When alcohol was outlawed in the U.S. from 1920 to 1933 under Prohibition, resourceful bar owners carved out clandestine spaces that would become known as speakeasies. Hidden in basements, behind unmarked doors and inside back rooms, these covert watering holes survived on secrecy — whispered passwords, trusted regulars and, at times, occasional bribes to stay open. The term is thought to have come from the warning to “speak easy” and keep the bar’s existence quiet.
Despite operating outside the law, speakeasies quickly evolved into lively social hubs. When Prohibition was repealed, traditional speakeasies faded, but their appeal and their influence on cocktail culture never fully disappeared.
Today’s speakeasy-style bars revive the mystique with hidden entrances, vintage aesthetics and a focus on craft cocktails, celebrating the rebellious spirit and creativity that made the originals so iconic. The danger may be long gone, but the thrill of discovery — and the romance of a bygone era — continue to influence modern bar culture.
We uncovered 21 speakeasies across South Florida — hidden inside restaurants, behind unmarked doors and, in some cases, accessible to only those with the right password.
The Palm Beaches
The Lab Cocktail Bar
Starting in West Palm Beach, The Lab Cocktail Bar is tucked discreetly above the greenery-dripping Sourbon Kitchen + Bar. At The Lab, each visit offers a personalized service, as there are no menus in sight. Bartenders craft drinks based on your preferences or create something completely off the cuff if you’re feeling adventurous.
The Lab Cocktail Bar is located inside Sourbon Kitchen & Bar at 215 Clematis St., West Palm Beach.
Stanza Lounge
Beside Lynora’s in Palm Beach Gardens, Stanza Lounge has old-world charm with gilded mirrors, red-lacquered walls, velvet lounges and candlelight, while mixed drinks and light bites grace the menu. Reservations are recommended due to limited seating, and the bar is available to patrons ages 25 and older.
Stanza Lounge is located at 5320 Donald Ross Rd., Ste. 132, Palm Beach Gardens.
The Library
Disguised as its namesake, The Library offers a laid-back lounge atmosphere with upscale cocktails and dishes from OKA Sushi’s scratch kitchen. Enter via South K Street in downtown Lake Worth Beach or through Lilo’s Streetfood & Bar. Ask your “librarian” for a recommendation — and grab a book to skim while you sip.
The Library is located behind Lilo’s Streetfood & Bar at 701-A Lake Ave., Lake Worth.
Delray Beach and Boca Raton
Radcliffe’s Speakeasy
Behind The Wine & Spirits Kitchen in Delray Beach, an unmarked alley entrance leads to Radcliffe’s Speakeasy — if you know the code. Passwords are shared through the speakeasy window, granting access to plush, vintage-inspired surroundings, limited seating, handcrafted signature cocktails — like the Raven — a thoughtfully curated menu and award-winning wine.
Radcliffe's Speakeasy & Supper Club is located at 411 E Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach.
Dark Tiki
Inside Boca Tiki and Island Lounge, Boris — a stone skull effigy — watches over the Dark Tiki. With limited seating and hours, entry isn’t guaranteed. Guests must request access via askboris.com or hope to be deemed worthy as a walk-in. Those approved receive a personal code to whisper to the bartender. No code, no entry.
Dark Tiki is located in Boca Tiki at 180 S. Federal Highway, Boca Raton.
Fort Lauderdale
The Green Hat Bar
Inside Xtreme Action Park, The Green Hat Bar is hidden behind an unmarked door near the escape rooms. A weekly entry code can be found online or on its Instagram page. Inside, intimate seating, low lighting and an extensive specialty cocktail menu make the putt-putt and roller rink outside quickly fade from mind.
The Green Hat Bar is located in Xtreme Action Park at 5300 Powerline Rd., Fort Lauderdale.
Hidden Speakeasy
Head to Eataps and look for the “pantry”-style door in the back to find Hidden Speakeasy. While you can enjoy paella and live flamenco in the restaurant, the bar offers a calming atmosphere, pairing brown leather couches on Persian rugs with dark green velvet seating at the bar. The cocktail menu ranges from classics like Old Fashioned and Negroni to original creations.
Hidden Speakeasy is located at 4134 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale.
Bar Betty
New to the Fort Lauderdale area, Bar Betty is accessible via a secret interior staircase (and elevator) on the second floor of Sunness Supper Club. The contemporary space nods to the building’s past as the former Jade Palace, a well-known Chinese restaurant, with a foyer lined in red lanterns, dragon wallpaper and a mammoth stone Buddha. Behind a red door, guests enter a Great Gatsby–inspired space v with dropped tin ceilings, black walls, moody lighting and Art Deco–style wallpaper.
Top sellers include James and the Spicy Peach (Ghost tequila, Cointreau, agave, Ancho Reyes, lime juice and peach syrup) and Fluffy Dream (No. 3 Gin, lemon juice, Aquafaba, Luxardo Apricot Liqueur, elderflower and citrus bitters).
