Holy Basil for our trip to Oculto, which I insist on calling my Pocket Basil in a throwback to my Pocket Rib ecstasy in Kansas City. A boring name, but a fantastic experience, this was one of my favorites of San Diego.  They are getting a full shaker for service, a full shaker for hidden and task, a shaker for cocktails, and a shaker for theme.  A second full 5-Shaker experience for Room 56.

ssn – I ditched her Pocket Basil at Oculto 477…not sure she’s gotten over it. It isn’t like it was ribs….

Oculto 477

This Old Town San Diego speakeasy came highly recommended.  Next to a cemetery, it is known to stick with the feel of it’s surroundings, Old Town Mexico feel, with a little after-life tribute.

The Entrance

Inside Tahona Bar, let them know you have a reservation.  With a reservation, you are led to the back bar to read over the rules.  When they are ready for you, you will be led to an area behind a curtain with a large wooden door with a confessional window.  When the window slides open, confirm you have read the rules and then be prepared: you have to confess your sins in order to gain entry (know your seven deadly sins and select one that you are willing to cop to). 

The Experience

A small room with an adobe feel, like Poncho and Lefty would be found drunk in a corner (don’t shame me for that reference).  Old wood, slight references to Dia de los Muertas, an intimate feeling that seems like it should be smokey, but it’s not.  The cocktails were good, a lot of mezcal and whiskey, and a few in Mexican themed tiki glasses.  The service was disappointing, not friendly; not rude, but certainly not interesting, amusing, nor engaging. The confessing of sins should have been a fun/funny part of the experience but it was neither. He did not seem amused by us, which we just cannot understand.

Overall

They get the full shaker for hidden and for task, it’s a fun concept.  The cocktails were good enough to earn them a full shaker, and the theme was on point.  We are not giving any points for service, and that makes us sad, but the lack of engagement really put a bad taste in our mouth about the experience we were hoping for.

Bar Kamon

Again, a second choice for a speakeasy that I was unimpressed by the name.  However, I had learned my lesson about assumptions after Room 56, and I just went with Bar Kamon.

The Entrance

This speakeasy is hidden inside a bakery, a fantastic looking bakery in the East Village neighborhood of San Diego.  It is hidden behind a false wall.  If you really cannot figure it out, the bakery staff can help you.  There is a button to hit to get in.  It’s not a huge challenge, just look for a button that is out of place and hit it, but it is still a challenge.  And apparently, not everyone figures it out and does need assistance. 

The Experience

Inside the door is a host stand to check in, and the host will lead you into the room. Themed dedicated to a 1920’s prohibition era Japanese feel.  Understated, but elegant. We sat at the bar and had an incredible experience with Amadeus.  He was wearing a pin for Amor y Amargo in NYC which was our ice breaker, as it is his favorite NYC bar and we just happened to have met the owner at our Kansas City event.  Amadeus was amazing and shared his knowledge of spirits with us. We also talked about the importance of the emotions conveyed through a cocktail, it was a vibe, we had fun.

ssn – Amadeus had such a zest for the cocktail experience and the ingredients. Very reminiscent of our experience at the Vault in Las Vegas. It is s true gift.

Our drinks were incredible and for a hot minute Trash Panda was going to go on my Best Sips 2026 list.  Amadeus also let us sample the ube black strap foam served on a separate cocktail, and I really just wanted a full bowl of it.  We ordered the Tuna Tartare Cannoli, and loved every bite of it, sad to say we had no more time to explore the food menu, because it all looked amazing.

Overall

This was such a great experience.  They understand service, they understand cocktail and flavor combinations.  There is a full shaker for hidden, a full shaker for task, a full shaker for service, a full shaker for cocktails, and a full shaker for theme.  Yes, our excitement translates into a full 5 Shakers for Bar Kamon.

Young Blood

As I mentioned, this is owned by the CH Projects group that owns Raised by Wolves, our expectations were high.  They share owners and a building with Noble Experiment, but we could not secure reservations for that.  We were happy to get into Young Blood, although a little wary of the three-course drink experience we were walking into.

The Entrance

Inside Neighborhood restaurant in the downtown area, just let them know you are there for Young Blood, or just head on down the hallway.  There is a wall of kegs, push on them, they will swing open to a more elegant hostess stand.  When your table is ready, the cooler will open and you head into Young Blood. 

The Experience

Wow, wow, wow.  The room is beautiful.  A little weird with the large lighted wall statues of two women over the bar, but the carpet makes up for it.  Walls of alcohol, great lighting, great intimate feeling.  Cushy velvet bar stools, and a small bar with seating for 8, low side tables for about 25. 

This is a cocktail experience consisting of three rounds of drinks.  The first drink is selected off a limited menu that is named by the feeling and flavors of the drink: lush+tropical fruit+citric (Me), Herbaceious+bright+oceanic (Peggy), there are only six to choose from each with three descriptive word titles.  The second is a dealer’s choice, bar speak for the bartender crafts your cocktail based on your choice of spirit and your own preferences and feedback from your first course.  Drink number three is a dessert cocktail (I opted for the Lemon Merengue Pie, Peggy had the Butterscotch Budino) – they were rich, decadent, and a great finish. 

Alexandra was a mind-blowing genius of a mixologist.  Her palette is incredible, her knowledge was impressive, and the personally curated drinks were spot on.  This woman knows her craft; she needs an award and a raise.  Her expertise makes the experience. 

Overall

The Lush+Tropical Fruit+Citric is now top of my list for Best Sip of 2026 (so far).  It was a velvety citrus with macadamia nut, verjus, tangerine, and a cachaca peach base. It included a coconut fat washed red wine float on top that was a peak experience.

This is an obvious 5-Shaker.  It checks every box, from the keg entrance and cooler walk through, to Alexandra and then Francesca, the ambiance, the service, the cocktails.  Young Blood was perfection in a speakeasy.

ssn – this was definitely the high point of the trip. Alexandra was a genius, the cocktails were incredible and the other guests at the bar were chit-chatty and interactive. It was such a great vibe. Need to go back and try Noble Experiment!

Prohibition

Our last stop of the trip, a squeeze in on a Sunday night.  But with a name like Prohibition, it’s going to live up to it’s name or it’s going to be a big disappointment (I’m looking at you Prohibition Siem Reap).

The Entrance

On a busy downtown street, squished next to a loud Mexican restaurant patio and a Cubano shop, your only clue is a plain black door with an old sticker noting that the establishment has been closed under Amendment 19.  Flip the light switch to gain entrance. 

The Experience

Upon entry through the door there is a staircase down to the basement.  Dark, black, red lights, it sets the mood.  A long room with empty whiskey barrels, a small space where a live band plays (small as in there was a jazz trio and I’m not sure it would fit a quartet, but hey, live music).  Order at the bar only.  The menu is on an old LP (vinyl for you young-uns).  A little weird, but in an upscale way you would want in a speakeasy instead of a basement garage band bar, my server was busy, but friendly, and we connected over a cocktail with red wine shaken in rather than a float on top.

Overall

It was a strong finish to our San Diego experience, if it hadn’t been for the three strong drinks at YoungBlood and the late-night stop in, we would have been in for all of it.  A nice change from the upscale speakeasy experiences, it is more understated and chill, and if you are a jeans and t-shirt person, this is your jam.  They do lose half a shaker for the bar only ordering, but they do get hidden, half a shaker for task, full for cocktail, and full for theme.  They land a solid 4 and are definitely worth your time.

Other San Diego Mentions

False Idol (previous visit)

We were early adapters to the Speakeasy lifestyle and stumbled onto False Idol by accident, not even knowing it was a speakeasy, just that it was a Tiki bar within walking distance to our hotel a few years ago.  And fell in love!

The Entrance

False Idol will pop up on a Google map, but I can’t hold that against them for the hidden feature, as that is beyond their control.  Located inside Craft & Commerce, I walked up to the C&C hostess stand when I could not find where Google Maps was taking me.  The hostess leaned in and lowered her voice into a whisper and said, “are you saying that you are looking for a secret bar hidden inside this restaurant” and I was HOOKED.   She led us down a short hallway to a string bead covered doorway.

The Experience

Oh, how do you not love a good Tiki bar?  False Idol is not huge, but it is immersive in its red lights, bamboo, fishing floats lantern adorned ceiling and tiki mask walls. Fire drinks are readily available, shareable punch bowls, and glowing cocktails; False Idol stays on theme in the best of ways.  The servers were fun and happy to set fire to the scorpion bowl and loved how excited we got.  I will issue a brief warning; the flames are created by the cinnamon shaker, so the more flames you cheer on the more cinnamon-y your drink gets, but also, watch where you put your hands, because our table ended up covered in the brown powder.

Overall

False Idol is a 4.5 of 5 and will remain nostalgic in the fact this was one of my first speakeasy experiences and had me hooked from the get-go.  Definitely Tiki but not trashy or cheap, it is really well done, great tiki cocktails, great service (you gotta love when the server cheers along with you and answers your stupid-ish questions), it is hidden, I suppose it only gets a half shaker with no task, but a hostess you have to check in with.  I will keep False Idol in my heart and will happily recommend it to everyone visiting San Diego.

Ironside Fish & Oysters

I know, it’s a speakeasy guide, but I am throwing out a big shout out to Ironside Fish and Oyster bar in Little Italy (coincidentally, I just learned as I was typing this that they are ALSO part of the CH hospitality group).  The drinks were amazing, and on theme for their sea faring ambiance. The food has a raw bar half and an open flame-kissed section; we loved everything we had. But I am still sad we didn’t have room for the clam chowder fries.

The reason this is getting included is because our server, Lucy, will be fondly remembered in our 2026 Wrap Up as one of my favorite people of the year. And I don’t want to hear later that no one heard of her before.  I feel like she could definitely and should definitely be considered a soul sister.  She was super funny and fun, perky in a “may have had too much caffeine or just maybe every day is like this in my world” kind of vibe. Everything she recommended for food and drinks was superb, and we need more people like Lucy in this world.

We celebrated our friend, Sean’s birthday, and Lucy made the atmosphere definitely celebratory – even before the incredible caramel drizzled, banana pudding trifle she heaped into a bowl for us.  I miss her already and cannot wait to go back to Ironside and sit in her section. Dare I say she is right up there with Julien at Uchi Denver as best servers we’ve encountered!

San Diego Wrap-up

San Diego has a great drinking scene, and an up-and-coming destination for speakeasies.  They have had speakeasies for many years, but they are growing the reputation and really are leading the American embrace of the vibes of the East Asian Speakeasy scenes.  We loved our experiences and the people we met along the way.  A little something for everyone and all worthy of your time and energy.

You stay classy, San Diego!

Other Speakeasy Guides

• Our Ultimate List & Ratings of US Speakeasies
• Las Vegas
• Austin
• Chicago
• Denver
• Seattle
• Kansas City
• Paris
• London

**It is important to note that the rating is not an indication of how much we enjoyed each speakeasy. Some of our favorite speakeasies did not score as highly as some that we did not love**

Hit us in the comments with recommendations or if you think we got something wrong!

Objective Speakeasy Scoring Method

The official Sisbehaving Speakeasy Ratings are based on a 5-Shaker scale. One Shaker is earned for each of the following categories:

• Secret – Is it secret, hidden, or hard to find? This means there are no obvious indicators to the average person walking by.
• Entrance – Can you just walk in? Is there something you have to do to gain entrance? A password, a lock, a task, something unique that sets it apart. This one got a little inconsistent so we decided that a task/action is worth a full shaker, a check-in/host that has to allow you in equals half, just a walk in is worth zero (even with a reservation).
• Theme – Is there a clear theme and is there a full commitment to that theme? From the name to decor to the drinks.
• Cocktails – Are the drinks unique, interesting, fantastic or otherwise memorable? Are they connected to the the theme?
• Service – Does the service standout? Is it outstanding and a step above the ordinary? This was the most subjective category because we like to sit at the bar and so better service/interaction is more evident, leading to better scores (potentially). But…if you don’t get it, this can also be an easier negative. Also, keep in mind that service is a point in time (or two).

Table of Contents (In case you want to skip ahead)

If we have a blog post about a city, we’ve linked that in the header; if not, we have tried to provide photos.

Las Vegas – link to the blog

Here Kitty Kitty

Here Kitty Kitty scores a shaker in each category. The entrance hides behind a bookcase inside a food court restaurant in Resorts World, you would never know it is there unless you were looking for it. It used to be that you had to say “Here kitty, kitty” to the hostess, but now you can just tell them you have a reservation and they let you in. They committed fully to the Asian back alley bar theme through their drink selection and immersive decor. The bartenders are amazing in their knowledge and skill level. Definitely a full package speakeasy.

The Laundry Room

Downtown, inside The Commonwealth is an old school speakeasy that actually used to be a true speakeasy inside a laundry facility. The entrance is completely hidden in a pop out door down the back hallway, and you will not gain entrance without a reservation and escort from the hostess. The inside is prohibition-era themed, limited seating, no loud talking or PDA allowed, and no picture/video taking. The bartenders will create drinks for you based on your personal preferences. It is very low-key and committed to the 1920’s vibe and intent of the original prohibition speakeasy. The Laundry Room is the gold standard in Las Vegas, lending an air of exclusivity, and scores all 5 shakers.

The Lock

The entrance is hidden, you have to pick up the phone to call the ‘banker’ then solve a puzzle code to gain entrance. We love a little challenge rather than just an open door. The bartender was great, and we loved filling out the little questionnaire that helped him create your own cocktail (this Scorpio loves the beach based cocktail.) We did love the VIP lounge hidden inside the speakeasy with the moving eye in the giant wall painting. The small, interior entrance is fun and full of safes, committed to the “lock” theme but marked it down 1/2 of a shaker for once you are inside, like yea, it’s pretty and a nice bar, but no real theme.

Mas Por Favor

Mas Por Favor was a fun experience. Mexican themed, with a hint of drug cartel, but in a good way if you can get that. The whole entrance is fun, as you walk through a hidden hallway with skeletons and fake cocaine bricks (well, we assume they were fake?). The giant Frieda Kahlo mural, Catholic prayer candles, and themed cocktails (like lines of powdered sugar on cardboard as a “party favor”). They hit the high as a speakeasy.

Our only mark down (and it was only 1/2) and critique was a lack of that extra service. It was friendly and attentive enough, but If they had taken a couple of minutes to be engaging, they would be sitting at the top of this list.

The Vault

The Vault receives a strong 4.5 shakers – scoring in all categories except a half shaker entrance (just a host). The entrance is on the floor of the Bellagio casino floor and is not easy to find. Once you find the brown door with gold logo and handle, you simply check in with the hostess. The Vault is definitely the most upscale speakeasy – the theme, the menu, and the service are all exceptional. Where else can you get a $50 cocktail and fully believe it is worth it? One of our best experiences of the year. The Vault won Patti’s Best Speakeasy of 2024

Ski Lodge

The Ski Lodge, inside Cosmopolitan Hotel, is one of our favorites (it won Peggy’s Best Speakeasy of 2024 on our year). The 4-shaker score comes from a score in each category except Entrance (you just open the door). Next to Superfrico at the Cosmopolitan there is an unassuming door.  Plain except for a little gold skier.  No sign, no fanfare, just a simple door. Once inside, the theme is on point! The apres ski vibe is perfection – technically based on Bar-Gyu in Hokkaido, Japan – but we would swear we were slope-side in Colorado. The drinks continue the theme (they have a shot-ski!) and the service was fantastic.

Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails

One of the Vegas favorites, and for good reason. Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails is just a good time. It only scores 3.5 shakers but not because we don’t love it. But it is far from a Secret – there are signs out front and a velvet rope marking the waiting line. There is a cute, sliding “Speakeasy peephole” in the janitor’s closet from behind which the bouncer will determine if you are worthy to enter (so one full shaker for Entrance).

The Theme is sort of private club-y with a great stage that has karaoke or a band (sometimes a famous one) but the drinks are predominately whiskey based (so we took 1/2 point off). We really enjoyed the drinks but keep in mind that they are kind of limited in creativity, although you can get the standard bar choices. Service was excellent.

Ghost Donkey

One of our all time favorites, Ghost Donkey is inside the food court on the second floor of the Cosmopolitan. There are a few other Ghost Donkeys in existence (We have hit Denver and Auckland, but not NYC, Chicago, Omaha or Phoenix) and they were not speakeasies at all, however, this is Vegas. In the food court, at the back is an exit door with a just a donkey on it.

The cool part is that the door is soundproof, so you don’t even realize anything is behind it until you open it and are hit with pink lights and music. And it is fantastic. So, an easy first bathtub for Secret but none for entrance. The service was amazing earning a shaker. The theme gets an easy shaker – tequila, pink party, fiesta and pinata fun. Ghost Donkey was knocked down half a shaker on the limited creative cocktails, but we still love it there and it is a great place to be for fun and uplifting vibes.

The Underground

Inside the Mob Museum in downtown Vegas, this was a tough one to score. From outside, the entrance is hidden down a basement staircase that leads to a door with a sliding peephole. The door is usually guarded and a password is required. But from the inside, it’s no secret, you just follow the signs. There is no challenge to get in. However, being the Mob Museum, the commitment to theme was undeniable. It is full prohibition mobster theme.

The service was just ok, not outstanding, but they do make great cocktails. The cocktails are themed – to the point that my drink was served in a mini bathtub, and they have one that is hidden inside a book. So they are committed to carrying the theme throughout. Not a bad experience, we had a great time. Like we said, tough to score, so we only went 1/2 shaker each on secret and entrance (depending on how you enter), full shakers for theme and drinks, half for service.

Easy’s Cocktail Lounge

The signs all over the Aria, it’s not secret. There is an entrance, a bouncer that you have to approach, and he has to lead you down a hallway and enter the secret number to the locked door. We did love the jazz bar, small tables, velvety vibe to Easy’s. The drinks were amazing, and we didn’t even get into the really creative ones!

However, the service was not good. The three people behind the bar clearly were not happy with each other. But the one guy in charge was really into impressing the people at the other end of the bar, clearly they were important, we were deemed not so. Which is too bad, because they had an amazing trio performing jazz-y pop hits, and the place had a great LaLaLand feel to it. And you do get a donut when you leave! So three shakers for entrance, theme and drinks.

Pier 17 Yacht Club

The Yacht Club was a hard one for us. We wanted to love it to pieces. Had we been going to the show, Absinth, (go see the show!) we may have liked it better. But the show had just started and the place was empty. So, anyway, on to ranking. Secret, no, entrance, meh, kind of. It’s inside the Green Fairy Garden, which is their outside bar and super cute. Tucked off in the corner is a hostess podium to check in for the speakeasy, so no, not hidden, no challenge to get in, just a reservation needed so we are going with half a shaker.

The theme was good, you walk up a bamboo ramp to a small room with a yacht club like bar area, dark wood and sailor pictures and decor. Drinks were good, nothing wrong with them. On theme, but definitely geared towards those going to the show (there is a show entrance inside the bar that is outside (yes, inside, outside, inside, outside). The inside is small-ish, with bar and rail seating. It was very Gilligan’s Island. You can take the other door to the cute outside bar, which is decorated with trailer park style lawn decor.

It seems like it would be super fun if you were going with a group of friends to pre-func. But we were not, so we were underwhelmed.

Captain’s Quarters

This score is based on our experience at the former Mike Morey’s Sip N Tip which was inside The Downtown Bar. It has closed. The White Whale has opened in the Downtown Bar space and behind the curtain is now The Captain’s Quarters. We have not been but suspect they may have earned an additional shaker for drinks as they now custom create cocktails for each customer. We loved Mike Morey’s and are excited to try Captain’s Quarters!

The entrance is a bit more hidden since the sign is now gone – still down the back alley to a black door with a doorbell. Wait for someone to answer and let you in so one shaker there. Seems to be a nautical theme so our unofficial score appears to be approaching 4.5 shakers but we will reserve the final score for when we visit in person!

Austin – link to the blog

Red Headed Stepchild

Austin’s most hyped speakeasy. We assumed it was overrated but it really was everything we hoped. This is probably the hardest hidden bar to get into – it requires a door code which must be obtained by someone who has it. Usually someone else in the industry but good luck trying to find it!

The Red Headed Stepchild, disguised as Floppy Disk Repair gets all the shakers – it is hidden, you need the code to get in, the horror theme is on-point, the drinks are cleverly named and unique, and service was fantastic.

Here Nor There

Here Nor There is damn near perfection. Hidden and Entry Task are both a big check. Reservations are required and must be requested through their app. You’ll receive a text with the code to an unmarked gate on Brazos Street between 6th & 7th. Once inside and downstairs, the incredibly beautiful interior is dark, upholstered in velvety luxury, mood lighting and huge vines along the walls. The theme celebrates endangered and indigenous cultures with an inventive cocktail menu. Service was on point with 2 servers to ensure we had everything we could want.

Midnight Cowboy

Midnight Cowboy is our third 5-shaker in Austin. This place feels completely authentic – originally a brothel disguised as a massage parlor – the decor and atmosphere still honor that era. It is inside a completely obscure, unmarked door on the Dirty 6th. To enter, choose the correct button on the small doorbell directory.

The cocktail menu rotates with super interesting theme-based cocktails, and service was fantastic.

The Powder Room

We are actually giving the Powder Room 4.5+ Shakers. The plus comes from the exceptional hospitality of Paul, the Operations Manager. Shakers were awarded for Hidden (enter through the kitchen doors at a working sandwich shop), 1/2 for entrance (no task, but you need reservations and must turn your phone in at the desk), theme – think high-end Miami Vice, beautiful cocktails, and the incredible service. We highly recommend Powder Room.

Watertrade

We loved Watertrade so much! I know we always say that but it is true!

Hidden up an unmarked set of stairs in the courtyard of The South Congress Hotel, you will find this small, intimate Japanese bar attached to the 12-seat Omakase restaurant, Otoko. Watertrade is stunning! The room is warmly lit with a polished, modern wooden bar and extensive Japanese whiskey and sake collections. It is a truly a beautiful space.

Watertrade landed shakers in all categories except entrance, which was deducted .5 because there is no task other than checking in with the hostess.

Kinfolk Lounge & Library

With 4.5 shakers, the only deduction came from the lack of Entry Task. We are trying to keep consistency with this scoring – because you must check in with the host and be shown to the stairway, we award 1/2 shaker.

Kinfolk Lounge & Library was one of our favorite stops of the trip. It is sufficiently hidden inside Moonshine Grill (although there is a sign out front, it doesn’t indicate what “Kinfolk” is).

This small space is gorgeous – a tiny well-stocked bar and intimate seating at the front of the room and the “Library” in a second room. The Library has a built-into-a-cave feel with white stone walls behind their impressive collection of spirits lining the walls. The room is bright and contains only a large community table. The community table really set Kinfolk apart. It was so lively and right up our alley to have other people to interact with.

