A century after the Prohibition Era, speakeasies may no longer be necessary, but they sure are popular. In the early 2000s, speakeasy-inspired spaces started popping up in major cities, hidden behind delis, in narrow alleys, or in subterranean vaults, foregoing signage and requiring passwords for entry. Although most speakeasy-style restaurants and bars today are fairly easy to find, it’s pure pleasure to enter what feels like a secret world, and to enjoy cocktails in a space that seems far and away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has plenty of speakeasies to choose from—true Jazz Age-style throwbacks, Mexican hideaways, even a Himalayan cocktail lounge stashed behind a momo shop. This list will give you a starting point. All you have to do is scrounge up the passwords.
Ayahuasca Cantina
Open the little hinged viewer on the unmarked wooden door in the Xaman Café to get your first glimpse of this dark, sexy Mexican speakeasy. Mexican art adorns the wall and candles flicker. Cocktails like the horchata espresso martini will transport you across the southern border. Small plates, like rabbit-stuffed squash blossoms flash-fried in maíz flour, offer a unique take on bar snacks. 334 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, https://www.xamancafe.com/ayahuasca
Rare Books
Speak the password “No one goes alone”, enter through a bookcase off of J. Theodore Restaurant, and enter a cozy little hideaway where you’ll often find a live musician strumming an acoustic guitar. Rare Books offers an impressive whiskey list, including some nice Japanese whiskeys, and the cocktails, like Jigsaw Girl (Hendricks, St. Germain, grapefruit, agave, and rhubarb bitters), are creative and well made. 6959 Lebanon Rd. Ste. 110, Frisco, rarebooksbar.com
The Branca Room
Down an alley behind Argentinian restaurant Chimichurri (currently closed for renovations), this Latin speakeasy has walls crammed with an actual bicycle, eclectic framed art, and a sweeping tango mural. Maximalist cocktails come served in a big glass pig, or a globe, or a light-up fish. Vermouth and amaro are made in-house, and so are a variety of tinctures, chartreuses, and bitters. 324 W. Seventh St., Dallas, thebrancaroom.com
Taipo Behind the Door
Billed as “the world’s first Nepalese speakeasy”, Taipo Behind the Door stands, as the name suggests, just past a door inside Taipo, a fast-casual Nepalese café slinging momos, stick food, and rice bowls. Dramatic crystal chandeliers and a wall of prayer wheels create a dazzling backdrop for a Darjeeling Chai (Tito’s, Kahlua, chai, and cream) or a Taipo Fizz (gin, grapefruit, egg whites, and prosecco). 200 E. Abram St., Ste. 140, Arlington
The Wilfred
Named for the owner’s dog Wilfred (there’s a beautiful painting of that dog hanging on the wall), this speakeasy has guests walk through the Sea Breeze Fish Market & Grill and enter a code on the door for access. (Hint: it’s the year we landed on the moon.) Inside, people are bellied up to the bar doing caviar bumps. Your cocktail might arrive inside a smoking treasure chest. 4017 Preston Rd. #530, Plano, seabreezefish.com/thewilfredplano
The Amber Room
At Fort Worth restaurant Wishbone and Flynt, patrons enter through an unmarked door and find themselves in the Amber Room amid eclectic mid-century furniture, candelabras, and portraits of animals in suits at. The cocktail list is divided into liquor sections—vodka, tequila, whiskey, gin, and so on. For a little spice, try the Jalapeño Business: Knob Creek Rye, lemon, jalapeño syrup, and chile liqueur. 334 Bryan Ave., Fort Worth, wishboneandflynt.com/the-amber-room
Magnum Speakeasy
Seeing as it’s set inside a Marriott, Magnum Speakeasy certainly isn’t the most hidden spot on the list, but the cocktail bar in Hotel Vin in Grapevine is all about ambiance. Enter through a door made to look like an old-timey telephone booth. You’ll find walls adorned with a mix of sophisticated modern art pieces and animal trophies, and see bartenders in ties and vests mixing cocktails behind a bar reminiscent of the Jazz Age. 215 E. Dallas Rd., Grapevine
Akai
The Dallas location of Japanese restaurant Musume leads to a speakeasy that is a live DJs and bottle service kind of place. Accessible through Musume’s kitchen, or through a door outside marked by nothing but a red light, Akai offers the perfect night out: sushi for dinner and sake cocktails for dessert. 1740 Crockett St., Dallas, musumedallas.com/akai
