Nevada is home to some of the most fascinating hidden drinking spots in America. Beyond the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip lie secret doorways, password-protected entrances, and unmarked locations housing exceptional cocktail lounges. From Prohibition-style speakeasies to tiki bars with elaborate themes, these hidden gems offer unique drinks and unforgettable atmospheres.
1. The Vault at Bellagio
Tucked discreetly behind an ordinary doorway off the bustling casino floor, The Vault offers an escape into luxury few visitors ever discover. The intimate space showcases rare spirits and meticulously crafted cocktails served in vintage glassware.
Leather-bound menus feature both classic recipes and innovative creations using ingredients sourced from around the world. The attentive bartenders, dressed in period-appropriate attire, craft each drink with theatrical precision.
Reservations are essential as this ultra-exclusive hideaway accommodates only a handful of guests at a time.
2. The Cabinet of Curiosities
Step into a world where mixology meets mystery at this eccentric lounge filled with peculiar artifacts and brain-teasing puzzles. Cocktails arrive in vessels that would make a museum curator jealous – smoking beakers, miniature treasure chests, and ancient-looking chalices.
The real magic happens when guests interact with the puzzles scattered throughout the space. Solving one might reveal a hidden compartment containing a special menu or unlock access to an even more secretive room called The Lock.
Bartenders double as storytellers, weaving tales about each unusual object decorating the walls.
3. The Underground Speakeasy & Distillery
History buffs and cocktail enthusiasts unite in this basement bar accessed through a secret door in the Mob Museum. Authentic Prohibition-era artifacts surround patrons while a working copper still produces house-made moonshine right before your eyes.
Vintage black-and-white mugshots decorate the walls alongside newspaper clippings detailing famous raids. The password-protected entrance (hint: check their social media) adds to the thrill of discovering this historical treasure.
Don’t miss their signature cocktail served in a coffee mug – a nod to how booze was disguised during America’s dry years.
4. The Count Room at Flamingo Las Vegas
Named after the rooms where mobsters once counted their casino earnings, this hidden gem requires finding either a nondescript green door near the food court or navigating through Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse. The reward? A sophisticated cocktail sanctuary that feels frozen in time.
Bartenders shake and stir classics like Old Fashioneds and Sidecars with mathematical precision. The dim lighting and jazz soundtrack transport you to Las Vegas’s golden era when gangsters ruled the Strip.
Photographs of infamous mobsters adorn the walls, silently watching as you sip drinks they might have enjoyed decades ago.
5. Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den
Behind an unassuming wall of lucky cat figurines in the Famous Foods Street Eats food hall lies one of Vegas’s most playful speakeasies. After whispering the secret “meow” password, a hidden door reveals a sultry den inspired by the illicit gambling parlors of Shanghai’s past.
Red lanterns cast a crimson glow across intimate seating areas where bartenders serve Asian-inspired concoctions in delicate porcelain cups. The space feels both mysterious and mischievous – much like its feline namesake.
Try their signature Lucky Fortune cocktail, which comes with a custom fortune cookie predicting your gambling luck.
6. Ghost Donkey
Follow the glowing white donkey icon within Block 16 Food Hall to discover this vibrant mezcal and tequila sanctuary. Unlike the dark, moody aesthetics of most secret bars, Ghost Donkey embraces a festive atmosphere with colorful string lights and quirky donkey-themed décor.
The bartenders are walking encyclopedias of agave spirits, guiding patrons through flights of rare mezcals sourced from small Mexican villages. Their nacho selection, featuring unexpected luxury ingredients like black truffles, perfectly complements the smoky libations.
The copper bar glows warmly under red lights, creating an atmosphere that feels like stumbling upon a secret fiesta.
7. Easy’s Cocktail Lounge
By day, it’s a simple donut and coffee shop. But as evening approaches, a secret passage behind Easy Donuts reveals this sophisticated lounge where craft cocktails replace caffeine fixes. The transition feels like stepping through a portal between two worlds.
Live jazz musicians perform nightly, their melodies floating above conversations as bartenders craft drinks inspired by classic American favorites. The contrast between the bright donut shop facade and the sultry lounge interior creates a delightful sense of discovery.
Local tip: Order “The Morning After” – a bourbon cocktail served with a miniature donut perched on the rim.
8. The Laundry Room
Originally the actual laundry room of the El Cortez Hotel, this tiny 28-seat speakeasy hidden within Commonwealth bar operates strictly by reservation only. Securing a spot requires texting a secret number and receiving confirmation – a modern twist on Prohibition-era exclusivity.
House rules prohibit cell phones and standing, creating an atmosphere of undistracted appreciation for the bespoke cocktail experience. Rather than ordering from a menu, guests describe their flavor preferences to mixologists who create personalized drinks.
The vintage washing machine near the entrance serves as a playful nod to the space’s utilitarian origins.
9. The Golden Tiki
While not exactly hidden, this Chinatown treasure deserves mention for creating an escapist fantasy so complete you’ll forget you’re in the desert. Push past the unassuming strip mall entrance to discover an immersive tropical paradise where thatched roofs, artificial thunderstorms, and talking skulls set the scene.
The drink menu features classic tiki concoctions in custom mugs that patrons often try to smuggle home as souvenirs. Regulars can join the “Skull Wall” by having their likeness immortalized in a shrunken head display.
The ambient soundscape of jungle noises completes the transformation from Las Vegas to Polynesian fantasy.
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