15 best speakeasy bars in Boston

What is it? This classy, speakeasy-themed Beacon Hill establishment offers a full modern New England menu alongside a delightful list of Prohibition-inspired cocktails, such as the signature "1928 Cocktail" and the mezcal-forward "Beatnik," crafted with house-made simple syrups and juices.

Why we love it: 1928 Beacon Hill features three intimate spaces, each with its own distinct vibe. The bar and lounge evoke a cozy lodge, while The Ship has a nautical charm. In The Library, book pages hang from the ceiling, complementing the leather banquettes and tome-lined wallpaper to create a distinctly bookish atmosphere.

Time Out tip: Reserve a table in The Library for the most speakeasy-like experience.

Address: 97 Mt Vernon St, Boston, MA 02108

Opening hours: Daily 4:30–11pm

Expect to pay: $45 to $60 for a couple of cocktails and a bite or two

What is it? Tucked away in Boston's North End, just down the street from Paul Revere's former homestead, Farmacia is an intimate, nine-seat bar helmed by Phillip Rolfe of All Day Hospitality Group. It offers a curated cocktail experience akin to a tasting menu, focusing on thoughtfully and meticulously crafted creations rather than casual drinks.

Why we love it: The vibe is apothecary chic, like stepping back in time with Rolfe as a modern-day pharmacist whipping up potent "cures" with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each season, Rolfe unveils a new "chapter" of drinks, drawing inspiration from diverse sources, and personally selects every ingredient to create delicious and complex cocktails. The personalized service, where drinks are tailored to your preferences, ensures a bespoke experience.

Time Out tip: With only nine seats and a reputation for truly special cocktails, securing a reservation can be competitive. Plan ahead!

Address: 5 N Square, Boston, MA 02128

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 5pm–midnight

Expect to pay: Tickets, priced at $80 per person (plus a small fee), are released 60 days in advance. Set an alarm; you'll need it.

What it is: From the team behind Krasi comes Hecate, an underground speakeasy that feels distinctly New York City, yet perfectly at home in Boston.

Why we love it: Named for the Greek goddess of magic and witchcraft, this intimate 24-seat bar offers stylish and unique cocktails crafted by bartenders referred to as "spirit guides." Drinks, with names such as "Eternal Spring," "Moon Mansions," and "Frater Bruno," come in fun, new age-y glasses, copper mugs, and goblets, adding to Hecate's bewitching vibe.

Time Out tip: You can't make reservations at Hecate; entry is first-come, first-served, and the place fills up fast. If getting in is your main goal, we suggest arriving around 30 minutes prior to opening. Bonus tip: Don't dare order a vodka soda!

Address: 48 Gloucester St, Boston, MA 02115

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5pm–1am

Expect to pay: $40 to $50 per person for a couple cocktails and bar snack

What is it? Downtown hotspot Mariel is a restaurant and lounge dedicated to pre-revolutionary Havana. While the front-of-house restaurant and its rum-lined bar set the mood, the unmissable downstairs area, known as Mariel Underground, further honors this sexy, bygone era with plush velvet sofas, extravagant chandeliers, and a cocktail menu featuring both fruity and traditional Havanese ingredients.

Why we love it: For starters, you can enjoy freshly made (never frozen), island-inspired, and rum-forward cocktails in a setting that instantly transports you to an elegant, mid-century Cuban café. The aforementioned vibe is the mint on the mojito.

Time Out tip: Strolling into Mariel Underground is nearly impossible. The room is only open for dinner and drinks from 8 to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday, and reservations are essential. The vibe turns clubby after 10 pm, with DJs spinning a thumping variety of genres until 2 am.

Address: 10 Post Office Square #120, Boston, MA 02109

Opening hours: Thu 10pm–2am; Fri, Sat 8pm–2am

Expect to pay: $40 to $60 per person for drinks and small plates

What is it? A night at Yvonne's is a treat no matter where you're sitting in the whimsical supper club in Downtown Crossing that was once home to Boston's beloved Locke-Ober. But for the purpose of this list, we take you behind a secret bookshelf in the Library, which leads to a set of stairs that descend into The Gallery—a secret, seven-table room that glows with the light of modern neon wall art and gas lamp-style lighting fixtures overhead. The mood is dark, secluded, even a little opulent.

