Ok, truth. So the first time I found out about speakeasies, it was through a TikTok that went viral showing some guy pushing through a bookshelf into a hidden bar in NYC. I was 22 and completely obsessed. Seven years later, I've become that friend who knows all the secret spots in almost every city and I literally travel to visit these speakeasies. But honestly, the whole scene has changed so much, even in just the short time I've been part of it.
Remember when everyone was posting those "secret" phone booth entrances on Instagram around 2018? That was basically my introduction to the scene. Now those feel almost cliché, but what's replaced them is so much cooler. Recently, I visited Cruise Room in Denver where you have to scan a QR code that leads you through an AR scavenger hunt just to find the entrance. The whole thing took about 15 minutes, but such a fun experience.
Growing up with social media, you'd think these places would have lost their mystery by now. I mean, nothing stays secret when everyone's posting their lives 24/7, right? But these spots have gotten crazy creative with keeping the magic alive. The best ones are constantly switching things up, like this hidden bar "Garage" in Austin changes its entire menu and concept every season. I love it! Last time I went, the theme changed, and we had to decode actual morse code messages to order certain drinks.
The drinks themselves have gotten wild too. We're way past the basic prohibition-era cocktails that were everywhere when I first started going to these places. Now it's all about the experience. One of the coolest was a cocktail that changed colors based on the temperature of your hands, and another came with an edible QR code printed on rice paper that unlocked a special AR filter when you scanned it. They're so innovative with the drinks.
What's really interesting is how these places handle social media. They know we're going to post. I mean, how could we not when everything looks so aesthetic? But they're super smart about it. This spot in Chicago actually has specific moments in the evening where they create these incredible photo ops, but then the rest of the experience is totally phone-free. They've even got these beautiful little lockers for your phone that become part of the experience. It's kind of nice, actually. Makes everything feel more special.
The crowd has changed too. It's not just millennials trying to relive the 2010s speakeasy vibe anymore. I see more Gen Z peeps, mixing with everyone else. We're all there for the same thing… something that feels real and special in a world where everything is usually so accessible and immediate. Plus, it's way more diverse than you might expect.
The best part about modern speakeasies is how they've adapted to our generation's love of gaming and interactive experiences. There's this place in Miami called Green Hat, is basically an escape room meets craft cocktail bar. Every drink you order gives you a clue, and if you solve the whole mystery by the end of the night, you get access to this super secret drink menu that isn't posted anywhere online. I still haven't figured it out, but it's so cool.
Speaking of which, it's kind of fascinating how these places market themselves, or don't. The really good ones don't even have official social media accounts. Instead, they build these whole mythologies through their customers' posts and word of mouth. Some use micro-influencers in really subtle ways, dropping hints about new locations or special events through seemingly random posts. It's like a real-life Easter egg hunt.
What I love most about today's speakeasy culture and scene is that it gives us something we're honestly kind of starved for. Genuine surprise! In a world where I usually know everything about a place before I even step through the door, these spots still manage to make me feel like I'm discovering something truly special. Sure, I'll probably post about it later, but for those few hours, it's nice to be somewhere that still feels like a real secret.
So yeah, maybe the original speakeasies of the 2000s would roll their eyes at our AR-enhanced, social-media-adjacent version of hidden bars. But I think we've found our own way to keep the mystery alive. In an age where everyone knows everything, we've managed to create spaces that still feel magical, even if that magic sometimes comes with a side of digital innovation. Just imagine what they'll be like in 10 more years.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I just got a mysterious DM with coordinates to what might be a new spot opening. Time to grab my friends and go hunting for the next big secret.
Copyright © 2025 Best Speakeasies - All Rights Reserved.