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Secret Sips & Hidden Hops: The Best Speakeasies in Las Vegas

  • Writer: Samantha Smith
    Samantha Smith
  • Feb 11
  • 5 min read

Updated: Feb 15


Two espresso martinis on a wooden table, each garnished with coffee beans and cocoa powder, on black napkins. Warm, inviting ambiance. Las Vegas Nevada
Espresso martinis served in style at a hidden speakeasy in Las Vegas, Nevada.

If you know anything about me, you know I love a boujee drinking atmosphere. I’m talking velvet booths, moody lighting, and cocktails that come with a dramatic flourish. And nothing—and I mean nothing—hits that sweet spot quite like a speakeasy.

There’s just something about sipping an expertly crafted cocktail in a bar that’s pretending it doesn’t exist. The secrecy. The exclusivity. The thrill of walking through a hidden door and into another era. Speakeasies are the perfect mix of mystery and luxury, and thankfully, Las Vegas is absolutely crawling with them.

So, if you’re ready to ditch the overcrowded casinos and overpriced frozen daiquiris for something way cooler, follow me down the rabbit hole. Here’s a list of the best speakeasy bars in Vegas—just don’t go blabbing about it to everyone, okay?


1. The Laundry Room – The Ultimate Hidden Gem

Inside Commonwealth, Downtown Las Vegas

If you think you can just stroll into The Laundry Room, think again. This ultra-exclusive, 22-seat speakeasy requires a reservation via text message (yes, really), and they take their “no standing, no cell phones” policy very seriously. But once you’re in? Oh, you’re in for a treat.

Tucked away inside Commonwealth, The Laundry Room is a cocktail lover’s dream. The bartenders—sorry, mixologists—whip up bespoke drinks based on your preferences, and trust me, they will blow your mind. Expect intricate flavors, unexpected ingredients, and a vibe so intimate you’ll feel like you stepped into a 1920s hideaway.

How to get in: Text the secret number (find it on their Instagram) and hope they grant you access. Good luck.


The secret door leading into Ghost Donkey a speakeasy bar in The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, NV.
The mysterious entrance to Ghost Donkey, a speakeasy bar in Las Vegas, marked by a playful donkey adorned with flowers.

2. Ghost Donkey – A Mezcal Lover’s Paradise

Inside The Cosmopolitan, behind an unmarked door in the Block 16 Urban Food Hall

Listen, if there’s one thing I love as much as a speakeasy, it’s a speakeasy that serves tacos and mezcal. Enter Ghost Donkey, a hidden Mexican-inspired cocktail lounge that’s got major Día de los Muertos energy.

You’ll find it tucked away behind an unmarked door in The Cosmopolitan’s Block 16 Food Hall. Inside? Think dim red lighting, fun neon signs, and a mezcal selection that could make even the most seasoned agave enthusiast shed a tear of joy. The Truffle Nachos here have achieved legendary status, and if you don’t order a round of Palomas, I’m judging you.

How to get in: Look for the door with the tiny white donkey on it. Knock (metaphorically), enter, and prepare for greatness.


3. 1923 Prohibition Bar – Bourbon, But Make It Classy

Inside Mandalay Bay, behind a secret bookshelf

Some speakeasies go for modern mystery; 1923 Prohibition Bar goes full Boardwalk Empire. This hidden spot inside Mandalay Bay is all about that old-school glamour—think rich wood, vintage décor, and a bourbon selection that could make Gatsby jealous.

The bartenders are pros at crafting old-fashioned (pun intended) cocktails, and there’s even live jazz on certain nights to really set the scene. If you want a speakeasy that feels authentic to the Prohibition era, this is it. Bonus points if you dress the part.

How to get in: Find the unassuming bookshelf inside Mandalay Bay. Spoiler: It’s not just a bookshelf.


Behind the unassuming janitor's closet door lies the hidden entrance to The Barbershop speakeasy in Las Vegas, inviting guests into its clandestine interior.
Behind the unassuming janitor's closet door lies the hidden entrance to The Barbershop speakeasy in Las Vegas, inviting guests into its clandestine interior.

