The days of Prohibition may be far behind us, but the allure of the speakeasy lives on. Since these clandestine watering holes tend to be hidden behind unmarked doors or tucked away within another establishment, just being inside a speakeasy means you’re “in the know,” adding a level of intrigue. The speakeasies listed here all boast excellent whisky selections, and a couple are even located in the same buildings where real speakeasies existed in the 1920s, so you can truly be transported back through history as you sip your favorite— thankfully completely legal—dram or Prohibition-era co*cktail.
Apothecary 330
Apothecary 330 Fort Lauderdale
This spot can be found inside Pizzacraft Artisan Pizzeria, behind a sliding door next to the kitchen. Away from the bustle of the pizzeria, the cozy bar harkens back to the 1920s with leather Chesterfield chairs, chandeliers, and an ornate wooden backbar holding an impressive selection of over 300 whiskies, including some limited pours like the Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve ($54/2 oz.), Macallan Rare Cask ($62), and Ohishi Tokubetsu Reserve ($62). On the co*cktail menu, in addition to classics there’s a “build your own Old Fashioned” option ($18) that’s prepared tableside and offers a choice of Old Forester, Bulleit, Basil Hayden, or High West, plus different garnish and smoking options. The full Pizzacraft menu is also available. pizzacraftpizzeria.com/apothecary
Bourbon and Branch
San Francisco
This speakeasy is about as historic as it gets—the building is over 100 years old and throughout Prohibition it housed a real speakeasy, first called The Ipswitch and then J.J. Russell’s Cigar Shop. Today the building houses several bar areas: There’s the main bar, for which you’ll need to make a reservation to get password entry, and where about 50 co*cktails, several flights, and roughly 310 whiskies are offered, including rarities like Blanton’s Gold Edition ($125/2 oz.) and Bruichladdich Black Art Edition 11.1 24 year old ($160); and the Library, which is first come, first served and offers a smaller sampling of the beverage menu, and entry into which requires a password (psst: it’s “books”). There are even more bar spaces—three to be exact—within the building, available by reservation or private booking. bourbonandbranch.com
Bramhall
Portland, Maine
This hideaway is located below Roma Cafe, with its own discreet entrance off to the side of the building. The vibe is speakeasy-meets-pub, with an interior of brick and stone-lined walls dimly lit with candles and sconces, and natural light peeking through antique stained glass windows— a fitting environment, as the space held a true speakeasy during Prohibition. There’s casual bar fare on offer, in addition to co*cktails and about 90 whiskies. Pours range from such local Maine bottlings as Batson River Langsford Road bourbon ($11/2 oz.), Stroudwater bourbon ($13), and New England Gunpowder rye ($16), up to WhistlePig Boss Hog ($78/1 oz.; $156/2 oz.). On Wednesdays opt for the “Power to the People Pour” to get a high-end or rare whisky priced at cost. bramhallme.com
Denson Liquor Bar
Washington, D.C.
