did you hear about the Secret Speakeasy?

Speakeasies started back in the Prohibition era in the United States, from 1920 to 1933 when the sale of alcohol was banned. Today Speakeasies continue and are very popular as a business model for bars all around the country.

Even though alcohol is not illegal anymore, the idea of a secret establishment, with hidden doors and secret codes to get in is all part of the fun and why people still go to these hidden gems.

Today, the term "speakeasy" represents a throwback to that clandestine culture, but with a modern twist. Contemporary speakeasies often have intimate atmospheres, and are themed to create an experience and are more than just a bars.

I recently went to a speakeasy in Bangkok that had a door hidden inside a phone booth. You had to type in a code and hit the hashtag (#) button and the door would open. Inside was a Cuban-inspired bar that looked like you were walking back into 1930’s Havana.

I have been to an 80’s themed bar in Los Angeles that you had to enter through a vintage soda machine, which was located in a loading dock and opened into a bar with 80’s high school extravaganza complete with lockers, private karaoke rooms, vintage video games, a dance floor, and even Michael Jackson impersonators performing on top of the bar.

My favorite speakeasy was called No Vacancy and looked like a Victorian house/hotel on the outside with a sign that said No Vacancy but only Vacancy was lit up. When you arrive, you are given an old-school hotel key (think Motel 6 keys from the 1970’s) and you go upstairs to the room with the number on the key. Once inside, you find a sexy lady sitting on a bed in lingerie telling you it was about time you got there.

Before you can figure out what is going on, the woman gets up and the bed lifts up and a secret stairway drops down giving you entrance to the bar. It was by far the most creative entrance to a speakeasy I have ever seen.

And finally, this past January I was on the Groove Cruise, an electronic music charter with 112 different stages located throughout one of the largest cruise ships in the world. While the big stages were truly impressive, it was their speakeasy on deck 11 that really blew me away. 

They took a lounge and put black and white abstract designs on all of the walls and the ceiling and had two DJ’s spinning in body suits that matched the B&W designs which created a really trippy vibe that I kept going back to each night. This lounge was not a bar (it did not serve drinks), but it was a secret place on the ship that was not on the schedule, and was only discovered by word of mouth and by accidentally stumbling onto it (as I did) by walking by while the music was going.

This year, we are teaming up with Secret’s Hideaway Resort, and creating the first ever after-hours “speakeasy” at Naughty N’awlins that you will have to find on your own (the location will not be listed on the schedule). 

Secret’s Hideaway Resort is known for their late-night, after-hours partying and also for great House music. They are helping us give our late-night party people a brand new venue and new experience that will rival some of the best speakeasies in the world. 

Those lucky enough to find it will be in for a real treat, including cool artwork, lighting and video content that will make this intimate venue unique and something completely new on the lifestyle event market. 

The “Secret’s Speakeasy” will feature House music for those who love beats and will include free non-alcoholic drinks including the newly released iCandy Energy Drinks (wait till you try the cotton candy flavored one!).

On the first night (Wednesday) we will have a special sexy duo (AeFX) DJ’ing and we will have some SWAG that will be handed out to those who were able to find it on the first night. By Saturday, this will be the worst-kept secret at Naughty, but that is OK, we want everyone to come experience the Secret’s Speakeasy at least once. 

The Secret’s Speakeasy will give our attendees a great late-night, after-hours (midnight till 4 am) place to party when everything else is shut down. We always get people roaming the halls at 3 am looking for the party… well you don’t have to search any longer for the party, you just need to figure out where it is and you will find the party.

Hint: Our Ambassadors (staff) will have daily clues. Hit them up and you will be one step closer to figuring out the location.

Nothing good happens on Bourbon St after 1 am (trust us on this one) so instead of heading outside the hotel when the erotic theme balls shut down, head upstairs (that’s a clue) and look for the Speakeasy sign on the door and you will be at the right place. 

And sometimes people head back to their room and turn up the music for an after-party, disturbing neighbors on both sides of them, just head to the Speakeasy and you can still party without keeping everyone else awake.

If you didn’t make a connection at the main parties, and the play floor isn’t your thing, this is a great place to find people who aren’t ready for bed yet and the House music is a great way to end your night.

See you at the speakeasy…