A Not-So-Secret Guide
to D.C.’s Best Speakeasies
Words by Kit Warchol
Photo by Hawkeye Johnson
Looking for the best speakeasies in Washington, D.C.? Prohibition may have outlawed booze across the U.S. in the 1920s, but D.C. never quite got the memo. On any given night, you could order a stiff martini at speakeasies all over the city — in the basements of row houses, down back alleys, behind fake walls in corner markets, you name it.
Today, that penchant for hidden bars is stronger than ever, courtesy of a new wave of contemporary speakeasies where the drinking is fully legal, but the hidden entrances still make you feel like you’re up to no good. Below, we’ve grouped D.C.’s best speakeasies by neighborhood so you can plan your night out (or a full crawl) with ease.
Adams Morgan
Code Red
Located in Adams Morgan, just a few blocks from the LINE DC, Code Red offers a drinks menu divided by era (Pre-Prohibition, Prohibition, and “Posthibition”) that appeals to history buffs and craft cocktail enthusiasts alike. Try a Southside, rumored to have been Al Capone’s favorite drink, or the titular Code Red made with Tito’s vodka, house-made grenadine, Cointreau, and citrus. Once you’ve had your fill of the 1920s ambiance, pop over to No Goodbyes Bar at the LINE for a contemporary nightcap created by our resident cocktail expert, Lukas B. Smith. Mon-Sat from 5PM, closed Sun; reservations recommended.
Downtown
The Mirror
Located on K. Street in the heart of downtown D.C., you’ll find yourself standing in front of what looks like an empty building. But head down the flight of stairs and look around — the bar’s name is your hint to finding the entrance. Inside, the low-lit bar pays tribute to the Prohibition era with a simple menu of classic cocktails. No reservations are necessary, so The Mirror is a solid option for last-minute plans. Open daily from 5PM; walk-ins only, no reservations.
Silver Lyan
Located in a former bank vault beneath Riggs Washington D.C., the Silver Lyan is the brainchild of Ryan Chetiyawardana, better known as Mr. Lyan, the renowned London bartender who has received more awards for his cocktails than you can count. Silver Lyan is his first bar across the pond, with drinks you won’t find anywhere else, and it lives up to the hype. If you’re feeling like a Big Night Out, order the Silver Service Martini for one or for two. Open Tues-Sun from 5PM (4PM on Sat); reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome.
Allegory
If you’re after a more — shall we say, literary? — feel, head for Allegory, a speakeasy in Old Town. The entrance is tucked inside a library at the Eaton Hotel. Named to the extended list for North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026 at #57 and a Spirited Awards honoree for Best Bar Team, the bar team has won numerous awards for its original cocktail menu, which pays homage to the classics while also experimenting with molecular techniques. The ambiance is also on point: a massive work of art by Erik Thor Sandberg depicting Alice in Wonderland spans the entire bar. Open Mon-Sat from 5PM, closed Sun; walk-ins only, no reservations, waits can run 2-3 hours.
Mt. Pleasant
OKPB
Pint-sized (no tables for parties bigger than six) and on the second story of a walk-up, OKPB in Mt. Pleasant definitely feels like you’re doing something illegal in the best possible way — sort of like you’ve stumbled onto a bar tucked into your best friend’s apartment building or on an unmarked floor at an office building you’ve visited for years. Once inside, you’ll find the night’s cocktails hand-scrawled on a paper clipboard and a mixed crowd of neighborhood locals and bar enthusiasts from around the city willing to make the trek for the promise of well-balanced and expertly crafted drinks. No reservations, which sometimes leads to a waitlist — worth it. Open daily from 5PM; walk-ins only, no reservations.
Shaw
600 T
This speakeasy understood the assignment. So well, the owner refused to name the bar — 600 T St. NW is the bar’s address. Located in Shaw on the bottom floor of a row house near LeDroit Park, the bar serves all the Prohibition-era classics and a menu of signature house cocktails. Cozy up with a drink and someone you love — or at least like — under the moody light of Edison bulbs bouncing off 600 T’s exposed brick walls. If you can, make a reservation for Thursday, and you’ll also get live jazz. Open Wednes-Sat from 5PM, closed Sun-Tues; reservations and walk-ins both accepted.
Back Room at Capo Italian Deli
Also in Shaw, Back Room is possibly the most original location for a D.C. speakeasy. As the name implies, you enter the bar by stepping through a freezer door at the back of one of D.C.’s beloved sandwich spots. Inside, you’ll find an unexpectedly massive bar that knows how to throw a party, complete with live music on weekends. If your timing’s right, pop in for Throwing Shade, a recurring R&B and underground hip hop dance night that takes place on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Open Thurs 8PM-2AM, Fri-Sat 8PM-3AM; reservations recommended, walk-ins sometimes accommodated.
Tips for Visiting D.C. Speakeasies
Reservations vs. walk-ins
Most of D.C.’s speakeasies — including The Mirror, Allegory, and OKPB — operate first-come, first-served with no reservations, so arrive close to opening if you want to skip the wait. Code Red, Silver Lyan, 600 T, and Back Room at Capo either take reservations or recommend booking ahead, especially for larger groups or weekend nights.
Best nights to go
Thursdays tend to offer the best of both worlds — live jazz at 600 T, and Back Room at Capo’s Throwing Shade dance nights on the first and third Thursday of the month.
What to order
Lean into the theme. Try a Southside at Code Red, a Silver Service Martini at Silver Lyan, or one of Allegory’s award-winning, literature-inspired cocktails.
Come early on weekends
Several of these bars can rack up multi-hour waits by 8 or 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays — Allegory in particular can run 2–3 hours deep.
Q:
What are the best speakeasies in Washington DC?
A:
DC has a thriving hidden bar scene spanning every neighborhood. Top picks include Code Red in Adams Morgan (steps from the LINE DC), Silver Lyan beneath the Riggs Hotel in downtown, Allegory at the Eaton Hotel (ranked #57 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026), 600 T in Shaw for live jazz, and OKPB in Mt. Pleasant for a true neighborhood feel.
Q:
Where is the best speakeasy near Adams Morgan DC?
A:
Code Red at 2440 18th St NW is the closest speakeasy to the LINE DC — just a few blocks away. It has a drinks menu divided by era (Pre-Prohibition, Prohibition, and Posthibition) and takes reservations via Resy.
Q:
Do DC speakeasies require reservations?
A:
It depends on the venue. Code Red, Silver Lyan, and OKPB accept reservations (recommended, especially on weekends). The Mirror and 600 T welcome walk-ins. Back Room at Capo is walk-in only on a first-come basis Thursday through Saturday from 8pm.
Q:
What is Silver Lyan in Washington DC?
A:
Silver Lyan is a subterranean cocktail bar beneath the Riggs Hotel (900 F St NW), set inside what was once a bank vault. It’s the first US bar from internationally acclaimed bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr. Lyan), who has won more cocktail awards than almost anyone in the industry.
Q:
What is Allegory in Washington DC?
A:
Allegory is a speakeasy inside the Eaton Hotel at 1201 K St NW in downtown DC. Its entrance is hidden behind a bookshelf in the hotel’s Radical Library. The bar is ranked #57 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026 and is known for concept-driven menus that change entirely with each edition.
Q:
Are there speakeasies in Shaw DC?
A:
Yes — Shaw has two of DC’s best hidden bars. 600 T at 600 T St NW is a cozy basement bar with live jazz Wednesday and Thursday. Back Room at Capo Deli at 715 Florida Ave NW is entered through a freezer door at the back of an Italian deli, with live music on weekends.
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