Speakeasies were once secret havens where patrons slipped past the law to enjoy a drink. Today, the allure of covert cocktails lives on in modern hideaways that capture the spirit of the Prohibition era. Below you’ll find 10 unique speakeasies that keep the mystery alive, each with its own hidden entrance, signature libations, and a story worth a passport stamp.
Why These 10 Unique Speakeasies Are Worth the Hunt
10 The Back Room (New York)
Only two New York City establishments that survived the original Prohibition still operate, and The Back Room is one of them. Dim lighting, vintage décor, and antique furnishings set the mood, while classic cocktails arrive in teacups and beers are tucked into paper bags, transporting guests straight to the Roaring Twenties.
To locate this hidden gem, seek a gate on Norfolk Street labeled “Lower East Side Toy Company.” Pass through, follow the historic corridor, and you’ll arrive at The Back Room. Inside, a concealed VIP room hides behind a bookcase, and the venue enforces a strict no‑fur policy, so leave your coat‑coat at home.
9 Foxglove (Hong Kong)
Behind a faux‑umbrella shop in Hong Kong lies Foxglove, a speakeasy accessed by finding a silver umbrella handle that opens the secret door to the left of the tills. The space exudes 1950s glamour and hosts live jazz and international bands most evenings.
Patrons can savor dim sum alongside inventive cocktails like the fruity, coffee‑infused Test Pilot, inspired by the fictional founder Frank Minza, a connoisseur of rare spirits. VIP rooms reveal themselves with a bell’s ring, a painted touch, or a turned book, making them perfect for private parties.
8 1923 Prohibition Bar (Las Vegas)
Travelers to Las Vegas should hunt down the 1923 Prohibition Bar, an immersive speakeasy offering premium cocktails, live music, magic, and burlesque. The entrance hides beside the Minus5 Ice Bar on the walkway linking Mandalay Bay to Luxor, disguised as a bookshelf.
Beyond the bookshelf doors, guests can enjoy specialty old‑fashioneds, bourbon drinks, mules, and a selection of beers. A second location recently opened within the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, expanding the clandestine experience.
7 Please Don’t Tell (New York)
One of New York’s most coveted speakeasies, Please Don’t Tell, operates strictly by reservation. To secure a spot, call the bar’s number at 3 p.m. and persist until a staff member answers. Late arrivals risk being turned away.
The entrance resides inside Crif Dogs, an East Village hot‑dog joint. Inside, locate the phone booth that doubles as a portal; follow the red rotary phone’s instructions to have the hostess unlock the rustic bar. Limited seating creates an intimate vibe, and the menu boasts handcrafted cocktails.
6 Moonshiner (Paris)
In Paris’s 11th arrondissement, the Italian trattoria Da Vito hides Moonshiner behind a metal door leading to a walk‑in fridge. Push the door and step into a Prohibition‑era lounge featuring wallpaper, exposed brick, leather booths, and 1920s jazz.
The bar leans heavily on whiskey, offering over 80 varieties, while also serving inventive cocktails such as the Smokey Island—a blend of Havana Cuba rum, vodka, and gin. Dim lighting and vintage décor complete the immersive experience.
5 1930 (Milan)
Milan’s best‑kept secret, 1930, grants entry only through an invitation. The bar lacks a public address; gaining access requires befriending the owners of Mag Café, Flavio and Marco, who hand out member cards to select guests.
Cardholders receive a message with a storefront address, where an attendant leads them through a concealed door into a warmly lit space adorned with Prohibition‑style décor, exposed brick, and soft amber tones. About thirty patrons share seasonal cocktails served by impeccably dressed staff.
4 Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City)
Nestled in Mexico City’s Colonia Juarez, Handshake Speakeasy earned the title of North America’s Best Bar in 2024. The unassuming façade hides a two‑story venue: an upstairs Prohibition‑inspired bar seating around 32 guests, and a lively basement bar reflecting the city’s energy.
The upstairs lounge offers minimalist décor but showcases molecular mixology, turning classic drinks into visual marvels. Signature recommendations include a refreshing pina colada twist and a fig martini, each delivering a modern spin on timeless cocktails.
3 Janai Coffee (Tokyo)
Tokyo’s Janai Coffee disguises a hidden bar behind a seemingly ordinary coffee shop. Access requires a reservation, but the booking process itself is a puzzle: a secret webpage hidden on the Janai site can be uncovered by tracing the logo clockwise.
After securing a reservation, present the secret site on your phone to the barista, who will guide you to a concealed door. Inside, every cocktail incorporates coffee, and additional riddles unlock exclusive secret drinks, rewarding the most clever patrons.
2 The Cumberland (Manly, Australia)
For a sophisticated speakeasy experience in Australia, head to Manly’s The Cumberland, tucked behind the functional Cove Deli. Enter through the deli’s 1920s‑style fridge door and descend a spiral staircase to an underground lounge.
The venue boasts a botanical‑themed cocktail menu and a collection of over 250 whiskies. Rustic stools, exposed brick, stone, and wooden beams create a vintage ambiance, while antipasto boards arrive via dumbwaiter and snacks like duck terrine and empanadas round out the offering.
1 Frank’s (Buenos Aires)
In Buenos Aires’s vibrant Palermo district, Frank’s hides behind black doors guarded by a bouncer who demands a password posted on the bar’s Instagram. Dial the password at a phone booth inside a vintage hallway to unlock the secret door.
Inside, guests find flocked wallpaper, chandeliers, and a wooden bar, all tended by staff in period attire. The menu includes a limited selection of food and a range of personalized and classic cocktails, with the standout Frank’s Fashioned—a blend of Scotch, saline, bitters, and maraschino.