Vegas’ Hidden Speakeasies That Crush Strip Lounges (Part 2 of 2)
Welcome Back to the Speakeasy Hunt!
In Part 1, we uncovered the Cosmopolitan’s speakeasy empire and Strip gems that make overpriced lounges look like amateur hour.
Now, in Part 2, we’re diving into Vegas’ newest hidden bars and downtown haunts that locals swear by.
From caviar-fueled rock ‘n’ roll vibes to psychedelic grocery store hideouts, these spots crush the Strip’s $25 cocktail scams with real flavor and no-BS charm.
Let’s finish the tour.
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Caspians Cocktail Lounge at Caesars Palace
Also known as Caspian’s Rock & Roe, this hidden speakeasy and cocktail bar is tucked away behind a Picture inside of Caspians at Caesars Palace. It blends a luxurious caviar and cocktail experience with a rock and roll atmosphere, featuring live music like open mic nights with a live band. Gourmet cocktails and caviar paired with dishes like deviled eggs and lobster rolls make it unique.
It’s no secret that I’m critical of Caesars, but they hit a home run here. This isn’t their typical “reality TV star” collaboration. It’s a real bar with a theme and a great atmosphere. On my visit, we were able to walk right behind the picture, pick up the phone, and gain entry. We were sat at a small couch with a table and received service in seconds. The band was live, quirky, funny, and the place was filled with people relaxing, enjoying some elevated bites, and having a good time.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to stay long, we were meeting up with friends who were running late to hit Nobu for dinner, but this is on my list of places to dedicate some actual time to very soon. Drinks like the Pear-Fecta (Grey Goose La Poire Vodka, cucumber, thyme syrup, lemon) make this place really unique. Opens at 11 AM to 2 AM daily, reservations recommended.
Why it crushes: The Picture entry is fun, and the caviar-cocktail combo elevates it beyond Strip lounges. Caesars was missing something like this; it’s already a hit
Carmella Hidden Lounge at Planet Hollywood
Tucked behind a candy shop that looks like Willy Wonka’s fever dream, this intimate gem is all cozy seating, a full bar, and a DJ spinning grooves till the wee hours. Plan an evening with friends to go here, and I mean plan. Get reservations for Caramella and the Hidden Lounge, ask for the outdoor patio seating (maybe not in the summer), and enjoy a nice Italian meal with friends. Get the Stuffed Chicken Parmigiano, and order all the desserts to share with your party. Then, head to the speakeasy and finish your night in style.
Try the Midnight Oil (Pendleton Midnight Whisky, Quintessentia Nonino, Oleo Saccharum, Angostura & Cardamom Bitters). I typically like a traditional Old Fashioned, and some can get a bit too “twisty”, but this one hit the mark, as did all of their other drinks.
Opens Thursday through Sunday, reservations strongly suggested.
Why it crushes: The candy shop entrance is pure Vegas whimsy without the cheese, and the DJ keeps it alive. The place felt like a secret party, not a tourist trap. This is the second win by Caesars on this list, and I’m glad to see them finally diversifying their options.
Downtown and Off-Strip Gems
Venture off the Strip for speakeasies that feel like old Vegas, gritty, authentic, and a whole new experience.
The Laundry Room (Commonwealth, Downtown)
Hidden in a passageway in the Commonwealth bar, this 22-seat speakeasy is reservation-only (text for entry). The 1920s vibe includes flavored popcorn and bespoke cocktails tailored to your taste. It used to be the Laundry room of the El Cortez. You cannot go wrong with any drink in this place. One of my favorites is Camber Smoke (mezcal, whiskey, rose, honeyed liqueur, peychaud, cardamom, anisette). The entire menu is great top to bottom, and the bartenders are pros, so you can ask for almost anything.
It’s by far the most exclusive feeling of any Speakeasy; they don’t allow phones to be used inside, there is a 2-hour max stay, and you’ll get tossed for not fitting in with the chill vibe of the place.
Wed-Sun 5pm-Late!
Why it crushes: No tech allowed (no photos, low voices), making it a true escape from Strip chaos, often tucked away behind unassuming doors or disguised as other businesses, it’s a spot where you can actually converse. It feels secret, exclusive, but not at all stuffy.
The Underground (Mob Museum, Downtown)
Tucked in the basement of the Mob Museum, The Underground Speakeasy is a time machine to Prohibition-era Vegas, complete with dark wood, vintage decor, live jazz, and house-distilled moonshine that hits harder than a mob enforcer. This is my go-to for day drinking when I want to feel like I’m dodging feds with Bugsy Siegel. Open from 11 AM to midnight-ish, it’s perfect for sipping through history.
I’m no stranger to preaching that mob-era Las Vegas was the real deal. Check out my newsletter, Vegas Was Better When the Mob Ran It, for why the city’s lost its edge since the suits took over. The Underground gets it right, surrounded by 1920s artifacts like Tommy Guns and old whiskey crates. When there you will find me nursing an Underground Old Fashioned (Bourbon, Vanilla Bean, Brown Sugar, Bitters) served in a unique style.
