Once secret spots for illicit drinking, speakeasies are now staples of bar culture. Borne of necessity during Prohibition, which lasted in the United States from 1920 until 1933, these hidden spaces were concealed venues where patrons could buy and consume boozy beverages out of sight of law enforcement and Temperance movement do-gooders.
Of course, Prohibition didn’t actually stop people from drinking. Rather, it fueled a desire for bars and lounges that were, often by necessity, small, dark and windowless. Once alcohol was legalized again, many of these moody, private spaces endured. Then, in the early aughts, the craft cocktail movement dovetailed with a resurgence of modern speakeasies that captured a mysterious, Prohibition-era vibe. Today, fervor for these spaces—pioneered by bars like The Blind Barber and Please Don’t Tell, both in New York City—has hit full tilt, spreading to cities on nearly every continent.
Some modern speakeasies have become status symbols for the “if you know, you know” crowd, offering unique aesthetics and high-end drinking experiences. Many reveal their locations or nightly passwords only on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, adding to an air of exclusivity.
They often look the part, too, with themed decor and dramatic lighting. Some evoke a vintage 1920s look, while others feature innovative interiors based on another era or an escapist theme. Naturally, digs like these require equally impressive cocktails, and many establishments boast impressive menus that regularly land them in drinking guides.
As for the speakeasies that deserve a spot on your must-visit list? From a cavernous bar accessed via a flower shop to a fake detective agency and even a hidden bar within a hidden bar, these spots from around the globe offer both exciting experiences and delicious cocktails.
Deep Dive
Seattle, Washington
Photography by Haris Kenjar for Deep Dive
This vintage-style lounge is tucked away at the base of The Spheres, Amazon’s futuristic campus in Downtown Seattle. Inspired by marquee hotel bars around the world and with a subtle “under the sea” theme, Deep Dive resembles a worldly collector’s vault.
Its many softly illuminated cabinets and niches are adorned with eccentric objects, artwork and vignettes curated by local artist-gardner Curtis Steiner. Several sculptural floral arrangements add to the intrigue. Seats with deep blue velvet and leather tufted upholstery, plenty of dark wood paneling and a swooping ceiling all provide a sense of intimacy.
The menu by chef Colin Pentinnen encourages wine and cocktail pairings with the food, with recommendations such as the Low, Sloe and Sour—a take on a Sloe gin fizz—and Ramon’s Margarita, which blends banana liqueur, pineapple and a habanero tincture.
Foxglove
Hong Kong
Image Courtesy of Foxglove
In Hong Kong’s Central neighborhood, Foxglove offers an escapist theme designed around a fictional character, Frank Minza, an English gentleman and “a death-defying adventurer with a taste for rare spirits,” according to operator Ming Fat House.
The spot’s design elements nod to the golden age of aviation and travel, such as a replica of a 1940s Gloster jet engine mounted behind the stage, which regularly hosts live music. Deep purple seats contrast the white-lacquered coffered ceiling that curves over the bar.
Cocktails are also inspired by that time period, and the accompanying dim sum menu offers “lyrical flavors, harmonious extracts and nostalgic nuances.” Highlights include the fizzy, fruity White Punch and the Test Pilot, which pairs tropical and coffee flavors and is served in a tiki mug.
Don’t miss out on Frank’s Library—a speakeasy within a speakeasy—which is hidden behind closed curtains and an elevator panel that guests need to unlock in order to enter.
Buck and Breck
Berlin
Image Courtesy of Buck and Breck
If you’re planning to take pictures on your visit to Buck and Breck, you’ll be disappointed. Cell phones are banned inside this discrete spot on Brunnenstrasse in Berlin’s Mitte neighborhood, where, behind an unassuming and frequently changing street facade (making it tricky to locate), visitors must ring a doorbell to enter.
The bartender literally takes center stage here, creating cocktails in the middle of a communal table from color-coded bottles for up to 30 guests at a time. The sleek, contemporary interiors feature a crocodile skin-patterned bar top illuminated by five cylindrical overhead lights, and seats positioned around the bar and in booths on stepped levels.
The creative menu changes frequently and depends on the bartender’s whims. (Also to note: It’s closed on Saturdays.)
Bank Bar
Manila
Image Courtesy of The Moment Group
Perhaps the last place you’d expect to find a chic cocktail lounge is through a 7-Eleven in Manila’s Taguig City. But walk through a stock room, draw back the black curtain and you’ll find this lively little oasis that’s usually busy, colorfully lit and lots of fun.
The lively spirit is echoed in decor that includes a colonnade of arched cutouts that frame a huge mirror behind the bar (it’s great for people watching) as well as on a screen digitally programmed with quirky imagery.
The drink list—amongst the most extensive in Manila—is equally vivacious. Highlights include the whiskey-based Due Diligence and the fruity Queen’s Park Swizzle. It’s worth noting that a strict attire code is enforced: no shorts, sandals or cut-off tees are permitted, so dress to impress for guaranteed entry.
