Prohibition ended in Oklahoma in 1959, but speakeasies have never been hotter. Once a secretive necessity for anyone looking to imbibe behind discreet doors, the tradition of hidden bars has evolved into an immersive theme. Nowadays, across OKC, cocktail spots can be found stirring up drinks behind nondescript doors, bookcases and vaults. Here is a guide to the city’s hidden bars and speakeasies and where to find them.
Lunar Lounge
One of the most authentic and immersive speakeasies in OKC, Lunar Lounge is a celestial-themed hideaway nestled within the Midtown Plaza Court. Accessed through a nondescript hallway door, the bar opens via a moon-clad button, which reveals a dark and moody watering hole bedecked with disco balls, laser lights and spacey decor. Along with a curated list of beer and wine, guests will find an ever-changing cocktail menu, offering whimsical originals like “Oh Look! A Strawberry,” made with vodka, Cappelletti aperitif, vermouth, strawberry shrub, lemon and Peychaud’s bitters; and “Toad Licka,” with Irish whiskey, coconut rum, Urban Teahouse coconut oolong tea syrup, pineapple, lemon and aromatic bitters.
Good For A Few
From the folks behind adjoining New State Burgers & Spirits in the Plaza District, Good For A Few is a chic cocktail bar tucked behind open bookshelves right next door. Cozy and dimly lit and adorned with playful artwork like hat-toting octopi, the bar offers “a thoughtful approach to modern libations,” and some of the best cocktails in the city. Examples include the House Carajillo, with tequila, Licor 43, coffee brandy, banana liqueur, local coffee and tres leches cold foam; while the “Sneakerhead” is a rye-based tipple that incorporates savory elements of parmigiano and pink peppercorn, along with cachaca, Sauternes, lemon, honey and egg white. Brave imbibers can try the “El Cucuy,” an agave cocktail that comes with a crispy cricket. Note: the front entrance is currently closed for repairs, but guests can enter via New State Burgers & Spirits.
Alice Cocktail Lounge
Hidden away inside Yours Truly, a swanky ‘50s-style supper club and bar inspired by the Mid-Century pageantry of New York City and Las Vegas, Alice Cocktail Lounge is the bar-within-a-bar. The late-night lounge, which hosts DJs and dance parties, is big on whimsy. Borrowing a design scheme from Alice in Wonderland, the space sports funky clocks, white rabbit artwork and Mad Hatters, along with colorful cocktails served in glowing bowls and teacups. Both Alice and Yours Truly have a dress code, so don your chicest ‘fits for a unique night on the town.
The Daley
Located right next door to FRIDA Southwest, The Daley offers an ambient juxtaposition to its airy and artful sister restaurant. Whereas FRIDA skews sunny and posh, The Daley is more like a handsome parlor — a comparatively intimate space outfitted with books, a modern fireplace and veritable library shelves of spirits. Whiskey is the star, offered in cocktails and on its own, and represented via one of the most comprehensive whiskey and bourbon selections in OKC. The bar can be accessed via FRIDA, or through its own quasi-hidden doorway next to the patio.
The Vault
Nestled in the basement of The National, The Vault is a hidden bar located in a literal bank vault. Harkening to when the Art Deco tower first opened in 1931, when it operated as a bank, this time warp of a bar celebrates its history with preserved safety deposit boxes, “Banker’s Hours,” and inspired cocktails like "The Red Ledger" (mezcal, Ramazotti Rosato aperitif, hibiscus, pineapple, lemon) and "Diamonds Are Forever" (gin, Leopold Bro.'s Apertivo Bianco, orange bitters, golden dust). The drinks lend a bit of showmanship, like the "Enter: Dragon," a martini-style libation that comes billowing with smoke, while an in-house barrel-aging program adds depth to singular creations like the "Squeal of Fortune," featuring WhistlePig 12 Year Old World Rye, Amaro Nonino, maple syrup, Angostura bitters, orange bitters, walnut bitters and oak wood smoke. In addition to happy hour, The Vault also offers “banker’s hours” from 4 to 6 p.m., when customers use survey cards to order custom cocktails.
51st Street Speakeasy
While not technically a speakeasy, in that this bar and music venue — located in a turn-of-the-century house in the Western Avenue District — is not hidden at all, 51st Street Speakeasy is worth a visit for its historic facade and its funky furnishings. The sprawling, two-story space is decorated like a speakeasy, featuring multiple rooms, hallways and alcoves. The bar regularly hosts live music, events and themed dance parties, with a large patio, a huge beer selection and a comfort food menu of burgers, nachos and quesadillas.
Find more inspiration for late nights in OKC.
Header image by Payton Marie Photography
Good for a Few photo by Payton Marie Photography
The Vault photo by RAD LOVE