You have two options for entry: take the Mob Museum tour (ticket $30, worth it for the history) and enter through the exhibit, or sneak in through the secret stairwell. Face the Mob Museum, head right, spot a barrel, and you’ll see stairs leading to a green door. Ring the bell (if it’s working), knock, and drop the password. Check their social media or website, but I always grin and say, “Bugsy sent me.” It’s worked every time, and the doorman’s smirk is half the fun. No password? No dice, so don’t show up clueless like some Strip tourist.
Why it crushes: The Mob Museum tie-in and distillery tours give you a story, not just a drink. It’s gritty, authentic, and doesn’t nickel-and-dime you. This place feels like Vegas before the corporations ruined it, where you sip, scheme, and soak in the city’s soul. Last time, I got roped into a debate about Capone’s favorite drink with the bartender. I happened to have a bottle of pre-prohibition-style whisky, said to be Capone’s favorite recipe at home, that can no longer be purchased. I sent her a small pour in exchange for a flight of houch (moonshine), I don’t remember the ride back.
1923 Prohibition Bar (Mandalay Bay, Strip-Adjacent)
Tucked behind a bookcase in the Mandalay Shoppes, 1923 Prohibition Bar is a bourbon-soaked speakeasy that channels New Orleans’ sultry soul with live burlesque, piano, and cocktails that hit like a mobster’s right hook.
Open Sunday–Thursday 11 AM–12 AM, Friday–Saturday 11 AM–2 AM, this dark, secluded lounge with plush seating feels like a secret you’re actually in on.
My first trip here was a happy accident. Flight got in early, room wasn’t ready, so we figured, “Why not hit a bar?” Big mistake, or maybe the best mistake. I started with the B.C.P Milk Punch (Howler Head Banana Bourbon, Frangelico, cream, simple syrup, vanilla extract, like banana cream pie in a glass), and three drinks later, I was thanking God the room was ready because lunch got scrapped for a nap. Blame the early flight… or the fact that this place makes you forget time exists.
I’ve been back a few times since, and it never disappoints. Having been to NOLA, I can confirm 1923 nails that Big Easy vibe, dim lights, sultry jazz, and a crowd that’s here for the experience, not Instagram clout. No password needed these days, just find the bookcase and step into a world of velvet curtains and polished wood that screams 1920s debauchery.
The real draw is Friday and Saturday’s NOLA Nights (9:45 PM–1 AM, no cover), where live burlesque dancers and piano players turn the place into a seductive time capsule. You can usually walk in, but weekends get packed, so arrive early.
Why it crushes: This place is vintage without the stuffy attitude, and the free burlesque and piano crush Strip lounges’ $50 cover charges for recycled beats. It’s the kind of spot where you lose track of time, sip like a gangster, and leave feeling like you cheated the system. And yes, I’m aware they have a location in Venetian now, but it just doesn’t live up to the OG.
Hacks to Master Vegas Speakeasies
Finding and enjoying speakeasies isn’t luck, it’s a hustle. I do miss the days of them being hidden and slipping into places that left everyone around thinking, “Where did they go?” Still, these spots all do the trick in transforming you to a place that feels different. Just like Las Vegas to offer multiple experiences behind every door.
Here is your list of booking sites for the speakeasies we covered:
MGM properties, if you’re hotel stay is booked through MGM Rewards (it should be) and especially if you’re a Gold member or above, you can call and speak with a concierge or visit a Host at Bellagio or Aria. Check out How to Score Free Vegas Perks with Host Hacks for my newsletter on how to really take advantage of this!
Ghost Donkey (Cosmopolitan): Walk-in, no reservations needed.
The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails (Cosmopolitan): Reservations recommended.
Ski Lodge at Superfrico (Cosmopolitan): Reservations are not accepted. For parties of 10 or more, call 702.534.3419
The Vault at Bellagio: Reservations required
Easy’s at Aria: Reservations recommended.
Chez Bippy at MGM Grand: Reservations recommended.
The Lock at Horseshoe: Reservations required, or call the phone in Cabinet of Curiosities.
Back Room at Bavette’s (Park MGM): No reservations, walk-in through Bavette’s. Included dinner reservation link for Bavettes.
Caspians at Caesars: Reservations recommended.
Carmella at Planet Hollywood: Reservations recommended. Link for both restaurant and speakeasy.
Laundry Room at Commonwealth: Reservations Required.
The Underground at the Mob Museum: No reservations required; walk in with password or museum ticket.
1923 Prohibition Bar: First Come, First Serve.
🐺 Wolfpack Teaser
More Vegas gold coming! I send out free newsletters every week, along with a few paid gems.
Final Verdict
These are the spots that make Sin City sing, not sting your wallet.
But there are several others in town waiting to be uncovered. The Arts District alone deserves its own 2 or 3-part newsletter series on hidden and not-so-hidden bars, plus AREA15's wild spots and the underrated gems in Chinatown.
Stay tuned, the Wolfpack’s got more secrets coming. Got a speakeasy story? Tweet it with #VegasUncomped, and I’ll retweet the slickest.
-Jason
Vegas Uncomped | Truth. Hacks. No Comped BS.
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