Bar Betty is located at the back of Sunness Supper Club at 2465 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
Sidecar Speakeasy
Found at the back of Vino’s Wine Bar, Sidecar Speakeasy is known for craft cocktails, its Prohibition-era ambiance and period music. Warm red walls studded with antique picture frames meet low lighting and a tin-tiled ceiling. The entry code can be found on the bar’s Instagram.
Sidecar Speakeasy is located behind Vino’s Wine Bar at 901 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
Room 901
Located on the ninth floor of the Hyatt Centric Las Olas, patrons are given a room key to this reservations-only hotel room-turned bar. Plush furnishings, antique carpets, retro-style lamps and vintage artwork await, while a menu of gourmet bites from award-winning Chef Greg McGowan includes highlights like Wagyu Beef Katsu Sando and Pan-Roasted Octopus. There are three seatings available nightly, each lasting two hours.
Room 901 is located in Hyatt Centric Las Olas at 100 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
Seemingly an ordinary Mexican street food restaurant, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila’s speakeasy hides in plain sight. Inside, a graffiti-covered porta-potty serves as an unexpected entry point — step through it and into a second, graffiti-coated room, then through another door to the lounge. Velvet couches juxtapose exposed ductwork and birdcage chandeliers, while the taco-based menu pairs perfectly with the tequila on offer.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila is located at 21 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
Miami
Red Phone Booth
This speakeasy is easy to spot — but harder to enter. Inside its signature classic red restored London phone booth exterior, visitors will have to call the right number to gain access. Entry can be arranged by providing an email or phone number on the bar’s website. Once the panel swings open, guests enter to a candlelit interior with leather sofas, hand-painted ceilings and soft jazz.
Red Phone Booth is located at 1010 Brickell Ave., Ste. 105, Miami.
Xino
At Reunion Ktchn Bar in Aventura, an out-of-the-way curtain blocks passage to a modern Chinese eatery and speakeasy. Bathed in red lighting and decorated with dark seating balanced by light-wood tables, Xino combines contemporary design, vibrant energy and elevated Chinese cuisine.
Xino is located at 18161 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura.
Room 55
Perched above the Pelican Hotel on Ocean Drive, Room 55 offers a hidden rooftop cocktail lounge experience. Designed for relaxed, elevated evenings, this intimate space features quiet corners, low lighting and an atmosphere that encourages conversations over carefully mixed drinks.
Room 55 Speakeasy & Rooftop Cocktail Bar is located in Pelican Hotel at 826 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach.
Kaona Room
In Edgewater, Kaona Room offers island-inspired décor and tropical cocktails. A tiki-themed getaway, find the entrance behind a discreet, unassuming entryway on a side street in Miami’s Arts & Entertainment District. Traditional Polynesian elements combine with seductive details and jazz club vibes for an intimate lounge.
Kaona Room is located at 1600 N.E. 1st Ave., Miami.
Panamericano
At Novecento, a door marked only with a logo of the Americas leads into Panamericano, a cocktail bar featuring flavors from across the two continents. The bar exclusively uses spirits and ingredients sourced throughout the Americas, allowing the knowledgeable bartender to create drinks not found anywhere else. The experience is designed to be a “leisurely and unique 90-minute experience,” according to the venue’s website.
Panamericano is located in Mary Brickell Village at 900 S. Miami Ave., Ste. 260, Miami.
Tea Room
A Hong Kong-inspired lounge, Tea Room sits high above the Miami streets for a spectacular nighttime view. Hidden behind a black door inside EAST Miami, it serves cocktails alongside live music and offers a two-hour dining experience, including Asian Night Brunch.
Tea Room is located at 788 Brickell Plaza, Miami.
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El Laundry Room
In Doral, an ordinary coin laundry spot hides the true entrance to this speakeasy. Dial the correct number using the phone inside, then keep an eye on the wall lined with mops — it opens to reveal the bar.
El Laundry Room is located at 11402 N.W. 41st St., Ste. 106, Doral.
Montana’s Speakeasy Bar
Behind an unmarked door at the Colony Hotel, Montana’s Speakeasy Bar offers ‘80s vibes with daring cocktails. Bold drinks pair with culinary offerings from Chef Don Carpin for a polished late-night experience.
Montana’s Speakeasy Bar is located inside Montana’s Miami Beach at 736 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach.
Romeo Room
A sophisticated lounge and live music venue atop Babette, Romeo Room keeps the after-hours drinks flowing. Created by the restaurant’s co-owners, the upstairs speakeasy carries the same thoughtful approach to hospitality, pairing a carefully composed cocktail menu with a rotating selection of refined small plates.
Romeo Room is located above Babette Miami at 303 Alcazar Ave., Coral Gables.
Key Largo
The Armory
Built to resemble a military hideout, the entrance to The Armory can only be found at the end of a 20-foot tunnel. The door is guarded unless you have the correct password, which is shared daily on Instagram. Once inside, the military-themed speakeasy blends history with its drinks, honoring those who served — and those who continue to serve today.
The Armory is located at 102255 Overseas Highway, Key Largo.