Secret Speakeasies: 6 Bars & Clubs Hidden in Plain Sight

The Gibson – Washington, DC

gibson door buzzer

Staying true to the secret spirit of the 1920s speakeasy, you’ll find precious little information about The Gibson – even on the bar’s own website. There you’ll get an address, a phone number, and an email address. Finding the place is a little more challenging. There’s no neon sign to announce its presence – just an unremarkable, unmarked door with a buzzer accompanied by the words “The Gibson.”

The Gibson

washington dc the gibson

A host sits outside to escort patrons into the bar where the only lighting comes from some bare bulbs over the bar and candles on the tables. The cocktails here are a bit more modern and adventurous than at some of the other speakeasies, but this fits well with the overall perfect mixture of retro and modern vibes.

Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar – Chicago

maria's

maria's bar

A bit less of a speakeasy in the traditional term, Maria’s is a beloved fixture in Chicago’s South Side. In the front you’ll find an unassuming but well-stocked liquor store. Step through the unmarked door in the back and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the gorgeous art deco fixtures, reclaimed materials, and vintage decorations.

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Another departure from the traditional speakeasy: Maria’s doesn’t just focus on cocktails. They also serve up an impressive selection of artisanal and craft beers – sometimes sporting a selection of 450 different beers. Their liquors are brewed locally and regionally, keeping the love in the Chicago area.

Wilson and Wilson Private Detective Agency – San Francisco

private detective agency

san francisco wilson and wilson private detective agency

Wilson and Wilson Private Detective Agency truly sticks with the speakeasy theme – you even have to follow some prohibition-like rules like no loud speaking, no cell phones, no frou-frou cocktails, and no photography. When entering Wilson and Wilson you’ll be guided through a series of three doors and led into a mellow candlelit room. You’re out of luck if you’re hoping to find a private dick to dish up some dirt on your dame, but the bar offers some wickedly delicious, slow-crafted cocktails and punch.

wilson and wilson private detective agency

Wilson and Wilson is actually located inside another bar – Bourbon & Branch – which was a real speakeasy in the 1920s under the guise of a cigar shop. When the owners acquired it, they found remnants of the former secret bar in the basement, including a series of bells that were used to alert patrons to the approach of the fuzz. Amazed at the discovery, the owners decided to restore the speakeasy to its former glory – and then some. Incorporating the private detective theme, patrons are handed brown envelopes containing the bar’s menu rather than ordering from a chalkboard or (shudder) a plastic placard on the table.