Their menu is laid out like a “Family Tree” of cocktails and was brilliant. Service was impeccable!

Trona

Trona was so close to a 5-shaker sweep! You know we are suckers for an alley entrance…so this is off to a good start. Down a back alley in East Austin, there is a huge artsy steel door with a welded lightning belt and a speakeasy peephole. You must provide a password (that was provided via text earlier in the day) before being led down a VERY long hallway to a gorgeous, vibey lounge. Normally this would be 2 shakers for Hidden and Entrance Task but there is a sign on the street-side directing you to the alley (so to be consistent, we have to deduct 1/2 shaker – even though we don’t want to because the entrance is so outstanding).

The design is Oaxacan with a Oaxacan-Japanese cocktail program. The cocktails are top-tier as is the service. So full shakers for theme, cocktails and service.

Eden Cocktail Room

Eden Cocktail Room is (again) down an alley. Austin loves its alleys! There is no signage, just a purple door and a red speakeasy style light over the door.  Shaker for the hidden entry, no shaker for a challenge to get in.

The inside is small and comfortable with low, tin ceilings and a combination of brick walls and dark green paneling. The cocktail program is unique and well-thought out. Because we sat at the bar, we had fantastic service with a lot of conversation and interaction with the bartender. So shakers for theme, cocktails and service.

Milonga Room

The Treasury

The Treasury is very well hidden behind the huge back patio at Shangri-La (a cool, divey bar that was potentially more fun than the Treasury). So one shaker for Hidden. Once you find the door, you must use the intercom to gain entrance, then down the stairs and a hallway with deposit boxes. The intercom gets 1/2 shaker.

Once inside, the Treasury theme is very well done. In fact the bathroom doors are labeled “Deposits”. Pretty cute. Drinks were good and continued the theme so shakers for theme and cocktails. Service was just ok and only getting 1/2 shaker.

Garage

The Garage is inside…wait for it…a parking garage! The entry is hidden up a pedestrian ramp (although the big “Cocktails” on the outside wall of the garage could have been a giveaway. No task to get in. But this is a beautiful bar! Candles, subway tiles, elegant seating and lighting. Drinks are on-theme with motor based names. Service on our particular visit only scored 1/2 shaker (at the bar), but this was so highly recommended by others in the service industry that maybe we hit a bad night. So shakers for hidden, theme, drinks, and a half for service.

Firehouse Lounge

We hit this one early since it opened at noon. The entrance is behind a bookcase inside Firehouse Hostel although there is some signage that gives it away, so we are only giving 1/2 shaker for hidden but the bookcase entrance gets the full shaker. Once inside, the room is dark with red walls and a disco ball. But it is comfortable and chill, not weird, we swear! The drinks were solid as was service.

Small Victory

We actually had a little trouble finding Small Victory so for sure getting the shaker for hidden. Look for the red gate/door with a neon “bar” above it. I know, I know…seems kind of obvious. But maybe it was because it was our final stop, or maybe it is truly obscure but we missed it! No task and no real theme, but the bar is beautiful and inviting so we are giving 1/2. The cocktail program seems fantastic, and you can go off-menu which we love.

Bar Hacienda

The Case Room (Lockhart)

The Cloak Room

Chicago – link to the blog

The Office

The Office is located below The Aviary cocktail lounge. It was created by Chef Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas and we had high hopes because: Grant Achatz!!! You do need to check in at the hostess stand and you do need a reservation. The entrance is secret. The hostess guides you down a back hall and down a staircase to a locked door, so full shakers for both. Please take note, the door is locked, if you are inside and have to visit the little mobsters room, you will need to take a key with you!

Anyway, quiet, elegant, and definitely prohibition themed. It is well done and upscale. There are a few intimate seating groups and a small bar. They specialize in old (and I mean OLD) alcohols bought at estate sales. It is definitely niche to those with exquisite, upscale taste. The ordering book is thick and contains descriptions of where bottles were found or bought. Choose something interesting or the bartender can create something. The bartender had amazing knowledge and was happy to talk to us about it all.

THEN the chef came down and talked to us about the daily specials at the restaurant, and holy cow, we were blown away!! You absolutely must have the truffle explosion if you go (included with the pre-paid reservation). Watch the Chef’s Table episode on Grant to see why, it was one of the best bites of my life.

Contrary to the lower score speakeasies that we absolutely love, although this has a perfect score – and an absolute “must try” experience – we probably don’t need to go back. It is much to fancy for us, we just do not have that level of sophistication.

Gatsby

Gatsby is definitely worth the stop, and scored high on our scale. It would be a secret entrance if they hadn’t put a sandwich board out front with an arrow (so we only deducted half). Aside from that, hidden upstairs in The Bourgeois Pig Cafe with no other markings. There was a challenge to get in, so YAY!!! The hostess hands you a riddle and sends you up a staircase to solve it in order to gain entrance. It wasn’t too hard, but totally fun enough for us.

It has a great vibe to the place, the drinks were all Alice in Wonderland themed and were carried out very well. They were busy, and service was slow, but they acknowledged that and apologized. That’s all it takes to win us over for service! They were very nice and fun. The place is set up like a drawing room with separate smaller rooms off to the side, including a library room.

Dorian’s

In Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, Dorian’s fronts as a record store. Once inside, look for the listening booth sign, show your ID and head to the bar in the back. The interior space is hip & funky. Shelves upon shelves of vinyl, a stage behind the bar.

The cocktail list is short, but something for everyone.  A little ‘Mr. Demeanor’ and a ‘Big Papa’. We wish we could have been there for a show – you just know this is a good time. But we loved the vibe anyway. Dorian’s racked up full shakers for secret, theme, and drinks, half shakers for entrance and service.

Milk Room

**sadly, The Milk Room closed its doors on February 28, 2025**

The Alderman

Another favorite! This is not-so-hidden inside Pilsen Yards, there is a neon sign above the door that says “The Alderman”. We had reservations so we checked in with the hostess and she let us through the door. We aren’t sure if we could have just walked in, it didn’t appear that you should so we are giving it a half shaker here.

The lounge itself was dark with a masculine feeling but sexy. There are 16 table seats and a small bar, where we sat (of course!). With a name like Alderman, the theme makes sense so we are counting it for a shaker. They have a well-thought-out drink menu curated by the bartenders themselves with a mix of weird, exotic, and classic ingredients. AND there was a welcome drink. And you know we are a sucker for a welcome drink.

For us, what made it so outstanding was the service. We would give it a shaker+ for service if that was a thing. The bartenders were chatty and true artisans. We were treated to a few tastes and creations. It was an exceptional experience.

Blind Barber

The Blind Barber is hidden behind a completely unmarked door inside a working barbershop. The receptionist quickly identified that we were not there for a cut or shave and opened the unmarked door. A little hallway opens up to a fantastically almost 70’s vibe speakeasy.  Wood paneling, long booths along the wall, wood bar, dark moody. There were a few nods to tiki, but it’s like they gave up and settled for 70’s. But all in a good way. Like the friend’s basement you wanted to hangout in kind of cool. So keeping count, we’ve got shakers for Secret and theme, only half for entrance.

They had a great drink menu, great drink specials, a long list of shots (we appreciate that) – this seemed very on brand but nothing special so half shaker. The service was attentive but nothing memorable so we are going with half shaker. Although the other patrons at the bar invited us to come back after whatever reservations we were running off to. It was a very inviting hangout.

Violet Hour

Unfortunately, the Violet Hour closed its doors June 2025.

The Drifter

The Drifter gets a shaker off the bat for Secret. It is downstairs inside The Green Door bar. We actually walked past it the first time so kudos! No task or host, just walk in and pay the cover charge. We are counting this as themed for having an authentic 1920’s speakeasy feel. There is a small stage with a burlesque show – in between live acts, they have old black & white films.

They have a rotating list of cocktails; they give out tarot cards that the cocktail is based on.  Each card is different and lists the name and ingredients on the cocktail. We don’t have any notes on service – not saying it wasn’t good but just not handing out any shakers on this one.

The Booze Box

In the Fulton Market neighborhood, we walked by an alley and spotted a red arrow pointing towards a doorway. YAY, Surprise hidden bar signal.  They only had a sign on the door with hours, but nothing else saying anything about what it was. We followed the staircase down to the Booze Box. We are easily scoring this a shaker for Secret No entrance however. Turns out others used the restaurant entrance but we didn’t come in that way and cannot comment on whether it is hidden or not.

It’s no surprise that it has a very Japanese feel, given the upstairs sushi bar. It was dark, there were big shelves over the bar filled with Japanese labels, red paper lanterns, and round booths lining the back wall.

We lucked into a bar seat where I had probably my favorite drink of the entire trip – a beautiful purple rum & ube cocktail. The other drinks were equally as interesting and on theme. The service was not so memorable so we are not awarding any shakers.

Denver – link to the blog

Williams & Graham

Our Denver favorite. Williams & Graham is disguised as a corner book store. Once inside, you check in with the hostess behind the antique cash register. She flips a light switch and you wait. When the light goes out, someone opens the bookcase and leads you back to the bar.

It is beautiful, dark, and moody. And you are taken care of from the moment you enter. The best service, welcome drinks, amazing food, fabulous drinks. They have it all. All 5 shakers are well deserved. This was Patti’s choice for Best of 2023.

Retrograde

Retrograde is hidden inside an ice cream shop with the entry through the freezer door. It is a fantastic hidden entry. Once at the freezer, you have to flip a switch and wait to be granted entrance. So shakers for both hidden and entrance.

Once inside, the theme is retro-science fiction – think sixties/seventies era sci-fi. The drinks are all titled to sound like terrible sixties era science fiction movies, like My Alien Girlfriend, Vegas in Space, Time Chasers, and Alien Apocalypse. Full shakers for theme and drinks. The drinks are a little too weird (too many ingredients, trying a little too hard) but an experience. The half shaker markdown came from service. It wasn’t bad at all, but just not stand out.

B&GC

One of Denver’s hottest speakeasies, B&GC is located in the Cherry Creek neighborhood. It is hidden down an alley, so definitely scores for secret. After ringing an unmarked brass doorbell, a hostess greets you and you are led down to an elegant, retro lounge. We are only giving a half shaker for the theme – the decor and vibe was cohesive but I’m not sure you could name it. Drinks were fantastic and creative (although we may have had a few too many by the time we were there). Service earns a half shaker – our bartender was friendly but very busy.

Emerald Eye

A newer kid on the block (Larimer Square, that is), Emerald Eye gets 3 shakers. Only 1/2 for hidden – it would have been a full shaker for the great neon symbol over the doorway (which we love!) but there was that sandwich board, so 1/2 deduct. Full shakers for theme (think 1955 Caribbean) and cocktails (creative, themed, with a special emphasis on the curated rum & agave program). And 1/2 shaker for service – I don’t think there was table service, order at the bar only, but I could be wrong. But the bartenders and door guy (Dylan) were wonderful so giving them a 1/2 shaker benefit of the doubt.

Run for the Roses

This one pains me. People love it, I have given it a couple of chances and just cannot. It is Secret and earns a full shaker. The lead in from the Dairy Block is fun… a generic neon “Cocktails” sign and stenciled roses leading down below street level is very cool. The entrance is a check-in at the race course style “betting window”. No other task and the opening to the bar isn’t hidden, but it is charming so it gets the half shaker.

Inside the bar, you would expect the race track theme to carry on. It doesn’t. But the room is beautiful. I love the decor but it is not a theme. And the drink menu comes in the form of a deck of cards…this does not further a theme, although very fun and the drinks are fantastic. Score a shaker for the drinks. Service on both visits was not good. It has the makings of a great time – I really hope you have a better experience.

Millers & Rossi

Millers & Rossi is located in a non-descript brick building in RiNo. The name is on the door but it sounds like it could be a law office. The front used to be the Ohana Room (tiki bar), now the whole space appears to be Millers & Rossi so not too secret and no entrance. Toward the back is a plush & comfortable bar. It is a little piece of calm (at least when we were there).

The drinks were fantastic and with an interesting list of spirits (they have Arak!). Drinks score one full shaker. We’ll give them a half shaker for the secrecy (you could easily walk past it), half shaker for service (friendly just nothing memorable), and half for theme – it was a great vibe and there was something to it.

Lincoln’s

Here is another example of why the objective shaker score has nothing to do with how fantastic a bar is. We love Lincoln’s!! One of the best in Denver, for sure. It only gets shakers for Hidden and Theme. Not only is it completely hidden, but people in Denver are trying to keep it this way. So far, most of the social media that I’ve seen have been hush hush about the location. The theme is, of course, Lincoln, America, and the $5 cocktail.

No shakers for entrance (no task), service (all orders are from the bar), and cocktails (we love the simplicity, but there are tap beers and 10 spirits, 10 mixers, and 1 barreled Old Fashioned).

Cruise Room

The Cruise Room is historic and people love it. The oldest bar in Denver, opening the day after Prohibition was repealed, we had high hopes. But there is nothing secret about it, no entrance, the service was not good, and we weren’t able to try enough of the drinks to give a fair opinion. We would love to give this another shot and hope to hear if you have had a better experience. One and a half shakers for Theme – think historic Queen Mary (but entirely red lighting) and drinks.

San Diego

Young Blood

On the San Diego scene, this is an obvious 5-Shaker.  Sharing a space inside Neighborhood (along with other CH Project property, Noble Experiment). It checks every box, from the hidden entrance with task – enter behind the wall of kegs and cooler walk through, to the ambiance, the service (Alexandra and then Francesca were incredible), the cocktails.  Youngblood was perfection in a speakeasy.

Bar Kamon

This was such a great experience.  Bar Kamon is hidden inside a fabulous looking Japanese bakery and is accessed behind an obscure door hidden in the wall. They understand service, they understand spirts and flavor combinations.  There is a full shaker for hidden, a full shaker for task, a full shaker for service, a full shaker for cocktails, and a full shaker for theme.  Yes, our excitement translates into a full 5 Shakers for Bar Kamon.

Realm of the 52 Remedies

Accessed through a hidden Traditional Chinese Medicine apothecary inside Common Theory. Full shakers for being hidden, for a challenge, for service, theme, and cocktails.  This was an easy 5-Shaker.  Well deserved.  Brian was awesome, engaging, and fun.  We loved him and wish he could leave the entrance and hangout with us.  Our bartenders were friendly, checked in often, and made some dang good drinks. The food looked amazing, although we did not eat.  We were happy and would definitely go back. Plus, they made the 2026 list of 50 Best Bars in North America at number 93!

Room 56

A fantastic experience, this was one of our favorites in San Diego.  This had a hidden entrance inside the very fun Moxy Hotel and a unique entry task that is sent to you a few hours before your reservation! Service was the real standout here, simply fantastic. They are getting a full shaker for service, a full shaker each for hidden and task, a shaker for cocktails, and a shaker for theme. 

False Idol

Raised by Wolves

Another really strong hidden bar, Raised by Wolves is accessed inside a working, high-end bottle shop inside Westfield UTC. The revolving fireplace entrance is a first for us and we loved it! Full shakers were earned for the gorgeous interior and an outstanding cocktail program. Only half shakers were given for Hidden and Service – the bottle shop location is technically hidden but the gathered/waiting customers really give away the entrance and spoil the mystery. Service was good but definitely too bustling to be personal and engaging.

Oculto 477

They get the full shaker for hidden and for task, it’s a fun concept.  Oculto 477 is located inside Tahona Bar, adjacent to a cemetery in Old Town; the confession of a sin is required for entry. The cocktails were good enough to earn them a full shaker, and the theme was on point.  We are not giving any points for service, unfortunately, it did not match up with the themed experience we were hoping for.

Prohibition

San Diego’s oldest speakeasy, this was a gem. A nice change from the upscale speakeasy experiences, it is more understated and chill, and if you are a jeans and t-shirt person, this is your jam.  They do lose half a shaker for the bar only ordering, but they do get hidden, half a shaker for task, full for cocktail, and full for theme.  They land a solid 4 and are definitely worth your time.

Captains Quarters

Sharing a space with the Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach, Captains Quarters scores slightly higher as it is unmarked (inside the well-marked Grass Skirt). Entry is granted by the host, through a completely concealed door behind a mural, it gets full shakers for hidden and half for entry, a definite nautical/ship theme and drinks. Without experiencing the service, we assigned half, based on its neighbor, Grass Skirt.

Part Time Lover

We loved this groovy listening lounge. It masquerades behind a dilapidated Records and Liquor store sign in North Park. It gets a shaker for being hidden but there was no task. Full shakers each for the theme – which is funky, 70s style living room and creative drinks. Ordering was done at the bar so that gets half shaker.

Convoy Music Bar

This was a surprise stop for us and worth the search! The entrance is covert – down an alley behind a strip mall in the Convoy neighborhood, with just a red light above a doorway. No task to get in so no shaker here. The theme was another listening lounge but it was pretty cool that the DJ was center, behind the bar. This was a really pretty, comfy bar with interesting drinks and friendly service (although maybe just walk-up?).

The Grass Skirt

The Grass Skirt is a well-marked tiki bar in Pacific Beach. It seems that it used to be hidden inside a sushi bar, but that is no longer the case. Entry is gained by a hostess stand (shared with Captains Quarters) and through a freezer door (we gave them a half shaker for this). The tiki theme was on point. Really well done – thorough without being cheesy. And drinks were fantastic. Service was good, but not anything special so we gave them another half shaker.

Seattle – link to the blog

Foreign National

**we are so sad to report that Foreign National (our highest rated in Seattle) closed its doors in July 2025**

Paper Fan Cocktail Co.

Located above the very bustling Biang Biang Noodles shop, an unmarked staircase leads to the Paper Fan Cocktail Company was delightful. We gave this 4.5 shakers – one each for hidden, theme, drinks, and service; half for entrance. The entrance is hidden but a reservation is required with check-in with the hostess. She will lead you up the stairs (you cannot just walk in). The upstairs bar is a much calmer, tea house themed; and many of the cocktails are tea-infused. We loved our drinks! The 3 ladies behind the bar were incredible – excellent skill and service!

Needle & Thread

Another 4.5 shaker! Needle & Thread comes highly recommended! Hidden inside Tavern Law, you enter by picking up an old phone connecting you to Needle & Thread upstairs. We love the secret phone entrance! Two shakers off the bat!

Needle & Thread is prohibition themed but light & airy with light colored wood, not dim & dark. The deal with N&T is that there is no menu, you are quizzed on your likes and dislikes, your flavors and moods, and cocktails are created just for you. It is a great concept and earned a shaker. The only 1/2 shaker deduction came from the service – our server, charged with collecting our likes/wishes was not particularly friendly nor did she put effort into drawing information out. However, the bartenders were fabulous.

Founders Club

The Founders Club is hidden behind a bookcase in the lobby bar of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. This is a fantastically hidden entrance, equating to shakers. The interior is gorgeous, decorated in rich red leathers and wood. Very private club. The drinks are incredible – creative twists on the standards – unique and interesting – but expensive! The perfect place for a pre-dinner or post-theater drink. Service was maked down by 1/2 – it was absolutely fine but nothing special.

{Unlisted}

We love {Unlisted}. It is perfection in all shaker categories but they do not have any entrance task – thus only 4 shakers. We vowed to give them 4++ because of the gorgeous interior and incredible service! The giant elephant and Indian safari theme entranced us. Definitely one to check out!

Phocific Standard Time (PST)

How can we have so many favorites? PST did have our favorite sip of the trip – the “khoa was here #khoawuzhere” – Pho-fat washed Jameson with a hot pho shot back! Yes, yes, yes!!

Anyway…I digress…4 shakers – hidden, theme, drinks & service. No entrance. Inside Pho Bac, there is a staircase (a small sign says that you must be 21 to enter but it doesn’t say for what), up the stairs, behind the beaded curtain is a Vietnamese themed speakeasy serving themed cocktails and fantastic food. The service is top notch as well. The one shaker deduction came from no entrance task.

Inside Passage (link to blog)

Inside Passage is one of the most immersive bars on the list – it would score more than one shaker in theme if it could. You’ll be tempted to call it Tiki, but it is “an immersive underwater, tropical experience celebrating the uniqueness, history and beauty of the Pacific Northwest”. It also scores a full shaker for secret – hidden inside Rumba Bar on Capital Hill, Drinks – elaborate & impressive, and Service – top notch. The only deduction comes from entrance – no trick or task, just reservations.

The Doctor’s Office

The Doctor’s Office is the place you want to hang out! Except for the white neon sign signifying “The Doctor’s Office” outside an otherwise abandoned looking building on Capitol Hill, you would not know what was behind that door. Luckily when you find out, you are in for a treat. This small, intimate neighborhood bar is friendly, eclectic and fun. The drinks are inventive – rare spirits, interesting ingredients and fantastic flavors. Love this place! Shakers for Hidden, theme, drinks & service. No entrance task.

Deep Dive

Deep Dive is located within the Amazon Spheres. This hard-to-get reservation was an interesting one! We gave it 1/2 shaker for hidden – the name is on the door but the door is not obvious. Because of the reservation/hostess and very long ramp entry way we allowed another 1/2 for entrance. Once inside, the theme is fascinating – dark blue, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (to us) or Four Elements of Earth (per the bartender. The drinks and food were unique and delicious. Service was friendly and interactive. We enjoyed our visit, although all in all it was not among our favorite stops.

Rich Rich

Rich Rich is disco-y pink good time. A grungy back alley entrance was almost perfect but a sandwich board dropped it to 1/2 shaker. No entrance task dropped another shaker. But from that point, full shakers for theme – pink and disco-y fun; drinks – big, creative menu; and fantastic service. This Queen Anne stop is a must do!

Knee High Stocking Company

**Knee High Stocking Co has permanently closed**

The Pharmacy

Don’t let the 3 shakers fool you. We really enjoyed The Pharmacy and it came highly recommended by many people along our tour. The entrance is hidden in the basement of Temple Billiards in Pioneer Square, one shaker. But once you head down the (mostly) unmarked stairs there is no entrance task (no shaker).

However, the theme is 1970’s Palm Springs, funky. We loved it – one shaker. It is huge and a great place to hang out indefinitely. The drink menu online is HUGE. In person, the choices are more limited but I’m sure they can do it all. The other markdown for service is because you order at the counter, no table service. The bartender was adorable and friendly but very limited interaction.

Bathtub Gin & Co

We hit this one early in our speakeasy quest and had a bit of a challenge finding it so it definitely collects a shaker for Secret. Once you find the wooden door in an alley with an elegant little sign, there is no entrance challenge nor are you let in by a host (so minus one shaker). We gave it one shaker for theme – centered on gin and gin-style prohibition era with a great collection and very cool brick and wood interior. Despite it being a 5-seat rounded bar, the service and drinks were meh.

