Heading to a bar shouldn’t just be routine, it should be an occasion. And there’s nothing cooler than finding secret bars, some inspired by Prohibition era speakeasies. Although they might be hard to find and have inconspicuous entrances, they are swanky establishments where you can enjoy privacy and still get the best in drinks.
PDT, New York City
Possibly the most popular speakeasy in the US. PDT (Please Don’t Tell) is pretty well-known for a secret bar and can be accessed through an old phonebooth where you ring up a hostess who opens up a sliding wall. The quirky award-winning bar has some of the best bartenders in the country and some seasonal cocktails to die for. Check out Benton’s Old-Fashioned (it’s bacon infused) and the Sage Old Buck.
Where:Â 113 St Marks Pl, New York.
Foxglove, Hong Kong
Ever imagined walking through a passage, turning an umbrella and being transported to a snazzy, super secret bar? Well, Foxglove is all your dreams come true. The interiors are modelled after airplanes and yesteryear cars with blue leather and grey marble. Even the cocktails are just as posh. How about trying the Eastern Promise that has pepper-infused gin, guava, yuzu marmalade, star anise and absinthe?
Where: Printing House, 2/F, 6 Duddell St, Hong Kong.
The Butcher, Amsterdam
Don’t let the exterior fool you, The Butcher isn’t your regular burger joint. Once you go through to the back of the burger place, you press a buzzer and are welcomed to a glorious secret bar that’ll take your breath away. Not only do they let you take some of the best burgers from the front into the bar, they also serve some of the best cocktails around (no easy task in Amsterdam). Check out the Spicy Crusta for starters.
Where:Â Albert Cuypstraat 129, 1072 CS Amsterdam
Buck And Breck, Berlin
This bar only has 30 seats and thousands waiting to get in. Located behind a run-down door that flashes a ‘Closed’ sign at you to indicate that it’s actually open (strange, I know), this establishment has some of the bartenders ready to make cocktails just to your liking. So if you’re lucky enough to get in, be sure to let us know how it went!
Where:Â BrunnenstraĂźe 177, 10119 Berlin.
Le Syndicat, Paris
When you head to Le Syndicat, you are signing up to finding a singular door located somewhere on a graffitied, poster-filled wall and then entering a bar right out of your underground club scene dreams. Order yourself a Goldenight, one of the many layered cocktail specialties, and maybe even find someone to take down the government.
Where:Â Â 51 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris.
Callooh Callay, London
Callooh Callay is a labyrinth made of 3 bars, the difficulty of reaching the next becomes harder as you progress. The first, cute bar is relatively easy, the second is accessed through walking through a wardrobe and the third, JubJub, has a 4 digit code that changes every day! Either way you’re guaranteed to an ever-changing, refreshing drinks menu including the well-loved New World Spritz that’s got Oolong-infused rum, lime, watermelon juice, lemon bitters and of course, prosecco.
Where:Â 65 Rivington St, London EC2A 3AY.
