Shhhhh It's a Secret... All About Speakeasies

One think I like to do when I travel is enjoy a nice drink here and there. Finding local bars with local drinks is always a must do, but in this post I want to dive a bit deeper into something that really sparks joy when it is found… a speakeasy bar.

For beginners a speakeasy is a “secret” bar. During the prohibition era when selling alcohol was illegal some brave people would create a secret hidden place where alcohol was sold. Some might have had a secret password, or lights on/off might have meant they were open. It was also about who you knew as to where you were able to get into. They didn’t need to be big and fancy, just somewhere where people could get alcohol and socialize.

Now a days speakeasies are just a fun way to get a drink. I’ve been to some that were hidden down alleys, some that were behind a secret door, some that when the light was on it was open and a few that had a secret password that you had to tell the guard/host at the front door. Whenever you go somewhere you can type in google “speakeasy bars in (the area you are in)” and usually one or two will pop up! I highly recommend checking one out if you find one. The drinks aren’t cheap but they are tasty, have high alcohol content and are worth every penny! I have never had a drink I didn’t like at a speakeasy! Here are some of the speakeasies I have visited:

NYC- PDT (Please Don’t Tell): 

This was the first ever speakeasy that I went to. It was by far the coolest entrance into a bar and definitely hidden! We entered through a working hotdog shop and walked into a phone booth. Once in the phone booth I got to pick up the phone and say the secret password (we found the password online through a trip advisor review earlier in the day) to the lady who answered. After I said the correct password, the lady told me to hold on and that she would come let us in shortly. The side of the wall that had the phone opened up and a beautiful room was glowing in front of us. It was small and quiet, some light jazz music played in the background and couples and groups sat around the room having a quiet chat. We sat at a nice little table on the side near the bar and ordered our drinks from the waitress that came around. There was a nice selections of house cocktails and all house cocktails were around $15. Our drinks were brought to us and we sat there enjoying our fancy drinks in the fancy room. This speakeasy was the perfect place for a peaceful, romantic night out and I highly recommend it to anyone who passes through the NYC area. 

Nashville- Attaboy: 

Out of all the speakeasies I’ve been to, this one had the coolest “drink selection”. Again, when I got to Nashville I looked up “speakeasies in Nashville” and Attaboy was the first one to pop up. My boyfriend and I took a Uber over to Attaboy (about a 7 minute drive from downtown Nash) and we were a bit surprised with the outside of the building. It didn’t really look like a speakeasy, just a building with a weird rooster on a motorcycle painted on a wall. Unlike how most speakeasies are secret and hidden, this one was out in plain sight. We went to the door, knocked on in, and the hostess greeted us and let us in. Upon getting inside we were pleased to find ourselves in a dimly lit small room. There might have been enough seats for 20 total people in the entire speakeasy. We sat at the bar (this is always the best place to be, you get to watch the bartenders mix and create the drinks for the customers) and the bartender asked us what we wanted to drink. We asked for a menu and to our surprise there was no menu. The bartender asked us to think of what type of alcohol we wanted her to use in our drink (vodka, rum, gin, tequila, etc.) and to describe how we wanted our drink to taste (fruity, spicy, strong, milky, etc.). This was a completely new experience for us and we took to the challenge and gave her what she had asked for. I normally ask for something fruity and fresh with either rum, vodka, or tequila. The drinks that the bartender made were exactly what we described to her, she did a great job working with what we gave her, and they were worth every penny. They were so good we decided to “play the game again” and order another round of drinks. Again, just like PDT these drinks were around $12-15, so not cheap, but well worth the experience! 

Auckland NZ- Caretaker: 

This speakeasy was very similar to Attaboy. Again, no menu, just tell the waitress what liquor you like and some flavors. By the time we checked out Caretaker we had been to a few speakeasies and knowing that we might have a chance to describe our perfect drink got us using our imaginations (after Attaboy we had practiced how we would ask for drinks if we ever had to do something like that again). This time we told the waitress more of how we were feeling versus what flavors we wanted. I wish this place was closer because the bartenders hit how we were feeling right on the dot! 

Denver, Colorado-Retrograde: 

Located inside an ice cream shop this fun speakeasy had us walking through a freezer door to get inside of it! This was a quirky little sci-fi bar that had fun named drinks! The bartenders/mixologists were very friendly and after they made our drinks we chatted for a while. The sitting area across from the bar was small but cute, with string lights hanging from the ceiling. 

Denver Colorado- Williams and Graham: 

With many fails at getting here the hour long wait was doable for finally making it! We put our name in and went next door called Occidental (a fun little grunge bar). Once it was our turn to enter Willams and Graham we went back to the hostess stand which was outside of the bookshelf. The hostess proceeded to open the bookshelf to reveal a door which opened to the bar. It was definitely a more lively bar (all the tables and barstools were full except for our 2) and the bartenders were moving drinks out quickly. I don’t know how they do it, so many drinks to make, so many liquids to remember! We ordered and got our drinks they were fancy and tasted delicious. I can honestly say I have never had a drink at a speakeasy that I didn’t like, whether I picked the drink or I had the bartender make me something, they’ve all been amazing! With only having a short amount of time we drank our drinks and headed out, exiting through a backdoor that led us to an alleyway and headed home. This is one I’d like to come back to! 

NOTABLE MENTIONS

Copenhagen, Denmark- Strom & Ruby: Fun fact about these 2 places; they made us complete a boomerang. A boomerang is where the first bar gives you a drink or shot to take to the second bar.. when you get to the second bar they give you a free (thank you) drink and they share the boomerang with their staff. The champagne you see in the 4th picture was our thank you drink. This was a fun thing to be a part of.

