Top 10 Speakeasies in Los Angeles

Direct Answer

The Best Overall speakeasy in Los Angeles is The Varnish, the wood-paneled back-room bar behind Cole's in Downtown, where bartenders pour some of the most precise classic cocktails in the city to a soundtrack of live jazz. The Best Value pick is Good Times at Davey Wayne's in Hollywood, where there's no cover at the door, the '70s-themed party rooms stay packed, and a strong drink runs well below the prices at the polished cocktail dens — the best night out per dollar on this list.

This guide is built for cocktail lovers, date-night couples, visitors hunting the real hidden-bar experience, and groups who want a memorable night across Downtown, Hollywood, the Arts District, and the Eastside. Every pick below is a real, currently-operating venue with a hidden entrance, a reservation quirk, or a password that's part of the fun.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We scored each hidden bar against what actually makes a speakeasy night worth the trouble of finding the door. We leaned on Eater LA, Time Out, Thrillist, The Infatuation, Yelp, and Google Reviews, plus first-hand reputation among LA bartenders. The weighting:

• Atmosphere and vibe — 25%
• Drinks and menu — 20%
• Music and entertainment — 20%
• Crowd and service — 15%
• Value — 10%
• Location and access — 10%

A bar with a killer hidden entrance but watered-down drinks drops fast; so does a beautiful room with rude service. The winners balance all six.

1. The Varnish 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Cocktail bar | Price: $$$ | Best for: Cocktail purists and a serious classic-drink night

Tucked through an unmarked door at the back of Cole's, the historic French-dip joint on East 6th in Downtown LA, The Varnish is the bar that helped relaunch the city's craft-cocktail movement. The room is tiny, dim, and lined with dark wood and brass, with live jazz several nights a week and bartenders who treat a Sazerac or Old Fashioned like a craft.

There's no flashy menu theater here — you can order off the list or tell the bartender what spirit you like and let them build. The crowd skews date-night and industry regulars; reservations are smart on weekends, and the small footprint means it fills early. It's the rare hidden bar that lives up to the hype year after year.

Pros:

• Exacting classic cocktails from a city-defining bar program
• Genuine speakeasy feel behind a working sandwich counter
• Live jazz several nights a week
• Knowledgeable bartenders who build off your taste

Cons:

• Very small room fills up fast on weekends
• Premium pricing on the cocktail list

Verdict: The Varnish wins on balance — flawless drinks, real atmosphere, and live music with no weak spot.

2. Death & Co LA

Type: Cocktail bar | Price: $$$$ | Best for: A destination cocktail evening with a full menu

The Los Angeles outpost of the famed New York bar lives inside the Arts District at the Hoxton-adjacent space on East 7th, and it brings the same encyclopedic cocktail program west. The room is moody and handsome, with leather banquettes and a long bar where the team riffs on both classics and elaborate originals.

The menu is deep — dozens of drinks, broken out by spirit and style — and the kitchen turns out solid bar food. The crowd is dressed-up and the reservations book out for prime weekend slots, so plan ahead. It plays less like a hidden bar and more like a polished cocktail destination, but the quality is undeniable.

Pros:

• One of the most acclaimed cocktail programs in the country
• Deep, well-organized menu of classics and originals
• Striking Arts District room and attentive service
• Strong bar-food kitchen to pair with drinks

Cons:

• Top-tier pricing throughout the menu
• Books out far in advance on weekends

Verdict: A bucket-list cocktail destination — splurge here when the drinks themselves are the whole point.

3. Apt 503

Type: Cocktail bar | Price: $$$ | Best for: A true hidden-door experience in Koreatown

Hidden upstairs at the Line Hotel complex in Koreatown, Apt 503 sits behind an unmarked door styled like an actual apartment — you knock or buzz and step into a cozy, lamp-lit living-room setting. The vibe is intimate and conversational, the cocktails lean creative with Korean-inflected ingredients, and the space stays small enough to feel like a secret even when busy.

Reservations are essential because the room is genuinely little and word has spread. The crowd is in-the-know locals and couples on dates. It nails the core fantasy of a speakeasy: finding a door most people walk right past.

Pros:

• Convincing hidden-apartment entrance and intimate room
• Inventive cocktails with Korean ingredient twists
• Cozy, conversation-friendly setting
• Central Koreatown location with food nearby

Cons:

• Tiny capacity makes walk-ins tough
• Reservations can be hard to land on weekends

Verdict: The best pure hidden-door thrill on the list — book ahead and enjoy a secret-feeling night.

4. Break Room 86

Type: Nightclub / Cocktail bar | Price: $$$ | Best for: A high-energy '80s party with karaoke rooms

Also at the Line Hotel in Koreatown, Break Room 86 is reached through a fake vending-machine corridor off the loading dock, opening into a full-blown 1980s nightclub with arcade games, private karaoke rooms, and DJs spinning new-wave and throwback hits. This is the loud, dance-on-the-floor end of the speakeasy spectrum — neon, big crowds, and a party that runs late.

Bottle service and karaoke rooms can be reserved, and weekends draw lines. It's less about sipping a quiet Negroni and more about a themed night out with a group, which it does better than almost anywhere in the city.

