Here’s How to Get Into the Most Secret Bars in Las Vegas

Sip a clandestine cocktail at these hidden bars in Sin City.

Pier 17 Yacht Club
Photo by Anthony Mair, courtesy of Pier 17 Yacht Club
Photo by Anthony Mair, courtesy of Pier 17 Yacht Club

Can you keep a secret? Las Vegas is full of great bars, but sometimes you want a drink where character, style, and discretion are held in high regard. A wave of speakeasy-style bars are welcoming customers on and off the Strip, taking inspiration from the era of Prohibition, when booze was strong and served on the sly. As a new Roaring '20s continues to define the modern era, it's easier to sip and socialize these days without the threat of cops barging in. So check out the best secretive speakeasy bars in Las Vegas. We'll give you the rundown on not only the drinks and atmosphere but how to get there and, if needed, talk your way inside.

Easy's

Aria
$$$$

You'd never expect extravagant cocktails, caviar, and live music inside a food hall, but this is Las Vegas, where there's always something fun around every corner. In this case, the "corner" is Easy's, a hidden bar and lounge behind the doughnut counter at Proper Eats Food Hall. It's an intimate space with a contagious social energy and a stage just large enough for a jazz trio to provide the entertainment. The lights are low, but look around, and you'll notice vintage furniture and a carpet that reflectively matches the same design on the ceiling. Mixologist Eric Hobbie's menu ranges from classic cocktails in proper glassware to inventive "Show Stoppers" with interactive presentations and a $50 price tag. Shroomin' is a fun one, designed to share with a blend of gin and matcha inside two mushroom-shaped glasses that "grow" upon presentation on a tray of moss and flowers. Sip slowly while enjoying full caviar service with your favorite accouterments.
How to get in: Look for the red velvet rope next to Easy's Donut Shop. Reservations are a good idea.

Ski Lodge
Photo courtesy of Ski Lodge

Ski Lodge

The Cosmopolitan
$$$$

The Ski Lodge is a hidden bar inside Superfrico, a place where art, quirks, and spectacle come together in an experiential Italian restaurant. The secluded lounge is more low-key, living up to its name with wood paneling, winter-themed decor, and digital windows to showcase snowy landscapes. Niko Novick's cocktail menu is always eclectic, frequently evolving with seasonal updates. Current highlights include Dick's Milk Punch (a tropical Old Fashioned with a fresh splash of pineapple juice) and Ultraviolence, which despite the aggressive name, is a sweet daiquiri that tastes like carrot cake. Sticky Pajamas is a lychee martini with aquafaba instead of egg whites for a gentle foam on top. If you have money to burn, a modified Vieux Carre with Louis XIII and WhistlePig Boss Hog is a mere $250. Whatever you drink, ask for a crispy square-shaped pizza or kit for roasting marshmallows. Every now and then, performers from the neighboring OPM variety show stop by to add a splash of entertainment to the festivities.
How to get in: Enter the main entrance of Superfrico and ask for directions.

Wakuda
Photo courtesy of Wakuda Omakase Bar

Wakuda Omakase Bar

Venetian
$$$$

Wakuda, one of the best places for upscale Japanese cuisine in Las Vegas, recently unveiled the only full-fledged omakase room on the Strip, with reservations available Friday and Saturday nights. It's something of a two-part experience, beginning with a reception in a private bar tucked behind a dark wall with Japanese graffiti to identify a secret door. Much like an omakase meal itself, there's no menu. The restaurant's head of mixology tailors cocktails to guest preferences with exceptional ingredients, from Asian spirits and Japanese bitters to house-made syrups and squeezed-on-the-spot juices. The drinks are served alongside a few canapes, including sliced Iberico ham, foie gras toast, and truffle choux.
How to get in: The private bar is only available for those who book reservations for the omakase room.

