No password required, mostly: The 10 best speakeasies in Phoenix

Let’s go back. Speakeasies were a necessary staple of the Prohibition era. That time is long gone, but speakeasy-style bars are alive and thriving.

There’s something to be said about searching for the entrance, and at some spots, figuring out a password. It’s like a scavenger hunt, where the prize is a heavenly cocktail and stellar ambiance.

Not to mention, when temperatures start rising, Phoenicians need a place to beat the summer heat. With that, here are 10 speakeasy-style lounges for you to channel the Roaring ’20s and cool off with a cold drink.

Bar 1912

4130 N. Seventh Ave. Valentine, a restaurant and cafe on Seventh Avenue, got a lot of attention when it opened its doors in late 2020. But much more quietly, a little cocktail bar opened around the corner. Customers can enter through the restaurant or through a door on the north side of the building and find Bar 1912. The simple yet elegant space features backlit archways that cast a soft glow over a seating area of small tables and a narrow bar. Customers decked out in their most fashionable outfits crowd into the space, hoping to see and be seen. The cocktail menu, much like that of the bar’s connected restaurant, is filled with references to Arizona. Drinks are inspired by the different regions and ecological zones of the state and have featured garnishes such as smoking rosemary, crystalline cotton candy flavored with pistachios and even chocolate-dipped chapulines, the dried and seasoned grasshoppers.

Barley & Smoke

10144 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., #1130, Peoria At Barley & Smoke, the team behind Peoria Artisan Brewery takes a chef’s table and a speakeasy and mashes them together, with delightful results. The space, which is tucked behind the brewpub’s kitchen, is sleek and stylish, with the open kitchen and bar as the focal point. Plan to arrive stylish yourself; Barley & Smoke has a business casual dress code. Two outstanding sips from the craft cocktail list are the Blackberry Thyme-Out and El Hefe Grande. The former gin-based tipple finds a way to bring out the flavor of its two namesake ingredients. The latter is a balanced, fresh riff on a margarita, using bacanora in lieu of tequila and charred lemon juice in the place of lime. Don’t skip the pork belly with pickled apple to snack on while you sip. With only 30 seats, reservations are strongly encouraged.

Captain’s Cabin

5114 N. Seventh St. #2 Next to the entrance of the uptown location of Hula’s Modern Tiki, there’s a second door hiding in plain sight. It looks to be an employee entrance or maybe a storage room. But inside, you’ll find Captain’s Cabin, a dark space serving bright cocktails. Tiki drinks in shades of pink and blue come adorned with purple orchids and green pineapple fronds. Spotlights shine on individual tables and along the bar causing the drinks to glow as customers sip them in the darkness. Wood paneling, seaside paintings and other nautical decor complete the vibe. Whether you’re headed to Hula’s for dinner or looking for a nightcap, this tropical hideaway is the perfect spot to stop a while.

The Cave at Quartz

341 W. Van Buren St. Suite B When you visit Quartz, it’s tempting to grab a seat by the first bar you see, underneath a large rock overhang strung with glowing rope lights. The front of this dual-concept space has excellent drinks and a dark, moody atmosphere well worth visiting. But for something extraordinary, resist the urge to stay up front and enter The Cave. Around the host stand and through a small hallway, this hidden second bar is a feast for the senses. The shining, mirrored walls and ceiling reflect neon light in a way that’s both beautiful and a little disorienting. Take a seat at one of the booths which are each nestled into private nooks and sip on the small welcome drink while perusing the menu. The drinks here are inspired by the desert landscapes around the world and each features a laundry list of ingredients. While in The Cave, you can also order cocktails from the front bar where the drinks are inspired by gemstones and crystals. Some of the drinks are bright turquoise and ruby colors, but we’re fans of the equally delicious cocktail We Call It Home, which arrives in an eye-catching cactus-shaped cup. The drink uses ingredients from some of the Valley’s top restaurants and infuses them into a complex, slightly spicy and funky twist on a classic margarita.