Pros:

• Theatrical vending-machine hidden entrance
• Full '80s nightclub with DJs and a dance floor
• Private karaoke rooms for groups
• High-energy, late-night party atmosphere

Cons:

• Loud and crowded — not for a quiet date
• Lines and cover on busy weekends

Verdict: The group-party pick — come for the karaoke rooms, the DJs, and an all-out '80s throwback night.

5. No Vacancy

Type: Cocktail bar / Lounge | Price: $$$$ | Best for: A theatrical, dressed-up night in Hollywood

Set inside a restored Victorian house in Hollywood, No Vacancy delivers the most theatrical entrance in town: you check in at a faux front desk, and a "lady of the night" pulls back a wall to reveal a staircase down into a sprawling indoor-outdoor bar. There's live cabaret, a tightrope walker, burlesque, and DJs, plus multiple bars across patios and parlor rooms.

Reservations and a dress code apply, and it pulls a polished, going-out crowd. The cocktails are solid if not the city's most cerebral — but you come here for the spectacle and the multi-room party as much as the drinks.

Pros:

• Unforgettable theatrical entrance and Victorian setting
• Live cabaret, burlesque, and DJ entertainment
• Multiple indoor-outdoor bars and patios
• Glamorous, dressed-up going-out energy

Cons:

• Premium pricing and strict dress code
• Drinks play second fiddle to the spectacle

Verdict: The show-stopper pick — book it when you want spectacle, scenery, and a dressed-up Hollywood night.

6. The Roger Room

Type: Cocktail bar | Price: $$$ | Best for: A low-key craft-cocktail date near West Hollywood

Marked only by a psychic's neon sign on La Cienega near West Hollywood, The Roger Room is a snug, dark, vintage-feeling bar that's been a neighborhood cocktail standby for years. Inside it's all carnival-poster wallpaper, low light, and tight seating, with a bartending team that pours dependable classics and house originals.

There's no big show — just a moody room, good music at conversational volume, and strong drinks. Walk-ins are workable on weeknights, which makes it a reliable choice when you don't want to plan ahead. The crowd is locals and couples who want something dim and unpretentious.

Pros:

• Hidden behind a psychic's neon sign — easy to miss
• Reliable classic and original cocktails
• Dark, intimate, date-friendly room
• Walk-in friendly on weeknights

Cons:

• Very small and can feel cramped when full
• No standout entertainment or food program

Verdict: A dependable date-night den — perfect for an unfussy, low-key craft-cocktail evening.

7. Good Times at Davey Wayne's 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Cocktail bar / Lounge | Price: $$ | Best for: A no-cover '70s party with friends

Entered through a refrigerator door inside a fake '70s-era home on Wilcox in Hollywood, Good Times at Davey Wayne's is the value champion of LA speakeasies. There's typically no cover, the drinks are strong and reasonably priced, and the rambling space spreads across a living room, a garage, and a big back patio with a vintage Airstream bar slinging frozen drinks.

Live bands and DJs play classic rock and soul, and the whole place buzzes with a backyard-party energy. Weekends draw lines, so arrive early, but once you're in it's one of the best-value nights out in the city — great vibe, great crowd, and you won't drain your wallet.

Pros:

• No cover and well-priced strong drinks
• Sprawling '70s house, garage, and patio with an Airstream bar
• Live bands and DJs spinning classic rock and soul
• Easygoing, high-energy backyard-party crowd

Cons:

• Long weekend lines with no reservations
• Gets loud and packed at peak hours

Verdict: The value champion — a no-cover, well-priced, all-out '70s party that beats the polished bars on cost per good time.

8. Black Rabbit Rose

Type: Cocktail bar / Live entertainment | Price: $$$ | Best for: Dinner-theater magic and a cocktail show

Part of the Houston Hospitality cluster on Cahuenga in Hollywood, Black Rabbit Rose pairs a tiki-leaning cocktail program with a small magic and variety theater. You can sip a rum-forward drink at the bar or buy a ticket to a close-up magic show, burlesque, or variety performance in the back room.

The decor is opulent and red-lit, the crowd is here for a night with built-in entertainment, and the drinks hold up alongside the show. Show tickets and reservations are recommended for the theater. It's a genuinely different speakeasy night — half bar, half cabaret.

Pros:

• Built-in magic and variety theater performances
• Opulent, red-lit Hollywood room
• Solid tiki-leaning cocktail program
• A complete entertainment-plus-drinks night

Cons:

• Show tickets add to the total cost
• Best experience requires booking the theater ahead

Verdict: The dinner-theater of speakeasies — book the show when you want magic, cabaret, and cocktails in one stop.

9. Adults Only

Type: Cocktail bar | Price: $$$ | Best for: A playful, design-forward hidden bar in Hollywood

Hidden behind a convenience-store front on Hollywood Boulevard, Adults Only opens into a bright, design-forward room that flips the usual dark-speakeasy script with bold colors, fun glassware, and a cheeky attitude. The cocktails are creative and Instagram-ready without sacrificing balance, the music keeps a lively pop-leaning energy, and the crowd is young and dressed to be seen.

