11 Speakeasies in Tampa Bay You Gotta Check Out
This post contains affiliate links, which help support my blog at no extra cost to you!
If you love a hidden entrance, a moody cocktail lounge, and the tiny thrill of feeling like you’re in on a secret, these speakeasies in Tampa Bay need to be on your night-out list.
I’ve never been great at keeping a secret, so I’m spilling my favorite hidden bars, password-protected rooms, and speakeasy-style cocktail spots around Tampa, St. Pete, Dunedin, Westchase, and Safety Harbor. Some are truly hidden, some are more about the Prohibition-era vibe, but all of them make for such a fun date night in Tampa Bay or a girls’ night with a little extra mystery.
Speakeasies in Tampa
1. Madame Fortune Dessert + HiFi Parlour
Madame Fortune Dessert + HiFi Parlour is one of Ybor City’s hidden gems, literally. Tucked inside Roast on 7th, this Tampa speakeasy brings together West Indian and Southern-inspired flavors, moody lighting, and the kind of entrance that makes the whole night feel more fun before you even sit down.
The food is just as memorable as the drinks. Their lemon pepper honey turkey flats are packed with flavor, and the lemon blueberry icebox cake? Total perfection. Since the same team behind 7th + Grove (one of the best Ybor City restaurants) runs this spot, you already know the food is going to show up.
The cocktails are just as thoughtful, so this is a great pick when you want dinner, dessert, and drinks without bouncing around too much. Follow their Instagram for the weekly password before you go.
If you’re already in the neighborhood, it’s easy to turn this into a full Ybor night. Start with Madame Fortune, then check out the breweries in Ybor, explore more of the Ybor bar scene, or swing by Gasparilla Distillery, one of my favorite distilleries in Tampa Bay.
2. Morgan’s Cove
Morgan’s Cove is such a fun one if you want a speakeasy that fully commits to the theme. Hidden behind a wooden door with a red light, this Tampa spot pulls you into a pirate-inspired world filled with rum, whiskey, and a little swashbuckling drama.
It’s especially perfect if you’re a Gasparilla person or just love a bar with character. It’s walk-in only, so I’d go early if you want to snag a good spot and settle in for strong drinks, pirate lore, and a night that feels very Tampa in the best way.
3. Jekyll
Jekyll in Hyde Park is one of the most experience-driven speakeasies in Tampa. Getting in is part of the fun: make a sneaky bagel order at Sesame (yes, really), have your reservation ready, and prepare for the whole thing to feel a little theatrical.
Once inside, the cocktail menu reads more like a storybook than a standard drink list. Each cocktail has its own personality, with creative ingredients, dramatic presentation, and that “wait, how did they even do that?” energy.
Drinks here do run on the pricier side at around $30 each, and I’ll be honest: I personally prefer the cocktails at a few other spots on this list. But for a special occasion, date night, or anyone who loves a drink that feels like a whole production, Jekyll is still absolutely worth experiencing at least once.
Speakeasies in St. Petersburg
4. Dirty Laundry
Don’t tell the others, but Dirty Laundry might still be my favorite speakeasy in Tampa Bay. It’s one of the best bars in downtown St. Pete when you want a night that feels playful, unexpected, and easy to build around.
By day, it looks like a trendy laundromat serving coffee and pastries, but at night, you pick up the payphone and get instructions for entering the hidden Havana-inspired lounge. Inside, it’s bold neon signs, vibrant decor, Cuban-inspired cocktails, and either live music or a DJ bringing the energy.
It’s spacious compared to a lot of speakeasies, too, thanks to the outdoor patio. That makes it a great pick for birthday celebrations, a fun date, or a St. Pete bachelorette party.
5. Bar Chica
Bar Chica is tiny, cozy, and such a fun little find in downtown St. Pete. Quality spirits and fresh ingredients are the focus here, and it shows. The menu leans rum-heavy, but you can definitely find other options.
Getting there feels like a mini adventure. Head to Bodega on Central, make your way toward the back, and look for the unassuming sliding door near the restrooms. Give it a slide, and boom, you’ve found Bar Chica.
This is probably the most intimate speakeasy on the list, with room for about 20 people and only a few bar seats. It’s small, yes, but that’s what makes it feel special. Come here when you want a slower, more personal cocktail experience before or after dinner downtown.
