Speakeasy bars in Seattle are more common than you might think. After all, Seattle is known for being a big craft cocktail city, and you can’t really be a craft cocktail destination without a few speakeasy bars.
Speakeasies have been around since Prohibition in 1920, and while that might have only lasted 13 years, the concept has remained an honorable American tradition. As a result, Seattle is teeming with Prohibition-style bars at all levels of secrecy, from hidden gems with minimal signage down to near-impossible spots to find with secret entryways.
So if you’re always on the hunt for the coolest hidden bars to grab a drink, you’re going to love this list of the top speakeasy bars in Seattle. I’ve made sure to include bars with varying levels of secrecy, plus tips on how to secure your entry!
Speakeasy Bars in Seattle
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Needle & Thread
website | get directions | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | accepts reservations? yes, required | best for: custom cocktails
Needle & Thread is a hidden speakeasy located upstairs from Tavern Law, an equally upscale and fun spot with high-end cocktails and a small, but curated menu. The biggest difference between the two is that Needle & Thread is reservation only, and it’s tucked behind a secret door.
To get in, you must check in at Tavern Law and pick up the phone to the right of the entrance. This allows you to push past the secret bookcase.
Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by talented bartenders who are happy to make you a custom cocktail since, in true Prohibition-era fashion, there are no cocktail menus. There’s only space to seat 20 people at a time, so expect a cozy and intimate vibe.
Founders Club
website | get directions | neighborhood: Downtown | accepts reservations? yes, recommended | best for: the speakeasy experience
Located inside the Fairmont Olympic Hotel is the super-hidden speakeasy, Founders Club. To get inside you go left after taking the escalator up to the lobby and waiting by the bookcases along the left wall. A host will come out and open the bookcase for you to enter.
This is a very classic moody 1920s-era speakeasy with a dark wood interior and polished brass lining the bar. Their focus is on creating unique cocktails using a variety of spirits.
That said, it’s ghastly expensive, like $40 for a drink kind of expensive, so be prepared to pay more for the experience than the drink itself. This includes paying for valet parking if you don’t find a spot on the street.
Pro tip: The speakeasy has no food, so keep that in mind.
The Pharmacy
website | get directions | neighborhood: Pioneer Square | accepts reservations? no | best for: casual vibe
Downstairs in Temple Billiards‘ is one of my favorite somewhat-hidden speakeasy bars in Seattle, The Pharmacy. It has kind of a basement-meets-Bohemian aesthetic, but I like it because the drinks are consistently good and not crazy expensive. They also don’t get very crowded, so there is usually just one bartender at a time. So, if you’re coming with a large group, just keep that in mind.
Bathtub Gin & Co.
website | get directions | neighborhood: Belltown | accepts reservations? no | best for: gin cocktails
Bathtub Gin & Co. is a classic small Prohibition-era cocktail secret bar located in the old boiler room of The Humphrey Building. The entrance is fairly hidden down an alley, but there is a small placard next to an unassuming wooden door.
When you walk in, it’s a tight squeeze. Unfortunately, this means you’ll have to wait outside if there are no seats, so I usually avoid going here during peak weekend hours.
If you can score a seat you’ll be rewarded with good, reasonably priced drinks and friendly staff. Their gin list is a mile long, but they also have plenty of other spirits, beer, and wine to choose from. The bartenders are also happy to give recommendations or make you a custom drink.
Knee High Stocking Co.
website | get directions | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | accepts reservations? yes, required | best for: craft cocktails & Filipino comfort food
Knee High is a somewhat-hidden speakeasy with a small placard outside an unassuming building. Inside though, is a totally unique speakeasy experience. Sisters/business partners Pamela and Michelle showcase their Filipino-American heritage through small dishes that pair perfectly with their curated cocktail menu.
This is my favorite speakeasy to visit when I’m hungry since they’re equally focused on food and good drinks. The chicken adobo is solid and the cocktail menu changes every season, so you never know what to expect.
The Alley
website | get directions | neighborhood: West Seattle | accepts reservations? no | best for: super hidden entrance & cozy atmosphere
The Alley is located behind the Bonjour Vietnam Restaurant in, you guessed it, the alleyway. To get in, you have to walk down the alley, open the metal door, and then open the hidden door behind a set of lockers.
