The Best Speakeasies in the U.S. — Hidden Doors, Secret Passwords, and Seriously Good Cocktails 🍸🔑
There’s something undeniably thrilling about whispering a password, ducking through a hidden door, and stepping into a place that feels like a secret from the past. Speakeasies—those Prohibition-era hideaways that once served illegal booze behind closed doors—are alive and well today, only now they come with fewer gangsters and a much better cocktail menu.
So, grab your trench coat, channel your inner 1920s rebel, and let’s sneak our way into some of the best speakeasies in the United States—including one that’s hiding right in Fort Worth, Texas.
What Exactly Is a Speakeasy?
Back in the 1920s, when alcohol was outlawed in the U.S., people still wanted their martinis (go figure). So, they found creative ways to keep the good times rolling—by opening “speakeasies,” hidden bars where patrons could quietly “speak easy” about drinking without attracting attention from the law.
Today’s speakeasies are less about dodging cops and more about capturing that sense of mystery, exclusivity, and old-school cool. They’re the kind of places where you might have to:
Enter through a phone booth.
Whisper a secret code.
Pretend you’re buying doughnuts before being led to a backroom bar.
It’s part history, part theater, and all about atmosphere—and, of course, fantastic cocktails.
1. Thompson’s Bookstore – Fort Worth, Texas 📚🍹
Let’s start in Fort Worth, where old-world charm meets southern swagger. Thompson’s Bookstore might look like a cozy little bookshop downtown, but one glance at the shelves and you’ll realize some of those “books” open to reveal a staircase leading down to a secret basement bar.
Once inside, you’re surrounded by vintage décor, soft jazz, and a cocktail list that reads like poetry. Try “The Fitzgerald” (a classic gin cocktail) or “The Cucumber Collins” for something fresh. Pro tip: the password changes weekly, so check their socials before you go—or make friends with a local bartender who’s in the know.
2. PDT (Please Don’t Tell) – New York City, NY 🗽
Hidden behind a phone booth inside a hot dog joint (yes, really), PDT is one of New York’s most iconic speakeasies. You walk into Crif Dogs, pick up the old rotary phone inside the booth, and wait for someone to buzz you in. Inside, you’ll find a tiny, dimly lit bar serving cocktails so good they’ll make you forget your real name.
Try the Benton’s Old Fashioned—it’s made with bacon-infused bourbon. Yes, bacon. Because America.
3. The Violet Hour – Chicago, IL 🌆
From the outside, this Chicago gem looks like a blank wall. No signs, no flashing lights, just a door that changes color and design with the seasons. Inside, it’s all chandeliers, velvet drapes, and a cocktail experience so refined, you’ll start using words like “notes of juniper” and “mouthfeel.”
The bartenders here are artists, and every drink feels like it belongs in a museum—if museums let you get tipsy and flirt by candlelight.
4. The Laundry Room – Las Vegas, NV 🎰
Forget the neon chaos of the Vegas strip—The Laundry Room inside the Commonwealth bar is where you’ll find true class. Access is by reservation only (you’ll need to text a secret number). Inside, just 22 seats, dim lighting, and cocktails crafted like love letters.
It’s the perfect spot for date night… assuming your date can keep a secret.
5. Bourbon & Branch – San Francisco, CA 🌉
San Francisco’s Bourbon & Branch nails the vintage vibe. You’ll need a password to get in (they’ll email it when you book a reservation), and once you’re inside, it’s all mahogany, low lights, and that wonderful whisper of clinking glasses.
This place is serious about its cocktails—no photos, no cell phones, just pure, Prohibition-style escapism.
6. The Patterson House – Nashville, TN 🎶
Nashville might be known for country music, but The Patterson House proves the city also knows how to mix a mean drink. Think plush seating, quiet conversation, and bartenders who take their craft as seriously as a hit songwriter takes their lyrics.
Try “The Juliet & Romeo,” a refreshing gin and mint cocktail that’ll make you swoon.
Why You’ll Love Speakeasies (Even If You Don’t Drink Much)
It’s not just about the booze—it’s the experience. The secrecy. The artistry. The way you step through an unmarked door and find yourself in another world. It’s like time travel… with better lighting and fewer flapper dresses.
For couples, speakeasies make for a perfect date night—intimate, adventurous, and filled with stories you’ll talk about for years (or at least until the next round).
Final Thought
So, the next time you’re out for a night on the town, skip the obvious bar and look for that hidden door, the whisper of jazz music, or that bookshelf that just looks a little too suspicious.
Because behind it, you might find more than a great cocktail—you might just find a new favorite adventure. 🍸✨