Skein & Tipple (Whidbey Island)

Hands down one of our favorites (I think we say that a lot!). Skein & Tipple is on Whidbey Island, so a ferry ride away from Seattle, you aren’t just going to stumble upon it. You are going to have to go with the intent of spending a least one night on the island and you should. Skein & Tipple lands 4 full shakers.

We think this speakeasy hidden inside of a working yarn store is adorable. The nightly line starts well before opening and is first come. The entrance only gets a half shaker as you must check in and cannot get in by yourself, although there is no task.

Once you are lucky enough to get inside, it is Prohibition themed from decor (with a PNW/Whidbey focus) to drinks. Heavy on the whiskey & gin but super creative and twisty, this was one of Patti’s most memorable drinks: The Fat Elvis (peanut butter old fashioned with a bruleed banana and bacon. You could spend some time working through this interesting drink menu. Service got marked to half only because you order from the bar, no table service; however, the owners and staff are fantastic.

Kansas City – link to the blog

Swordfish Tom’s

For sure the best of KCMO. Swordfish Tom’s only lost half a shaker because the door from the alley is marked. To be fair, unless you were looking, you would not find the door (so half). Other than that, it really was perfection. A knock to enter (so full shaker). Engaging, knowledgeable server. Inspired, tasty cocktails. An industrial inspired, really well executed design. And overall, someplace that makes you feel comfortable; where you just want to spend your time.

Hey Hey Club

We had to make some assumptions here since we visited during a holiday pop-up. The sign directing you to the Hey Hey Club in the basement of J. Rieger’s was somewhat unassuming so we did give it half a shaker. Once down the stairs, there is no entry requirement (or so it seems). From our experience, service was outstanding so definitely the full shaker. As for theme and cocktails – we give both a shaker (for the Christmas tiki theme). And from our research, during non-holiday times, they look like that would be a fair score as well. So we stand by the 3.5 rating.

PS Lounge

The PS Lounge received 3 shakers. It scores shakers for theme, cocktails and service. Shakers were lost for Secret and Entrance. There were signs and directions all over The Hotel Phillips directing you to this place. And once you arrive to the entrance – which is a very cool metal, sliding door (tons of potential!) – there is nothing required but to check in.

The interior is elegant in an old Hollywood way. Service was fantastic and the drinks were as well. A great date night or pre-dinner choice.

Savannah – link to the blog

Alley Cat

Possibly our favorite stop in Savannah, we loved Alley Cat. It was a challenge to find so it scores in the Secret category. But once inside the unmarked alley door, no other entrance task. A basement bar full of Savannah history, a menu printed on newspaper, and a huge spirits collection. The drink menu was inventive and everything we tried was a homerun. Southern hospitality abounds. So 3 more shakers. We solidly gave this 4 shakers but as of this writing, there is now a glass door with a big sign above it! So, deducting a half.

Kentucky

Hell or High Water (Louisville)

Hell or High Water comes highly recommended by everyone we know that has been and by Chowhound’s list of 13 Speakeasies that Actually Feel Scandalous. And this is a great list, featuring some of our other favorites like Midnight Cowboy in Austin and Drifter in Chicago.

HoHW gets 4 shakers – it is hidden with the only indication from the street is a globe light with their HoHW logo Entering this door, through another and down the stairs you will find this gorgeous bar. The space is prohibition-era but prettier than most any we have been to. The bourbon collection is impressive, it is Kentucky afterall and the drinks were fabulous! Service earned another shaker, the ladies behind the bar were friendly and knowledgeable. The only shaker lost was for task, there was no task to get in.

Constitution (Lexington)

This popular speakeasy in Lexington earned all 5 shakers. It is a non-descript building from the outside and has a task to enter through a book shelf. The historic theme, great drinks and service complete the shakers. We did not have a reservation and were able to score seats at the bar but we definitely recommend reserving ahead of time.

Cincinnati

Ghost Baby

Ghost Baby is a COOL one! This swanky speakeasy is located four stories underground in the old lagering tunnels of Cincinnati. These tunnels were used by Cincinnati Brewing Company 150 years ago to cool & age beer prior to prohibition. Today it is a beautiful, prohibition-era speakeasy with a front bar area and a larger back room with a stage and live music.

It scores 3.5 shakers – the entrance is unmarked, just illuminated with purple bulbs and an unmarked elevator down the four flights (or stairs if your choose). The bars are truly built into the tunnels, with rustic, curved ceilings and walls. But the perfectly appointed bar, furniture, lighting and seating would have you feeling like you stepped into the 1930s.

The theme carries over into the cocktails – modern cocktails inspired by their prohibition ancestors. So one shaker each for theme and cocktails. The deductions came from no entry task and mixed service. We had one great bartender but the rest of the staff ranged from friendly to aloof, so minus half. Overall score 3.5.

Washington, D.C.

Denson Liquor Bar

This was a tough one to rate because once again, the rating is not indicative of the experience. The entrance is not marked so plus one. There is nothing else required for entry except a reservation (highly recommended) so no shaker here.

The interior is beautiful, moody, rich and elegant. And that “theme” if you will, carries over to the cocktails. Because everything “fit”, I’m considering this very on brand and giving a shaker for theme. Cocktails were outstanding – very creative and well thought out. Modern and unique without trying too hard. You know we hate when they try too hard with weird ingredients!

The service only gets half. It was fine. Overall, service in D.C. is horrible so this may be a step up but it is hard to say. The half score comes because our server was somewhat friendly and from observation, the bartender seemed chatty with the people at the bar. So, some credit here.

tl;dr: If you want to jump to our Complete List of US Speakeasies, Click here

Your favorite sisters are in their element when surrounded by fantastic opportunities for creating our own Las Vegas speakeasy tour.

Vegas is an obvious choice when posed with the question, “Where should we go for great drinking options?”. We are dutifully bringing you our Las Vegas Speakeasy recommendations in this post; we will cover Tiki Bars and other drinking spots in a separate post.

Las Vegas Speakeasy Boom

Secret bars have become more and more common in Vegas, and you would be hard pressed to hit them all in one long Vegas party weekend.  So, we have done the leg work and hit the big ones and are ready to give you the inside scoop.

A Speakeasy used to be a quiet little underground place that you could seek out and feel like you were privy to some secret underground.  Sadly, this is no longer the case. With social media and Google searches you can find them in most big cities. 

We recommend reservations for all of these places, even on weeknights, just to guarantee yourselves entry.

Las Vegas Speakeasies – Off-strip

Sister Side Note (ssn) – we choreographed this list carefully to hit these spots during the day and/or as soon as they opened. We are not up for Vegas night-life, haha. Many open at 4:00-ish and we are all about it. You can’t be day drinking if you don’t start in the daytime!.

Mas Por Favor – Chinatown

The Entrance

This could have been mentioned in our Off the Strip blog post, because it is technically located in Chinatown.  Yes, we know, it’s weird that there is a Mexican Restaurant in Chinatown. But nevertheless, here we are!

From the front entrance, Mas Por Favor is a counter taco shop with a pretty impressive menu. The food is good, plan to eat.  At the counter ask the cashier about “tonight’s delight” and they will point you to the unassuming man in the corner. 

He will escort you through a large door and down a dark hallway, past a barrel of cocaine (ok, it was probably a prop, but we didn’t ask), around a corner beyond the sombrero wearing skeleton (see, he asked about that barrel and white bricks) and through a second metal door. 

The Experience

Hispanic symbolism fantastically decorates the room in a completely stylish way.  There’s a wall of prayer candles, a large mural of Frieda Kahlo lookalike, sponge textured walls, you will definitely feel like hanging out for a while.

There are margaritas, naturally, and some crazy themed cocktails. We had the Border Patrol Shot served in a hollowed-out shotgun shell. One our neighbors at the next table had:  Disco Shit, a shot served with a cardboard square of “party favors” (in reality its powdered sugar lined out like cocaine lines), it was hysterical to watch.

Get the tacos, they’re crazy good and have some unique combinations. They also have happy hour specials if you opt for a late afternoon instead of late-night cocktail experience. 

The Laundry Room – Downtown

The Entrance

Down off of Fremont Street is The Laundry Room. Constructed from what used to be a legit Prohibition-era Las Vegas speakeasy that doubled as laundry facilities for the El Cortez Hotel, the Laundry Room was one of the first in this new revival.  You will find it inside Commonwealth Bar on the east end of Fremont. So down further than the Fremont Street Experience, but still within walking distance and by the Neon signs and Container Garden. 

The Experience

The Laundry Room is extremely private, only seating 22 people at a time, a maximum of 4 per party.  Reservations open up two weeks in advanced of your day, and they do book up fast.  Approach the host at Commonwealth and let her know of your reservation, She will escort you down a hallway to a secret panel hiding the entrance.

They feature Prohibition era décor and a fantastic menu of vintage cocktails. Or you can give the bartender a little bit of your likes and dislikes and challenge them to blend a special concoction just for you. Eclectic furniture and seating, you may just find yourself seated at a piano bench or cozied up under an antique chandelier.

You may notice that we are not sharing any pictures of The Laundry Room with you.  That is because it isn’t allowed.  The Laundry Room has strict rules you must abide by, among them is no phones in use, no loud or excitable conversations, no fighting, no PDAs, and no hitting on other patrons.

ssn – while no photos are allowed, the amazing tiktoker, VegasStarfish, has the inside look.

@vegasstarfish

The ultimate hidden speakeasy, Laundry Room Downtown Las Vegas #vegas #lasvegas #vegasstarfish #speakeasy #downtownlasvegas #fremontstreetexperience

♬ Harry Potter – The Intermezzo Orchestra

The Underground – Downtown

The Entrance

Also in downtown Las Vegas, in the basement of the Mob Museum is The Underground Bar and Distillery.

You can enter through the museum after your tour, or there is a backdoor with the old-style sliding peephole.  They offer a distillery tour as one of the museum entry packages. The tour explains the history and process of bathtub gin and moonshine, it also comes with tastings.

The Experience

The Underground serves upscale bar appetizers, and prohibition-themed cocktails.  I opted for the Bathtub Fizz, because it was served in a cute little bathtub.  But they offer their own take on Bee’s Knees and the Al Capone reported favorite Southside.  Peggy opted for the Giggle Water, because how could you not have something called Giggle Water.

Captain’s Quarters inside White Whale – Downtown

The Entrance

This is formerly Mike Morey’s Sip N Tip and is located down a side alley off Fremont Street. Note that we have not been since Mike Morey’s closed but it appears that there are similarities to the entrance but there is no longer a sign above the door alerting you to its presence but there are whales stenciled onto the bricks. Then just a black door in the alley and you still ring a doorbell and be allowed in.

The Experience

Once inside the door you can go left into the White Whale or right behind the curtain to Captain’s Quarters.  It has transitioned to a nautical theme and we have heard there is no cocktail menu but the bartenders make you curated cocktails based on your likes and personality.

ssn – I absolutely loved the original and can’t wait to check out the new place! Old pics for now…

Las Vegas Speakeasies – Strip Area

Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den – Resorts World

The Entrance

Resort World is one of the newer resorts on the strip, and it’s beautiful, Hilton did a fabulous job on this resort!

Several fantastic restaurants, but we were drawn in by the so-called food court named Famous Food Street Eats.  Authentic international dishes from multiple cultures similar to Hawker stand.

But we aren’t here to talk food in this blog post. You will need to go find Famous Food Street and look for Ms. Meow’s Mamak Stall.  At the checkout counter, you will need to go to them and say “here, kitty kitty”. We find it best if you do in a bit of a whisper for effect, haha. They will guide you back through the bookcase, which is a secret door into the Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den. 

The Experience

Billed as a “hidden den of sin”, they have a well-stocked bar of world-famous Scotch, Tequila and Asian Whiskeys.  They will make you a bartender’s choice cocktail, or you can choose from a list of specialty cocktails. The cocktails are inventive and exciting, with ingredients like Cardamom bitters, pink peppercorn, or Strawberry bursting Boba. We absolutely loved the feel and vibe of this bar, and the big neon tiger on the wall.

The room is dark, the décor is Asian inspired, and it was one of Peggy’s two favorite stops (probably #3 on my list).

ssn – I loved Here Kitty Kitty – they had me at hidden den of sin. But they seriously committed to the back alley Asian theme. The bartenders were fab and the drinks…chef’s kiss.

The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails – Cosmopolitan

The Entrance

At the Cosmopolitan, The Barbershop is set up like a speakeasy, however it is anything but a secret spot.  This maybe the best known Las Vegas speakeasy around. In fact, as you enter the Cosmopolitan from the Bellagio side, there is a big barbershop sign that lists it as having cocktails. And there is a roped area for the eventual line to get in, it is not exactly unassuming.

The Barbershop front does actually provide haircuts and shaves.  However, if you have a reservation, or it’s still early in the evening, the door bouncer will escort you to the back janitor’s closet. Here a little peephole door will slide open and deem whether you are acceptable for entry. Our hostess rang the bell for us and the inside bouncer looked us up and down. He reminded the hostess that last time I was there I was removed for dancing on the tables. I’m not saying he was wrong, but it was a cute little kitschy interaction enhancing the experience. I assured him that this time I would share the tips and he granted us entry.

The Experience

Inside is a fantastic whiskey focused menu, a huge wall with a bar that was clearly imported from someplace fantastic due to the mirror aging. The seating area was appointed with dark cushy leather chairs and a very masculine yet classy feel, they nailed the ambiance.

I think one of my favorite nods to the old style speakeasy was the bouncer guarding the inner door and the red light above the door that lit up when a new patron arrived requesting entry.

They host celebrities on occasion, and if you are there during the week do NOT miss Karaoke.  There is a limited song list, because you perform with a live band instead of canned, recorded music.  Do not pass up this opportunity. I’m so sorry Vegas missed my rendition of “Oops, I did it Again” because I quite frankly chickened out.  Don’t be like me.

ssn – On speakeasy-style ambiance alone, this is near the top for me. It is done so well. At first it was a little snobby, but very shortly, we met the people around us, the bartenders got chatty and we had a great time. The bar features open seating, but all tables and seating sections were reservation (and bottle service or maybe a spend minimum) required.

Ghost Donkey – Cosmopolitan

The Entrance

Upstairs at the Cosmopolitan is a little more hidden, little smaller, little more festive speakeasy. 

On the second floor, in the food court, back past the nacho bar, look for an exit door with a donkey on it. 

The Experience

Push that door open and it’s a small bar, with lots of Christmas lights and loud raucous feel, or maybe it was just the convention that was in town.  But it was amazing that from the food court side you could hear nothing, you push that door and it’s all pink, funky, sparkly tequila party.

It was such a good time (we both listed this in our top two favorites)! Great tequila drinks, and an atmosphere that promotes a party atmosphere without being “clubby”.

Cabinet of Curiosities and The Lock – Horseshoe

One of Las Vegas’ newer speakeasies, and my personal favorite, The Lock.  In Horseshoe Las Vegas, follow the signs to the Cabinet of Curiosities downstairs from the casino floor.  Cabinet of Curiosities is actually gorgeous and you will be glad you found it.  Eclectic, weird curiosities decorate this bar. I loved the blue leather couch, so elegant and indulgent feeling.

At the end of the room is a big door that looks almost like a huge bank vault door. Pickup the phone and the The Locksmith will answer, if you have a reservation, or they have room, The Locksmith will come out to get you.

The Entrance

The Locksmith guides you back to a room filled with safes.  Each safe contains a numeric clue inside to the locked door.  You must arrange the clues to get the combination to the door lock.  Once the code is solved, or you beg the Locksmith for help, you crawl through the big safe door (if you are adventurous). You walk through the big inner vault door if you are a little boring (there are different codes for the two different doors), and boom, you are in. 

The Experience

You can choose from the standard specialty cocktails list that is prohibition era inspired, or you can choose adventure and fill out the personality profile and the mixologist will concoct a drink based on answers to simple questions about your mood, your flavor preference and zodiac sign.

Our mixologist nailed the cocktails. 

Then we discovered the shifty eyes on one of the portraits (with the help of another patron).  Behind that portrait lies a VIP lounge, yes, there is actually has a second hidden room inside their own hidden room.

They made the entrance one of the most fun of our adventure, and it is definitely worth it when you are in the quiet, conversational drinking mood (rather than the festive mood of a few of the other speakeasies). 

Ok, so we solved the clues, we open the safe and opt for the adventure of entering that way. You have to actually crawl through the safe to the other side. Having had a couple of cocktails, I decide to go all Chris Farley aka Tommy Boy. As I crawl into the safe I start singing “Fat Girl in a Little Safe”, just to myself and Peggy. I think I’m funny, until I hear the roar of laughter from the other side. I didn’t realize the safe opened up directly into the bar, which at the time was dead quiet and the entire room could hear me.

ssn – if you do NOTHING else with this post, watch the YouTube video of Patti entering the safe. Yes, I snorted…and I am still laughing about it.

The Vault – Bellagio

The Entrance

We expect a hidden entrance in a speakeasy and this one you will have to look for.  Online all we could find out was that it’s a brown door on the casino floor of The Bellagio. And we were off to search with just the one descriptor on the not-so-small casino floor.  We stumbled upon it relatively quickly, but it is hidden and unmarked except for a sign next to a brown door (with a gold handle) with The Vault’s logo on it. The entrance was a win for us.

ssn – Even as small children Patti had an innate sense for where the bathroom was in every public place we were in. Our parents used to joke about it. It seems that skill has served her well and has translated to hidden entrances. She seems to instinctively sniff them out with not much trouble at all. Well, except for that one time in Penang.

The Experience

We knew going in that The Vault was going to be too fancy for us, but we are here for you, to give you the full experience review.  We enter through the brown door, are greeted by a Vegas-level VIP hostess who escorts us to our bar seats (bar seats, FTW). The room itself is dark and moody, smells slightly of smokey goodness and leather.  It is black and gold, has lots of mirrors and fantastic lighting.  It is definitely upscale and classy AF.

We agreed ahead of time that this is going to be a one and done for us, because it’s also known for being “expensive but worth it”, we are doubting the worth it part.  We were wrong, it was totally worth it.  And it had a welcome drink, you know we love a welcome drink!

ssn – Although The Vault was elegant and opulent, it was not stuffy. In contrast to The Office in Chicago – also very exclusive and expensive – we loved the Vault and did not feel like it “was not for us”. I speak for both of us when I say we would happily return.

Special Shoutout – The Service

David, our bartender, was incredible. Friendly and polite, with a mind-blowing level of knowledge and information about not just the spirits, but also the mixing and flavor balances.

Questions were answered similar to this: “as this is very gin forward, it is balanced with the yuzu and melon, to bring down the acidity and elevate the natural sweetness that can be found in earthy tones of the matcha. The blending of these flavors will hit the palette with a smooth, almost silky note and then blend into a river of sweet and sour as it crosses the taste buds, finishing with a slightly bitter, but mellow final hit”.

His descriptions were over the top, with an incredible synonym filled explanation so that you knew exactly what to expect.

Back to the Cocktails

But let’s talk about the cocktails.  Expensive, for sure.  But, as we were warned, completely worth it.  I had The Seductress, their amped up version of an espresso martini – it is served finished with a sesame cream that had the consistency of marshmallow fluff and a burned sugar banana that added to the smell sense as you drank it.  They make the cream by handshaking cream and sesame simply syrup – hand-shaken in a frozen martini shaker.

Peggy had the English Spy, a clarified milk punch that she loved but, whatever, I had marshmallow-y goodness.  Start with a welcome drink, add in cocktails, they also serve drinking snacks (tajin pistachios, parmesan crisps, and deep fried olives stuffed with goat cheese and chorizo) and then you finish with a good-bye bite, which ours was an espresso gelée with orange brown sugar.

ssn – don’t downplay my cocktail! I received a full ten minute dissertation comparing and contrasting two of my choices – I had to consider the difficulty level required of the bartender, the flavor profiles, the mouth feel and the viscosity! David is brilliant. As was my choice.

The Ski Lodge – Cosmopolitan

The Entrance

Next to Superfrico at the Cosmopolitan there is an unassuming door.  Plain except for a little skier on it.  No sign, no fanfare, just a simple door.  We love this, that is how a speakeasy should be, completely unadvertised.

The Experience

This was a winner, cracking into the list of our favorite speakeasies.  True dedication to the theme, it feels dark and lodge-ish, wooden, skis in the corner, a stone fireplace, absolutely just like any ski lodge bar you’ve been in.  Big picture window over the bar has a snowy scene showing.  The drinks were a good blend of alcohols, without being too weird. The staff was friendly and sported après ski style outfits.  And they offer a shotski!

This place hit all the notes and checked all the boxes.  I had the Golden Gai Goddess, with a fruity forward but a slightly bitter aftertaste, not in a bad way, in a slightly pithy way, I think it balanced out the fruity yuzu nicely and came with a slice of dragon fruit, which I will never turn down.

ssn – short and sweet, not much to add here. The Ski Lodge was perfect – and I feel like as a Coloradan I can say that. The commitment to theme was unmatched. This is comfortably in my Top 5.

Easy’s Cocktail Lounge – Aria

The Entrance

When you hear about it, it sounds perfect: a speakeasy attached to a donut shop.  Except when you get there it is decidedly just a nightclub attached to a donut shop.  A velvet entry rope, a big man named Reggie out front guarding the entrance looking like he’s going to decide if you are good enough to go in. The closest it comes to a speakeasy is an entrance down a short, short hallway with a door Reggie has to open with the code. Speakeasy ends there.

The Experience

Great bar, more like a small jazz club inside.  It’s got a great feel to it. A standing-room only bar for those without reservations, small tables, and a cool live band performing a little classic R&B with a modern twist. The band was the highlight for us.  The drinks range from high-end specialty drinks (things like smokey drinks in cigar boxes), down to their list of classic cocktails (I had a daquiri). Overall, a great place to hangout for an intimate night listening to great music in a small venue, but not exactly a speakeasy.

ssn – my drink (pictured below) was exceptionally good!! Gin, yellow Chartruse, honey, lemon, cucumber, mint! A little spendy but fantastic. Bonus points for Easy’s….they hand you a donut when you leave!

Pier 17 Yacht Club – Caesar’s Palace

The Entrance

The Pier 17 Yacht Club is the speakeasy located inside the Green Fairy Garden outside the Absinthe tent in front of Caesar’s Palace (phew, that’s a lot). The downside is that the entrance is not hidden or mysterious, there is a hostess check in at the front but it is at a bit of an “off” location inside the Green Fairy Garden (which is a cute outside bar if you just need a great outdoor patio. 