Once you’re in, the vibe is cozy and intimate, with warm lighting and brick-lined walls, making for a good date night spot in Seattle. Their cocktail menu is mostly Prohibition-era style drinks, but the bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable, so they can make you whatever your go-to drink is.
The food menu in the bar is mostly small bites, and I’ll be honest, the food at Bonjour is good but not known for being great. So I suggest popping in for cocktails only, then moving on to dinner at one of the best West Seattle restaurants.
The Doctor’s Office
website | get directions | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | accepts reservations? yes, recommended | best for: wide selection of spirits
The Doctor’s Office is an intimate bar focused on spirits from around the world that are served by professional bartenders. There’s very little in the way of signage, and the nondescript door makes it easy to pass by.
This is a great spot if you’re with someone who likes to have a wide selection of spirits to choose from. If you’re like me and more of a cocktail drinker than a spirits drinker, you can “fill a prescription,” which entails the bartender asking you questions and making a drink curated to your tastes.
Pro tip: Seating is limited, so they highly suggest you “make an appointment,” which you can book specifically for a one or two-hour slot.
Inside Passage
website | get directions | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | accepts reservations? yes, recommended | best for: creative cocktails
Inside Passage is an intimate bar located inside Rumba rum bar. It’s a self-proclaimed “Pacific Northwest, underwater, sunken ship, tropical immersion bar.” If that doesn’t paint a picture, there’s a giant octopus balanced above the bar top and tons of fanciful decor everywhere you look.
As if the vibe couldn’t get more entertaining, all of the drinks are served in comical and creative glassware, like The Four Boys, which features several rums, rice milk, and ube served in a steaming rice cooker. Need I say more?
Deep Dive
website | get directions | neighborhood: South Lake Union | accepts reservations? yes, recommended | best for: upscale food & cocktail menu
Last year I shared an Instagram post about the hidden speakeasy under the Amazon Spheres, but many people argued it’s not a real speakeasy. Technically the sign is on the door, and the only separation from the entrance and the bar is a long hallway. That said, I’d argue the intimate vibe and the nondescript door tucked inside the building is reason enough to label it a speakeasy.
As for the bar, Deep Dive is owned by the Sea Creatures Restaurant Group, AKA award-winning chef Renee Erickson. Her other restaurant, Willmott’s Ghost, is also located in the Spheres, which is one of the most Insta-worthy restaurants in Seattle.
The food menu is very upscale, with small bites and a coursed tasting menu alongside high-end cocktails. Don’t miss the focaccia and warm olives. They are the perfect nibbles as you sip!
Pro tip: They take walk-ins, but you’ll likely have to wait. Luckily they’ll text you when a table is available downstairs, so you can head to one of the nearby restaurants to hang until then.
Phocific Standard Time
website | get directions | neighborhood: Downtown | accepts reservations? no | best for: Asian-themed cocktails and Vietnamese food
Upstairs from Pho Bac, one of the best soup spots in Seattle, is their somewhat hidden speakeasy bar, Phocific Standard Time. There’s no secret doorway or password to get in, but since most people pop into Pho Bac for their short rib pho and then move along, it’s easy to miss the upstairs entrance.
The vibe between Phocific and Pho Bac is like night and day, with the bar being more of an intimate, sleek, and modern aesthetic. The cocktails are creative and fun, with an Asian influence and an on-point Vietnamese food menu. I especially love their presentation of pho, which comes in a cup ‘o noodles bowl fully decked out with all the garnishments.
The Hideout
website | get directions | neighborhood: First Hill | accepts reservations? no | best for: checking out local artwork
The Hideout is a modern speakeasy with little hype. The only thing that gives it away is the doorman standing outside to check IDs. Beyond that, it’s a pretty easy spot to miss. In addition to having good drinks, what really brings people are the walls of artwork surrounding the bar.
With over 80 artists showcasing their work at one time, it’s impossible not to get distracted by all the unique and creative pieces. And while some places tend to get gimmicky with their drinks when they have other attractions inside, The Hideout doesn’t disappoint. They have a ton of unique cocktails to choose from and an awesome bartender on deck at all times that can make anything your heart desires.
Smith Tower
website | get directions | neighborhood: Pioneer Square | accepts reservations? no | best for: cocktails with a view
Most people know Smith Tower for its position in the Seattle skyline. With a pyramid roof and deep roots in Seattle’s history, it’s one of Pioneer Square’s more popular tourist attractions. But what most people don’t realize is there’s also one of the best rooftop bars in Seattle.