Reservations help on weekends, but the vibe is more party-bar than hushed lounge. It's proof that a hidden door doesn't have to mean a dim, serious room — this one is colorful, fun, and unapologetically photogenic.

Pros:

• Hidden behind a faux convenience store
• Bright, colorful, design-forward room
• Creative, photogenic cocktails
• Lively, youthful party energy

Cons:

• Style and photos sometimes outshine substance
• Can get loud and crowded on weekends

Verdict: The fun, photogenic pick — go when you want a colorful, playful hidden bar over a serious lounge.

10. Lock & Key

Type: Cocktail bar | Price: $$ | Best for: A wallet-friendly Koreatown cocktail night

To get into Lock & Key in Koreatown, you face a wall of doorknobs — only one actually opens the door, and finding it is part of the fun. Inside is a relaxed, brick-and-wood neighborhood cocktail bar with a well-priced menu, a solid happy hour, and a back patio. The drinks are dependable craft cocktails without the destination-bar markup, the music stays at a conversational level, and the crowd is an easygoing mix of K-town locals and couples.

Walk-ins are usually fine, especially early. It's an approachable, affordable entry point to the hidden-bar scene with a genuinely clever entrance.

Pros:

• Clever wall-of-doorknobs entrance
• Well-priced cocktails and a good happy hour
• Relaxed neighborhood feel with a back patio
• Walk-in friendly most nights

Cons:

• Less polished than the destination cocktail bars
• Can get busy with a younger K-town crowd

Verdict: An affordable, approachable hidden bar — great for a low-key, wallet-friendly Koreatown night.

Where Should You Go Out?

What to Look For in a Night Out in Los Angeles

• The entrance and the catch — Half the fun is the hidden door: a vending machine, a fridge, a wall of doorknobs, or a password. Confirm whether you need a reservation or a code before you go.
• Reservation reality — The best small rooms (The Varnish, Apt 503, Death & Co) book out on weekends. Plan ahead or aim for an early-week or early-evening slot.
• Drinks vs spectacle — Decide if you want a precise classic cocktail (The Varnish, Death & Co) or a themed party with entertainment (No Vacancy, Break Room 86). They're very different nights.
• Cover and pricing — Some venues are no-cover and well-priced (Davey Wayne's, Lock & Key), while polished destinations carry premium menus. Check before you commit.
• Crowd and dress code — Hollywood spots can run dressed-up with a door policy; Koreatown and Eastside bars stay more casual. Match the room to your group.
• Late-night and neighborhood — Cluster your night by area — Koreatown and Hollywood each have several picks within walking or short-ride distance.

What matters less than the hype: a famous name on the door doesn't guarantee a better drink, and the most theatrical entrance isn't always the best bar inside. Chase the room and the cocktails, not just the gimmick.

FAQ

What is the best speakeasy in Los Angeles? The Varnish in Downtown LA, hidden behind Cole's, earns our top spot for its precise classic cocktails, genuine hidden-bar atmosphere, and live jazz several nights a week.

Which LA speakeasy is the best value? Good Times at Davey Wayne's in Hollywood typically has no cover and well-priced strong drinks across a sprawling '70s house and patio, making it the best night out per dollar on this list.

Do LA speakeasies require reservations? Many of the small rooms do — The Varnish, Apt 503, and Death & Co LA book out on weekends. Party spots like Davey Wayne's and Lock & Key are walk-in friendly but can have lines.

Which speakeasy has the best hidden entrance? Break Room 86 (a fake vending machine), Good Times at Davey Wayne's (a refrigerator door), and Lock & Key (a wall of doorknobs) have the most fun hidden entrances in the city.

Where should I go for a date versus a group? For a date, try The Roger Room or Apt 503; for a group party, head to Break Room 86 or Good Times at Davey Wayne's.

Which LA speakeasy has live entertainment? No Vacancy offers cabaret and burlesque, Black Rabbit Rose runs a magic and variety theater, and The Varnish features live jazz on select nights.

Bottom Line

For a night out hunting LA's hidden bars, The Varnish is our Best Overall — the Downtown classic-cocktail den behind Cole's that nails drinks, atmosphere, and live jazz with no weak spot. Good Times at Davey Wayne's is our Best Value, delivering a no-cover, well-priced '70s party that beats the polished bars on cost per good time.

If you'd rather chase a hidden door, a cabaret show, or a karaoke party, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Apt 503, No Vacancy, or Break Room 86 instead. Pick the room and the vibe that match your night — the entrance is just the start.

Sources

• Eater LA — best speakeasies and hidden bars
• Time Out Los Angeles — best speakeasies in LA
• Thrillist — LA hidden bars and speakeasies
• The Infatuation — LA cocktail bars
• Yelp — Los Angeles speakeasies
• Google Reviews — The Varnish
• Discover Los Angeles — nightlife guide
• The Varnish — official site
• Death & Co — Los Angeles
• Houston Hospitality — Davey Wayne's and Black Rabbit Rose

*best speakeasies in Los Angeles review — best hidden bars and cocktail lounges, where to go out, ratings, and a review of the top LA speakeasies.*