Pier 17 Yacht Club
Photo by Anthony Mair, courtesy of Pier 17 Yacht Club

Pier 17 Yacht Club

Caesars Palace
$$$$

Absinthe is one of the best shows in Las Vegas–a raunchy spectacle inside a big top on the outdoor grounds of Caesars Palace. Part of the fun is hanging out in the surrounding Green Fairy Garden, which has developed into an entertainment spot of its own in recent months with a towering illuminated LED tree and No Pants (a series of food truck counters serving cocktails, coffee, and munchies). Hidden behind a path of shrubbery is Pier 17 Yacht Club, named in honor of Absinthe's original Manhattan wharf location by the Brooklyn Bridge. The intimate speakeasy makes the most of its limited space with a nautical theme, vintage wallpaper, and black and white photos celebrating the legacy of the production. Some cocktails are exclusives. Others are scratch-made versions of the batched drinks sold during the show. A traditional Sazerac uses either rye or cognac. Here, the "Gazerac" uses both. The mezcal-fueled Tantric Turnbuckle is another good option, featuring hints of aloe and wormwood. There's extra seating outdoors, string lights for atmosphere, and a deliciously messy short rib burger available with tots on the side (and the option to add caviar on top). The playlist skews toward yacht rock classics, of course, but a DJ takes command of the rooftop on weekends.
How to get in: Pier 17 Yacht Club is open to the general public. You don't need Absinthe tickets to get in. Look for it in the southeast corner of the Green Fairy Garden.

The Cabinet of Curiosities
Photo courtesy of The Cabinet of Curiosities

This experiential lounge was designed by the same people behind attractions like Real Bodies and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition and it definitely has entertainment value. The Cabinet of Curiosities is the main space, serving signature cocktails and pick-your-own classics alongside rows of vintage cabinets stocked with oddities and knick-knacks—everything and anything from creepy dolls to weird fossils and an old typewriter. Pull up descriptions about each one with a QR code. A bank vault entrance leads to The Lock, a secluded speakeasy in the back that requires entry through a second door or, if you're flexible, a smaller crawlspace. A digital passcode is needed, but don't worry; that's easy to come by. The Lock has its own menu, but guests are encouraged to fill out an "order form" for custom creations as well. Questions include "Current mood?" and "Favorite destination?" Silent films play on the wall, and The Lock has a hidden VIP for even more privacy in an already private place.
How to get in: The Cabinet of Curiosities is downstairs from the casino floor at Bally's. The entrance to The Lock has a vintage telephone next to it. Pick it up for a password to get inside.

Gambit
Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist

Gambit

Henderson
$$$$

Gambit allows guests to choose their own adventure in Henderson. The Bank is the main lounge with video poker and an outdoor patio, while Gatsby's Supper Club is a sit-down dining room with a stage for live music. The menu features steaks, seafood, and flatbreads. Yet the best place for cocktails is 33, a tequila and mezcal speakeasy hidden in the back. It's an intimate but stylish space with a touch of Dia de los Muertos-inspired decor. The collection of agave spirits (and a few welcome surprises like Sierra Norte Mexican Whiskey and Camazotz Oaxacan Rum) can be sipped on their own or used in a choice of expertly prepared cocktails, including a modified negroni or smoky paloma. A flight of any three tequilas is $30.
How to get in: The 33 speakeasy is behind a sliding mirror wall to the left of the main entrance. You'll see people walking in and out, but feel free to ask for help.

Cleveland's The Lounge
Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist

Cleveland's The Lounge

Boulder City
$$$$

If you're taking a quick day trip to Boulder City, Cleveland's The Lounge is the best place to grab a craft cocktail. The secluded bar opened in late 2019, closed during the pandemic, and is now back at full force with regular live music on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays on a corner stage. It's actually owned and operated by a guy named Cleveland and is located on the basement level of the Boulder Dam Hotel, which dates back to the 1930s. The history only adds to the timeless feel of the lounge, a dark and moody spot with locally painted artwork, black drapes, and dim lighting. You can't go wrong with the Old Fashioned, muddled with just the right amount of cherries, a Godfather made with Glenlivet 12 Year, or The 1933, created by an in-house bartender with Nevada-produced 10 Torr gin specifically in mind.
How to get in: Enter the Boulder Dam Hotel and look for a downward staircase to the left of the lobby's check-in desk.

