Adding a bit of secrecy to your night out always makes it more fun. Speakeasies are always an enjoyable experience, filled with dancing and secret sips, and after years of perfecting the practice during the Prohibition Era, Vegas knows how to do it right. Read below to find your favorite Las Vegas speakeasy!
Though no official name has been decided, this boutique bar hidden behind a wall that rolls up into the ceiling in the Circa Las Vegas casino has been lovingly dubbed “Secret Bar”. When down, the wall in the High Limit Gaming area features a close-up of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic eyes. The small-but-mighty bar isn’t always open and has no set hours, but it operates mostly on the weekends, adding to the secretive and exclusive nature of this hidden bar in Las Vegas.
Opened in 2007, the Downtown Cocktail Room quickly became one of the most respected speakeasy bars in Las Vegas. Offering the perfect combination of original and traditional cocktails, this intimate cocktail room offers libations for their most adventurous guests and those who prefer to sip on perfected classics. Known for their adored “halfy hour”, Mondays – Saturdays from 4pm – 7pm, where everything is half off! The entrance to this Las Vegas speakeasy is discrete, despite its location on Las Vegas Blvd.
Built as a homage to Michael Morey, who has been deemed the “Quintessential Perfect Guest,” this hip spot is located right behind Downtown Cocktail Room, in the alley of Fremont Street. With an emphasis on simplicity, approachability, and fun, Las Vegas speakeasy is open Monday – Saturday from 7pm – 2am. With an interesting selection of whiskey and beer, there is nothing pretentious about this neighborhood hangout. Frequented by industry professionals, locals, and tourists alike, you’ll want to arrive at this “speak-up” early, the capacity is only 48 persons!
Source: A Cocktail of Two Cities
Commonwealth is one of the most popular bars in the Fremont East District, known for its pre-Prohibition Era design and libations. What most may not know is that a secret Las Vegas speakeasy, The Laundry Room, is hidden behind the back wall, located underneath the stairs. This unique space – once the laundry room for El Cortez casino across the street – embodies the true spirit of a speakeasy.
The Laundry Room accepts guests by reservation only, which must be made via text message. Regardless of what drink you order, each is priced at $16, and you’re sure to have fun as long as you follow the secret house rules!
The Mob Museum, or The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law, is one of the most unique and memorable spots you’ll visit. Established in 2012 and housed in the first U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in Las Vegas, the building has been restored and repurposed to bring to life the history of the Mob’s impact across America. Visit The Underground and travel back in time to the Prohibition Era when thousands of speakeasies operated in hard-to-find places.
The exhibit is set up around a well-stocked bar featuring a stage with live jazz music. Use the password of the week for free admission to The Underground, one of the most popular speakeasy bars in Las Vegas, located in the basement of The Mob Museum!
One of the most popular and not-so-secret Las Vegas speakeasies is The Velveteen Rabbit. Filled with vintage furniture that never matches and decorated with local art, this spot is one of the coolest bars in the city. Located in the Downtown Arts District, there’s an outdoor patio that hosts live entertainment from local talent. With twelve rotating taps, an alternating craft cocktail lineup, well-balanced drinks, and bottled beers, this speakeasy bar in Las Vegas is known for its distinct variation of mismatched libations.
Source: The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
Located in The Cosmopolitan, identifiable by a single downplayed door with a picture of a donkey on it, Ghost Donkey is easy to miss. This hidden bar serves some of the best tequila and mezcal in Vegas, but what sets them apart are their nachos. Truffle Nachos are the latest addition to the lexicon of bar snacks available in this Las Vegas speakeasy. The menu features other delicious finger foods that capture the true atmosphere of this Mexican cuisine. Seating just a handful of guests with a wide variety of creative cocktails and agave spirits, this speakeasy bar in Las Vegas is a must-visit location.
Located in the back corner of the main dining room at Bavette’s Steakhouse inside Park MGM, is a hidden bar. The Parlor Room is decorated with vintage chandeliers, plush and swanky furniture, and walls adorned with art and mirrors of various sizes. The menu features scotch, martinis, and variations of popular drinks. This speakeasy bar in Las Vegas boasts its exclusivity as it is only open on weekends and busy nights.
Open exclusively to the public on Friday and Saturday nights, this modern Las Vegas speakeasy is one of Las Vegas’ hidden gems. 1923 Bourbon Bar is located inside the Mandalay Bay, behind the escalators that lead to the Shoppes at Mandalay Place. The entrance resembles an old liquor cabinet, which slides away to reveal a modern take on the classic speakeasy.
Serving up some of the most unique bourbon spirits along barrel-aged specialty cocktails, this classy yet vibrant space is sure to provide you with colorful memories. Sip on your favorite spirit and spend the rest of your evening surrounded by entertainment, with everything from burlesque dancers and jazz trios.
Source: Travelzoo
Capo’s Italian Steakhouse and Speakeasy offers you a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else in Vegas. This independently owned restaurant offers an old-school New Jersey-Italian experience. Its building used to be a Hooters, but has been transformed, now complete with covered windows, dim lighting, and plastered with photos of Al Capone and other classic mob figures. Grab a seat in a red leather booth and enjoy the best meatballs on Earth, covered in any of the authentic Al Capone’s Family Secret sauces.
While most speakeasies tend to offer whiskey and bourbon, Capo’s features their martinis, in any way you can imagine. Located right off the strip, this stylish Las Vegas speakeasy is open for lunch and dinner throughout the week.
This stand-alone building has become known as the industry clubhouse: a place where bartenders and other industry enthusiasts frequent in their downtime. Taking the art of “craft cocktails” to a whole new level, Herbs & Rye take their drink preparation very seriously, and hold themselves to the highest standards. Breaking down cocktails by era: Prohibition, Tiki, and Rat Pack, offer just a few history lessons in booze. Libations made at Herbs & Rye are prepared meticulously, with care and authenticity, to set the standard for modern craft cocktails.
Las Vegas Speakeasies are secret, hole-in-the wall spots, each with a unique set of characteristics that set it apart from the rest. Be sure to check out these hidden bars and learn the secrets that keep the locals coming back and draw in new tourists, everyday. Have the ultimate Prohibition Era experience by staying in the oldest hotel in Vegas and visiting these Las Vegas speakeasy bars that have been modeled after those of the 1920s!