The Experience

You are escorted up a very Gilligan’s Island looking ramp with bamboo walls, into the inner bar room.  The inner bar room is pretty and upscale yacht club looking environment, but then there are doors to their outside patio which is much livelier and fun looking with Christmas lights and patio chairs.  This is primarily a pre-hangout area for those attending Absinthe.  It had a great feel but was dead while we were there as the show had just started.

A short, themed cocktail list, it was good, but nothing over the top or weird, which we appreciated. 

All in all, a cute, solid bar, not so much a speakeasy, but I’m glad we went. Perfect for your pre-show cocktails (and they offer large, premixed flasks of cocktails, which was cute) and drinks with friends. Anyplace else besides Vegas and it would have been more impressive and more highly frequently for it’s outside patio vibes.

ssn – This was super cute but definitely a pre-show only occasion. If you get the chance, see Absinthe – it is hilarious, raunchy, visually fun and also full of amazing talent!

The Count Room – The Flamingo

Unfortunately Google did not have updated hours for The Count Room so we could not make it to this one. It is located behind an office door just outside of Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse, this looks really cute. Next time!

On the Record – Park MGM

At the Park MGM. Definitely not a speakeasy, no matter what your Google search tells you.  Big neon lighted sign, a velvet rope maze, and signs all over telling you this way to “On the Record Speakeasy and Club”.  We passed.

Other Speakeasy Guides

• Our Ultimate List & Ratings of US Speakeasies
• Austin
• Chicago
• Denver
• Seattle
• Kansas City
• Paris
• London

Others in our Day Drinking Series

• Dallas
• Seattle – part 2
• Savannah
• Boise
• Kansas City

Ok, so this is going to be more about the fun side of London, but doesn’t the dark, seedy side sound fascinating?

Behind unmarked doors, down narrow staircases, and through the kind of “are we in the right place?” entrances we live for, London’s speakeasy scene is deliciously dark (like me) and just a little dramatic (like Peggy). Local purveyors of the drinking arts have made the Speakeasy scene fun and inventive and absolutely some of the best experiences to be had. The kind of spots that make you feel like you’re getting away with something…you know we’re in.

Arriving in London

A Chunnel train ride was not what was on my bucket list, EVER (a train tunnel high-speed underwater?  NO, THANK YOU), but is the best way to get from Paris to London, so off we went.

We absolutely love London.  It is such an amazing city.  This being our fourth time in this city we decided to just skip all plans to “see the city” and just focus on bar hopping and hitting up some speakeasies.  We did buy a 2-day pass on the Hop On Hop Off bus (the HO-HO, named after my sister) which covers an immense amount of London, so there was limited Ubering, Tube navigation, and no need to be driving.

It was a great decision and one we highly recommend.

The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town

With a name like that, how do you not want to go to this speakeasy!  It just screams fun and the ability to not take themselves to seriously.  And that is exactly what we found.

The Entrance

The Breakfast Club Spitalfields closes at 4 pm (but has great food and huge portions if you are looking for breakfast or lunch in London).  If you show up after that, the restaurant will be dark, but there will be a doorman and a velvet rope inside the entrance.  Tell him you are looking for the mayor.  He will call someone to help you.  Out pops our host, who then asks us if we know how to get in, because it’s a hidden secret, and it’s fantastically speakeasy-ish.  We did know, but he will help you if you don’t.  Hint:  check out the oddly located item that doesn’t belong in the hallway.

The Experience

The doorway leads down a ramp into a brick basement (yes, London has a lot of brick buildings, obviously).  Low ceilings, wooden bar, fabulously decorated with old signs, some slightly challenging your sense of decency.  But luckily, there is a No Heavy Petting sign and a giant moose head. The brickwall has little gaps with little surprises stuck in them.  The energy is low key, but the service is spectacular and engaging, they obviously love what they do here.

Great drink names like Eat the Rich, Wake Me Up and F*ck Me, and Pink Responsibly. They had fun making this menu, and put some great thought into their creations.  Seating is tight, but on purpose, so you can mingle and meet your neighbors, interaction is encouraged.  And the menu contains some basic words of advice to make your visit more pleasant, such as the Mayor demands the highest standards of self-deprecation, don’t leave through the entrance, and upon leaving they suggest you act nonchalant, like you’ve just had a pee (and leave your fly down to add to the charade).  Oh, and PS, anyone named Garfield receives their first drink on the house (with proper identification).

So many great shaker locations to be had in London, this one gets a 5 shaker!

Sister Side Note (ssn) – we loved The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town – the entrance, the service, the other people and the vibe. Everything! Plus that smoked drink had the attention of the whole bar, they really know how to show off! Oh yeah – it is cash only!

I wish we could have stayed longer but we were on our way to our interactive Jack the Ripper Tour. Spoiler alert, interactive does not mean there is any actual murder.

Discount Suit Company

Unassuming, yet so well done. I immediately loved Discount Suit Company when I saw their entrance online.  I don’t know why I was so drawn to this, but something about it screamed ‘YES, WE MUST’ to me.

The Entrance

An old abandoned-looking building with a big worn lettering falling off, declaring what used to be the Discount Suit Company. An obviously out of business industrial corner shop, and off to the side, just a plain black door. That’s it, it feels like you are in an old, run-down part of town.  A “should I be in this area at night” kind of corner – but it is not in a sketchy area, and it is not an unsafe place to be (promise, mom, I didn’t even go down an alley to get here).

Go through the door, down the dark staircase (maybe use your phone for light), and then BAM, I ran into a curtain that I didn’t even see because it was black and unlit, and well, a little sketchy feeling.  But what the heck, go in anyway.

The Experience

Now, this is what you absolutely imagine a speakeasy was like in 1922.  Dark, basement room, no fuss, just a wooden bar, wooden chairs, low tables and chairs in an old brick room.  The cocktails are exquisite and worth the entire experience, there is nothing low key or understated about the Umbrella Vesper or their Moonstomp (homemade whisky, sake, toasted rice, mango, coconut, soda.  Hello wheelhouse…nice to see you).  These people know their way around mixology and are making fantastic concoctions! 

ssn – Discount Suit gets a lot of attention online but it is not overhyped. Definitely the kind of place to settle in and hangout.

Bar Lina Soho

This one threw me off by the name.  I feel like we have encountered Bar Lina before in other cities.  But a bar in an Italian Deli sounds like a winner of a location to me.

The Entrance

The Lina Stores Delicatessen and Restaurants have several locations around London but four of them have “hidden” bars, Bar Lina. We went to Bar Lina Soho.  And OMG, the deli itself is so cute.  Just, why don’t I live in a town that has an Italian deli kind of cute!  The meat and cheese case, the walls of snacks, crackers, pasta and biscotti, this would be on my weekly list of places to shop.  But the lady at the back can help you gain entrance to the speakeasy in the basement.  Down a flight of stairs, Italian art along the staircase, and into the intimate, velvet luxury of Bar Lina.

The Experience

The staff was knowledgeable and friendly, but were being monopolized by a loud touristy lady with her roller suitcase demanding attention and conversation. We would have felt bad for them but the rock and roll Ed Hardy T-shirt wearing guy with his clearly first Grindr date kept us entertained.

We settled on our standard wheelhouse drinks, but then minutes after our drinks arrive, the cute lady from upstairs appeared with our apertivo.  They operate Bar Lina with a traditional Italian bar concept of small plates to compliment your cocktails. Bar Lina was definitely experience focused, we had a little mini panini with our drink, round two provides you with a cheese pairing for your cocktail, they embrace the Italian way of making drinking and event, not just cheap drinks to get you as drunk as possible.  It was charming, and we felt so special at Bar Lina. 

Archive and Myth

We had missed this on our original list, but luckily G, our Sofitel St. James bartender friend, recommended we pop by this spot, so we squeezed this in.  Unfortunately, they were closed the night we were there. However, with the amazing help of the staff we were given an insider view and walk-through of the speakeasy. And just recently, Archive and Myth was named 2026 Venue of the Year by Bar Magazine.

The Entrance

Inside the Hippodrome Casino, right by the Magic Mike Show, you need to find a door.  It’s a black door with patterns around the edges and a very fleur de lis style center with birds, very 1920’s design that has a 44, a 22, and a 33 incorporated into the décor.  This is your entrance to Archive and Myth.  In order to access the speakeasy behind the door, you have to know the passcode.  You have to check their website, as the passcode does change, but it is always about knowing what order of pattern to tap the edge design symbols.

The Experience

Ok, the way to access the room is fun, it’s different, we liked it.  Inside it is very typical speakeasy, black interior, a little dark and moody, yellow-ish bulb lighting, a brick wall behind the bar.  Classic speakeasy cocktails with a twist in half-size and full-size.  And you just know, just feel, how much of a party place this is going to be before and after a Magic Mike show next door!  Definitely beautiful and intimate, but with a screaming energy that wants to show you how on fire it can be.

Spy Bar

This was number one on Peggy’s list of Speakeasy visits for London, and she was very correct in her listing of The Spy Bar.

The Entrance

It’s hidden, that’s for sure.  Even the elevator was not an obvious find.  Downstairs in the basement of the Raffles London OWO hotel (that’s the Old War Office building converted to a gorgeous Raffles hotel).  You’ll first find the elevator, then walk down a long hallway of doors.  Only one door has a little tiny number above it, Room 007.

There is nothing unique or outstanding about this big plain wooden door.  You open the door to this little front office.  Eugene is sitting at his old fashioned typewriter, and it is very 60’s and 70’s office décor.  Eugene is absolutely lovely, until he places a sticker over your phone camera.  That’s right, no cameras allowed.

Fun fact – rooms 006 and 007 were actually used in the early 20th century and functioned as high security storage vaults for identity papers and mission reports of MI5 and MI6 agents

The Experience

Basically, we have no photos to show you how cool this place is.  Everything is James Bond themed, including the Aston Martin above the bar.  Black and white photos, dark wood, and a very intimate and vintage feeling.  The drinks are all classified by Bond villains and characters and movie themed. It was upscale and worth the trip. Service was amazing, Eugene came back in to the room and chatted with us for a bit, and the entire hotel staff at The OWO was incredible and will go above and beyond any expectation for class and service. But you have got to have a reservation for this 5-shaker speakeasy. Get yourself a reservation and do not miss this.

ssn – Spy Bar earned my Favorite Speakeasy in our Best of 2025 Travel Awards. The folks at Raffles were exceptional and the experience was over the top, as I had hoped. It is definitely THE premier experience in London – but not in an unapproachable way. Spy Bar just has an air of secrecy and feels ultra exclusive. Which you know I love. Plus Eugene was amazing – he also landed on our list of Favorite people we met in 2025.

Cahoots Postal

This will forever live in our memories as one of our best speakeasy experiences.  They make it a very immersive experience. We saved the best for last with this speakeasy guide to London.

The Entrance

Just outside Borough Market, you will see the sign for Cahoots Postal. It’s covered in plaques, advertisements and information bulletins, including one that specifically states “Definitely NOT a secret cocktail bar, please stop asking”.   You will want to make a reservation.  We were standing outside, waiting for them to open the door when a man in a 1920’s style outfit peeked out, looked left and right and then at us.  He whispered “you haven’t seen any coppers around have ya?  Didja make sure you weren’t followed?” in a heavy accent.  We told him we had been careful and followed instructions.

We walked into an old fashioned postal office where he asked us if we were there to pick up a “parcel” and asked what name would it be under. Then he called to the back to see if our parcel was ready for pickup.  While he was arranging our entrance the wall telephone rang, Peggy picked it up and it was a very British man congratulating us on entering the scoundrel network and directing us towards the back door. We are very impressed and excited at this point.

The Experience

Through the door at the end of the hallway, we go, and it is busy and chaotic, just exactly as you would expect the backroom of a post office to be.  There are many open slots on the wall where letters are overflowing (do you remember that part in The Grinch, I was dying to start yelling  “jury duty, jury duty, eviction notice, blackmail, pink slip”). The cocktail menu is designed like an old newspaper, with different sections for different drink styles and presentations.

Peggy ordered the P.A.M.E.L.A – which is a whiskey, bergamot, tart (like her) experience which is concocted by an automated “letter arranger”  (Postal Automated Mechanical Electric Letter Arranger, to be specific), and she was given a token to put in the machine when it was time for her pick up.

I ordered from the Air Mail section a fruity Signed, Sealed, Delivered.  The Air Mail section drinks are the coolest!  The server gives you your “pick-up location” and in a few minutes you hear your pick-up being called and all of a sudden a tube is drifting through overhead pipes, down the wall to your station.  Open up the tube (picture the drive in bank tubes), open it and inside is a flask with your cocktail.

The servers were fantastic, the drinks were fantastic, there is no way this is not an absolute 5-Shaker, MUST DO when in London.

There is another Cahoots location – Cahoots Underground. It is Tube themed and located in Soho. We tried to go but it was closed for a private event. From the entrance, it is equally as committed to theme and we are sure it is fabulous!

The Wrap-Up

We missed several places, several we were dying to hit, but I guess that gives us an excuse to go back to London. Anything else, let us know in the comments!

• The MacSmiths
• Evans & Peel Detective Agency
• Bacchanalia
• Scales London
• Sibin
• The Vault

London knows their drinking, they know their pubs, they love their history, and they are crushing the speakeasy scene.  We have heard experts saying speakeasies are overdone, but we are here loving and living for an over the top speakeasy experience.  Thanks for all the entertainment, London!

Other Posts

From this trip

• Paris Speakeasy Guide
• Ghent, Belgium

Other London Posts

• (1) London Day 1
• (2) London Day 2
• (3) London Day 3

Other Speakeasy Guides

• Ultimate Speakeasy Guide – Ratings & Rankings
• Las Vegas
• Chicago
• Austin
• Denver
• Seattle
• Kansas City
• Bali

Admittedly, these are not all going to be speakeasies. But if they call themselves speakeasies, we owe them a look!

Loveland

Sage Speakeasy & Lounge

On our way to Fort Collins, a quick Google search found Sage in Loveland, a perfect small town speakeasy.  Our one deterrent was the sign out front (along with a podium holding their menu).  But coming from a small town, we kind of understand the need to be a little more obvious.  No task to get in, obviously, so we do struggle with the speakeasy concept and the lowering of their shaker rating. 

Our experience was an interesting one.  We walked in, there was a large-ish group of people towards the back of the room.  Then this adorable host walks up to us, Josie.  He is friendly and his smile lit up the room; he explained to us that the power was out on the entire block.  They couldn’t serve food, and credit cards would have to be processed the old-fashioned way, by hand. But they were open. And the large, beautiful windows provided more than enough lighting. 

The cocktails were fantastic.  We loved Josie and Jeremy behind the bar.  Their smoked pineapple old-fashioned is one of their most popular signature cocktails.  It was amazing.  I had a Velvet Sunset, peachy, creamy with vanilla vodka.  We hated to one-and-done Sage, but Josie let us know about a low-key, little-known Loveland speakeasy right around the corner. We had to squeeze it in before getting back on the road.

Rosie’s

Ok, now we are talking speakeasy.  Rosie’s is hidden in the back of a barber shop.  There is a mention on the outside sign of cocktails, but no obvious GO HERE sign that we dislike.  The woman in the barbershop said Rosie’s didn’t open for another 20 minutes, but Troy (the owner) was back there if we wanted to go check it out.  Troy was happy to open a few minutes early for us, which we absolutely love and give bonus points for hospitality. 

Rosie’s was definitely eclectic and playful.  With Dexter’s Lab on the projector wall next to the bar, a Mystery Machine poster and some very interesting concoctions Troy had developed.

I opted for a Golden Mummy Golden Bird which had Rum, chocolate & lime cordial, hazelnut liqueur, and an absinthe rinse, which Troy assured me was just to highlight the flavors not to licorice it up.  It was interesting. I’m still trying to figure out if I liked it, but it definitely was exactly what the menu described, you could taste every note Troy said I would.  Peggy opted for a bourbon and hibiscus cocktail called David De La Hoz. But as our driver, she only had a couple of sips before erring on the side of caution and calling it good for a sample.

Fort Collins

The Social

In 2022 and 2023 The Social Fort Collins made the list of 50 Best Speakeasies in America, so this was a must visit for America’s Leading Speakeasy Authority.

There is a sign out front that simply has a clock which says Social on it. We are giving them hidden credit for not mention of being a bar or a speakeasy.  Plus, it is in a basement.  There was a check-in security at the top of the stairs and a hostess at the bottom. So while not exactly a task, it wasn’t just a walk-in situation.

The room is beautiful, yet quite expansive.  It just didn’t feel intimate, like we have come to know speakeasies to be.  The menu was fantastic, and the bartender was cool and informative, and gave us some great feedback on the menu.  We didn’t eat, but we loved that where you sometimes see an open kitchen, The Social had a glass walled charcuterie preparation station.  We love a good charcuterie board, especially seeing cheese and meat cut fresh and not pre-packaged.

There is a great selection of cocktails, and the menu is sectioned between your classic cocktails, your speakeasy-era cocktails, and then their more inventive “Secret Garden” selections.

ssn – and bonus points for a welcome drink!!

We loved our experience.  I’m not sure it would make our list as “best”, but it is definitely on the higher side of our shaker rating system.  And in fairness, we probably would have loved it more if we could have stayed for some serious drinking, and if there wasn’t a cranky, slightly douche-y husband on one side of us (someone else’s husband, not Patti’s).

Salida

Rocky Mountain Mercantile – The Blind Bighorn

This was a happy moment. 

A very happy accident.

There was a sign on the street that said “Whiskey Bar” and an arrow. But when we walked up the street to the sign it was just an upscale western wear boutique called Rocky Mountain Mercantile.  Geared towards the shopping tourist, but it still does say whiskey bar, so we went in.  Great shop with great clothes, and a few cute little home goods and jewelry.  If you keep walking back you will see a cigar case, a knife case, and then yep, a bar. 

The Blind Bighorn

Now, The Blind Bighorn Speakeasy is still in conceptual mode, but the bar was open.  Here we met Jeff behind the bar, and he shared that while he was new to bartending, the concept was in development.  And he was learning.  Jeff makes guitars, yes, handmade guitars.  He used to own a rafting company in youngers days and spent a great portion of his life outdoors, which is how he ended up in Salida.  He and his business partner, Kurt, who makes ukulele and banjos, decided to open this boutique in the front space of their backroom workshop.  Then they realized that they were drinking enough in this space that they should just put a bar in.

Now it’s a full whiskey bar, with the option to buy full bottles from their selection and lease a locker; therefore, you can come in anytime and drink from your own supply while you hang out with them.  Fantastic concept for a local’s hangout.  And Kurt and Jeff were fun and informative to hang out with.  We love planners and dreamers and artists; they are those people.  They plan to do a little framing in, add a hidden entry, and turn it into a full speakeasy.  We cannot wait to go back and celebrate its grand reopening with them!  Please send us an invite, Jeff!!!

Velveteen

Another “not a speakeasy”, but we are including it because it lists itself as a speakeasy and the bartender told me “This is literally a speakeasy” (yes, that is a direct quote but she didn’t say it in a rude way).  But this is not a speakeasy: it is not hidden, it is not mysterious, there is nothing speakeasy about this.

It is, however, a great bar.  The cocktails were great.  We loved the feel of the bar and the quirky, literary theme, and it was definitely a comfortable bar to hang out in.  The back outside patio was amazing, and they were preparing to set up for live music, there is also a food truck out back serving Mediterranean food.  And we did love that there are plenty of game cards set at each table to provide social interaction and conversation.

So, we do absolutely recommend popping into Velveteen if you are in Salida, try them but do not expect to find a speakeasy inside the propped-wide-open door.

Colorado Springs

Shame and Regret

This is so close to being the ideal speakeasy.  It is dark, it is moody, it has a little Victorian era dark, witchy vibe to it – picture upscale goth.  Plus, one of the best names ever!

If only there wasn’t a big neon sign outside. 

Down a side alley, so we give them points because you would have to be looking for it.  No task to get in, which I hate to say is definitely becoming the norm for our visits and is sadly taking away from the fun of the speakeasy claim.

However, Shame and Regret has an amazing whisky and scotch selection.  They were definitely on theme with the drink titles like Shame Spiral and Lowered Expectations.  I loved the “You Up?”, their Shame and Regret espresso martini.  And Blackmail is perfect for old-fashioned aficionados.               

District Elleven

This is a bit of a conundrum in our shaker rankings.  We walked down a back alley.  There is a huge painted DISTRICT ELLEVEN painted on the side of a building wall.  So hardly a secret, but sticking to our set ratings, we gave it a half shaker, because it didn’t say what it was.

The inside is cool: black and sophisticated looking, with a little divey-punk feel.  Black aesthetics, dark, leather, whiskey bar.  Our bartender, Alex, was perky and cool.  Again, a conundrum, looking like she (or maybe they, we failed to ask) should be all hard and tough, bald, tattoos, but then sweet, with amazing dimples, a great sense of humor, and could make a stiff cocktail.  An amazing combination.  They were awesome, made great drink recommendations, said anything could be made that we could envision.  We loved Alex! 

The main bar room had insanely high ceilings with great artwork, mirrors, and eclectic remnants of the past decorating the walls from floor to ceiling.  Velvet couches, comfy chairs, and then a side room with booths.  So, yes, we loved it, and it was incredible.

But THEN, we exited through the other doorway, and bang!  It was a T-Byrds Tacos & Tequila.  If you come in through the street side, it is in the back of a Mexican restaurant, and yes, it is completely hidden.  So, bingo-bango-bongo, we have a hidden speakeasy, with full shaker, and full happiness from us!!!

The Archives Underground

Down a back alley, around to the back of the building, there are some stairs leading down to a basement “underground”.  We loved the lunch board that said, “This is the bar you’ve been looking for”. But so very disappointed in the sign next to that which read “The Archives Underground Speakeasy, this way”.

It had a fairly plain interior without a lot of art or eye-catching decor, but we did love the bar and the menu.  Not much for a theme, but three people at the bar were having hamburgers that looked flat out incredible.  The service was good; it had an industrial feel that made us think this would be where you would want to hang out after a tough shift at work.  There were a couple of tables that appeared to be date night clientele. I could see this would be a good date spot, not too loud, not too crowded.

I loved that the menu book also had a spot in the back where people were free to contribute jokes, and that the bartender stayed engaged with the people at the bar, even visitors to the area, not just the locals he knew.

There is an entrance through Colorado Craft that may be more hidden, but we did not check that out.

Allusion

Allusion has two locations in Colorado Springs.  This location is a speakeasy inside the Wobbly Olive downtown, the other inside the Wobbly Olive on Powers.  They change themes every 90 days.  We were skeptical about the ability to rotate themes and have it still be fully executed.  We were wrong to doubt them.