The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails
Photo by David J. Crewe, courtesy of Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails

Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails

The Cosmopolitan
$$$$

Think of Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails as two businesses in one. By day, it's a men's grooming salon, good for a haircut or shave. At night, guests enter in the back, which opens up to a dark and seductive whiskey lounge with a stage for live music. It's an impressive sight with mismatched chandeliers, leather couches, and other vintage furniture. Order scotch for bottle service, or choose something fun from the cocktail menu. You can't go wrong with the Mustache Ride, a frothy vanilla, cherry, and almond mix of whiskey and Guinness. The rye-based Bonnie + Clyde comes with enough booze for two and a take-home flask, while the Six String Sling, featuring a mix of Japanese whiskey and scotch, is served in a glass with guitar-shaped ice. The lounge offers Wagyu sliders, lobster tacos, and other fun snacks as well.
How to get in: Walk through the salon and look for a janitor's door in the back, which opens up to the speakeasy. Try your luck with a seat at the bar, or make a reservation in advance.

Màs Por Favor Taqueria y Tequila
Photo courtesy of Mas Por Favor

Más Por Favor

Chinatown
$$$$

At first glance, Más Por Favor looks like a bright, open taqueria in a Chinatown strip mall—which is pretty great all by itself. But off to the side is a secret hallway, modeled after a drug tunnel (with bags of "cocaine" as decoration), leading to a dark but wonderfully vibrant speakeasy parlor. The cocktails skew toward tequila and mezcal with a dynamic variety of flavors. Some go down a little too easily. The red or white sangria (neither overly sweet) carries more volume and lasts longer. Casamigos Margaritas are on tap, with house-infused jalapeno bitters and other modifications encouraged. And yes, you can order the same delicious tacos sold out front. The No-Boo combo of carne asada, truffle, and artichoke is especially tasty. The kitchen's take on a Frito Pie offers the option of using Doritos instead. Más Por Favor is big on special events and recently hosted "Vanderpump Rules" viewing parties to take advantage of the high-drama "Scandoval" headlines.
How to get in: Play it safe and book a reservation.

Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den
Photo courtesy of Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den

Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den

Resorts World
$$$$

Hidden behind a small convenience store at Famous Foods Street Eats food hall, Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den is a speakeasy with a fashionable Far East image, setting a mood with string lights, brick walls, and Asian decor. The cocktails are an eclectic bunch, ranging from the sweetness of Pancakes & Dopamine (rum with banana, brown sugar, and cinnamon) to the strength of Thousand Cranes (a cranberry and cardamom negroni). If you want to go big, try Rinse & Repeat (two Fernet cocktails side by side) or The Golden Ticket (a $150 libation made with Glenfiddich 23-year Scotch that comes with an actual ticket to skip the line at Zouk Nightclub or Ayu Dayclub). The lounge likes to play around with the format here and there, transforming into winter-themed and House of Suntory-sponsored pop-ups within the past year.
How to get in: Look for a small convenience store named Ms. Meow's Mamak Stall in the middle of Famous Foods Street Eats. One of the shelves (the one stocked with potato chips) pushes open to reveal the speakeasy. This is for serious guests only. Anyone wanting "just a look" is usually turned away.

The Laundry Room
Photo by Anthony Mair, courtesy of The Laundry Room

The Laundry Room

Fremont East
$$$$

Commonwealth is a popular bar in the Fremont East district, but the Laundry Room—hidden behind the back wall underneath the stairs—carries the spirit of an authentic speakeasy. Originally part of the laundry facility for the historic El Cortez casino across the street, the intimate space accepts guests by reservation only with a limited number of seats. Browse the menu for original cocktails—with cool names like The Deadpan and Arsenic Meets Lace—or just talk with the bartender about creating a customized, balanced libation based on flavor, aroma, and mood. No matter what you get, every drink is $18. Pay attention to the house rules—no cell phones, no PDA, and no rowdy behavior. Just set the real world aside and get lost in true mixology.
How to get in: Make a reservation, and you'll probably get on the Laundry Room's exclusive text list, which will be the best way to book subsequent visits. Walk-ups at the entrance (a spray-painted door on 6th Street near Fremont) could get lucky, but timing is everything, so don't count on it.