Why we love it: The Gallery boasts its own private bar, meaning you get almost exclusive access to a bartender shaking up delicious drinks by request or straight from the Yvonne's menu. Options include updated takes on classic cocktails, such as the "Serenade Martini," infused with lemongrass and pink Sichuan peppercorn. "Social Music" feels particularly speakeasy-like with brown butter rye, pecan-smoked banana, and sherry vermouth.

Time Out tip: Like a true speakeasy, The Gallery is only available by special request. Hosting a private event there is probably your best bet, but patrons can also submit an inquiry and cross their fingers for granted access.

Address: 2 Winter Pl, Boston, MA 02108

Opening hours: Mon–Thu, Sun 5pm–1am; Fri, Sat 4pm–2am

Expect to pay: Access to The Gallery means you'll probably linger, so figure at least a couple of drinks and small plates to set you back around $80 to $100 per person.

Sandwiched between FiDi and Chinatown in Boston’s Leather District, Offsuit is an unassuming bar tucked inside Troquet on South’s French bistro. A backdoor entrance ensures a distinctly intimate experience, where burgundy walls, leather love seats and spinning vinyl impart a brooding aura. Order from a list of classics or trust the bartender's choice at this tiny, 20-seat spot; the beverage directors create original recipes seasonally.

This relaxed drinking place has the ad hoc feel of being off the beaten track. The entrance, down an alley, isn’t easy to find at first but is worth the effort. The attention to detailed drinking is what pulls patrons in. Themed menus focusing on cats and music are a thing they do well. Also, the classics? No problem. You’ll find a perfectly balance martini if that’s your thing.

Find this hidden Central Square gem by heading through a nondescript door and up a set of stairs. A giant horseshoe-shaped bar and ample stool seating make for a hip environment to enjoy expert mixology. The cocktails shine and the bar snacks (which include deviled eggs and “grandma’s” gooey garlic bread) are done just right.

By the name alone, you can tell this 1920s-inspired bar is going to have a little fun, at the expense of our country's temperance movement and Prohibition history. To get the full speakeasy experience, head past the shoeshine stand and up the backstairs to the secret club. Here, the Beacon Hill establishment offers pool tables and intimate seating. No matter which corner you choose to imbibe, you can select from a menu of both modern and old school cocktails, ranging from punches and barrel-aged libations to well-crafted classics.

Baldwin Bar in Woburn has become a destination for connoisseurs to enjoy expertly-made classic cocktails. Look a little harder (the second floor to be exact) and you'll find the bar-within-a bar, Baldwin & Sons Trading Company. This cozy lounge focuses more on kitsch, with tiki glassware and exotic ingredients like acidified papaya pandan compound.

In case you didn’t get the memo, the coolest neighborhood in Boston is Eastie, and of course they’ve got a hot speakeasy. Next Door, a speakeasy and raw bar, is tucked away behind a hidden entrance near Pazza on Porter. First, you’ll need to get a reservation (walk-ins are tough), find the door and then glide through sumptuous curtains to a sexy 30 seat lounge with creative cocktails, a killer wine list and caviar for days.

While not technically a speakeasy, this tucked away wine bar located in the basement of Ken Oringer’s Faccia a Faccia, feels like a secret the rest of the city hasn’t caught onto yet. Grab a seat at the bar, or at a dimly lit table surrounded by classic vinyl albums on the walls, and let the bartender steer you as you try Pallino’s specialty – organic, natural and biodynamic wines.

What better place to sample booze than right where it’s made? From whiskey and rum, to gin and amaro, this local, family-owned distillery is certainly off the beaten bar track; located in Boston’s industrial Newmarket area. Guests can visit for a distillery tour and tasting, or they can simply pop-in for a cocktail made with the brand's original spirits. The 26-seat tasting room has a Prohibition-era speakeasy vibe, with vintage fittings and a long black marble bar overlooking the stillroom.

Head through Roxy's Grilled Cheese to the freezer door in the back and step into a hidden world of throwback fun for adults. The forces behind Area Four operate this speakeasy arcade filled with ‘80s classics (Galaga, Ms. Pacman). The distinctly grownup cocktail menu impresses, as does the selection of local craft brews.

Modern Pastry is an iconic North End pastry emporium with a loyal following. This family-owned spot has been in operation for decades, offering old-world cakes, cookies, pizelles, and chocolates. Lesser known is the sweet cocktail spot downstairs, which you can tuck into by descending stairs at the back of the pastry shop. Check out Modern Underground where you can get a well-made cocktail with your dessert.