Originally, we showed up on a Wednesday night but were told that they were closed when they changed the theme over from Shrek to Jurassic Park.

Jurassic Park, I am so in for that!  I love me some Jurassic Park (minus #2), and Jurassic World (again, minus #2).  We made a special trip back a week later and were floored.

The theme was magnificent.  From the Skeleton on the toilet, to the Raptor eye peeking through the door hole, it was impressive.  All the drinks had movie themed names based on lines from the movies, like “Clever Girl” and “Future Ex Mrs. Malcom”.  I opted for the “We have a T-Rex” and Peggy had the “Life Finds a Way”.  The drinks are served in various dinosaur shaped containers, and one fantastic drink is served in a Barbasol can.  We closed out our experience with the “Really Big Pile of Shit” shot of vanilla vodka, chocolate liqueur and cream served in a poop emoji shot glass. 

Dylan, or Dr. Grant as he told us to call him, was a great bartender, and we absolutely loved our experience at Allusion.

ssn – be sure to make reservations, it was busy and we were lucky to score 2 seats at the end of the bar.

Beaver Creek/Minturn

The Minturn Whiskey Company (Beaver Creek)

Up in Beaver Creek (seasonally in Village Park), the Minturn Whisky Company is relatively new to the Colorado speakeasy scene, and we are thrilled to have made it over to visit them.  Beaver Creek is a super cute (although super bougie) ski village. The kind you can ski right out of your condo and onto a ski lift.  But this was summertime, and there is some cute little shops and restaurants around the area.  A trip to the mountains was just what we needed to get out of the desert heat.

Coming around the corner, you can see through the big picture windows into the bar inside, but the challenge is figuring out how to get in.  We loved the 1970’s themed real estate office front.  All 70’s orange and yellow, very retro décor, we were a little disappointed that there was a sign outside that clearly said “this is a speakeasy” – but it’s summertime and we are understanding of their need to draw in business.

And they are scoring a shaker for how to get in.  But we aren’t going to tell you how that is achieved, it is not difficult, and you should be able to figure it out pretty quickly; however, we are not one to spoil the challenge.

Serving only Minturn Whisky Company whisky, family-owned, small-batch, locally made, plus they have a great cocktail list.  The standard whisky cocktails like a Manhattan and a killer old-fashioned, they also have crafted some of their own, you can also opt for a whisky tasting.  We recommend the tasting because we really liked this whisky.

The Minturn Whiskey Company Wee Dram (Minturn)

Additionally, they have the smallest whisky tasting room in Colorado at their OG saloon in Minturn – the Wee Dram.  Absolutely go find them!  It’s a cute little ski shack, with a tiny fireplace, seating for just about 12 people, and the same cocktails as the speakeasy.  We fell in love with Kyler, and the locals hanging around outside for the live music prior to the rain starting. 

ssn – the Wee Dram won my choice for Best Bar of 2025 in our annual travel awards!

The Minturn Whisky Co. (Beaver Creek) gets high marks from us and would be sky-rocketed to the top of our shaker rating, minus the sign out front.  And the winter seasonal speakeasy is open now (January 2026) so go check it out!

Breckenridge

Canary Bar – Hotel Alpenrock

The Canary Speakeasy Bar was the last stop on our Colorado Speakeasy road trip adventure.  We were excited to be in Breckenridge.  But there were no reservations available for The Canary until 9:15 at night.  We were bummed but determined to push through.  Located inside the Hotel Alpenrock, we showed up early “just in case” and were told by the lobby check-in that they would come get us when our table was ready. 

I was, admittedly, cranky.  I was tired, I was hungry, my family was irritating me from a distance, and I was ready to bail.  That’s when Rob showed up with two champagne flutes with our welcome drinks.  Now, y’all know how much we love a welcome drink!  The drink changes with each guest, but ours was Amaro. 

Canary Bar Entrance

Rob was amazing.  On your way to the hidden entrance (and yes, it’s hidden, we could not find it on our own and circled the common areas a couple of times), Rob tells you about the hotel, the theme, the décor, the thought process.  And let me tell you, it’s pretty impressive.

The hotel is gorgeous but also has been so well thought out to reflect the seasons as you move from area to area.  We get to the Edwin, the upscale restaurant on property.  It is beautiful, summer themed, in a very Colorado ski town way.  And at the entrance they have 4 tree trunks, these are from the one and only tree they had to cut down to build the hotel – so they “live on” inside the property, very cool. 

Then we go back through the restaurant and are pretty sure Rob has tricked us into an evening of dishes in the kitchen when he stops and knocks on a bookshelf – and it’s a secret knock too!! He opens the door to the completely hidden, very elegant Canary Speakeasy.  Dark, rich, stylish, we sit at the bar, disappointed that the caged canary is fake (but I guess that’s to be expected).

Cire behind the bar brings us “guidebooks”, their replacement for a menu.  There are about 4 cocktails at the back by the wine and whisky list, but the front is all about the alcohol, the variety, the descriptor, suggestions for complimentary flavors.  And you tell Cire how you are feeling, what your wheelhouse is, and he creates you cocktail for you.  A hit for Peggy, a little bit of a miss for me, but still a great cocktail.  This is definitely a 5-Shaker experience, and I am so glad we stayed for it.

Durango

Bookcase & the Barber

While we did not make it this trip, a true 5-Shaker experience that you must visit is the Bookcase and the Barber in Durango.  Peggy has been and raves about it.  Tucked behind a bookcase in a working barbershop (hence the name, duh), this literary themed cocktail bar is near perfection.  Not only is the entrance hidden, but you need a password to get in – it can be found on their social media.

It is an intimate, local experience where the bartenders seem to know everyone and are super friendly and chatty.  Also, worth noting that it also makes Fifty Grande magazine’s list of the Coolest Speakeasies in America. 

Colorado Conclusion

In closing, this is our first speakeasy blog focusing on an entire state.  Most of these are still just in the “speakeasy style” and not true to our definition but there were a few standouts – Canary, Bookcase & The Barber, Minturn Whisky Co. And yes, we are still missing one or two around the state (specifically we had to skip Aspen and Vail). 

We love Colorado and all there is to see and experience.  It’s gotten a little long, but hopefully this will continue as a new trend to cover bars outside of a major metropolitan area.  We know some of you are anxious to explore cool places outside of urban expanses.  And we are here for it!

Please reach out and let us know where you think we need to cover next, or if you have any inside information on places, we need to get on our list to visit!

Other Speakeasy Guides

• Ultimate Speakeasy Guide – Ratings & Rankings
• Denver
• Las Vegas
• Chicago
• Austin
• Kansas City
• Seattle
• Paris
• Bali

I recently was lucky enough to be scheduled for a work trip to Belgium. And you do not go spend a weekend in Belgium without taking the train over to Paris for the weekend, I mean, as long as you have come that far. Naturally, Peggy was not going to pass up this opportunity.

First off, I want to give a fantastic nod to Eliza Dumais for her fantastic 2019 article on drinking culture on Thrillist:  French Drinking Culture, Explained: Are the French Better at Drinking? – Thrillist

I found her humor amazing in researching the French drinking culture and experience. But don’t leave my story yet to go read her experience. We did our research, we loved the French way of wine with meals, and the societal views of bars and pubs. Drinking and the Parisian nightlife are cultural experiences.

In our research there were a couple of speakeasies that came up time and time again. So, we started off with just a short list, which grew once we arrived. We will start with the one of the most popular social media locations:

Lavomatic

The Entrance

Looking for a laundromat? Do not go to Lavomatic. Looking for a cute little hidden cocktail experience, absolutely seek this out. A man sitting out front looking a little sketchy, but no, really more like there to check an ID. Inside the door are some washer and dryers. One of the dryer fronts is fake, find that, push the start button, and open the door front to find the stairs.

The Experience

For our first stop, this was a great way to kick off Paris. Enter up a very dark stairway with neon paintings lead up the curved stairs (France loves their spiral staircases), to a two room second floor. Not a big space, not dark, definitely fun and inviting. Small tables with benches and laundry soap label-covered stools.

The service was friendly, they defaulted to English for us, which was appreciated. We were so happy there, it was a great, upbeat atmosphere. But this was stop number one, so off we had to go. 5 Shakers is a strong start in a new city. Creative entry/challenge and the great service. We were happy we chose well for our first stop in Paris.

Sister Side Note (ssn) – we clearly look like Americans because almost everyone, everywhere, spoke to us in English. We are not proficient in French, but we did study up on the basics. We just never really got the chance to use it.

L’Epicier

The Entrance

You are looking for small middle eastern spice shop. More like a quickie mart than a true spice shop but look for a small space with a shelf in the back full of non-perishable goods. Pulling one of those foods from the shelf is your key to the L’Epicier entrance.

The Experience

Through the hidden door and entry way and then a tall bar in a small-ish room with some booths and short stools, the tables were old stop signs in Arabic looking writing. Yes, these old ladies kept finding tiny stools to sit on, and our knees will thank us for it later. The room was pretty fantastic in a close, intimate way (we had to borrow the pic from their website, below). Lots of glass lanterns hanging from the ceiling gave it a back alley, middle eastern bar feel – which you know we are here for.

ssn – more tiny milk crate stools (see pic below)! What is up with this?

I opted for the tiki bar feel of the Rhum Erection. Yes, partly for the name, but also because it came in a ceramic skull. Having just visited the Paris Catacombs that day, I was feeling the day of the dead vibe. Peggy had the Basilic De Ma Teta, a basic gin and Saint Germain lovely and bright drink. It was Halloween, so the servers were feeling the festive vibe, and they were loving the night, which added to our love of them. This is getting a 5-shaker rating, as they checked every box that we like to see.

Candelaria

The Entrance

Look for the small taco shop on a side street, how American of the French Speakeasy scene. But it’s not quite that simple.

We walked up to a line out the door and thought our chances of getting in were slim. But the cute lady out in front and her Day of the Dead face paint asked us “tacos or cocktails”? We said “cocktails”, she walked us straight back along the taco counter to the plain door at the back, and in we went. Yes, the big line out front was people waiting on food. And that is impressive in a food city like Paris.

The Experience

The plain white door leads to a short hallway and into a dark, smokey feel bar (a lot like I felt at Trona in Austin, only darker). We scored two bar seats, sorted through the tequila and mezcal selections but settled on a gin cocktail with little peach oil float on top. I’d love to tell you all about it, except Peggy agreed that we needed some chips and guacamole. And that was the end of all reason. Who knew Paris could do guacamole. But I am telling you, it was among the best guac I have ever had! And now we figure out why there is a line outside for food.

Loved our bartender. We really started to discover the Paris server vibe. First off, English is their second language, and they try hard to accommodate us – but also, they are friendly and pleasant but not chit-chatty like in the USA. They seem to want to honor your experience and leave you alone to enjoy your evening. They were friendly when we engaged, but they never engaged on their own. So, our scoring on service is a little less strict than we judge our domestic bars. But still, Candelaria is yet another 5-shaker rating for Paris.

The Little Red Door

This was a fun last-minute find. While Peggy was touring the Palace of Versailles, I was lazing about a hotel room struggling to stay awake when I found The Little Red Door on a Google search and was instantly annoyed that we had been a mere two blocks away from this doorway when we hit up Candelaria.  But do you know what that means? A chance to go get tacos after a cocktail!

ssn – Yes! We did go back to Candelaria for tacos and more guacamole. It was fantastic!

The Entrance

We walked right by it. We had to turn around and walk back. There is a little alcove painted with blue and white stripes set back with a (duh) red door. True to its name, stepping up to the red door, it is, in fact, little. As in barely even 5 foot tall (1.5 meters). There was no sign identifying what it was, which we love. There was a printed sign on the left wall that said there was limited space and someone would be with you shortly.

The Experience

There had been a group of three men lingering when we arrived, but they seemed a little confused and walked away moments later. But we waited to see what would happen. The red door has a decorative window that you really couldn’t see through. We assumed someone was keeping an eye out to see when someone showed up. And then! AND THEN, the panel wall to the left of the little red door opened and we were welcomed in.

Surprise! We entered a dimly lit room – romantic mood lighting more than dark and gloomy. We scored a table on the second-floor balcony overlooking the speakeasy. Great place for people watching, including the snooty couple next to us, unattached couple at the end table, and the fun-loving French couple across the aisle from us.

It’s a little too dark to read the cool menu at the table center – but it’s super cute. Almost like a floral arrangement where each leaf is a drink with descriptors. The server was super friendly. I had to ask why Little Red Door had suddenly dropped off the 50 Best Bars list two years ago. He was so nice about it and said they had changed directions and were rebuilding, and that it was his first day, so I was overly impressed he handled my question so well.

Each drink comes with a well-conceived accoutrement. My drink came with an amazing, sharp slice of parmesan; Peggy’s came with a confit shitake mushroom (which honestly looked like snot on her glass, but she loved it). Everyone’s drinks looked fantastic.

And Little Red Door is not only getting our 5-shaker rating, but also making our Top 10 Best Speakeasies list, and our vote to return to the 50 Best Bars list!

ssn – I more than loved my drink. It is a strong contender for Sip of the Year. That confit shitake looks gross but it was delicious! Completely unexpected.

Moonshiner

This is a hard one for us. I’ll explain below. But we keep forgetting “what that other bar was”, which is ridiculous, because it was very memorable. I think we are thrown by a very Parisian place having such a low-brow American name, lol.

The Entrance

Find Vito’s pizzeria (Pizza da Vito, en Francais), a working, open pizza restaurant, which smelled absolutely amazing. Enter, give nod to the man making the dough, and continue back to the walk-in refrigerator door at the back. The door opens into what looks like a storage room, but keep going, there is a second door that opens up to Moonshiner.

The Experience

Peggy and I disagree about the décor. I got a very 1920’s Art Deco Vibe, she felt very 1970’s about it. Could the 1970’s be emulating the Art Deco 1920s? Possibly. The staff was in pinstriped dress shirts, ties, and arm garters, very upscale 1920’s garb.

The cocktails were very, what we had discovered, Parisian speakeasy – a prohibition era cocktail menu with some weird ingredients thrown in that we had to ask what they were. They were good, they were strong, we were happy at that bar.

The staff were the real winners. One was from the US, one was Australian, so English was freely spoken, which made us feel more at home in the middle of Paris. And they all seemed to genuinely love their job and each other. The background music was all funky, alternative but pop American hits, and a couple of servers danced and sang along. It felt good in there (hence my earlier comment about not knowing quite why we keep forgetting this place happened, we loved it).

Again, Paris, coming in with another 5-Shaker winner. There are some great speakeasies to be found in this city!

No Entry

No Entry came with great pre-reviews, but it almost didn’t happen due to opening time and location farther away from our other plans. But we pushed through and made it happen. Once again, we showed up and there was a line out the door, one for reservations and one for walk-ins. Luckily, Peggy thought to ask the hostess for entry, and much like Candelaria, the line was for food. If you have not heard of it, Pink Mamma is a pretty well-known must-try spot in Paris.

The Entrance

No Entry is hidden in the basement of Pink Mamma. So, find the curved stairs to the left just as you enter the restaurant. Down the stairs, and down the hall to the freezer door marked with a “No Entry” sign – not like a bar sign, but like a warning sign.

The Experience

Ok, great feel immediately upon walking in. A little bigger than other speakeasies we visited in Paris. Pink lighting, a lighted, mirrored bar to the right and an L-shaped room to your left. Low bench seating with little stools surrounding low tables. They also had these great giant orbs of glass filled with liquid and plant life lit up around the area. Then a server walks by us with a glowing fishbowl. Now, we are ready for No Entry.

We end up at the bar, which we love. Our server is cute, and nice, and there is the hustle and bustle behind the bar. But everyone is nice and greets us. And lots of glowing fishbowls are being made. I love the almost comic book/magazine feel of the drink menu.

The Napolicious was a solid version of the espresso martini with amaretto and limoncello. I loved that it was served with a side of brioche soaked in limoncello that came with it. Peggy, luckily, got the glowing fishbowl and loved it. We did score this only 4.5 Shakers, simply because of a lack of well-developed theme; however, it could also be that we simply could not justify giving yet another 5-shaker in this city and thought maybe we were being too easy on Paris.

Overall

We knew Paris was going to be impressive. It has a great reputation, and we were excited to work our way through the city (yes, work. Drinking is work, lol). Our one hiccup was the traffic, so planning and staying within certain areas will help your adventure. Cabs and Bolts are plentiful, but you will spend way too much time in a car if you try to get across town too often.

But the drinking scene is strong. The speakeasy game is competitive. And we were extremely impressed. We have a few more spots that we weren’t able to hit, I guess that means we have to go back for more, and soon!!!

Other Paris Speakeasies

Here is a list of other speakeasies on our radar that we did not have time to get to. If you have been or have other recommendations, drop them in the comments.

• Gentlemen 1919 – we stopped by this one but they were closed for a holiday. The exterior is beautiful and we would love to go back.
• Rehab
• Mobster Bar

Other Speakeasy Guides

• Ultimate Speakeasy Guide – Ratings & Rankings
• Las Vegas
• Chicago
• Austin
• Denver
• Kansas City
• Seattle

My day job’s corporate office is located in Austin, TX.  And the fact that the city promotes the “Keep Austin Weird” life, I was ready to explore and embrace the lifestyle.  A work trip presented itself, Peggy was absolutely down to join me. 

Thus, the planning began, and the holy cow there are a lot of speakeasies in Austin. And some seriously cool vibey looking bars.  Our biggest concern was the overwhelming number of options. Well, and the humidity, but that’s a whole other story. But how to narrow it down?  With a full itinerary, and four whole days to cram as much #sisbehaving in as possible, we made reservations where we could, then developed a secondary list of fill-in options.  So, buckle up, babies, this is going to be a long one!

Watertrade

Our first stop of the night was an accidental “experience”.  Watertrade was selected out of Peggy’s love of Asian inspired bars.  It leans heavily on a Japanese theme and an Izakaya feel; it is attached to a small omakase restaurant called Otoko.

The Entrance

We rate heavily on the entrance when it comes to speakeasies.  It must have a hidden entrance to truly be considered a speakeasy.  No big flashy signs, no way to know it’s there unless you know, you know.  Our Uber dropped us off at the South Congress Hotel (side note – gorgeous hotel, we can’t wait to stay there), and we cannot figure out where Watertrade is.  Finally, we just ask the hotel desk. We are told “down this hall, out to the courtyard and up the stairs”.

The side exit from the hotel leads to a courtyard with a restaurant, a bar, and a cute patio area. There was a beautiful fountain, then at the very back, metal stairs.  No marking, no way to know, we just trusted the hotel and went up the stairs. Yes, mom, that’s how you get kidnapped by the cartel in Mexico, but we are just in Texas, so I’m sure it’s fine. A rustic, heavy metal door at the top, with a simple Otoko on the side of the door, and a wooden handle. 

The Experience – Cocktails

The hostess leads us into this beautiful mood-lit room, with heavy wood, dark seating, a smokey mirrored ceiling.  GORGEOUS!!!  She informs us that we picked a good night to be there as they were having a sake tasting that night with several sake brewers from Japan.  So, yay, that sounds amazing (we were excited but completely underestimated how awesome it would be).

Steve brings our menu; Steph comes over and explains that the menu concept is based around the 24 micro-seasons of Japanese agriculture.  The standard four seasons are broken down into micro seasons – the menu, plays on that in a beautifully styled elegance of cocktail creations. 

Dustin comes over to check in with us.  He is the Sake Som, a sake sommelier.  I’m telling you the service at Watertrade was amazing.  We were given great attention, great explanations, they walked us through their concepts, their input, and made the whole visit into an experience for us.  We ordered drinks (Peggy’s played off a grapefruit spritz, mine was cognac with a clarified pineapple liquor – both amazing), but we absolutely needed to take part in the sake tasting, so we split a flight.

The Experience – Sake Tasting

This is where we are introduced to Monica, the brewers host, with Kome Collective.  She is delightful!  We could be friends, we should be friends, we loved her.  She’s also half Japanese, like my sister, so we are like family.  She brings the brewers over one by one to present their sake.  And I have to say: the first sample was the best sake I have ever had.  We are far from experts but love a good sake, this one was amazing.

The brewers, via Monica, shared the history of their brewery, the location, the climate, and the different rice strains used in their product (Chiyonosono uses a rare, ancient, previously extinct rice).  It was amazing.  The brewers were so kind. We thought they were so cute (plus, we were sad we didn’t speak Japanese). We realized this morning that we neglected to buy bottles, because we could have had them signed by the brewer.  I want to be sure to mention them by name, so if you are a sake person or frequent Japanese sake bars, you will want to try them.

ssn – the sake is shown in the last picture. Sake (from left) Tentaka “Hawk in the Heavens”, Rihaku “Dance of Discovery” Junmai, Chiyonosono “Sacred Power” Junmai Ginjo

Eden Cocktail Room

Next stop was one Peggy was excited for with its secret entrance.  Just a purple door with a red light over it, down a back alley.  Side note – we took our very first Waymo – the driverless car – to get there, and that was a full experience with anxiety and a Disney sing-along.

The Entrance

True to the social media rumors, Eden Cocktail Room is down an alley, next to a parking garage, with no signage. Just a purple door and a red speakeasy style light over the door.  Shaker for the hidden entry, no shaker for a challenge to get in.

The Experience

Luckily, it was early, and the place was empty except for one couple sitting at a table.  The bartender invited us to sit at the bar, you don’t have to ask us twice.  David couldn’t tell us his favorites since he curated the menu and has a fatherly love for them all.  I order the Banana Pants, because it sounds like The Banana Stand from Swordfish Tom’s in Kansas City (and there’s always money in the banana stand).  Honestly, it is damn close to cocktail of the year in my world.

Peggy orders their take on an old fashioned.  Then we get to talking.  David was amazing.  Turns out he did have 4 drinks that he was especially proud of, and we had ordered two of them.  So, I admit to breaking the one and done rule, but for a good cause, the Emerald Rodeo Fan.  It looked Oz inspired, green base with pink foam (blackberry) floating on top, it was absolutely beautiful.  This is where I would be later blamed repeatedly for Peggy’s drunk and tired state of mind.

David was from New York City, had been to Denver several times, we talked about Death & Co, and places he had worked.  He started as a bar back at Franklin Mortgage in Philadelphia.  He has mad skills and a great point of view, and we loved hearing about his inspiration and cocktail development process.  It was a great experience for us.  We also were fortunate to meet Ariana, she runs a speakeasy tour in Austin, so we will be hoping for a collaboration in the future!

Small Victory

Our last stop for the night. Although it seems like a quick night, that last round of cocktails was serving us well, and it was definitely time for a shutdown.