The Underground
Photo courtesy of The Underground at Mob Museum

The Underground

Downtown
$$$$

The Mob Museum is a cool place to learn about Vegas' obsession with organized crime and comes with a fully operational speakeasy in the basement. While it feels like a natural continuation of the exhibits on the upper levels, the Underground is the real deal and stays open long past museum hours. Hang out in the main room, where live music plays on weekends, or score a seat in the private VIP area, hidden behind a wall and lined with authentic artwork from the Roaring '20s. Most of the drinks are based on recipe books from the Prohibition-era, like a Southside Gin Mojito or an Old Fashioned served in a glass flask from a hollowed-out book. An in-house distillery serves up some light-bodied corn-based moonshine, so ask for a shot on the side. Check the online schedule for the latest specials and tasting events.
How to get in: The Underground is accessible through the museum itself or from a quiet entrance around the corner. The latest password is listed online, but expect to get in, regardless of what you say.

Golden Tiki
Photo courtesy of Golden Tiki

The Golden Tiki

Chinatown
$$$$

This modern take on a classic tiki bar is dark, mysterious, and full of kitschy decor. The drinks are dominated by fruity, tropical rum cocktails—organized on the menu by strength level—but head mixologist Adam Rains knows how to work in well-balanced recipes and intriguing spirits. Most cocktails can be turned into a shareable bowl, given a photogenic shot of fire, or topped off with Dole Whip, a frozen treat originally only served at Disneyland. The Golden Tiki is open round the clock and hosts a daily happy hour 4-7 pm.
How to get in: Walk in through a lava rock cave, pass by a waterfall, and keep your eyes peeled for a talking skeleton, fully loaded treasure chest, and a conch shell large enough to sit inside.

Herbs & Rye
Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist

Herbs & Rye

Off the Strip
$$$$

The term "craft cocktail" is tossed around a little too freely these days, but few bars take the art of preparing the perfect drink as seriously as Herbs & Rye. The standalone building east of the Strip has long been known as an industry clubhouse; a place where bartenders from other establishments say they like to go on their downtime. With dark decor and a heavy oak bartop, the place is comfortable but commands attention. The menu itself is a virtual textbook on the history of booze, breaking down cocktails by eras like Prohibition, Tiki, and Rat Pack. Everything is prepared with care and authenticity, often with spirits not easily found in other bars. The food isn't bad either, and steaks are half-off during happy hour, which has been extended throughout the evening since the early days of the pandemic.
How to get in: Doors open at 5 pm. Feel free to make a reservation.

Ghost Donkey

The Cosmopolitan
$$$$

Ghost Donkey is tucked away in the back corner of the Block 16 Urban Food Hall at the Cosmopolitan. The New York import seats just a handful of guests and is totally fine with Christmas lights dangling from the ceiling year-round. Agave spirits are the specialty, whether sipped on their own or in a lineup of wildly inventive cocktails. Tequila, categorized by region on the spirits list, is used to equal effect in an espresso martini, paloma, or swizzle with house-made ginger beer. Mezcal appears in thoughtful recipes that complement the often smoky flavor of the spirit, including a Manhattan variation with the unique combination of purple corn whiskey and coconut. If you get hungry, order one of four loaded gourmet nacho plates.
How to get in: In true speakeasy style, the bar's exterior is easy to miss—identifiable only by a single understated door with a picture of a donkey on it.

Parlor Room
Photo by Patrick Michael Chin, courtesy of The Parlor Room

The Parlor Room

Park MGM
$$$$

Take a sharp turn in the back corner of the main dining room at Bavette's Steakhouse, and you'll find yourself in the Parlor Room, a hidden bar with vintage chandeliers, plush furniture, and a crowded collage of artwork and mirrors on the wall. The drink menu—heavy on scotch, martinis, and Old Fashioned variations—isn't any different from the one in the main dining room, but the atmosphere is loose and cozy. The same can be said for the playlist, which leans toward lounge and chill hip-hop.
How to get in: The Parlor Room is only open on weekends or busy weeknights when something big is happening (like a Golden Knights game at the T-Mobile Arena or a concert at Dolby Live).

