The Ultimate Guide to Speakeasies: Hidden Bars, Ratings & Reviews

As our list of speakeasies grows, we needed a way to track, rate and compare them. So we came up with a scale and tried to make it as objective as possible. It isn’t perfect but it is pretty solid.

**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 is hidden 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, 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 the outside, find the secret entrance, head down a basement staircase to a door with a sliding peephole that is usually guarded. 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.

Mike Morey’s Sip ‘n’ Tip

This one pained us to score it so low, but we have to be fair and not just give it good marks because we loved it. There is no secret, there is just a neon sign down a back alley, behind the downtown bar. However, you do have to ring the doorbell and wait for someone to answer and let you in so one shaker there. Besides that, there is no theme, unless you consider that it’s a dive bar theme (we did not). The drinks were nothing special, just good bar drinks. But the service and lovability of this place was undeniable so we gave them a half shaker for service.

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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

The Milk Room is opulence and elegance. Find this exclusive feeling, 8 seat speakeasy inside the Chicago Athletic Association. The only reason it only scores a half shaker for Secret is because of the velvet ropes that surround the entrance – it would go unnoticed otherwise (and it is on the building roster on the main floor). You do have to have a reservation and check in with the host who shows you in to your seats (another half shaker).

Once inside, you are seated at a micro-bar, at a lower level than the bartenders, so it is very intimate feeling. There is a welcome drink which always scores points with us. The service was impeccable, the bartenders’ knowledge and recommendations were top tier. They are known for their selection of vintage spirits and rare, collectable whiskeys.

This was a very special experience but unlike The Office, I would eagerly return here for date nights and other occasions.

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

The Violet Hour was listed as a “High Priority” for us, as it made the list of America’s Best Bars and is a James Beard award winner for their bar program.  When you get there, you only see a big mural on a cement wall.  Look for the handle, because there is a door blended into the mural. Head in, there is a hostess stand at the end of a hallway, and she will lead you behind the curtain into the speakeasy itself. This earns a full shaker for Secret and a half for Entrance.

There is no theme to speak of. The interior is pretty but a little stark – the seating in the main room is small table groups with very high back chairs and small marble tables. It feels isolated. Contrast that with the bar that is gorgeous and warm with plush seating. We just weren’t sure how to feel about it.

As expected by the list of awards…the drinks were incredible. Unique, inventive without trying too hard. Our server was darling. She really leveled up our experience. So a shaker is awarded each for Drinks and Service.

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.

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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.

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.

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 terrible, 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.

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Seattle – link to the blog

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.

Inside Passage

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.