The Entrance

Bonus points to them that we had trouble finding Small Victory.  We stopped into a bar that was close to where the location was, which was awkward and I don’t want to out them for the strange interaction, but they did tell us to look for the red gate.

Passed two parking garages there was a red metal gate door with a dim neon sign that just said BAR.  Inside the red gate were curved cement stairs.  Top of the stairs there was an unmarked wood door, and boom there we were.  Shaker for the hard to find.

The Experience

It was fine.  No real theme, but it was a pretty room.  The long room style with a bar on one wall, and one-sided bench seating spanning the other wall.  I think there was just no standout WOW factor.  Looking back, I think what was throwing me off was this beautiful, almost elegant bar, and then the staff were in shorts, T-shirts, and ball caps.  It just didn’t go with the aesthetics.  But our server was nice and personable, nothing special, but friendly and helpful.

They have a good cocktail list but will definitely go off-menu if you tell them what you are feeling, what you like, and what is in your wheelhouse.  I have nothing bad to say about Small Victory, we liked them, but it wasn’t a standout experience.

Trona

Trona is a stand-out experience (spoiler alert: we loved it). We Ubered over to Trona in East Austin for our reservation at 5:00.  Little neighborhood street, we were walking past the doorways, one says “Trona entrance use back alley” or something close.  We were a tad sad about the sign, but can’t fault them for making sure people could actually find them. The block they sit on looks like it used to be an ecclectic fun area that just got a little run down.

The Entrance

We make our way around the block and into the back alley. Where we see a plain metal door with a huge metal lightening bolt on it.  We ring the doorbell, viewing window slides open, and we have to give them the code word (they will text it to you if you have a reservation).  The hostess walked us down a long, pretty hallway, giving it a very remote feel to what was coming at the next doorway.

The Experience

From the moment Maddie opened the door, we were enthralled.  The room we were led into had a smokey feel to it, almost like a smoked cocktail, but there was no smokey smell or burnt wood feel.  It had a very Oaxacan feel, adobe walls, a large bobcat stuffed over the bar.  They specialize in Mezcal, Tequila, and Japanese Whiskey.  However, Blake explained to us that the owner has a passion for drinking culture, and he was fascinated with both Japanese drinking culture and Mexico’s tequila culture.

After our initial drinks, Samuel made us a couple of “samples” from the menu that he felt we should try, Maddie joined in, and suddenly we were sitting with old friends, just catching up.  Service was outstanding, and we felt like a couple of regulars always welcome and always with a bar stool ready for us.

The Treasury

Mark this one as a “right place, right time” visit. It was on our list, but we happened to notice Shangri-la while on our way to The Nickel Room, and decided we better hit this up while we were there. We loved Shangri-la, and are disappointed we didn’t have time to stay and experience this place, apparently it’s quite the Austin iconic bar. However, The Treasury needed to be visited

The Entrance

We had to ask the Shangri-la bartender where to find The Treasury, so that checked the hidden box for us. Go through Shangri-la, out to their back patio, head around to the left and start looking around. You’ll find it. It’s a door, you need to be let in, call them up and beg for entrance.

The Experience

They did a great job on the theme of an old bank vault. You enter the door, down the stairs, and walk through a safety deposit box hallway to a vault door and into the back bar area. My personal favorite part was the restrooms being marked as “Deposits”. It was dark and moody, like an old stuffy banker would expect – and I don’t mean that in a bad way, more in a “cool, create the theme” kind of way, velvet and dark wood.

The service was a bit awkward, I’m just not sure I can give them a shaker for mediocre service, and I hate to do that to the bartender, but they were awkward and not friendly. I am hopefully that someone else will chime in with a cooler experience; maybe when it’s later in the evening and there are more people and better energy.

Milonga Room

In case you were wondering:  A “milonga” is a tango dance party or event, usually held on a regular basis, where tango enthusiasts gather to dance and socialize. The venue itself may also be referred to as a milonga. So, while this was a positive review, I’m now left questioning why in the world we didn’t get to tango.  And, frankly, feeling slightly ripped off.

The Entrance

Sadly, not hidden.  It had great potential, it’s off street, in the back basement of street level restaurants (The Buenos Aires Café) with an entrance that is technically in the parking lot.  It has a doorbell.  But disappointingly, it had a sign outside pointing you to the door. We are still awarding ½ shaker because the sign in the parking lot is not immediately visible and the doorbell gets another ½ shaker.

The Experience

Holy cow, it is cute.  Pretty room, low ceilings with big white deco tiles.  The theme is South American, and yes, now that I realize the meaning of Milonga, I can absolutely see where this could be a South American bar that would have a dance floor in the next room.

Loved the seating and the feel.  LOVED that instead of shots they offer “pequenos” – little baby drinks of the day.  Of course, we had them and sent two over to the couple in the corner who looked like they needed a little fun in their life.  Our server was excellent.  The fries from the upstairs restaurant were amazing.  And yes, our drinks were fantastic.  This place is a win, it hits our “must do” list for Austin Speakeasies, but unfortunately it only hits a 4-shaker, without a secret entrance or a task to complete.  But full shakers for quality of service, theme, and cocktails.

Firehouse Lounge

Firehouse Lounge was our first stop on day three, it opens at noon, and yes, it is in an actual hostel. 

The Entrance

There was a “Bar is Open” sign on the sidewalk but doesn’t say anything else giving you any insight.  You step into the lobby of the hostel and there is simply a bookshelf on the wall.  And the bookshelf has a handle.  Slide it open, boom, speakeasy. To be fair, there is a sign with “Firehouse Lounge Hours” right next to the bookshelf so we are only giving 1/2 shaker.

The Experience

It was dark, it was hidden, it was cool in a laidback way.  The chairs at the bar were super tall, there was a DJ booth. But it was early afternoon, so we were happy that it wasn’t going, and we were alone in the bar.  Gabriel was nice enough, but seemed busy with set up and prep work, so we were easily sticking to our one and done.  Solid drink selection, solid execution, and presentation.  Minimal service, but hey, disco balls!

Powder Room

This is a whole story that starts with the bummer news that the Powder Room was closed for a private party on Friday night (day 3 for us) but ends with a personal invitation to return and a VIP-like experience.

The Entrance – Attempt 1

Powder Room is located behind Manny’s sandwich shop.  The entrance to Manny’s is beautiful, with plants and arches, and a patio.  We had decided to alter our schedule and fit this stop in a day early since we had a break in our schedule.  As we are taking pictures from the front, we meet Paul.  Paul apologizes, but they are closed for a private party.  And they are setting up currently, so no, we can’t even go in to see it.

Paul recommends a few other stops, which we had already been to or had reservations for already.  I feel like at this point he starts to take us seriously.  Then Paul says that if we want to stop by after 10, they will open back up after the party and to text him if we can make it, and he will get us in to Powder Room. We ask about Red Headed Stepchild, he say oh absolutely go there.  Peggy asks if he has the code, and he says, “Hold Please”, picks up his phone and makes a call for us.   One of his bartenders also works there, shares the code, and we are off to RHSC. 

The Entrance – Attempt 2

We texted him later in the evening to say we were on our way; he responds that he let his “people” know.  We show up, and it is total big city club-looking, with rope lines and pretty people.  One line for “Reservations and guests” and one line for walk ins, for this we are unprepared and have no idea what we are doing there.  So, we walk up to the security guy, with his earpiece and pretty suit, and say “Can you let Paul know that Peggy and Patti are here”, he responds with “He’s expecting you, I’ll let him know you are here” – like WOW, we felt special.

Paul comes to get us, and this adorable man in jeans and a sandwich T-shirt is now decked out in black dress shirt and tie and looking like Whoa!  So, boom, we skip the line, and he takes us on in! (and we are enamored with Paul!)

The Experience

Through the industrial kitchen doors, into a cloak room, where a lovely person ensures you hand over your phone before entering.  No phones allowed inside.  She checks it like a coat, and hands you a key for when you are done.  Through the next set of curtains, and WOW!  It is gorgeous, this room is beautiful.  Pink, gold arches, mirrors etched with flamingos, plants, and a giant stuffed cheetah above the bar.  We were super sad not to be able to take pictures.

We find a space at the standing room only bar, order our drinks and I realize my drink order perfectly describes the ambiance: Miami Vice-ish!  It was so Miami Vice retro elegance!  I loved it.  There was a DJ, so it was loud, and there’s plenty of tables and seats around the edges, and the ability to reserve tables and bottle service, and it was fantastic. 

Additional cool details, Paul, the Operations Manager, after he walked us in, was bar backing.  Like he saw the need and jumped in to help his people.  He also took the time to make us a couple of shots he deemed important for us to try – as he stated, they were from their original menu, not on the current menu, but he really wanted us to try them.

We woke up the next morning to a thank you from Paul for coming by and an invitation to come back on Monday to experience Powder Room as it was intended, as a cocktail lounge, not as the nightclub we experienced.  We were disappointed we were not going to be there on Monday!

Red Headed Stepchild

This place hits every single list, every single recommendation article we read, everyone says “Go to Red Headed Stepchild”. So, naturally, we were skeptical that it would live up to the hype.  No reservations, but you have to know the secret code.

The Entrance

Disguised as a Floppy Disk Repair shop, Red Headed Stepchild is hidden behind a side door.  You’ll know it when you see it.  There is a huge ax door handle.  As I mentioned, you must get the code.  We were fortunate enough to have run into Paul at Powder Room, who had a bartender who also worked at RSC, and he gave Shalay a call and hooked us up.  Clicks that hidden and challenged box for shakers.

The Experience

Like I said, we were skeptical.  And we were proved wrong, as it absolutely lived up to the hype.  You enter the door, there is a chain mail style curtain into a small-ish room with three swing seats at the bar, some normal bar stools, and a wall of booth seating.  On the wall, is a stuffed deer head wearing a Silence of the Lamb mask, a TV showing the original Nightmare on Elm Street.  The menu was extensive, great drinks, great names, great bylines.  Baby dolls hanging from the corners, and demented looking carnival décor.  The bathroom is a tribute to The Shining with bloody splatters and REDRUM sprawled across the mirror.

Jello shots, great bartenders, great regulars popping in.  It was so much fun, so well done, it topped our list.  And Shalay!  Loved her!  I mean Joe was great too, but Shalay double checked our itinerary and provided us with input, asked us to check back in with her and let her know how Kinfolk was, and was just an amazing person in a fabulous lace skirt!

Bar Hacienda

Bar Hacienda we later found out is owned by the same people as Here Nor There and In Plain Sight.  Inside Tiger Lilly, it is well hidden staircase down to a beautiful speakeasy atmosphere with curtains and a luxurious Havana feel.

The Entrance

While it is definitely hidden, there is no challenge to get in, no reservations needed, just walk in and try to get a seat.  Tiger Lilly is magnificent with a curved staircase up to the second floor once you pass the bar, but continue on past the bar to the left, and there is a staircase, slightly hidden behind a half wall.  It is dark and moody, but in an elegant way, not a creepy way.

The Experience

We were not feeling very welcome, the bartender was clearly distracted and was like “sit wherever or stand over there, whatever” spiel.  We opted for two loveseats by the door to people watch, where they had the softest, brushed lambs wool pillows.

And that’s when we were approached by Terrance, who saved our experience.  He was fantastic, made great suggestions, let us know about our Happy Hour special flub (not ordering a third drink on their buy 2 get one free special) and overcame that flub by splitting us a Hemingway Daiquiri.  He lived up to the standard set by other Austin establishments of impeccable service.  Well-themed, good cocktails, a second room that expanded the length of the basement, so plenty of comfy seating for all. 

Garage

Great concept.  Hide a bar inside a parking garage.  It includes free parking, right in the middle of a heavily tourist area in a heavy tourist town.  But how can we make this feel more upscale?  Candles and subway tiles?  Sure, that would work.

The Entrance

If you pass a parking garage, and over the entrance it says “cocktails” you should immediately be suspicious.  There is a big neon sign inside that reads “Garage”, but you are standing in a garage, so you really don’t question it.  Until you walk around the side by the pedestrian ramp and notice the lit candles.

The Experience

We struggled with this one.  It was like we should have loved it.  But it was a “did we really like that?” kind of feeling that created doubt in our mind.  On theme, for sure.  The walls are cement like a parking garage, there is some beautiful teal subway tile, that kind of looks old school in the setting it has been placed.  The bar is beautiful; the lighting is beautiful.  But we started off with a reservation snafu.  The host was lovely about it, and gracious, and escorted us to bar seating, which we prefer anyway.

The service was just ok, not overbearing, not ignoring us, but not friendly, just doing their job, here you go, don’t make too much effort, but just okay.  The drinks stick with the moto-theme, and we enjoyed the selection.  But that was about it.  It was fine.  It comes highly recommended by others in the service industry, so we think maybe we just caught it on an off night, because it wasn’t a standout, and as I believe I stated, Just Okay.  Would it make our list again?  Probably not.  But was it worth the visit?  Probably. 

Kinfolk Lounge & Library

We kind of felt like our Friday night was just off beat.  Not one of our best.  The Powder Room being closed for a private party, The Garage just being meh, I mean I did get to slide down a snake slide and out it’s mouth at a bar in the on 6th Street, and I did get shots from one of my children’s old high school friends.  But we were kind of ready to be done with the night, and getting to Kinfolk 45 minutes early and having to wait at the bar of Moonshine that left us just over it.  And then Kinfolk happened!!

The Entrance

The host came to get us at the bar, back by the restrooms is a gate leading down a staircase that is lined with beautiful stained-glass windows with a martini in one, an old fashioned still inlaid into the other.  Bottom of the stairs to a standard speakeasy style door: metal, heavy, and with a sliding peep hole.

The Experience

And this is where our night takes a 180˚.  We walk into this amazing cave like room, carved out of stone.  Through a small room with 4 little two-person cocktail tables and a small bar, into the backroom cave with a long community table.  It is known as a spirits library, the walls are lined with a wide array of spirits, old new, common, and rare, beautiful glass shelves built into these amazing white stone walls.

We are squeezed in between two small groups into the only two chairs left, I’m skeptical and irritated that we are being squeezed in.  But the two groups are talking and laughing, and Cameron walks up with our “welcome drinks”, and you KNOW we love a welcome drink.  Cameron, with his long hair and funky hat tells us that it is based on an apricot liquor from Austria, and we are like “omg, we had apricot liquor in Austria” and get excited.  The men next to us chat with us about our Austria experience, we talk about our travels and our blog, they are tabbing out and leaving.

We turn our attention to the women at the other end of the table, who are loud and full of laughter.  We play a little game they invented called “guess which one of us is a lesbian” and we laugh and talk, it ends up being an amazing time.  Bringing two extroverts’ new energy, these women were a blessing.  They leave, we meet a lovely couple and chat with them, they need to go to Bali with me next year.  We are sad that we are now alone at our community table, but know we have a night that needed to finish off strong!

The Case Room

Our last day started with a little road trip. The Case Room is admittedly, not in Austin.  But when we promoted our trip on Instagram, they were cool enough to reach out and personally invite us down to Lockhart to experience their small-town speakeasy. Lockhart is about 30 min south, and be sure to leave yourself extra time for the best BBQ in Texas and for the first ever Pudding Bar (yes, pudding, non-alcoholic, but freaking fantastic pudding – World Famous according to Southern Living Magazine).

The Entrance

Hidden within a guitar shop on a side street in the little town, it did sadly have a sign out front directing you to the back alley.  Once again, mom, Peggy made me go into a back alley to drink with strangers.  The alley is cute, then you get to the back of the stone building, and there are little patios and signs. So, not exactly hidden, and no task to get in, but still super cute and we were happy we made the trip.

The Experience

We fail to get our bartenders name, but shoutout to him. He was a musician from Seattle, and he was great!  We had just missed Lockhart’s “First Friday” celebration the night before, but he said they were packed last night, and that was probably why they were so dead while we were there.  They have several drinks made with “Hay Liqueur”.  Sounds gross, but we, of course, must know.  Turns out it’s a liqueur from the hills of Italy, and it’s actually sweet, much like you would expect a corn liqueur to taste (no, not Bourbon, but a fancy liqueur).  It was a great basis for a sweet tea.

The Case Room has an old school jukebox in the corner, they even provide the quarters.  How do you pass up Loretta Lynn and Waylon Jennings, they also had a little Don Williams, Chubby Checker, and CSN, and SURPRISE, one Sabrina Carpenter record (the old fashion kind with two sides).

Jenn checks in for work and shows us puppy pictures and their local fuzzy customers.  They keep dog treats on the bar and your well-behaved furry friends are loved there.  A great bar, we are glad we took the time to visit them and can’t wait to go back (and will get more pudding from the corner store).

Midnight Cowboy

In a bygone era, Midnight Cowboy was a brothel disguised as an “Oriental Massage” parlor.  Now, how do you pass up an opportunity to go here, with a history like that.  And for hoping for a few ghost stories.

The Entrance

The location of Midnight Cowboy is right in the middle of what’s known as the “Dirty 6^th”. On 6^th street, in the blocks that turn into a party scene at night, with bar after bar, big thumping music filling the streets and gimmicky drink specials.

However, at a certain location, there is just a wall, and a door.  There is a little buzzer list like you find in city apartments to be let into someone’s home, little buttons with names next to them.  Right next to the door is a doorbell.  You simply need to know what you are looking for, and which button is the right one to push.  There is absolutely no other sign you are in the right place.

The Experience

A small room, with about 4 booths on either side, and a bar at the back.  Until a party of 6 showed up, we didn’t realize that the hallway past the bar led to not just the restrooms, but three private rooms, with alcoves that seat 6-8.  But it’s small, and intimate, and not made for big parties, like a good speakeasy should be.

The current theme was Cowboys and Aliens, with great drinks in a menu reading much like an old-timey comic book.  This menu has smoked cocktails, spirit-forward, and also a light and fruity selection.  There are also a few cocktails they will prepare tableside; these are not marked on the menu because they want you to order based on what you want, not based on the presentation.  We loved this and we loved them.  Midnight Cowboy nailed it, and it scored our second 5-Shaker review of the Austin Experience.

Here Nor There

Our last stop finished strong.  It had been a long trip, and we were shockingly still standing, and coherent enough to make our 9:00 pm reservation, these old(ish) women were pushing their curfew limits. 

The Entrance

Hidden, check.  A metal gated door, you need the door code texted to you, so reservations are needed and must be requested through their app.  Through the gate, check in with Austin, the person not the city.  He was fantastic, personable, friendly, and makes sure they are ready for you. 

The Experience

Enter down a few steps to a small room with a giant stuffed wolf standing on 2 legs.  Luckily, our wolf friend is holding a tray of “palette cleansers” in the form of bubbly.  Check-in with the hostess, grab your welcome beverage, and follow through the curtains. 

Dark room, yes, but velvet walls and ceilings, plants and vine/root structures. Old photos, cozy booths, this place had a fantastic intimate feel of a speakeasy.  Their menu and theme celebrate endangered and indigenous cultures.  Each menu item includes the heritage of the cocktail.  It was really a full experience, and our third (and final) 5-Shaker rating of the trip!

Our Speakeasy Wrap Up

Our Austin Speakeasy Tour was an amazing experience.  It is weird, slightly wild, has its seedier parts, but the people cannot be beat. Austin has some great neighborhoods, from the “Dirty 6th” to South Congress to East Austin, the Warehouse District, and Rainey Street. Austin has amazing, themed bars, live music, and culture, just something for everyone.  They know how to do bars, clubs, and speakeasies.

It was a challenge to push through it all, our livers need to be wrung out and hung to dry.  However, we met so many amazing people, so many stories were told; the staff were all supportive of other establishments, loved their jobs, and were happy to send you on to their favorite recommendations. Absolutely, book yourself a trip to Austin!

As a bonus, if you want some of the best Day Drinking spots in Austin, check out our Day Drinking post!

Other Speakeasy Guides

• Ultimate Speakeasy Guide – Ratings & Rankings
• Las Vegas
• Chicago
• Denver
• Kansas City
• Seattle

Sister Side Note (ssn ) – I would never say that!! But those ticket prices…ugh!

I shall call this segment “Mrs-behaving” – and it will be a rarity.  Not that I am not very much in love with this man, but (sorry, honey) he’s not as fun or funny as my sister.  I was a little concerned if he was up for the task. And could he rally through a one-and-done, and could he be flexible in his plans?  Also, if there were one too many whiskey drinks, I knew Captain No-Fun would be making his appearance.  But the man is a trooper, and always up for a cocktail, so we were in for a night of exploration.

As it turns out, with the growth of Canggu (Chang-oo) since the time of Covid, they have had hidden bars/speakeasies begin popping up. I was shocked at how many there were.  Now, Canggu, plus the adjoining Seminyak and Kuta, are heavily Australian touristy.  What used to be a laid-back surfer paradise has now been filled with beach clubs and overwhelming nightlife.  It’s a bit of a nightmare in my world, but I am here for our supporters who need to know “how legit is the speakeasy scene in an Australian tourist heavy thumping club hot spot.”

I had my doubts.  I assumed they would club it up and make it obnoxious.  Would they miss the vibe of the speakeasy concept?

They proved me wrong in a big, big way.

(PS, I hate being wrong almost as much as I hate bridges, but I am so happy to be wrong in this case.)

Night one was canceled due to major storms and a busted hotel window, so we had to do a little shuffling and then narrow it down to the “Most Likely to Succeed” in an effort to streamline our experience.

Stop One – Fail

Our first stop was The Backroom.  Now, we were a little confused.  Maybe a little lost in translation on their website.  We couldn’t find details to clarify.  Nowhere to make a reservation.  It says Sunday Only on their website and then talks about Afro Roots, but not many other details.  We did see from the drink list that it was a Bruce Lee themed, so we knew we had to figure this out and it needed to be done.

We show up at 6:00, when Google says they open.  A hostess at the front restaurant says no, they open at 7:00 on Sundays (so, they apparently are open other days) – Sundays are a private party from 6-7 – which is apparently the Afro Roots section, and you need to have requested to be put on the guest list.

We got extremely lucky however that one of our missed choices from night number 1 was just a couple of doors down, and so Segno was back on the list! 

We waited at the restaurant right next door called Luma, and it was this gorgeous space, light and elegant.  The espresso martini was made with Frangelico and graham crackers, it brightened our mood from The Backroom failure (omg, does that sound dirty to anyone else).

Segno

This was listed online as a Japanese theme, and looked very elegant, so it originally didn’t make the cut for night number two, but with the convenience of location and availability of reservation we decided to go for it.

And we are so glad we did.

The Entrance

It is well hidden on one of the main streets in Canggu.  On the street sign above the Luma sign is just the S-logo, nothing else.  There is a metal sliding door, with just the same S-logo next to it.  You slide the door open and inside are carpeted stairs, and gorgeous hand carved decorative statue at the top and a turn to the left for more stairs leads you to just the same simple S-logo at the top.

