Under the Neon Lights: Unveiling Las Vegas Hidden Bars and Speakeasies

Las Vegas is known for its bright lights and casinos, but there’s a quieter, more mysterious side to the city waiting to be discovered. Hidden behind unassuming doors or tucked away in the back side of food halls, Las Vegas’s secret bars and speakeasies offer a unique drinking experience for those looking to escape the usual tourist traps.

The charm of these secret spots lies in their hushed ambiance, a nod to the prohibition era where a password could unlock an evening of clandestine revelry. As we delve into the modern-day resurgence of speakeasies in Vegas, you’ll find that each hidden bar has its own unique character, from whimsical themes to personalized cocktails crafted with a touch of theatrical flair.

This post will guide you to some of the best-hidden watering holes in Las Vegas, offering you a glimpse into the city’s lesser-known, but equally dazzling, nocturnal world. So, if you’re up for a night of adventure with a sprinkle of the unknown, come explore the hidden bars and speakeasies of Las Vegas with us.

The Laundry Room

Located in the Fremont East District of Downtown within Commonwealth cocktail bar, The Laundry Room is a clandestine haven hidden behind a bookcase. Once a laundry facility for the historic El Cortez casino, it now embodies the essence of a true speakeasy.

Entry is gained by acquiring a secret phone number from the Commonwealth staff and then texting for a password. Once inside, guests can enjoy classic cocktails by mixologist Anthony Partridge with a modern twist in an intimate setting.

This quaint speakeasy adheres to a set of house rules reminiscent of bygone eras, including a no cell phone policy, ensuring a retreat into a world where mixology takes center stage.

• Hours: Daily 5 pm – Late

1923 Prohibition Bar

Situated upstairs from the House of Blues and adjacent to the Minus5 Ice Bar inside The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, this speakeasy is a retreat into a different era.

With a menu boasting 50 different bourbons and whiskeys, 1923 Prohibition Bar is a haven for those with a palate for refined spirits. The bar’s signature cocktail, the 1923 Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned, is a modern variation of the timeless “Original Cocktail” featuring Kentucky Straight Bourbon aged with Amaro Averna, Ferrand Dry Curacao, and Bitters.

The 1923 Prohibition Bar is more than just a hidden bar; it’s an experience that transports you back to the charm of the Prohibition era, right in the heart of modern-day Las Vegas.

• Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11 am – 12 am / Fri-Sat: 11 am – 2 am

The Underground

The Underground at The Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas offers a captivating escape to the Prohibition era. Nestled in the museum’s basement, this immersive exhibit doubles as a functioning speakeasy and distillery, presenting a tactile journey back to the 1920s.

Patrons can revel in the ambiance of a bygone era, surrounded by genuine artifacts and Prohibition-era memorabilia that adorn the space

Entry to this hidden gem requires a password, which can be found on their website, adding a layer of intrigue to the experience. Alongside its spirited offerings, The Underground provides a tangible glimpse into the past, making each visit both entertaining and educational​

• Hours: Mon-Wed: 11 am – 10 pm / Thurs-Fri: 11 am – 12 am / Sat-Sun: 12 pm – 12 am

Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails

Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails, tucked within The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, offers a dual experience. By day, it’s a men’s grooming salon offering haircuts and shaves. Come nightfall, a janitor’s door in the back reveals a dark, seductive whiskey lounge embodying the Prohibition era.

The mismatched chandeliers, leather couches, and vintage furniture set an old-world ambiance, while the stage comes alive with soul-stirring live music. The whiskey-centric menu is paired with inventive cocktails like the Mustache Ride and Bonnie + Clyde, alongside delicious nibbles like Wagyu sliders and lobster tacos.

The seamless transition from a barbershop to a lively speakeasy, with a dash of live music, makes it a unique blend of style, substance, and surprise in the heart of Las Vegas. Access is through the salon’s janitor’s door, with reservations recommended for securing a spot in this enchanting hideaway.

• Hours: Sun-Wed: 8 pm – Close / Thurs-Sat: 6 pm – Close

The Ski Lodge

The Ski Lodge hidden bar is a quaint retreat located inside Superfrico at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The moment you step in, the ambiance transports you to a cozy snowy getaway with its wood paneling, winter-themed decor, and digital windows showcasing serene snowy landscapes.

The genius behind the cocktail menu, Niko Novick, keeps the offerings fresh and eclectic, with seasonal concoctions like Dick’s Milk Punch and the sweet daiquiri, Ultraviolence. The $250 modified Vieux Carre exemplifies the extravagant yet cozy vibe of the place. Guests can also indulge in crispy square-shaped pizzas or a whimsical kit for roasting marshmallows, adding a touch of homely comfort to the experience. Amidst sips of inventive cocktails, guests might be entertained by performers from the neighboring OPM variety show, adding a delightful unexpected twist to the serene setting.

The Ski Lodge, with its warm, woodsy vibe, creatively crafted drinks, and a dash of unexpected entertainment, embodies a unique, tranquil haven within the animated scene of Las Vegas.

• Hours: Daily: 4 pm – Late

Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den

Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den is a hidden bar discreetly tucked behind a small convenience store called Ms. Meow’s Mamak Stall in the Famous Foods Street Eats food hall inside Resorts World Las Vegas. The entrance to this speakeasy is a shelf stocked with potato chips that swings open to reveal a fashionable Far East-inspired lounge.