This subterranean speakeasy features a beautiful Art Deco-themed interior complete with bronze accents and black-and-white tiled floors. Enjoy small bites and choose from a selection of craft co*cktails, like the citrus-forward Maltese Swift ($16)—a blend of rye, dry curaçao, blood orange, honey, lemon, and egg white—or the more bitter Branca Ave. ($17)—featuring bourbon, Fernet Branca, and Cocchi di Torino vermouth—or opt for the custom co*cktail option with a whisky base and flavor profile of your choice. If you prefer a straight dram, there’s nearly 100 on offer. Reservations are required for booth seating, while the bar area is first come, first served. densondc.com
Jack’s Hideaway
Harrisonburg, Virginia
To get into this speakeasy, you’ll need to find the red light above a gray door on Water Street, on the side of the building of sister restaurants Billy Jack’s and Jack Brown’s. If you’ve found a stag door knocker, you’re at the right place—just knock and the doorman will grant you access. Inside you’ll find the cozy and rustic bar offering a rotating co*ck tail list of classic and modern tipples, plus one of the best whisky selections in the area at roughly 120 labels from around the world, with notable bottles including three E.H. Taylor, Jr. varieties ($17-$33/ 2 oz.), five Old Forester labels ($10-$21), and Old Fitzgerald 19 year old ($71), plus limited bottlings like Henry McKenna 10 year old bourbon ($9), Alberta Premium Cask Strength rye ($16), and Yamazaki 12 year old Japanese single malt ($24). jacktownhideaway.com
The Office at The Aviary
The Office at The Aviary Chicago
This intimate 22-seat speakeasy is located below The Aviary, heralded as one of the best and most innovative co*cktail spots in the city. The Office also boasts excellent craft co*cktails, and it specializes in vintage spirits dating back to the early 1800s, even offering mixed drinks made with these spirits, like the Brooklyn ($425), comprising Rewco rye, P. Garnier Maraschino liqueur, Picon Amer aperitif, and Noily Prat dry vermouth. The backbar carries anywhere from 250-300 whiskies and several tasting flights are available, including one bourbon, three different scotch ones, and the Parker’s Heritage flight of the 6th, 7th, and 9th editions ($530/ 1 oz. of each). theaviary.com/the-office
The Patterson House
Nashville
Located below the upscale and intimate restaurant The Catbird Seat, this bar is named after former Tennessee governor Malcolm Patterson, who fought Prohibition. Inside, the centerpiece is a large wraparound bar, and guests (up to eight in a single party) must be seated either at the bar or in one of the booths—no standing is permitted and seats are first come, first served. The menu features a small selection of bar-friendly food plus more than 100 whiskies, but this speakeasy is especially known for its craft co*cktails, from modern concoctions like the Misfortune Cookie ($18), featuring Four Roses Yellow Label, Rivulet Pecan and Giffard Vanilla liqueurs, lemon juice, and Warsteiner pilsner, to high-end classics like the Glen- Dronach 12 Rob Roy ($34), comprising GlenDronach 12 year old, Cocchi di Torino vermouth, and Angostura bitters. thepattersonnashville.com
Raines Law Room
New York City
This Chelsea basem*nt bar’s entrance is nearly indistinguishable from the residences surrounding it, aside from a small placard instructing you to ring the bell for entry. The cozy interior is like a jazz-age living room, with couches and tufted chairs surrounding coffee tables. In addition to a decent selection of whiskies, the menu features dozens of rotating co*cktails divided into categories, like Reserve, which features limited edition and small batch spirits, such as the Cast in Bronze ($26), blending W.L. Weller 12 year old, Barolo chinato, Amaro di Angostura, amaretto, and El Guapo Spices Cocoa bitters, and the Four Part Harmony ($28), mixing Ardray blended scotch, Rihei Ginger shochu, a dash of cacao, and a spritz of lavender—get them while you can! (Midtown’s The William Hotel is home to a second location.) raineslawroom.com
Saloon
Somerville, Massachusetts
To enter this spot, look for The Rockwell Theater sign; when you go through the doors, head straight downstairs rather than entering the theater. In true speakeasy fashion, the large wraparound bar has a 1920s vibe plus more intimate booth seating. Bar snacks and small plates are offered along with classic and modern co*cktails, but this spot is a local destination thanks to its impressive whisky selection, with 120 different varieties on the menu, including rare and special bottlings. Try the Allocated Flight, which includes Bruichladdich Black Art 1990, Yamazaki 12 year old, and Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Voyage ($115/1 1/2 oz. of each). saloondavis.com
Williams & Graham
Denver
When you enter the building, it looks like any old corner bookstore—that is until the host opens a bookcase to reveal the entrance to the speakeasy inside. The menu includes seasonal food and craft co*cktails, and the impressive Art Deco-inspired wooden backbar is stocked to the ceiling with spirits—more than 500 from around the world, including roughly 175 whiskies. Notable bottlings include the bar’s own barrel picks of Eagle Rare 10 year old ($22/2 oz.) and Knob Creek bourbon ($22), plus a distillery edition Glenfiddich 15 year old ($85), bottled by the staff at the distillery in Scotland, and a bottle of Dalmunach Rare Find 5 year old ($70), which was made specifically for Royal Mile Whiskies, so it’s not something you’ll typically find here in the States. williamsandgraham.com