The Experience

Then a man comes around the corner, as they were just opening, he gets our name, goes to check our reservation.  And then this other man comes around the corner, the best way to describe him was “perky”, Hi, how are you?  Welcome Welcome Welcome!!  Down a short hallway and through another door and we are in this amazingly beautiful, super elegant looking room.  Minimalistic, sightly Asian, without being a Peggy back-alley vibe Asian (I’m looking at you Here Kitty Kitty).  And I am honestly in love. 

Perky man in front of us says “Welcome, guests” and the entire bar staff say “Welcome, Welcome!!” – and I’m falling head over heels for this place.  Big long bar and these cushy leather (or pleather?) comfy chairs at the bar, beautiful, elegant lighting, lots of dark wood.  Gorgeous space.

The drinks were intriguing, with a lot of infused spirits with things like blue cheese infused cognac and jamu infused vodka.  Strong lean towards Balinese flavors with yuzu, jackfruit, and a long list of different bitters.

In a nod to my missing sister, I ordered a Canggu Pornstar martini in her absence.  The twist was in the jackfruit butter-washed rum and egg white.  It was creamy and delicious. I would say the second best Pornstar martini I have had (next to the amazing Cartagena experience).  Pat had the “Cloudy Sour”, which was an earl grey infused vodka, with amaretto and Grand Marnier. A strong choice and impressive way to officially kick start the night.

But the service was the highlight.  Everyone was amazingly friendly and engaging.  They have been open for 3 years, and pride themselves on impeccable service and expertly crafted cocktails.  We were absolutely blown away and hated to leave. 

We are sad not to give this a full 5 shaker rating. But they only qualify for 4.5 since there really is no challenge to enter, just a need for a reservation.  However, we have got to give them a 4.5+ because the service was THAT good. 

More disappointment

We dashed back to The Backroom since they would be open.  The hostess escorted us back.  It is a little hidden, but not well, wooden slider door, but there was a security guard standing outside.  There was not a soul inside, but it was still Afro Roots with heavy bass thumping, Afro Roots posters on the wall, but pretty stark otherwise.  We were only in for a quick one and done, and the bartender was not helpful, but the fireball shots were cold and on special.  One shot and out we go for our very much anticipated third stop.

I really think if we can find time to go back, we should.  We should give them a fair review based on their Bruce Lee theme before we count them out entirely.

Cloak and Dagger

Right up the road, and the stop I was most excited about, was Cloak and Dagger. The theme: Serial Killers from Around the World. A little dark, but come on, let’s go explore the creepiness factor of this concept.

The Entrance

Fully hidden inside Mad Ronin Ramen bar, there is not a single sign to be found.  But we asked the Ramen man, and he seemed genuinely happy we were there for the speakeasy.

Down a tiny hallway, through some freezer food locker-looking plastic hangy-things to some steep curved metal steps up we go.  Open the heavy metal door at the top and step into the room at the top.

The Experience

Cloak and Dagger is a serial killer themed speakeasy.  And this was an absolute NAILED it for theme.  Lining the back mirrored wall are books about serial killers. The little tables are lined with pictures and news clippings of serial killers. The back wall has shadow boxes with butterflies and bugs (ala Silence of the Lambs).  On one side of the wall are large apothecary jars filled with floating body parts.  Behind the bar is a huge wall of serial killer photos and police scenes (without being too graphic), with red yarn connecting the different items like a TV police murder board.

The drinks are all named after famous serial killers from around the world.  I mean, who knew?  Serial killers aren’t just a United States thing.  The menu book tells you about the cocktail and then a little rap sheet from the killer – known number of victims, death date, death mode, location, etc.  Completely on point!

The cocktails themselves were creative.  Andreas Mendoz was a Mexican serial killer, so tequila based with banana shrub and salted caramel.  They make a lot of their own “shrubs” for their cocktails and were definitely enthusiastic about the process.  Pat had a Japanese killer drink named Takahiro Shiraishi: Gin, Ginger shrub and umami bitters.  Definitely on-theme, and definitely great flavors. 

Service was great.  One bartender was quiet and reserved, definitely a brains-behind-the-outfit kind of person, very knowledgeable and interesting.  The second one was a happy talker, ready to share the story and concept, and a little behind the scenes about the drinks. 

By now we are starting to realize that Canggu is definitely taking this speakeasy concept to a new level, and we are definitely impressed.

The Mail Room

This was the one most talked about, inventive entrances always make for huge social media exposure.  I had made the reservation on WhatsApp; they kindly moved it from Saturday night to Sunday night when we had the smashed window incident.  I get an email upon confirmation of the change that gives me a mailbox number.

The Entrance

Much like Segno, there is nothing but a sign on the street with a picture of a key.  Turning in, there is just a simple outdoor counter, but next to that there is a long hallway with a door with the same key picture.

We check in with the woman behind the counter with our reservation name, she says “do you have your mailbox number” – why yes, yes, we do!  (with a little squeeeee of excitement).  Down the hall, she opens the key door and lets us into this little room, maybe 6’x10′, with a wall of old-fashioned mailboxes.  We     locate our box number, open it, and inside is a key that matches the logo key.  We use that key to open the second door and walk into this tiny space the really gives off the roaring 20’s art deco feel. 

The Experience

It’s beautiful, and small, maybe seating for 20 people, but only about 8 in there when we arrive.  Blue velvet seats and small tables, a bar at the back that takes up about half the room lengthwise, with mirrors and brass details. 

The cocktails books have pictures of the presentation and details in hand sketched drawings.  Ok, this reminds me of on Great British Bake-Off when they describe what the bakers are making and show you the artist rendition of the details. It looked like that. 

Inventive, Instagram worthy presentations, dry ice smoking, Aladdin’s lamp, floral gardens, and a mini popcorn machine looking one.  Pat orders first, his comes out in a brass stag shaped holder with a beautiful elliptical glass. She sets it down, pulls out the lighter and sets the entire bottom of the drink on fire and it sparks like moss (picture the fire in Bambi).

Mine is next and it was “The Curious George”.  While the picture shows a distillery type set-up, our cute little waitress informs me that they cannot actually bring that to the table. It is used to distill the coffee and parmesan cheese extract into the vodka, and the process takes hours to make this little beaker of flavor.  But wait, yes, I did say coffee and parmesan cheese, it also has Amaro and Bols White cacao liquor.  The presentation itself was uneventful except for the sprinkle of parmesan on top.

Then Arta orders his drink.  Arta is the best driver in Bali and our Balinese family.  He gets the “Aladdin’s Iced Tea” lamp drink which comes out smoking in dry ice. Little by little you pour the contents into a little shot glass and drink, then refill.  It was very cool!  The menu just lists it as “five fine spirits”, with lemon root beer, and orange Jell-o(?!).

Since we were short on locations in Canggu for the night and the drinks were so experimental, we decided round two was in order.  Where I stumbled upon “Into the Wild”:  vodka, mangosteen cheese infused foam, mangosteen juice, and it comes with the best cookie on the planet, the macaron.  Served in an old-fashioned ice cream dish on a bed of flowers and grass. It was gorgeous, and I kept saying it was very Alice in Wonderland-y.

I have no idea what Pat’s second drink was, because I just didn’t care – I had Mangosteen and a cookie!!  Oh, wait!  No!  He had the “Bona Fide”, gin in an earl grey tea infusion with pandan, lime, and clarified soy milk. All served in this super cool smoking teacup suspended like a gyroscope inside this cool porcelain holder.

And this is when the conversation turns to an earlier dispute Pat and I were having.  Pat tries to disparage the #1 drink of the year, the PST Pho back Jameson shot Peggy and I had in Seattle.  I showed him the video, I explained it’s amazingness, and he keeps saying I’m wrong, it sounds gross. I know, dear reader, you will side with me when I say he was just being dumb.  But he tries to sway Arta to his side, swearing Pho Fat washed Jameson sounds disgusting and how could a warm Pho broth be a good chaser, but he is drunk and stupid, so I have to prove my point, obviously.

And that’s when it is found, the drink to prove him officially wrong!  The Mail Room presents the drink I didn’t take a picture of the menu for.  However, it is a Rendang washed Jameson – rendang, as in the SE Asian dish Beef Rendang.  It is a beautiful cocktail, served in a box, with a giant round ice cube floating in a whiskey glass.  And it is beef rendang in a glass!!

It is actually almost too spicy for me, but a definite curry-based drink.  And it tastes like beef rendang (throw back to my liquid ham, Japanese breakfast, obsession)!  And HA!  I HAVE PROVEN HIM WRONG!  Jameson has been infused with beef, and I am happy!  It is served with a piece of beef jerky to add to the experience, and He was WRONG, these kinds of drinks exist and must be experienced. 

And overall, this gets one of our rare 5-Shaker winners.  The service was amazing, our server was knowledgeable and made sure you knew what you were ordering and the flavors and feel of the drink you were interested in, everything came with a presentation, there was the mail key challenge to get in, it was hidden, and we are so very impressed!

Wrap Up

So, our night ends with slightly tipsy Pat, and happy Patti, and a driver taking us back to our hotel. This night was a success, and we are so blown away by Canggu speakeasies.  We need to find time to go back later for more stops, there were definitely some we had missed and now we have a mission for our next visit.

Other Bali Posts

• Bali – A Beginner’s Guide
• Three Incredible Days on Nusa Penida

We little “l” love a speakeasy but we capital “L” Love Seattle.  Even in the dreary rainy winter months, Seattle is beautiful, fun, and so welcoming. Or maybe that’s just us: beautiful, fun, and so welcoming.

Especially when we violate our one-and-done rule, multiple times.

The Speakeasy Plan

Peggy, the ultimate planner, needed a trip.  We realized that while we had covered Seattle Day Drinking and all things Seattle, we had neglected to ever write about the speakeasy scene.  So, the planning began.  With a Google Map and a spreadsheet, the list making began.  Night one was South Lake Union and a possible trip to Pioneer Square.  Night two would focus on our favorite neighborhood, Capitol Hill.

Peggy arrived in Seattle one night early. As we soon found out this was an important side note. She told EVERYONE she had to go out alone her first night here because I didn’t come up until Friday morning.

Sister Side Note (ssn) – I will be referring to this as Night Zero, or maybe more formally as Night Zero, the prequel?

We had been to a few speakeasies on prior trips, those are included at the end for the sake of completeness.

For more information on our complete speakeasy ranking and rating “Shaker” system, click here

Rich Rich

The Entrance

At 4:00 pm on the dot, a door opens in this big-city-grungy back alley. Out walks cute little Abby with a sandwich board to set on the street (sorry, half a shaker loss for the putting up of a sign).  Without a sign, you are looking for a simple alley door with a pink neon blobby sign over the door. 

(Yes, mom, we wandered down a back alley in a big city, at night. . . but at least it was not in South Southern California.)

Sister Side Note (ssn) – don’t mention that we were lingering around waiting for 4:00. Looking sketchy and suspiciously eyeing the alley like we were waiting to make a drug deal.

The Experience

It’s dark and pink, and has a disco ball (you might remember from Cartagena, my love of a disco ball)!!  A big chalkboard displayed the drink list, a bar and a few pink booths behind us.  Huge silver mylar balloons above the booths spelled out RICH RICH. Apparently, we had just missed their first anniversary party by a few days.

Bartender Abby is darling.  Peggy starts her night off in a very Peggy way, a Porn Star martini. To no one’s surprise; if it’s on a menu, she’s getting it.  I had a “Banana Flower” which was passionfruit cachaça (OMG, I did not know that was even a thing, BUT IT IS), pineapple, lime, and random other weird stuff, which was so good.  It wasn’t too sweet, it wasn’t too sour, it was perfectly balanced flavors.

Then we make our mistake number 1 of the night. We have 20 minutes to kill before heading to Unlisted, so we decide to have a second round. Thus violating the one-and-done trust that we are supposed to have with one another.

Second round, the very unusual “Chocolate Negroni”, I’m still not sure how I feel about this. It had a great taste, but the end was bitter and hung with you. Peggy had the “Cream Soda Old Fashioned”, which I was super excited for, but the cream soda didn’t come through as much as we had hoped.

The Shakers

Overall, half a shaker for the hidden aspect, no shaker for entrance, one shaker for Abby’s amazing service and friendly engagement with us, one shaker for great drinks, and a shaker commitment to the disco-vibey theme.

[Unlisted]

And I have a new favorite speakeasy, sorry for the back step Denver’s Williams & Graham, but [Unlisted] has taken my heart.

We had tagged them in a social media post earlier in the week, they had responded that they were holding us a table at 5:00.  So, yay, thanks for engaging on Instagram.

The Entrance

We show up and Sara (without an H, Peggy wanted to make sure I remembered this detail) is putting out sandwich boards.  You know we frown at this, but they simply have an elephant on them and the word [UNLISTED], so we have deemed this acceptable.  Down the alley behind The Ruins Event Center, there is a door.  There is a light over the door, if the red light is on then they are open (and we will discuss other red light situations later on in a slight diversion in our evening).  No sign on the door, no hours posted, we are loving this from the get-go.

We enter and are immediately Wowed.  You walk in and immediately head down some metal industrial steps.  Since we are the only ones there and they just opened, we are greeted with a “Are you Peggy and Patti?” Why yes, we are, and we are a little over the top with giggles and being wowed and being loud about how we are Wowed. . .but that’s just what we do after 2 (maybe 3) drinks. So, yes, we walk into this room, very Indian Elephant Safari, elegant, bamboo, mirrors, and a giant(!) elephant.  And now we are enamored with the Elephant, how can you not be?

We fall in love with JP and Sara immediately.  They say “guess which table we saved for you” – and there is one table right in front of the fireplace with two champagne’s waiting for us.  YAY!!!

The Experience

I order the “Dumbo”, Peggy orders the “Tantor”.  JP starts making drinks.  JP tells us he is from Sunnyside, WA, which is just about 30 min away from Patti’s home in Tri-Cities.  But after living in Barcelona for a year, he met friends who invited him to work for the summer on their boat in Pueblo, CO, where Peggy is living now.  So, we have all kinds of commonality.  We love him, he’s adorable, we share our story.

We order the burrata with the strawberry reduction, which also contains these amazing blackberries, arugula, and fresh toasted bread.  Thinking we needed a little something in our tummies, this was a great choice, fresh, light, and fantastic.

I break the one-and-done rule (shocking by now, right), because they have a “dealers’ choice” option on the menu, in which my new bff JP will create a cocktail for me.  All he knows is I’m a vodka girl.  And this is one of my new favorite all time drinks, that I shall never have again (except JP has promised to message us the recipe), but it’s vodka and lavender, and I am not a lavender person, I find it to be soapy. But this WORKS, so whatever he balanced it with just worked, all around.

The Shakers

I have now decided that come what may, Unlisted is getting a 5-shaker rating from me.  But there is no challenge to gain entry, so I start asking (like interrogating) JP about their process, what happens when they fill up, they don’t take reservations, the lines form outside. . . there is no process except being next in line.  So, I have decided to add a subjective + rating to their service and cocktails, and they now have a 4++ Shaker rating, but deserve so much more. 

And we are sad that we have to leave for our reservations at Deep Dive. I mean we didn’t even get to see the elephant move – because apparently, THE ELEPHANT MOVES!!!

Deep Dive

I’m a little sad and pouty that Peggy made me leave Unlisted. But Deep Dive requires a deposit when you make the reservation. She had ponied up the funds, so we had to go.

Deep Dive is located inside the Amazon spheres – if you’ve never heard of these spheres, you should probably go Google it, it’s a cool concept and worth the trip to see them if you are in Seattle. And if you do, you can take a side trip two streets down and find the famous face-smasher cement wall.  That’s my blood on the building.  Wow, that was a slight detour from our story, so let’s go back to the spheres.

The Entrance

There is a side entrance to the spheres you can enter to get to Deep Dive.  Enter, walk down a sloped hallway, there is a hosts stand (so half shaker).  We are seated at the bar (yay!), where we meet Lauren. And our new friend, Squirrel.

After proclaiming “SQWER-REL”, we are immediately notified by Dan that we are forbidden from quoting Violet Beauregard in this bar, which makes us giggle…good call, Dan.  Although, now in sobriety, I feel Dan needs to apologize for not recognizing we were doing Veruca Salt, not Violet, your turning Violet, Violet (where did I have that drink?  Swordfish Toms?)

The Experience

The theme feels upscale 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, if there is such a thing.  I am reminded of the now closed Lost Spirits Distillery’s submarine room in Las Vegas.  Like, it is upscale and well done, but not in your face cheesy underwater – more coral and old scuba helmet kind of thing. . .well, plus the SQUIRREL.  But Dan informs us that the theme is more earth, water, and sky deep dive thing. . . but it really is feeling underwater to us.

Lauren is sweet as can be, but we figure new-ish, because she has to reference an instruction list to make the drinks. Dan keeps “helping” her, as in guiding in a very mansplaining way.  But Justin Timberlake’s half-brother look-a-like working on the other side of the bar seems awesome. 

But back to drinks, it’s pretty wide variety cocktail menu.  Lauren says the Japanese Breakfast is her favorite, so I go with that, let’s find out more about Lauren through her wheelhouse.  Peggy orders something in a pink kitty cat ceramic mug and is thrilled with this.

The Japanese Breakfast tastes like a liquid ham steak.  And I keep marveling at it, and tell people about it, like EVERYONE. Because it’s clear, and like Violet Beauregard and her roast beef gum, this was a very cool experience for me.  But I can’t say that in this bar, per Dan.

We needed a snack and ordered the tartare, which was amazing.  I am impressed at how good all of the food that we ordered was, everywhere we went, over the course of the evening.  EVERYTHING was good.

The Shakers

It might be a little fuzzy, but even though you aren’t just going to stumble upon this door in the Spheres…there is a sign on it. So half a shaker for hidden. There is a reservation (tough to get!) and a hostess…then that meandering walkway….so another half for entrance. The theme is well done, as are the cocktails and service. The Deep Dive gets four shakers even though it wasn’t among our favorites.

Phocific Standard Time (PST)

Next up was to Uber to Phocific Standard Time (Vietnamese based speakeasy, yes, please!!) only we Uber to the wrong Pho Bac (who knew there was more than one?). Time wasn’t wasted because we did have an amazing French lesson from our driver, Alpha. But we got to the correct Pho Bac only to find out we have a waitlist.

The Entrance

Inside Pho Bac, a full Pho restaurant, there is a set of stairs with just a simple sign reminding you that you need to be 21 or older to go up the stairs.  Besides that, no markings, no signs, just stairs with a beaded curtain at the top.  Once up the stairs there is an iPad, you self-check in and are added to the wait list.

And now we have to side trip: This is where we meet Tanya and Liz, who check-in behind us, recommend this place next door to wait, but it’s a wine bar and we are NOT having a wine moment.  So, we decide to see what else is around, and find Liz and Tanya smoking in a doorway, they recommend this Italian restaurant around the corner, which they inform us is where the Russian hookers hang out.

We are laughing at how absurd this sounds, until we get around the corner and observe a short, sleezy, rich looking Italian man walking out with a tall, thin, dark-haired woman in a super short dress, remarkably high heels, and a parka with a mink lined hood.  We are pretty sure Liz and Tanya know a thing or two.  So, we have cocktails and clams and get notice that our table at PST is ready.

The Experience

Back to PST we go, where we are greeted and sat at a teeny tiny table in the back corner.  I catch the bartenders eye and ask to be upgraded to the bar as soon as a spot opens up.  Peggy doesn’t know what she wants, and probably doesn’t need another drink. But this is research. So I order her the “cooling water” – which turns out to be fantastic and refreshing and has cute little lychee on the toothpick.  I order the “phin-tini”, which is a Vietnamese take on an espresso martini, and I love it. 

We need food, so we order the crab and shrimp dip.  It is gooey, and cheesy, and crab and shrimp filled. There was no skimping on this dip!  And just as it is put down in front of us, we get upgraded to the bar seats.

At the bar we get to talk to the bartender, and his girlfriend the bar back. They are both sweet and adorable, and a cute little couple.  The couple next to us are regulars and make a few recommendations.

On the other side are 4 women who we are sure are going to be annoying. But we quickly bond with them when they have a “f*ck that guy” moment and we join in.  We are telling them about our speakeasy blog and how they need to go to Chicago. Then we find out “f*ck that guy” actually owns a plane! Now we are quite sure she needs to f*ck that guy to get us all on a private jet to Chicago! Ahhhhh fun times, making friends.

OH, and then our night wraps up with the one we were waiting for.  Our night-night close out cocktail, turns out to be “khoa was here #khoawuzhere” – wait for this one…Pho fat washed shot of Jameson with Pho Broth Back.

This has already won best cocktail of the year.  And it’s only night one of our first trip of 2025. I highly doubt that anything will top this.  It’s Jameson with an umami twist, followed by a WARM PHO BROTH BACK!!! 

WARM PHO BROTH BACK, PEGGY!!!!!!

Shut your wh*re mouth now.

The Shakers

So, yes, shaker for entrance, no shaker for challenge, shaker for theme, shaker for drinks, and shaker for service.  We loved PST.

It is time for bed and a Pho-tastic end of day one (yes, Peggy, day two).

Speakeasy Day Two

We packed this day, but seem to have tons of time between reservations, so we aren’t scared, lol.  Much.

We left the hotel a little early so that we could grab a good starting snack at Golden Rooster.

We walked into this Pioneer Square chicken joint, the man at the counter just looks at us and says “the bar’s in the back”. Clearly, we are bringing a look.  Turns out this fried chicken place we had seen on Instagram has a speakeasy in the back!  But can it really be classified as a speakeasy; I wouldn’t go that far!

Golden Rooster

The Entrance

Not that there really is an entrance, but there is a hallway to the side of this walkup counter restaurant.  Hallway leads to a sports bar at the back.  I can’t really in good conscience call this a speakeasy, but they do.

There is a door that leads in from the back alley, which is mostly unmarked, so close to speakeasy-ish from that entrance.

The Experience

We had seen in the IG reel that their chicken is amazing, but it had a side mention that they had Creamy Udon noodles.  So chicken is ordered as a half and half – half plain fried, half saucy – we neglect to realize we need to specify thighs instead of wings, so we end up with wings.  We add on the Creamy Bulgogi Udon Noodles, and they are fantastic!  So Good!! Seriously, these noodles are worth the trip!

Great little place.  Definitely a sports bar, complete with sports team flags and TVs.  There is nothing quiet or reserved about this, but I would definitely hang out here if I lived nearby. 