The ambiance is a blend of cozy and chic with string lights, brick walls, and intricate Asian decor. The cocktail menu is a playful adventure, one standout being “Rinse. And Repeat” – a duo of mini cocktails served side by side, one a blend of Fernet Branca, pineapple, lemon, orgeat, and nutmeg, and the other a mix of Fernet Branca, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, lemon, ginger, and mint. For the bold-hearted, The Golden Ticket is a splurge at $150, crafted with Glenfiddich 23-year Scotch, Lillet Blanc, Cynar & Orange Bitters, and comes with a literal golden ticket to skip the line at Zouk Nightclub or Ayu Dayclub.

This speakeasy doesn’t just stop at inventive cocktails; it morphs with the seasons, having transformed into winter-themed and House of Suntory-sponsored pop-ups in the past year. The secrecy shrouding Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den is part of its charm, inviting the curious to explore a playful, oriental cocktail haven.

• Hours: Sun-Thurs: 4:30 pm – Late / Fri-Sat: 3 pm – Late

The Lock

The Lock is a hidden bar inside The Cabinet of Curiosities at Horseshoe Hotel & Casino that offers a whimsical cocktail experience in Las Vegas.

Accessible via a massive safe door, The Lock invites guests to a world where mixologists craft magic in liquid form. On entering, patrons are handed a secret menu order form to jot down their preferences based on mood, zodiac element, and style, guiding the bartenders to concoct a personalized drink.

The journey to unlock The Lock is an adventure in itself, requiring reservations, a vintage telephone, a password, and a knack for cracking codes. Once inside, the intimate setting, adorned with prohibition-era aesthetics, welcomes guests to savor crafted cocktails, with the ambiance echoing tales of the speakeasy era. The Lock not only offers a sip of finely crafted cocktails but serves an immersive experience wrapped in mystery and vintage allure, making each visit a narrative waiting to unfold in the heart of Las Vegas.

• Hours: Sun-Thurs: 4 pm – 12 am / Fri-Sat: 4 pm – 1 am

Ghost Bar

Originating from New York City, Ghost Donkey: Mezcal & Tequila Lounge finds its cozy corner in the Block 16 Urban Food Hall at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

This speakeasy, seating only a handful of guests, embraces a year-long festive spirit with Christmas lights adorning its ceiling. Ghost Donkey is an ode to the agave spirit, with a dazzling array of mezcal offerings that can be savored in curated tasting flights or as part of meticulously crafted cocktails embodying the essence of traditional Mexican spirits and artisanal brands.

And when the cravings kick in, the Truffle Nachos are there to satiate, offering a gourmet twist on a classic lounge snack.

The entrance to this hidden realm is a humble door marked with a donkey in the back corner of Block 16 Urban Food Hall (level two of The Cosmopolitan Boulevard Tower).

• Hours: Sun-Thurs: 4 pm – 12 am / Fri-Sat: 4 pm – 2 am

Más Por Favor

Nestled in a Chinatown strip mall (3879 Spring Mountain Rd), Más Por Favor initially welcomes you with the warm, open embrace of a colorful taqueria. Yet, a mere inquiry about “Tonight’s Delight” at the cashier unveils a clandestine adventure awaiting.

As you traverse through a secret hallway, fashioned after a drug tunnel with faux “cocaine” bags, the narrative unfolds into a vibrant, dimly lit speakeasy parlor. Here, the love affair with tequila and mezcal takes center stage, orchestrating a symphony of cocktails that dance between tradition and modern flair. Among the stellar drinks, the Flower Power cocktail beckons with a blend of Casamigos tequila, hibiscus infused agave, and delicate edible flowers, creating a visually stunning and tantalizingly sweet concoction. And if the spirits summon hunger, the front house’s scrumptious tacos, especially the No-Boo combo, promise to satisfy.

Amid the vintage Mexican aura, Más Por Favor effortlessly marries the whimsical with the authentic, making each visit a delightful escape into a hidden retreat of culinary and mixological wonders.

• Hours: Daily: 3 pm – Late

Easy’s

Amid the lively atmosphere of Aria‘s Proper Eats Food Hall lies a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by the discerning patrons. This gem is Easy’s, a clandestine bar and lounge tucked behind a doughnut counter.

Once past the modest doughnut shop facade, you enter a space that exudes a vintage charm, with a jazz trio enlivening the ambiance. The low lighting reveals a meticulously curated vintage decor, the carpet and ceiling sharing a reflective ornate design.

It’s here where mixologist Eric Hobbie crafts an array of both classic and imaginative cocktails. Among the offerings, the “Smoke Show” cocktail stands out with its theatrical presentation. Priced at $50, this concoction blends Angels Envy Bourbon, banana liqueur, sweet vermouth, and chocolate bitters, accompanied by tobacco-wrapped chocolate and candied cigarettes. The spectacle doesn’t end at the mix; it’s served in a cigar box with a dry ice smoking ashtray, adding a layer of mystique to your drinking experience.

So, if your evening calls for extravagant cocktails, live jazz, and a taste of opulence, Easy’s is where you should be heading.

Last Call: Unmasking the Hidden Nightlife of Las Vegas

In the heart of the city that never sleeps, nestled amidst the neon lights, lies a treasure trove of hidden bars and speakeasies waiting to be discovered. They are the whispered secrets of Las Vegas, each with a unique story to tell. As you step through unassuming doors, you’re transported into a bygone era, where every cocktail tells a story and every nook holds a mystery.

From the clandestine charm of Ghost Donkey to the vintage allure of Easy’s, these secret havens offer a respite from Las Vegas’ vibrant nightlife, promising an adventure for those willing to seek it. Whether you’re a connoisseur of fine spirits or a seeker of the undiscovered, these hidden bars invite you to explore a lesser-known, yet equally enchanting, side of Las Vegas.

So next time the city lights beckon, venture beyond the beaten path, and immerse yourself in the whispered lore of Las Vegas’ hidden speakeasies!