You have to buy tickets to get into the bar. Then once you make it to the observatory deck, you’ll find a wood-paneled speakeasy with a 360-degree view of the city. I like to get a drink and head outside for the view, though do yourself a favor and leave the sun hats inside since they’ll likely blow away.
The Great Seattle Fire is one of the best cocktails in Seattle, and their weekend brunch is worth a visit if you’re looking for a daytime glimpse of the city.
Carnelian Bay
website | get directions | neighborhood: Fremont | accepts reservations? yes | best for: psychedelic tiki bar vibes
I’m still deciding if Carnelian Bay should be considered one of the speakeasy bars in Seattle. It’s inside Dreamland Diner, which is right on a busy corner of downtown Fremont. The tiki bar takes over the patio at night, featuring neon lights, jungle decor, and a cat head spewing smoke. So while it’s not hard to find once inside Dreamland, many people miss this cool spot.
The drinks are tasty and often served with theatrical flare. Think a lot of fire, smoke, and Instagrammable glasses. If you’re feeling peckish, the food is solid. My go-to is the Crunchy Wrap Supreme that’s a flavorful play on the Taco Bell classic.
Zig Zag Cafe
website | get directions | neighborhood: Downtown | accepts reservations? yes | best for: late night cocktails & food menu
Zig Zag Cafe is another spot that’s not so much a hidden bar as a hidden gem. That’s because it’s located in the belly of Pike Place, so most people either stroll past or assume it’s touristy. Personally, I think it’s one of the best spots downtown for a late-night drink.
Since they’re in the heart of downtown, they’re used to being busy so service is usually on point. They also have a great food menu with apps, large plates, dessert, and a late-night menu featuring duck fat popcorn, which I promise is way better than it sounds.
Bar Sabine
website | get directions | neighborhood: Ballard | accepts reservations? yes | best for: creative themed cocktails
The Back Bar at Bastille used to be my go-to spot in my early and mid-20s. I was devastated when they closed, so you can imagine my excitement when Sabine re-opened the back bar with similar decor.
While this spot is less hidden than it used to be considering they seat guests in Sabine’s patio visible from the sidewalk, it’s still a spot many people miss. The cocktail menu changes themes every so often and the creativity is top notched. For example, the last time I went it was a Lord of the Rings theme with fun names and matching barware.
This is probably one of the best speakeasy bars in Seattle with food, including the famous lamb burger from Bastille. So if you’re hungry don’t hesitate to order something off their menu that has some of the best Mediterranean food in Seattle.
Little Tin Goods & Apothecary
website | get directions | neighborhood: Ballard | accepts reservations? no | best for: tiki bar & small Hawaiian plates
Little Tin is a speakeasy tiki bar with Hawaiian-themed small plates, funky cocktails, and an outdoor patio with tons of natural greenery. It’s not especially hidden, but the back patio isn’t obvious, so you kind of have to know it’s there.
The cocktails are tiki-themed, but the bartenders can make anything you want. They’re a bit pricey, but the intimate vibe and romantic lighting make it a fun destination, even if it’s only for a quick drink and a couple of hand rolls.
Mountaineering Club
website | get directions | neighborhood: University District | accepts reservations? yes | best for: rooftop bar
The Mountaineering Club is a sneaky rooftop bar located on the top floor of The Graduate Hotel, which is worth a peek into the lobby just because it’s so eclectic and funky. Then when you’re ready, you have to “check in” at the hotel so the staff can buzz you upstairs to the bar.
The Club is one of my favorite rooftop bars in Seattle, mostly for its location, which allows you to glimpse at Lake Union and Lake Washington from the same viewpoint. The cocktails are always on point, and they have basic finger foods to keep you satisfied for at least two rounds of drinks.
More to try in Seattle
After you work your way through this list of speakeasy bars in Seattle, check out my guides to other great places in Seattle.
Thank you for creating this! I appreciate you! Are you planning on creating one for the South Sound/Tacoma area?
I’m so glad you like it! I don’t have any immediate plans to create a similar article for South Sound, but I’ll definitely keep an eye out for places and consider creating a list if I find enough of them. Thank you for the idea!