The Pharmacy

With a full tummy, we walk to our first officially planned speakeasy stop of the night.

The Entrance

Also in Pioneer Square, inside Temple Billiards (a pool hall), it is just down a set of stairs.  Almost completely unmarked, except for a paper sign hung up that says, “the bar is open” and an arrow pointing downstairs. 

The Experience

The website lists it as 1970’s Palm Springs vibe.  It doesn’t quite feel as upscale as I would expect from Palm springs, but it is definitely a 70’s vibe (complete with tacky bronze leaves that our mother had hanging in our house way back when).  Looks more like a middle-class family basement – picture “That 70’s Show) for sure.  But it is super laid back, and comfortable.  Cocktail list is great, I screwed up by not remembering my original intention to order the “doctor’s elixir”, but the cocktails are good, and we are happy.

Until….The birthday party arrives.

Loud, yes, very loud for 4 pm, and dressed to the hilt, far from sober.  We didn’t think it would be too bad until the Birthday Girl in all her leather mini skirt and faux fur coat announced that we were welcome to join them, and we could thank her later.  So, between that and the overwhelming essence of marijuana swirling around, we decide to take a pass, rush the finishing of our cocktail, and move on.

The Shakers

I think we decided on a full 3 shakers for The Pharmacy – definitely Hidden but no Entrance. Great commitment to theme and fantastic drinks. No service – although our bartender was adorable, it is a walk-up counter.

ssn – I’m really glad we squeezed this one in. It came down to The Pharmacy or The Alley (West Seattle) – both were out of the way for us and we had to choose one. The Alley is totally hot right now and gets a lot of coverage. But The Pharmacy came highly recommended by several people we talked to on Night 1 and I think it was a great choice.

Foreign National

**unfortunately, Foreign National closed its doors in July 2025**

Paper Fan Cocktail Company

You know how much Peggy loves an Asian-themed bar!

The Entrance

Above Biang Biang Noodles restaurant is a must try speakeasy.  This was a winner.  You do need reservations, as I was informed by the Biang Biang hostess when she misunderstood what I had said and told me they do not take walk-ins.  Check-in downstairs and they will radio the hostess at the back, walk over to her upon approval and she will lead you up the back stairs.  The stairs open to a dimly lit, second floor room with a small 4-person bar, and seats for maybe 25 people. 

The Experience

Their cocktails are mostly tea infused, with an Asian feel in the ingredients (Yuzu, Baigui, etc.).  There is a menu, but also, the big paper fan’s on the tables also list their drink selections (super cute).  We were lucky enough to be seated at the bar, so yay, we love that.

The head bartender introduced herself, I thought she said her name was Minnie, but who knows, we couldn’t quite hear and didn’t get another chance to ask.  But she walks us through the options, and points out several favorites, and explained the concepts, it was really superb service.  We order, I had a “Bamboo Grove”, Peggy had what was known as one of the favorites “Game of Ming”, and our bartender went to work.

It was amazing to watch.  Three women behind the bar, all working in perfect synchronicity.  I do not think we have seen anything like it.  One pouring into the shaker, while one gets the glass ready, while one prepares the garnish, then the shaker goes to number two to shake, while number one carries on to the next step or next drink, while number three cleans up from the first drink, then number two pours and number one, prepares to serve. It was really cool to watch how the three of them worked so well together, I’d say like a well-oiled machine, but it was more like a ballet, artistic and well-orchestrated.

The man behind us had something with smoking lavender, there was another smoked old-fashioned, just a wide range of creativity in cocktails.

The Shakers

We score Paper Fan Cocktail Company 4.5 shakers. Hidden – yes and entrance – 1/2. You must have a reservation and cannot just walk in by yourself. Theme, drinks and service are all a full shaker.

Needless to say, we loved it!

And the dishes we saw coming out of Biang Biang looked absolutely amazing, and I really want to go back for dinner on our next trip.

Knee High Stocking Company

**Knee High Stocking Company has permanently closed**

And finally, on to our last and most anticipated stop of the night:

Needle and Thread

This hits all the recommended lists when you are looking for where to go for drinks in Seattle.  It is THE place they all say you must hit.  But us?

ssn – The Infatuation had just released their Power Rankings of Seattle Speakeasies and there was still a little buzz about it. Well, Needle & Thread landed the #1 spot…so expectations were high…

The Entrance

It’s located inside Tavern Law and has pretty great entrance for a speakeasy. We absolutely loved Tavern Law.  It’s all wood and classic feeling.  Great service, cocktail list, food list.  We could have hung out there all night.

There is a phone on the wall, you have to pick up the phone and tell them who you are.  If you have a reservation AND your table is ready, they will buzz you in through the door next to the phone (side note: if the door doesn’t open, you have to call them back, as Peggy found out).

Little weird in that they told us our table wasn’t ready and to call back (we were 10 min early).  So we did, we get upstairs, and there are like 3 empty tables. . . so what exactly took 10 minutes to get ready?

The Experience

Ooooh, well, this is where it gets difficult for us.  The room was gorgeous.  A little prohibition feeling, but in a girly way.  Cream colored, lovely lighting, a love seat, a few high-back chairs, pretty bar, it had a great feel to the room.

But the woman who met us at the top of the stairwell?  Well, suffice to say, she was not having a great night.  Or was it us?  Did she just not like us?  Who could not like us?  Right? 

Needle and Thread is that kind of bar where they have no set cocktail list, they ask you what you like and create a drink based around that.

However, grumpy girl had zero interest in us or our likes.  She literally asked my favorite flavors (peach, pineapple, cherry), my choice of liquor (vodka), and anything I don’t like (chilis, cucumber, watermelon).  She had little tolerance for Peggy who had a little fumble in trying to figure out what she liked besides not sweet and being gin based.  No suggestions, no help, just kind of “what do you want”.

She then turns to the table behind us, sits down WITH them, and start the same kind of questions, only for these really annoying lovebirds, she is all about suggestions “do you like sweet, do you like citrus, what about smokey, what about spicy? how about orange? strawberry?. . .” she was totally digging into their psyche.  We were very confused.

We look over, male bartender looks really cool and is pretty just going with the flow.  Female bartender looks pissy, she is not into this night either.  We figure maybe there is some staff drama and try to let it go.

Then the female bartender brings our drinks over to us, and she is perky and cute and descriptive, and absolutely lovely and fun – our determination at this point is that she was just concentrating (or maybe she had seen enough of the other ladies BS, who knows, again it can’t be us, right?).

But I am a little disappointed.  The drink was great.  But it was literally a cherry infused vodka, with a pineapple and peach “wash” – like she just seemed to read the paper and make just that.  There was nothing wow, special, or creative.  On our way out the male bartender was really nice, asked how our night was going, if we liked the cocktails, etc.

The Shakers

So, yes, we wanted to love this place. We wanted the WOW factor. We left slightly disappointed, and hope it was just a bad night for them. It was most likely the overhyped expectation.

Zero for service, but dang that entrance was one of the best we found in Seattle.

ssn – I definitely liked N&T more than Patti did. I loved the interior, the theme, the feel and concept. The only downgrade for service would be 1/2 shaker – I think seating at the bar would have no doubt been a full shaker – the bartenders seemed engaging and I suspect would have been more adept at drawing cocktail inspiration from us. My drink was fabulous but, technique aside, like Patti said, I listed my own ingredients. I had gin, almond, vanilla, passionfruit.

That said, we will go full shakers for Hidden, Entrance, Theme, and Drinks (concept alone). Patti gives no shaker for service, Peggy goes 1/2. We will iron that out in the Official Listing.

Speakeasy Day Zero, The Prequel

When Patti unexpectedly stood me up on Thursday night, what was I supposed to do except soldier on? It is what she would want. We had a highly anticipated 7:30 pm appointment (i.e., reservations) for The Doctor’s Office that I would not miss.

So as long as I was going out, I might as well hit the Founders Club in the Fairmont Olympic. It was close to our hotel, opens at 5:00, and honestly, we weren’t going to spend that money for two of us! I felt obligated. So I jumped on Open Table and booked a seat at the bar for 5:00.

The Founders Club

The Entrance

In true speakeasy style, the entrance is hidden behind a bookcase. If I hadn’t seen this on Instagram, I may not have spotted the span of bookshelves with no seating in front of them (the lobby bar/lounge area full of small seating areas, larger groupings, bookshelves and library tables).

I arrived a few minutes early so I grabbed a seat near the entrance and waited. The instructions were that at 5:00 someone would come out and get me (and others with reservations). Sure enough, the bookcase swung open and the darling hostess came out with her iPad and was immediately accosted by 3 middle-aged (ok, my aged) ladies with fruity drinks from the bar wondering if they could get in without reservations. She assured them that they could but they would have to wait. There were 2 couples waiting and me.

She motioned for me to follow her, I explained that I would need to video the bookcase opening. Either I could film her if she didn’t mind, or she could film me – you all know I dread that! Thankfully, she didn’t mind demonstrating the door. She then led me in to the beautiful Founders Club bar.

The Experience

The Founders Club is beautiful in a Mad Men, private NYC men’s club kind of way. Red leather, rich & regal. Are women allowed in here? I kid…but?

The bartender was friendly and knowledgeable and walked me through the very traditional drink menu. Think traditional with a modern, high-end twist. Unique ingredients but spendy!!

I opted for the “Clover Club”. Gin, cherry blossom vermouth, lemon, blackberry, egg white.

He made my drink and the lovely assistant bartender stepped in to garnish my dried raspberry dust on top as he moved on to the next order. I wish I knew her name because she was amazing. Meticulous. I thought it was just me, turns out she treated everyone’s drink this way, but she garnished like it was the world championships. I’ve never seen anything like it – in an impressive way.

The Founders Club would be the perfect drink-before-dinner stop. Or a pre/post-theater drink. A fabulous experience but you don’t feel the need to sit and spend time.

The Shakers

The Founders Club gets an impressive 4.5 shakers. Full shakers for entrance and hidden, theme and drinks. I’m only going to go half for service. It was good as expected (and the attention to detail was chef’s kiss but I think that counts toward the drink score).

The Doctor’s Office

The Entrance

The Doctor’s Office is on Capitol Hill and I’m sure we could have arranged it into our Saturday night but you take these reservations when you can get them! So the Uber drops me off at the next corner up Olive and I don’t see any immediate signs (this is good!). The street level looks to be fairly abandoned. Boarded up & newspapered windows and doors. One paper sign pointing one direction for deliveries, the other for “Bar” – we’re talking non-descript 8.5″ x 11″ printer paper. A few shops down is an unmarked door BUT there is a white neon sign above it that says “The Doctor’s Office”. Hmmm…I’m conflicted but damn, is it cool?

The Experience

I open the door and the space is immediately comfortable. A 6-seater bar in front of you and 2 small seating areas to either side. Keith greets me but I am a few minutes early and there is only one seat ready. Well, I guess it’s a good thing my sister ditched me. I take the seat at the bar, he gives me a “welcome champagne” and I start looking through the iPad menu.

Shortly after, the couples to each side of me reach the end of their appointment times – these are strictly adhered to. The seated groups leave as well and I am left alone. Keith tells me this is rare and it is a nice chance to talk to him about the bar. He doesn’t like the Speakeasy label. They prefer to be a neighborhood bar that nobody knows about. Speakeasy is too trendy, pretentious and gimmicky.

This place is fantastic – neighborhood bar nails it. Comfortable, friendly, a je ne sais quoi. But the spirits selection is unique, rare and impressive. The cocktails are inventive.

Soon a couple joins us at the bar and we all chat for quite a while. We compared our drinks, told Washington & Colorado stories, compared travels, and local recommendations. Super enjoyable. My drinks were both incredible, among the best of the weekend – “Long Story Short” with gin, passion fruit – I am NOT full of surprises; and “Bacon & Pandan Old Fashioned”.

The Shakers

I drove Patti past The Doctor’s Office the next day to confirm that it is truly obscured (despite the neon). So we agree on the full shaker. No entrance. But definitely full shakers for the other three categories equaling a total of four.

Future Trips

We did not make it to every speakeasy that we wanted, so for future trips, we will hit up:

• The Alley in West Seattle

If you have other recommendations, let us know!

Previous Trips

• Bathtub Gin & Co
• Inside Passage

We hit Bathtub Gin and Inside Passage on previous trips, read about them here plus a bonus Skein & Tipple if you happen to be on Whidbey Island.

Seattle Speakeasy Conclusion

To wrap it up, what did we learn?

Seattle has a ton of great speakeasies, and something for everyone as far as tastes and vibes.  They are spread out and you can find one in many neighborhoods.  The people in Seattle are fantastic.  You definitely want to get lots of Asian food and seafood (or Asian seafood).

ssn – I feel like the scoring in Seattle was high – a lot of 4 and 4.5 shakers compared to other cities. Did we score easier? Were they more hidden? More committed to theme? Maybe all of the above. On to the next city to compare!

But you absolutely need to try a Pho washed Jameson with a Hot Pho Broth Back!

Other Speakeasy Guides

• Las Vegas
• Austin
• Chicago
• Denver
• Kansas City
• Paris
• London

tl;dr Kansas City: If you want to jump to our Complete List of US Speakeasies, Click here

But as we found out on our first trip, Kansas City has deep prohibition roots.

During the prohibition era, Kansas City was quite the party town.  Partly because of the heavy mob rule as the government turned a blind eye. And partly because of its river access, making it a mini distribution hub.  There are actual secret tunnels built into some of the buildings. These would lead to the river for easily sneaking in and out of booze and other taboo items.  Y’all think it’s all about Chicago, but apparently not!

The Purpose of the Trip

If you recall how much fun we had on our first trip to Kansas City, MO, you will understand why we were excited for a reason to go back.

Go read that blog first and refresh your memory. The purpose of this trip was to attend the annual Repeal Day party thrown by our friends at Til Death.  We met them on our first trip to Kansas City at The Mercury Room and found instant besties. 

And as long as we were hitting their speakeasy, we decided we really needed to explore the rest of KCMO Speakeasy scene.

*Our Speakeasy Rating System

Throughout this post you will see references to our shaker rating system. We have an “objective” rating system of 1 to 5 shakers. One (or 1/2 in some cases) shaker can be earned in each of the following categories. A full list of speakeasies and their ratings will be published in the near future.

• Hidden Entrance
• Entry task/Password
• Theme
• Cocktails
• Service

So here we go with some of the top places in Kansas City for the Speakeasy loving crowd. 

Swordfish Tom’s

We had Swordfish Tom’s on our list for our first trip, but they were not open on the day we were free to visit.  This time we made it a priority.

The Entrance

We are only scoring this entrance a half shaker. If you are standing on the street it looks like an empty alley.  However, if you stroll down about two doorways, there it is, and the door is marked. So half a shaker deduction.  BUT once you enter the door you head down a cool octopus staircase to a door. You have to knock on the door. We would recommend that you knock loudly (not pounding, that would be rude). But it is a bar, and they must hear you to let you in.  It might take a few minutes if they are busy, just wait, it’s worth it.

The Experience

Right up front, let’s be clear, we loved this place!!!

We were greeted at the door by Tim, who was funny and cool.  Turns out the bar is named after the owner’s favorite musician (Tom Waite) and his favorite album by that artist (Swordfishtrombone).  We completely expected it to be a tropical, Tiki bar feel with a name like Swordfish Tom’s. But no, it is actually a brick, dark, industrial feeling bar.  Although there is something about it that hints of old/naval touches. There is a sign on the door letting you know they are LGBTQ friendly and Black Lives Matter and if you don’t agree, don’t be there.  They have a bathroom sign that reads “all genders or gender expressions”, which I loved the phrasing of.

The cocktails were flat out amazing.  We love creative names on the menu, and they nailed them!  My drink was The Banana Stand (because, you know, there’s always money in the banana stand – if you know this reference, we can be friends), Peggy went with The Pharmacist.  They were so good we changed our “one and done” to another one and done.  Round two:  My choice was Violet, You’re Turning Violet, Violet!  Peggy had Good Omens.  Creative, tasty, not too weird, well thought out and balanced flavors.

It was impressive.  But we had other reservations to get to.

PS Lounge

As an intro, let me just spoil it by saying we didn’t love it. . . but we should have.  I blame the huge party of golfing buddies and brunch blondes who were waiting in line behind us. They were so busy trying to impress each other that it made us sneer just a little and roll our eyes.   Quite sure we walked in with a bad attitude. And, yes, we were judgey.

The Entrance

So, again with the half shaker score.  I get it, businesses want people to know they are there. But the whole point of a speakeasy is to be hidden.  First off, it is found in the basement of one of the prettiest hotels in Kansas City.  The Hotel Phillips is gorgeous, wood carved staircases, very art deco. Very us, very eclectic, very much I can’t wait to go back and stay here.  Located in the Power and Light district, it is in a great neighborhood if you are looking for somewhere to stay.

You get in the elevator, and yep, there is a sign for PS Lounge.  You step off the elevator and there is another sign pointing down a staircase.  Descend the short staircase and there is an actual cool, big metal slider door that is not marked. Therefore, they are staying in this race for a half shaker mark.  We arrived at opening time, second in line for our reservation. That group behind us was still throwing off our groove (it was a birthday party for one of them, or so we heard multiple times).

The Experience

Once we were in, the room was beautiful.  Velvet chairs, art deco sconces and archways, mirrors, going for the old Hollywood feel – you can almost see Sinatra at the back booth.  A little dark, a little cold, but table candles and wall lights that they came around to turn on.  The service was great. The server and the bartender were both nice, friendly, and checked in to make sure everything was good.

One Goddess of Dawn (how do you not get the Goddess drink) and one Only Fronds. We enjoyed them both. They also do the classic cocktails with little twists of their own.  There was really nothing to not like about it, except our bad attitudes coming in the door.  It definitely feels a little upscale and would be a great date night option.

The Drum Room

The Experience

The Drum Room came highly recommended.  Inside the Hotel President Kansas City, this historic landmark claims that it used to be more speakeasy-ish. The rumor goes that it was uncovered during excavation and had been previously unknown. Today, it is just a hotel corner bar packed with the after-work crowd.  There was nothing not to like, but we wouldn’t hype it up.  My note from the stop reads “What is this supposed to be?  Feels like a non-chain Capital Grill, local afterwork crowd but highly recommended by the hotel staff” – Interpret that as you will.  A big whiskey selection, presidential themed cocktails. We had the Jackie O and the Café Liberation (espresso martini), standard bar choices.

The Hey Hey Club

The Hey Hey Club hides in the J. Reiger & Co Distillery. We arrived during a Christmas Market and found out that the Hey Hey Club was also done up as a Christmas Pop Up – so yay for a theme!!!

The Entrance

While not exactly hidden (yes, again), and no secret way to enter, all you need is possibly a reservation (and a keen observation skill of seeing the sign on the wall pointing down the stairs).

The Experience

It is hard for us to judge this accurately and fairly because it was a themed set up.  But given how much we loved it, and how well the theme was executed, we have rather good sense that it’s probably always fantastic – and it did come highly recommended by several locals and other service workers. 

This year’s holiday theme was a Christmas Tiki Bar (no, it’s not typically a Tiki bar).  The cocktail list featured standard Tiki drinks with a holiday twist. These fun drinks were served in cool tropical Christmas style glasses (shark tiki glass, Santa Surfing, Reindeer, etc.).  They also offered a short list of snacks, and we absolutely loved the Sweet Chili crab wonton nachos.

Our server (dangit forgot to write down her name), was awesome, friendly, almost perky, without being barbie level perky.  We loved her, she should go drinking with us! 

We would say, get in an afternoon at J. Rieger’s Distillery. J. Rieger has a unique Kansas City pre- and post-prohibition history and is well worth the visit. They have a tasting room, tours, and a café.  So multiple stops to drink, and a great, upbeat atmosphere.

The Mercury Room

We are revisiting this to share with you, because although we hit it 2 years ago, it has some speakeasy qualities, and we did love it.

The Entrance

It’s pretty hidden, not completely, but one of the better KCMO secret entrances.  It is on the top floor of a building.  There is a sign outside that simply has the Greek symbol for Mercury on it.  If you don’t know, you don’t know.  You can see it from the street, but it’s just pretty lights from the street level.  When you go into the building, there is a security desk where you must check in.  Reservations are appreciated, but if they can fit you in, they will.  You need to have them grant you elevator access to the top floor.  So, pretty close to a full shaker rating.

The Experience

This is a beautiful lounge.  The room is dark velvety blue with white lights strung up all over the ceiling like a sky lit up with stars.  There were low lounge style tables, naturally we sat at the bar where we met our besties, Andrew and Liz (it was their 30th anniversary, and they were celebrating it up).

The bartenders were amazing, the drinks were amazing, and they will create cocktails for you based on your likes and dislikes.  They are true expert mixologists (hint, go read our updated KCMO day drinking blog, as one of the bartenders who served us that night now owns his own fantastic bar).

We highly recommend this for a romantic date night, or a fun night out with friends, it is slightly upscale without being snooty.

And the grand Finale of our Kansas City Experience:  TIL DEATH!!!

So as the story’s been told, our friends bought a mortuary.  Liz’s family is in the mortuary business.  This is just outside Kansas City in Raytown, MO.  They take over ownership, and multiple times people come to services there and ask where the bar is (or if it was still there, little fuzzy on specifics).  They have no idea what people are talking about until they go to renovate the basement, and you guessed it, bar in the basement.

So now, they have a speakeasy.  But do not get your hopes up, this is a special event venue only, and the Repeal party is invite only – but also a fantastic fundraiser for homeless veterans.  You should make friends with them and get on the invite list.

The Experience

So, Andrew and his bestie, Phil, worked as the bartenders.  They created their own upscale cocktails, and they were honestly amazing.  Like professional level, mixed with love and appreciation for the craft.  One of the best espresso martinis I’ve ever had, top 3 at least.  They also served a drunk rabbit punch, that I loved! 

Peggy and I walk in, we are greeted by Lori at the door, we introduce ourselves as Peggy and Patti, and we hear the shriek from across the room from Liz “OMG, the sisters are here”, to which Lori replied “OMG, you’re the sisters!!!”  For future reference, I always want to be greeted this way, always. 

The speakeasy has grown and expanded over the past few years (not that we knew, but they walked us through the history). Their kids worked the door and served, and it was a whole fun family affair.  We loved meeting their kids, and Phil and Lori, and all their friends.

There may have have been too many prohibition style cocktails drunk, and all the fun we could squeeze out of this event we did. This included staying too long after hours to catch up with our friends. We love these people, and their families. There are plans at some point in 2025 to do a “Til Behaving” event in a new city, stay tuned for that.

Other Speakeasy Guides

• Ultimate List & Ratings of US Speakeasies
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• Austin
• Chicago
• Denver
• Seattle