Datamosh
Photo by Laurent Velazquez, courtesy of Datamosh

Datamosh

Off the Strip
$$$$

It's not widely publicized, but Omega Mart (the AREA15 art installation by Meow Wolf that spoofs a grocery store) has its own intimate bar named Datamosh, said to be a pharmacy that exists in another dimension. Much like Meow Wolf itself, the drinks are playful. Some are served in a wobbly silicone cup. Others come in a container that changes color based on the temperature. The most fun? The Source (a mix of mezcal and and lillet blanc that's topped with a rosemary-infused bubble) and Old Fashioned Spray (a blue raspberry Old Fashioned served in an off-center glass and sprayed with a liquid that may or may not resemble Windex). The bar itself is bathed in a variety of colors that change frequently.
How to get in: You must have a ticket for Omega Mart to enter Datamosh. It's around a corner on the north side of the attraction.

Capo's Italian Steakhouse
Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist

Capo's

Off the Strip
$$$$

Capo's is a restaurant with a mafia theme and a busy bar area. The building used to be a Hooters, but that was years ago. Now, the windows are covered, the lighting is dark, and photos of Al Capone and other classic mob figures line the walls. The music ranges from Frank Sinatra to Frankie Valli. This is old-school, Jersey-style Italian. No messin' around. So grab a seat in that red leather booth and order the best Italian beef sandwich in Vegas or the so-weird-it-works Caesar salad with pasta and a meatball on top. While most speakeasies tend to favor whiskey and bourbon, Capo's is all about martinis. Ask for the off-menu "Sharon Stone" (in honor of the movie Casino), which comes as dirty as it wants to be. Spoiler: The public phone at the entrance isn't really a public phone.
How to get in: A voice from behind a small window will ask for a password, but anything you come up with will probably get you inside. You can also try calling 702-364-2276 to score a reservation.

1923 Prohibition Bar
Photo courtesy of 1932 Prohibition Bar

1923 Prohibition Bar

Mandalay Bay
$$$$

1923 Prohibition Bar isn't quite as secretive as it used to be. Formerly known as 1923 Bourbon Bar, the lounge moved from its longtime location under the escalators in the Shoppes at Mandalay Place to a more intimate second-level space next to Minus 5 Ice Bar. Both venues are under the same ownership and connect in the back for customized experiences. Private buyouts are a big part of the business plan. The space is designed to set a mood with vintage furniture, Roaring 20s decor, and low lighting with brick accents, chandeliers, and deep red hues. The extensive bourbon selection can be enjoyed as a flight, served neat, or as part of a barrel-aged Manhattan or Old Fashioned. Live musicians and burlesque dancers perform on weekends.
How to get in: Look for the bookshelf to the left of Minus 5 Ice Bar and knock on it to get inside. Yeah, the sign above it is a dead giveaway, but have fun and play along.

Downtown Cocktail Room
Photo by Krystal Ramirez, courtesy of Downtown Cocktail Room

The Downtown Cocktail Room is the perfect combination of authenticity and ingenuity—two things you don't always see so close to the Fremont Street tourist trap. Established long before the Downtown resurgence, "DCR" was designed as a word-of-mouth destination with a trick door initially meant to keep the average drunk from stumbling in. The mixology team is always on its toes, revamping the drink lineup every season. Hundreds of original cocktails have appeared across more than 50 menus over the years. If that wasn't enough, the back room was transformed into another bar entirely—Mike Morey's Sip'nTip—with its own menu, vibe, and entrance from the alley. Think of it as a speakeasy within a speakeasy.
How to get in: Take a moment to figure out the main door facing Las Vegas Boulevard. Just look for the glass panel that appears slightly different from the rest and push—don't pull—to get inside.

Rob Kachelriess is a full-time freelance writer who covers travel, dining, entertainment, and other fun stuff for Thrillist. He's based in Las Vegas but enjoys exploring destinations throughout the world, especially in the Southwest United States. Otherwise, he's happy to hang out at home with his wife Mary and their family of doggies. Follow him on Twitter @rkachelriess.