By Erin Peterson with Rob Peterson
Looking for the best speakeasies in Spokane? You’ve come to the right place. These hidden bars offer a unique, secretive vibe that’s perfect for a night out. Think dimly lit rooms, expertly crafted cocktails, and an atmosphere full of mystery and exclusivity. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Spokane’s speakeasies deliver the kind of cool, off-the-beaten-path experience that will surprise and delight. These hidden gems offer a blend of craft cocktails, cozy ambiance, and a touch of history. If you’re looking for a night out that’s as much about the thrill of discovery as it is about the drinks, we’ve rounded up the best spots to surprise and delight. Check out our guide to the best speakeasy bars in Spokane for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Hunt, Spokane – Photo by Erin Peterson
What is a speakeasy, exactly?
But wait, what exactly is a speakeasy? They’re typically found in a location that was disguised or shielded from view of normal business, and allowed consumers to continue to enjoy wine, beer, and spirits. It’s a little hard to find with a place that feels both intimate and effortlessly cool. Think places that celebrate good times, great conversations, and even better craft cocktails. It’s all about the vibe: it needs to feel exclusive yet welcoming, where the aesthetic adds to the experience. If it’s underground, that’s just the Luxardo cherry on top.
In the history of America, one has to include the history of alcohol in that story. When Congress ratified the 18th Amendment, which made the production, sale, and transportation illegal, Washington had already been under those conditions for five years as a leader in the Temperance pack. Consumers were forced to find establishments that were still willing to provide those services without exposing themselves to the public. Prohibition didn’t really eliminate the existence and consumption of alcohol – it still existed (though in much smaller quantities) after raids that swept the nation in 1919. In fact, it was a more booming business than ever thanks to its newly illicit status. Thus, speakeasies were born. And profitable.
The Best Speakeasy Style Bars in Spokane – Our List of Favorites
Here in the PNW, we still have locations that send a subtle nod to these hidden locations to imbibe that are off the beaten path. Sadly, Google and other mapping apps have made these places easily findable, which takes the mystique out of the hunt a little, but the high level of cocktail artistry will more than make up for that.
Baby Bar – Photo by Erin Peterson
Baby Bar – The Well-Hidden Speakeasy
One of the smallest bars in Spokane, finding this location is not as hard as a true Speakeasy, but if you didn’t know where to look, you may miss it. Behind a velvet curtain, you will find Baby Bar‘s dark lighting, mirrored surfaces and quality drinks. Often in the best bar or best bartender lists of the local publications, Baby Bar and the staff who run it offer classic cocktails with a rotating list of taps and a decent selection of wines. My favorite from Patti is a lemon drop, which at a 3 ingredient cocktail seems quite simple, but is so much more delicious when she makes it to perfection every time.
WHERE TO FIND IT – 827 W 1st Ave #100 Spokane, WA (behind Neato Burrito – look for the subtly marked door)
Loren Bistro – Photo by Erin Peterson
Lorén – Incredible Ambiance and Drinks
Featuring a French-inspired menu, Lorén runs a full cocktail bar to complement the fare. You can find the location behind a velvet curtain (noticing a theme here?) in the basement of the Papillon building on the North Bank. With walls adorned by cobblestone and cement, this place feels reminiscent of a castle keep in the French countryside. You can select from wines and beers on top of the cocktail list to imbibe. As a special touch, they have a private dining room that can seat up to 20 (with entry to the room being a secret password uttered to the staff). Our favorite is their eponymous cocktail, The Lorén – with Dry Fly gin, bergamot liqueur, fresh lemon, syrup and sparkling wine.
WHERE TO FIND IT – 908 N Howard St Spokane, WA (underground – look for signs and velvet curtains)
Hogwash Whiskey Den – Photo by Erin Peterson
Hogwash Whiskey Den – OG Spokane Speakeasy Vibe
Since its inception, Hogwash has continued to be one of the hottest cocktail spots in Spokane. In the basement of an old factory, the ambiance is decidedly industrial with late 19th century wood, concrete, steel and stone, but with modern fixtures and seating. If that does not get you excited to swing by, then the menu will. Consistently one of the highest levels of cocktail creation and execution in the city, plus an extensive selection of whiskeys from around the world, you can always find something that will wet your whistle here. I love that there is usually a bespoke milk punch cocktail to order, a rarity in the region.
WHERE TO FIND IT – 304 W. Pacific Ave. Spokane, WA (basement – look for the round sign with a white door)
Churchill’s – Best Kept Secret
Few know that beneath one of the finest steakhouses west of the Mississippi is a bar that can support that high praise. With a standard steakhouse cocktail list, and a carefully curated list of spirits from the globe, this is a place to hang if you are waiting for a table upstairs at Churchill’s. Or, you can enjoy their full menu plus the bar menu from the tables and booths offered as well. You can most nights find a barstool open and chat up the person ‘’behind the stick’’. Get their classic old-fashioned with Maker’s 46 – you’ll thank me.
WHERE TO FIND IT – 165 S. Post Street (basement – go down the staircase)
Tiny Tiki – Photo by Erin Peterson
Tiny Tiki – A Tropical Hideaway Speakeasy in Spokane
Tiny Tiki does not entirely fit the Speakeasy location criteria, but from the unusual location and lesser known category, it makes that in spades. It’s nestled in between commercial buildings that you might easily miss – but once you’re in there, it’s lit from floor to ceiling with vibrant colors, neon and filled with tiki kitsch. As the only location in Spokane that specializes exclusively in Tiki, this is a spot to not miss. Swing in to grab one of the 20 odd places to sit and enjoy flavors of the South Pacific and the Caribbean, while listening to the sounds of the era. Order a classic Shipwreck, and be impressed by their bright, spirit-forward preparation. Be aware, they are only open three days a week, so make sure to get there early.
WHERE TO FIND IT – 307 West 2nd Ave, Spokane, Washington (look for the neon lights behind bamboo blinds)
Hunt’s Famous Smash Burger
Their Well-Stocked Bar
Like Glamping In The City
Hunt – A Camp Experience
At the bottom of a set of 115-year-old stairs, Hunt is on the East side of the downtown corridor. Appointed in a feel of a hunting camp, patrons will be treated to robust camp themed bites and hearty cocktails to match. Hunt has two additional spaces next to the regular dining area, one of which is actually a tent theme. Although a cocktail article, a shout-out to Tony for putting cassoulet on the menu; a hearty and slow braised bean and duck stew that is hard to find outside of its native France. For a little cocktail adventure, order the Black Hemingway with cynar, grapefruit, lime, maraschino and kashmiri – or a Hike and a Handaxe if you’re old school; which is a draft and any house spirit.
WHERE TO FIND IT – 225 W Riverside, Spokane, WA (basement – look for the skull on the wall)
Durkins – A Speakeasy With a Story
We have arrived at the crown jewel of Spokane speakeasies – Durkins. Jimmy Durkin was a proprietor of liquor in the period before and after Prohibition. Stories of his bravado and business acumen have long been told and retold to make his persona larger than life – Google some stories for a fun time. One of his original business fronts is the current location of his namesake location. Walking into the space through a 9’ front door, immediately you will be greeted by the kitchen and dining seating. If you make your way to the rear, you will find the stairs to the basement that directs you to a quieter, slower, cozier area of Durkins. As one of the best cocktail locations, their menu is always changing, with their team of creators playing with new flavors and spirits. My pick to order is the classic Paper Plane, with bourbon, aperol, amaro nonino and lemon juice executed to perfection.
WHERE TO FIND IT – 415 W. Main, Spokane, WA (the coolest spot is the basement – at the back of the room and down the stairs)