6. St. Petersburg Distillery Speakeasy
The speakeasy hidden inside St. Petersburg Distillery is one of the newest additions to the Tampa Bay speakeasy scene, and I am obsessed. It’s 1920s-themed, intimate, and absolutely stunning. Truly, this is one of the most gorgeous speakeasies in Tampa Bay!
Everything from the decor to the cocktails and light bites menu feels so thoughtfully done. I loved the Tipplers Espresso Martini and the Mai Tai, and the whole menu does a beautiful job highlighting St. Petersburg Distillery’s spirits without feeling predictable.
One of my favorite details is how much they support other local businesses by using ingredients like locally roasted HogBatch coffee, Ritual Grounds matcha, locally made chocolate, and more. It makes the whole experience feel extra intentional and connected to St. Pete.
The speakeasy is open Thursday through Saturday from 6-11 PM, and seating is intimate and first come, first served. Keep up with them on social media before you go because you’ll need the current password to get in.
Bars with a Speakeasy Vibe but without the Secret Entrance
7. CW’s Gin Joint
For a sophisticated night out in downtown Tampa, CW’s Gin Joint is a classic. It isn’t a hidden-door speakeasy, but the elegant decor, live music, and polished cocktail program give it that old-school, Prohibition-era feel.
Gin is obviously the star, but the bartenders can make a variety of creative drinks depending on what you like. Pair your cocktail with small plates or go all in on dinner; it’s also one of my favorite restaurants in downtown Tampa. If you can time your visit with live jazz or live music, even better.
8. Mandarin Hide
If you’re on the hunt for one of the best espresso martinis in St. Pete, Mandarin Hide is a local favorite for a reason. It’s not hidden in the same way as Bar Chica or Dirty Laundry, but it has that dim, cocktail-forward speakeasy energy that makes you want to stay awhile.
With an impressive selection of over 450 spirits, including rare bourbons, whiskeys, and scotches, Mandarin Hide has something for every cocktail lover. And if espresso martinis aren’t your thing, the bartenders can usually make something custom based on what you’re craving.
Their sister spot, Mandarin Heights in Seminole Heights, has a totally different vibe but is also worth checking out.
9. Repeal 18
If you’re looking for a fun spot in Westchase, Repeal 18 is such an easy win. This vintage-inspired cocktail lounge celebrates the end of Prohibition with craft cocktails, cozy seating, two bar rooms, and an outdoor beer garden.
What makes it especially fun is the mix of solid drinks and casual games like pool, darts, giant Jenga, cornhole, and more. Come here when you want something more laid-back than a downtown cocktail bar but still more interesting than a standard neighborhood spot.
10. Sonder Social Club
Over in Dunedin, Sonder Social Club has that cozy, dimly lit charm I always want from a craft cocktail bar. Shelves lined with liquor, a sliding ladder, and intimate seating make it feel like a stylish little library for cocktail lovers.
One of my favorite details? The speakeasy-style bathrooms hidden behind bookshelves. Such a fun surprise. Their craft cocktail menu is stellar, but if nothing catches your eye, tell the bartender what flavors you’re in the mood for and let them make something personalized.
11. Gigglewaters
If you’re planning a day trip from Tampa, add Safety Harbor to your list and make time for Gigglewaters. It’s one of the best things to do in Safety Harbor if you love a 1920s-inspired vibe, comfort food, creative cocktails, and a little nostalgia.
The best part is the screening room, where you can catch classic movies while enjoying dinner and drinks. It’s more speakeasy-style dinner theater than a secret entrance, but it’s so unique and always such a fun time!
Are you ready to visit some of the best speakeasies in Tampa Bay?!
No matter what kind of night you’re craving, Tampa Bay has a speakeasy or speakeasy-style cocktail bar for it. You can go full hidden entrance, keep it intimate with a craft cocktail, make it a themed night, or choose a spot that’s more about the vintage atmosphere than the secrecy.
I hope this guide helps you find your next fun night out in Tampa Bay! Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other Florida blog posts:
Fun Things to Do in St. Pete Beach
Clearwater Breweries You Need to Try
oh wow these look so cool. Great guide to be able to find the hidden ones, and great recs for the public ones!
These sound like so much fun to go to! I’ve been to a couple of hidden bars in Europe but I didn’t know Tampa also had some.
I love visiting speakeasies when I travel! I love ordering a cocktail and enjoying the fun atmosphere. These spots all sound great, and I’ll have to check them out when I’m in the Tampa Bay area! Thanks for sharing.
These all sound so FUN! I’d love to check out Dirty Laundry during the day and night. Adding these to my ever-growing Tampa list haha