Idle Hands

401 S. Mill Ave., #101, Tempe The former home of Mill Avenue staple Rula Bula has a new tenant with the addition of not one but two bars: Devil’s Hideaway and Idle Hands. The latest project from Julian Wright, the restaurateur behind Sake Haus, Lucky’s Indoor Outdoor and Pedal Haus Brewery, the duo of bars offers dueling experiences. For a speakeasy vibe, skip the lively college bar and head to the back where the reservation-based Idle Hands takes the cocktail experience up a notch. The experiential bar aims to transport people to an enchanted greenhouse, with an evening scene in a forest projection-mapped across the faux windows and vaulted ceilings. The drink menu features more than a dozen spirited options. Try Cocktail #401 for a tropical and nutty, rum-based sipper. Though the experiences at the bars vary, their distinct personalities make each worthy of a visit.

Melinda’s Alley

50 E. Adams St. Sipping on cocktails at Melinda’s Alley is like hanging out in your grandma’s attic without the cobwebs. In the basement of the Renaissance Hotel, Melinda’s lures trendy patrons, whether they’re celebrating or looking for a more tranquil setting. The lounge is filled with vintage furniture, while the lighting is dim with a crimson hue. The cocktail menu seen one weekend will not be the same on your next visit. The mixologists trade menu responsibilities every weekend. It’s not uncommon for Melinda’s to reach maximum capacity, so try to time your visit right. Find the entrance in an alleyway on the east side of Central Avenue, between Adams and Monroe streets. No password is required, but looking for the bathroom is a comical adventure.

The Ostrich

10 N. San Marcos Place, Chandler At The Ostrich in Chandler, the history goes beyond design inspiration. The subterranean bar used to be a storage room for ostrich feathers in the early 1900s and is now a vintage-inspired speakeasy concept named after the basement’s former use. It’s located below Crust, an Italian restaurant at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort. There are two ways down to the bar, one from inside the restaurant (look for a door covered in kitchen utensils) and one from outside (search for a descending staircase and a red light). Antique mugshots, barrels, books and a life-sized ostrich decorate the establishment. Bar stools, high-top tables and leather booths invite customers to sit and stay awhile. Along with craft cocktails, the bar serves draft beer and food. Not sure what to pick? Order the Dealer’s Choice and let your bartender take the lead.

Pigtails Cocktail Bar

1 E. Washington St. #128
21001 N. Tatum Blvd. #46-1405Spread across the Valley, there are two locations of Pigtails Cocktail Bar, both hiding in plain sight. At Desert Ridge Marketplace, Pigtails discreetly neighbors its sister concept, The Whining Pig, and caters to craft drink fans in an elegant setting. Opened in February 2019, the bar features low-hanging light fixtures, shiplap walls with copper accents and excessive plants which create a relaxed and oxygenated environment for sipping your favorite spirits. Once you’re in the Desert Ridge Marketplace, go across the way from Dave and Buster’s. You don’t need a password, and you get to exit from a secret, bookshelf door. In downtown Phoenix, Pigtails neighbors Coabana, another excellent cocktail experience by the same company.

Tell Your Friends

17797 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale One of the newer bars on the list, Tell Your Friends has quickly made an impression. Located underneath The Americano in north Scottsdale, the speakeasy-style lounge is accessed through a descending staircase and a red mirrored hallway. Inside, red velvet drapes, floral decor and a shimmering gold ceiling and bar set the tone. Live musicians perform as expert mixologists shake and stir unusual cocktails behind the bar. Try a sweet and savory concoction made with bell peppers or opt for a rum Manhattan. Small bites accompany the drinks and there are plenty of opportunities for expensive upgrades to elevate your underground experience.

Stardust Pinbar

401 W. Van Buren St. Suite C Many speakeasy-style bars around the Valley take design inspiration from the Prohibition era with dim lanterns and dark woods. That is far from the case at Stardust Pinbar, a rainbow kaleidoscope next door to The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix. What makes it a secret is how you get in. Enter Ziggy’s Magic Pizza Shop, a bright pizza counter where you can grab a slice or two. Then, walk down the hallway to the right of the counter and go through a door that looks like it surely must be for employees only. Cross a small hallway and you’ll start to see the shimmer of the enormous disco ball. Ziggy’s counterpart, Stardust, awaits. Grab a drink at the bar – these skew brightly colored and candy-flavored – and pick your adventure. Do you want to take a spin on the light-up dance floor, try your hand at one of the many vintage pinball machines or grab a table to enjoy your pizza? Stardust is loud and fun, with a DJ spinning most nights. So different from many of the moody and dark hidden bars around town, this spot is a party for those in the know.