Sometimes, you just want to slip away to a quiet spot for a drink, relax, and enjoy some easy conversation—no rush, no distractions. The continued popularity of Prohibition-era speakeasy-style bars is a testament to our collective desire for a refuge from the spotlight, a place where we can unwind in peace. These hidden gems offer more than just a cocktail; they provide an escape into a moment of calm, away from the noise of everyday life. Whether it’s the allure of a well-crafted dry martini or the charm of vintage décor, stepping into a speakeasy feels like stepping back in time, where secrets are shared, and the world slows down just enough to savour a drink and a chat.
LONDON: SOMA SOHO
Photo: @soma__ldn
Photo: 📷 Harry Pederson
“Soma” is a Sanskrit word meaning to distill and extract, which seems more than apt for this modern, subterranean speakeasy. Guests pull up a wooden stool along an etched stainless-steel bar or murmur away in the nooks and crannies. A semi-private lounge, all done in sumptuous chestnut brown, is a hot ticket for gaggles of 10 to 25. Look for the entrance next to Kricket Restaurant. DRINK UP: The Cashew features mezcal with sweet vermouth, burnt cashew and Carpano Bitters, while the Rose is a spritzed gin with a rose and cherry-blossom flavour boost. somasoho.com
MONTREAL: STILLIFE
@stillifemtl
@stillifemtl
A small, apple shingle on Saint Paul West just outside Old Montreal is the only demarcation of Stillife, with the door off a side alley. The minimalism carries on inside the sleek, sexy space, which is lined with dark banquettes and tiny tables. Bartenders whip up house specialties and old-school classics Wednesday through Saturday nights.The list also includes an impressive selection of tequilas and whiskies. Go late. DRINK UP: The Clover : Gin, citrus, homemade organic raspberry syrup & egg white. stillifemtl.com
LOS ANGELES: ADULTS ONLY
@adultsonlybar.la
@adultsonlybar.la
Patrons enter this Boogie Nights-style watering hole through a doorway of what appears to be an old video store in the corner of a shopping-mall plaza. Once inside, Old Hollywood glamour rules, the décor championing the golden era of film. Cinematic-slash-ecclesiastical touches include dramatic drapery, Gothic cathedral lamps, movie posters, church pews, stained-glass windows and projected movies. Brace for the beautiful people dressing to impress, who have probably already had a few. Follow the pink neon. DRINK UP: A bourbon with a beer chaser. Make it a double. adultsonlybar.la
SINGAPORE: 28HKS
Photo: @28hongkongstreet
Photo: @28hongkongstreet
The award-winning 28 HongKong Street is hardly a secret, particularly when your name is your address. The exterior looks like it’s a hardware store that has closed for the night, perhaps even for good. Inside, it feels like you’ve ducked into a low-lit speakeasy – the Prohibition-era feel further underlined by the fact that alcohol in Singapore is so heavily taxed. DRINK UP: With the Black Forest Negroni, the Italian classic gets a German makeover. The Veg-O-Matic sports a mix of gins flavoured with yellow pepper, basil and lemon. 28hgs.com
TORONTO: VATICAN GIFT SHOP
@thevaticangiftshop
@thevaticangiftshop
It’s blasphemous! What looks like a small shoebox selling votive candles and religious doo-dads opens up to a low-lit space sporting a long, wooden bar, a lounge and a Neapolitan pizza (straight from the wood burning oven) restaurant, complete with cathedral lamps. There’s plenty of space for intimate live-music shows, 1980s dance parties and karaoke. DRINK UP: Choose a local or European beer, or a fancy cocktail like the Ride the Cliché, which mixes ginger beer, amaro, tequila and lemon. @thevaticangiftshop
BUENOS AIRES: FRANK’S
Photo: @franks_bar
Photo: @franks_bar
What begins like the opening credits of TV show Get Smart quickly turns into what looks like a set piece from Peaky Blinders. The doorman requires a password (which you’ll find on Facebook), before giving you a code to dial into an American phone booth, the back of which then opens out onto a 1920s-style lounge. Two floors here are festooned with chandeliers and velvet. Book ahead via the bar’s Instagram account where you’ll find a link to the Woki reservations app to make your entry more seamless. DRINK UP: Dandy bartenders specialize mostly in drinks fashionable in the 1920s. Bespoke cocktails can also be made from your particular tastes. @franks_bar
NEW YORK CITY: PDT
@pdtnyc
The Alpine Fresca. 📸 @ericmedsker
Also accessed by calling from a phone booth – this time in the hot dog café Crif Dogs in New York’s East Village – this hideaway is very well-known for its speakeasy. Featured on Anthony Bourdain’s The Layover TV series, PDT (which stands for Please Don’t Tell) is a brick-walled basement den punched up with taxidermied animals. Sit at the bar so you can watch the show. And definitely make a reservation. DRINK UP: A hot dog, ofcourse. The Alpine Fresca features rosemary- infused tequila and Génépy, a Alpine herbal liqueur. The Halva Suissesse is a creamy Middle East-styled absinthe confection. pdtnyc.com
DETROIT: CASTALIA AT SFUMATO
CASTALIA AT SFUMATO. Photo: @eeberger
NOBEL TRUTH Cocktail. Photo: @castaliacocktails
Step into the basement of a historic Victorian mansion in Cass Corridor, where you’ll discover Castalia – a hidden gem where cocktails meet perfume for an unforgettable sensory journey. By day, it’s the home of fragrance brand Sfumato, but by night, it transforms into an intimate lounge where drinks are thoughtfully paired with aromatic blends. Whether you opt for spirit-forward creations or non-alcoholic innovations, every sip is an experience. Pro tip: book a pre-paid 90-minute reservation for the full vibe. DRINK UP: NOBEL TRUTH ~ From the NEW Scientist Menu ~ Spirit-forward, round, black licorice. Named after Marie Curie, a chemist who discovered several elements, with a focus on radioactive compounds.
Nobel Truth is made with a custom coconut infused gin, anise, cedar, vermouth, manzanilla, saffron, and preserved lemon bitters / / Alcohol Content: 1.2 standard drinks / / Pairs with Survival Instinct scent castaliacocktails.com