6.The Barbershop – A Swanky Secret Worth Finding

Inside The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas

Think you’re just getting a haircut? Think again. Behind an unassuming janitor’s door inside an actual barbershop at The Cosmopolitan lies one of the slickest speakeasies in Vegas. Welcome to The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails—where vintage charm meets modern indulgence, and the whiskey flows as smoothly as the live music.

Once you step through the hidden entrance, you’ll find yourself in a dimly lit, Prohibition-era lounge dripping in leather, velvet, and old-school swagger. The bar is stocked with an impressive selection of whiskeys, and the cocktails? Absolute perfection. Bonus: live bands keep the energy high, so expect an unforgettable night filled with smooth sips and even smoother tunes.

How to get in: Walk through the barbershop, find the secret door, and act like you belong. Or, better yet, book a table—this hidden gem gets packed.


5. The Vault at 1923 – A Secret Inside a Secret

Inside Mandalay Bay, but even more exclusive

Okay, so you’ve found 1923 Prohibition Bar. Cool. But did you know there’s an even more hidden bar within the bar? That’s right—The Vault at 1923 is a speakeasy within a speakeasy, and you definitely want to find it.

The only way in? A special password that changes regularly. If you manage to gain entry, you’ll be rewarded with an intimate, upscale setting where the cocktails are next-level. This is for true speakeasy lovers who like their drinks with a side of exclusivity.

How to get in: First, get into 1923 Prohibition Bar. Then? Hope you’re worthy of The Vault.


6. Ski Lodge – A Winter Wonderland in the Desert

Inside The Cosmopolitan, hidden behind Superfrico

Vegas is all about excess, so of course, there’s a speakeasy that looks like a freaking Alpine ski lodge. Hidden behind the psychedelic Italian restaurant Superfrico, this speakeasy serves up cozy, après-ski vibes in the middle of the desert.

Think warm lighting, ski chalet décor, and a cocktail menu that includes boozy hot chocolates and playful twists on classic drinks. If you’ve ever wanted to sip an espresso martini while pretending you just got back from the slopes in Aspen, this is your place.

How to get in: Go through Superfrico and look for the hidden entrance. Or just follow the people who look like they’re in on a secret.


Entrance to Beauty & Essex in Las Vegas, a speakeasy-style bar and restaurant designed to look like a pawn shop. Located in The Cosmopolitan hotel.
Entrance to Beauty & Essex in Las Vegas, a speakeasy-style bar and restaurant designed to look like a pawn shop.

7. Beauty & Essex – Because Drinks Taste Better in a Pawn Shop

Inside The Cosmopolitan, hidden behind a pawn shop

If there’s one thing I love more than a boujee drinking atmosphere, it’s a speakeasy that makes you work for your luxury experience. Enter Beauty & Essex, a hidden gem masquerading as a pawn shop. Yes, you read that right—you literally walk through a pawn shop before stepping into one of the most glamorous cocktail lounges in Vegas.

Once inside, prepare to be dazzled by chandeliers, plush seating, and a menu that screams fancy but make it fun. The cocktails here are as gorgeous as they are delicious (think champagne cocktails with edible flowers), but the grilled cheese dumplings with tomato soup? Absolute perfection. It’s the ultimate comfort food, but make it upscale. You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced a crispy, melty dumpling in a tiny spoonful of rich tomato soup while sipping champagne.

How to get in: Walk into the pawn shop inside The Cosmopolitan, act casual, and find the hidden entrance. Once inside, pretend you’re an A-list celeb—because honestly, the vibe here demands it.


Final Thoughts: Because Drinking Should Be an Adventure

Sure, you could just hit up the nearest casino bar, but where’s the fun in that? Speakeasies bring a sense of mystery and adventure to your night out, and Vegas does them better than anywhere else. From secret doors to hidden passwords, these bars make every cocktail feel like an exclusive VIP experience.

So next time you’re in Sin City, ditch the overcrowded clubs, track down a hidden gem, and sip your way through the best speakeasies in town. And remember: if anyone asks how you found out about these places… you didn’t hear it from me.

 
 
 

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