During Prohibition, hundreds of secret bars, or speakeasies, popped up throughout California. These under-the-radar establishments bucked temperance laws to pour potent potables in hidden spots like attics, backrooms, and basements, where anyone with the right connections could enjoy a sip. Today, some of the originals have remained in operation, while other speakeasy-themed bars pay homage to this glamorously illicit era.
A cocktail bar accessible through a false bookshelf, an intimate speakeasy where you need a physical key to enter, and an immersive tiki bar hidden in a San Diego restaurant—the Golden State offers these options for cocktail lovers who thrive on finding secretive destinations. Sip in secret at these fabulous establishments, listed south to north.
False Idol
Location: San Diego
Head through the walk-in fridge in San Diego’s Little Italy to discover this Polynesian hideaway. Part tiki bar, part speakeasy, False Idol is hidden inside trendy gastropub Craft & Commerce. Hundreds of colored glass buoys and preserved pufferfish cover the ceiling, while water trickles and fire spouts from the wall. The cocktails are equally enthralling—try the punch bowl–style Alkala the Fierce, a chai-infused bourbon blended with dark rum, vanilla, pimento dram, and orgeat. Every time someone orders it, it causes the bar's “volcano” to erupt and its seats to shake.
Coin-Op
Location: Temecula
Temecula’s spin on the barcade trend levels up with a speakeasy-like twist: the “mystery tap.” Order it blind and your pint could be a crisp kölsch or a small-batch IPA from a local brewery. If beer isn’t your move, Coin-Op pairs pinball and retro cabinets with a legit cocktail program. Think: whiskey smashes with backyard mint, rum old fashioneds, and tart slushies. Shareable snacks range from soft pretzels to loaded tots—all of which fuel marathon Donkey Kong runs. Early evening is family-friendly, while later, the lights dim, and the playlists go nostalgic.
The Blind Rabbit
Location: Anaheim
This 1920s-style club, complete with low lighting, eclectic glassware, and a 1905 working piano, is tucked behind a stack of sake barrels in the Anaheim Packing House. The exclusive 550-square-foot bar hits capacity at 30 guests, and reservations are mandatory. Try the Pumpkin Pasty Punch for a decadent and smooth fall drink. Small plates like crab cakes and duck mac ‘n’ cheese help soak up the liquor. Think you’ll return? Regulars can opt to reserve a personal locker to keep their favorite bottle under lock and key.
The Exhibition Room
Location: Long Beach
Tucked behind Roxanne’s in Long Beach’s California Heights neighborhood, The Exhibition Room makes a show out of secrecy. First, step into the vintage phone booth, lift the receiver, and a hidden door clicks open to reveal a velvet-draped, Prohibition-themed salon. Inside, bartenders pour era-perfect martinis, sidecars, and Sazeracs alongside seasonal originals. Lighting is low, conversation is encouraged, and live jazz is part of the ambiance. Just make sure you’re dressed to impress; the bar doesn’t allow jeans, t-shirts, or anything else too casual.
Spire 73
Location: Los Angeles
Perched atop the luxury InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, Spire 73 bills itself as the highest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere. The crowd is a mix of hotel guests and locals, and everyone is sipping polished classics set against a dramatic downtown background. Ask about the Propeller Punch, an off-menu order that only “takes flight” when a helicopter buzzes by. Small plates lean high-end (Wagyu sliders, truffle fries) and pair well with anything bubbly. Reservations are a must, especially on weekends.
The Lucky Tiki
Location: West Hollywood
Hidden behind the Tail O’ the Pup hot dog stand in West Hollywood, The Lucky Tiki is a campy cocktail spot steeped in serious L.A. lore. First, to get in, find the pickle barrel with a tiny door. Once buzzed in, you’ll step into a moody, Polynesian-inspired space tucked within a former recording studio (where The Doors once laid down tracks). Expect puffer-fish lamps and a soundtrack that swings from exotica to classic rock. Don’t forget to grab a chili dog on your way out. Reservations can be booked up to 30 days in advance online.
Lo-Fi Labs
Location: Modesto
In the heart of the Central Valley, this female-owned experimental bar features a seasonal list of low-ABV spritzes, clarified punches, freezer-cold martinis, and other classics. Or you can shake a Magic 8 ball and leave your drink to chance. Either way, watch the team build your custom cocktail with dropper bottles, bitters atomizers, and plenty of show-and-tell. The space channels midcentury vibes with wood paneling, modular lamps, and a soundtrack (and sometimes, a DJ) that flips from surf to synth. The space is also known to host local events, from poetry nights to cocktail classes and more.
Bourbon & Branch
Location: San Francisco
The address of 501 Jones Street in San Francisco has been operating as a drinking den since 1899, when the phone book listed it as the “H. W. Vette & Co. Grocery Saloon.” The spot survived Prohibition by operating as a “cigar shop” where well-dressed ladies and gents would imbibe. Bourbon & Branch is the current iteration, featuring five separate hidden bars, including a room only accessible by a trick bookshelf. To visit, make an online reservation to access your password. Once inside, consider the Cucumber Gimlet (gin, lime, elderflower, orange bitters and sparkling wine) and forget about your cell phone—the bar has a strict no-phone policy.
The Pawn Shop
Location: San Francisco
Slip into this cheeky “trade-only” speakeasy, where entry means bartering with the resident Pawn Master. It all makes sense—this tapas and drinks spot on San Francisco’s 6th Street corridor was formerly an iconic pawn shop. To get in, bring something fun, like pins, postcards, or a lucky trinket, and get ready to negotiate. Once inside, it’ll all be worth it; there’s a jewel box–like lounge pulsing with retro beats and velvet banquettes. Photos are welcome, and there’s no cover. A clever trade is the cost of admission.
Daniello's
Location: Roseville (Greater Sacramento)
This speakeasy-style Italian restaurant and lounge hides behind a candy shop in downtown Roseville. To get in, you’ll first have to start online. Provide your email to receive a password. Then, whisper it to the host and you’ll be handed an oversized, old-world key to unlock a concealed door between jars of sweets. Inside, a candlelit room hums with vintage jazz and tufted booths. The drinks menu leans spirit-forward—martinis with citrus oils, whiskey sours capped in silky meringue, and seasonal highballs. Daniello’s is proof that you don’t need a big city to score a great hidden bar.
Hawthorne’s Hideout
Location: Old Sacramento
Hiding beneath the unique Stage Nine Entertainment & G.Willikers Toy Emporium is Hawthorne’s Hideout. This cave of pop-culture wonders features two talking tiki heads, flying darts, and real-life movie props, including Jack Sparrow’s official rum bottle. A host will lead you through a speakeasy and all its interactive treasures. Seats at the explorer-themed watering hole are first-come, first-served, but guests must have a ticketed reservation for entry, which includes two signature cocktails and a Dole Whip. The immersive experience lasts about 60 minutes, with 30 minutes of open exploration time afterwards.