Inside California’s Secret Speakeasies and Hidden Bars
California: Behind unmarked doors, velvet curtains, bookcases and bottle shops, California’s speakeasies and hidden bars are redefining nightlife with immersive themes, craft cocktails and intimate entertainment. From redwood forests to coastal hideaways, these secret venues are blending Prohibition-era nostalgia with modern mixology and experiential dining.
North Coast
Along the North Coast, visitors can ride the historic Skunk Train through towering redwoods to reach Glen Blair Bar near Fort Bragg. Tucked beneath ancient trees, the forest bar offers fire pits, live music and handcrafted cocktails in a fairy-tale setting.
San Francisco Bay Area
In Oakland, Gold Palm delivers a vibrant, Pakistani-inspired neighbourhood bar experience, while nearby Moonglow — accessed by ringing a golden doorbell — has earned recognition as one of the East Bay’s best cocktail destinations.
Mountain View’s The Ameswell Hotel hosts “Cocktails & Cosmos,” pairing specialty drinks with guided stargazing sessions using a powerful Unistellar telescope. Meanwhile, San Jose’s Alter Ego Cocktail Club hides behind a velvet curtain inside Still O.G., offering moody elegance and bespoke cocktails.
In Petaluma, The Big Easy operates as an underground nightclub featuring live rock, jazz, bluegrass and folk performances alongside local wines and craft beers.
Healdsburg’s Grape Leaf Inn conceals a Prohibition-inspired lounge behind an unmarked door, spotlighting Wilson Artisan Wines and curated brandy tastings.
Napa’s Bonita Bonita, co-founded by Nikki and Brie Garcia of Bonita Bonita Wine, offers candlelit tastings in a vintage-style speakeasy setting. In Santa Clara, Loggia at Hyatt Centric Santa Clara combines modern art and wood accents in a library-inspired bar atmosphere.
Gold Country
In Elk Grove, The Velvet Martini delivers old-school speakeasy charm, while Buckos N Mares surprises guests with a Western-style saloon hidden behind a bowling alley entrance.
Sutter Creek’s The Copper Room sits below street level, showcasing 1800s stone walls and signature cocktails inspired by global flavours.
Central Valley
Downtown Vacaville’s Mäksē pairs scratch-made steaks and seafood with the Speakeasy Show downstairs, including the interactive “Dueling Pianos Revival,” where guests bid for their favourite songs.
Central Coast
Morgan Hill’s Silos operates discreetly beneath towering grain silos, while Solvang’s The Backroom hides behind Valley Brewers via a narrow hall and bookshelf entrance.
In Monterey, Hula’s Island Grill conceals “Next Door,” a tiki-inspired speakeasy known for Mai Tai flights.
Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Bud’s Bar at La Playa Hotel revives classic charm with spontaneous “Dime Time” happy hours.
Los Angeles County
In Santa Monica, The Georgian Hotel has restored its historic Georgian Room, once frequented by Hollywood icons such as Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe. Following a meticulous 2023 renovation, the intimate 65-seat lounge now features jazz performances, leather booths and vintage décor reflective of Old Hollywood glamour.
Orange County
Irvine’s Bacchus Bistro houses Cozy Pine, a snow-cabin-themed speakeasy, while the Irvine Marriott features YNK (You Never Know), known for ever-changing cocktail themes.
At VEA Newport Beach, reveal opens behind brass doors into a plush lounge serving classic cocktails and elevated bites.
San Diego County
La Jolla’s Raised by Wolves disguises itself as a bottle shop before unveiling an opulent hidden lounge. Signature cocktails include inventive creations alongside rare reserve spirits.
In San Diego, Noble Experiment sits behind a concealed keg wall, while Youngblood offers a 90-minute curated cocktail tasting experience in an intimate setting.
Inland Empire
In Big Bear Lake, Sessions Retreat & Hotel features The Flatlander, a modern alpine lounge with fireplace ambience.
Old Town Temecula’s Thompson & Twain, hidden behind Crush & Brew, delivers bespoke “Dealer’s Choice” cocktails in a vault-like space inspired by literary figures Hunter S. Thompson and Mark Twain.