Barcelona, Spain: Paradiso & Sips: In the past few years these 2 bars were voted the best speakeasy in the world. Although I wouldn't say they were my most favorite that I have been to, I could see how they got this ranking. With snacks that come with each drink and drink presentation both places were a must do if you are in Barcelona!

Las Vegas, Nevada- The Laundry Room: Through the Commonwealth bar sits this small homey speakeasy. This speakeasy had free caramel and chocolate drizzle popcorn and only sat 10 people total in the bar. 

Washington DC- Miracle on 7th Street: A pop up bar that changes themes every few months. The line is long to get in, the drinks are expensive, but the bar is really cool! Sadly this bar will not be reopening this year, but we can hope for a comeback sooner than later! 

Above: Stranger Things Themed Below: Game of Thrones Themed

Amsterdam, Netherlands- Door 74 &Tales and Spirits: Some fun speakeasies that take a little searching to find! 

Havanna, Cuba- Fábrica De Arte Cubano (FAC): An art gallery during the day, a club at night. When you entered you recieved a card that you carried around all night. WHen you would get food/drinks they would mark it and at the end of the night when you left you gave the card to a check out clerk who would then add up your total to pay for the night. FAC also holds fashion shows on the main level, live music around the building, and old movies on the rooftop.

Denver, Colorado- The Cruise Room: 

Located inside the Oxford hotel this fancy speakeasy is illuminated with pink lights and “cheers” pictures from around the world. The cocktail list is nice, with most of the normal fancy drinks (think Cosmopolitan, Margarita, Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Mojito) and the atmosphere is relaxed. We went late one night and found ourselves to be one of the only people in the bar. It was nice having the place to ourselves! This one is an easy find if you happen to be in the downtown Denver area so check it out! 

Chicago, IL- Three Dots and a Dash: A tiki themed speakeasy bar with great tiki drinks. 

Nashville, TN- Skulls Rainbow Room: A speakeasy style bar that has nightly burlesque shows. 

St. Louis, MO- The Thaxton: A old school speakeasy with a basement bar and dance floor. Make sure you find the password before going! 

Baltimore, MD- The Bluebird & The Elk Room: Two of my hometown's favorite speakeasies. 

Washington DC- The Mirror: Walk down a set of stairs and open up a mirror to enter this small speakeasy with good hip-hop music.

Chicago, IL- The Aviary: A pricey but well worth the money experience. You can choose between a reservation (~$25/reservation), a 3-course drink experience (~$75/person), a 5-course drink and food pairing (~$145), or a 7-course kitchen table drink and food experience (~$175).

Palm Springs, California- PS Air: Walk through a liquor store to find this quirky speakeasy that feels like you're on an airplane. 

New York City, New York- The Woo Woo, Madame George, Double Chicken Please: All within walking distance from the city (or a very quick subway ride) each of these speakeasies has their own style. The Woo Woo is an 80's themed bar with music and movies from the decade. Madame George is much swankier, their drinks are named after iconic New York things such as a bacon egg and cheese on an everything bagel (so weird but an interesting taste, I have no clue how it tasted just like a bacon egg and cheese everything bagel!). Double Chicken Please was ranked #1 of the best bars in North America and I can see why with drinks like their Key Lime Pie (OMG DELICIOUS) and Mango Sticky Rice. All the flavors showed up in the drinks and it was unbelievable. If you venture out to Double Chicken try 6 days ahead to book a reservation (they go VERY quick, were talking within minutes of opening up at midnight) or plan to get there an hour before they open or you will be waiting to get in as its a small space. 

BONUS "SPEAKEASIES"

Los Angeles, California- The Magic Castle: This members-only club is a one-of-a-kind place. You need an invitation and there are only 3 ways to get into this top-secret castle; Be a member of the castle, know a member (who will invite you) of the castle, or contact the magicians that are performing there and ask nicely for an invitation. The inside of the castle is filled with magicians throughout the rooms who perform for big groups (no more than 100 people) small groups (20 or less) or individuals. I was lucky enough to go into a room and have a magician perform card tricks. Sadly (but also not sadly) there are no phones allowed inside the performance areas/rooms, which makes it that more magical.

Loa Angeles, California- Cliftons Republic: Clifton's Cafeteria was a huge stopping point for people of all ages back in the day. Now it has been revamped and turned into a 4 story fantasyland! Although this bar/club is not considered a speakeasy and you can see it from the street outside, a speakeasy tiki bar is located on the 4th level but opening a mirror and walking upstairs. Each level of Clifton's has a different theme with different drink selections.  I spend many nights here while we were in LA. BONUS: if you get to Clifton's before 9 pm there is no cover charge (and its less crowded). 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- Insomnia Cookies: If you're in the mood for a speakeasy that has something sweet Insomnia is for you. Located right by Genos and Pats Cheesesteaks this insomnia cookie is like no other. First, you have to find the password located on their Instagram. Once you have the password head on inside and go to the bookcase. Speak the password into the radio speaker and the door will pop open. Inside you'll find a cool cookie lab where you can create your own cookies or have a cookie milkshake.

Here are my list of DO’S and DON’TS:

DO make sure you do your research before you go to a speakeasy. Some require passwords, some are open at weird hours, some you have to make a reservation. It would be a complete bummer to get to a speakeasy and not be able to get in because you didn’t plan ahead.

DO dress a bit nicer than you would for a regular bar. It doesn’t need to be cocktail attire, but don’t go in your ripped jeans a t-shirt.

DON’T talk loud. They are called a speakeasy for a reason.

DON’T use your phone. It should be quiet and relaxed.

DO take a look around the speakeasy, sometimes the bathrooms are even interesting!

DON’T think you’re going to get a drink for cheap. Expect 1 drink to cost you between $15-$20 not including tip.

DO grab a set at the bar if you can. The bartenders and mixologist are amazing at their job and they put on a great show!