Where to find speakeasies and hidden bars in Ontario
Secrette, Toronto
From secret speakeasies in Toronto to tucked-away nightlife gems in small towns, Ontario is home to hidden bars that promise an unforgettable night out. Behind unmarked doors and discreet entrances, these spots offer creative cocktails, stylish atmospheres and a touch of mystery.
Discover some of the best-kept secrets the province has to offer.
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Bonne Nuit
Many people visit La Plume in King West for their famous rotisserie chicken (hence the name, which translates in French to “the feather”), but those in the know come for more than just the Southern French-inspired cuisine. La Plume also features a speakeasy called Bonne Nuit, hidden from plain sight.
You can access this boudoir-inspired hideaway behind a washroom stall, and once inside, visitors are offered a refined late-night experience featuring bottle service packages, decanter cocktails, bar bites and more. Reservations can be made for groups of 25 or more, and every Friday and Saturday, they feature a live DJ and elevated cocktails on special.
Location: 453 Wellington Street West, Toronto
Vatican Gift Shop
On the east side of Toronto, a tiny storefront offers souvenirs and multi-faith religious accessories. Once you come inside and push through the Romanesque door in the corner, you’ll find yourself in a low-lit speakeasy serving draught beers (a mix of old-world European and local brews), house-made amaro cocktails and hand-tossed Neapolitan pizzas.
The spacious bar seats 130 people and features Roman Catholic-themed decor, including an imitation Sistine Chapel above the bar, authentic chain lamps and even a confessional window. The speakeasy also serves as a music venue with live acts performing on a raised platform with a church pew at the back of the bar.
Location: 1047 Gerrard Street East, Toronto
Secrette
Nestled above the Michelin-recommended GEORGE Restaurant, this speakeasy remains one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets. This cozy bar serves beautifully crafted cocktails, seasonal small plates by Chef Lorenzo and offers a comforting atmosphere perfect for relaxing or socializing.
The cocktail menu rotates seasonally, featuring the freshest ingredients available. Choose from light and refreshing cocktails or the more spirited ones.
Location: 111C Queen Street East, Toronto
Mahjong Bar
If you’re looking for speakeasies in Toronto, head to Dundas West and look for the little pink bodega.
Known by some as Dundas West’s original speakeasy, Mahjong Bar isn’t the typical intimate space one might expect of a secret cocktail bar. It’s a 2,000-square-foot space with tall ceilings and a 36-foot custom mural created by Toronto artist Gabriella Lo.
Patrons can indulge in mouthwatering dishes, including duck rolls, steamed bao, and bulgogi short ribs, paired with regionally themed cocktails like the Soju Spritz, Oolong Whiskey Sour, or Vietnamese Iced Coffee.
Location: 1276 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Bar After Seven
In the heart of Toronto’s art district is a yogurt shop. Inside the shop, hidden behind a door that resembles a vending machine, is a popular secret bar called After Seven.
Once inside, enjoy an eccentric Japanese cocktail experience offering fresh interpretations of classic cocktails. Try unique creations inspired by the owners’ adventures, including the Curry Colada with oak-aged rum, curry spices, clarified coconut and pineapple, or their High Tea, made with cognac, yuzu and English Earl Grey, served with tea biscuits.
You can also opt for one of three tasting experiences, crafted by bartenders and chocolatiers, that fuse the two delicious worlds of whiskey and truffles.
Location: 10 Stephanie Street, Toronto
Cry Baby Gallery
Nothing completes a Toronto art gallery experience like a hidden cocktail and oyster bar. Located in Little Portugal, through the Cry Baby Gallery and behind a set of black curtains, is an experience you wouldn’t expect at the back of an art gallery.
Pull back the curtain to reveal a gritty industrial bar with peeling walls, exposed piping and a wabi-sabi butcher’s block as a bar top. This New York-style speakeasy features artsy bartenders serving up whimsically named cocktails, such as Addicted to Love and Frosted Tips, along with house-made infusions like beeswax mezcal and mint-infused Cynar. It’s a speakeasy unlike any other, and you may want to arrive early, as they don’t take reservations.
Location: 1468 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Bar Sous Sol
If you find yourself in the St. Jamestown area of Toronto, pop into the French bistro Maison Selby in the historic C.H. Gooderham House, and see if you can locate the secret entrance to their underground cocktail bar.
Sous Sol is a small drinking den hidden behind a discreet entrance near the washrooms. Visitors push on a crack in the tiled wall and find themselves in a barely lit French boudoir filled with fringe lamp shades, patterned wallpaper and velvet couches.
Inspired by the Victorian home it sits in, Sous Sol offers Parisian-inspired bar bites, paired with unique cocktails, many of which are crafted with Maison Selby’s own line of spirits. For a little extra flair, try their absinthe cocktail that comes with a fire show. Visitors are welcome on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location: 592 Sherbourne Street, Toronto
à toi
Behind King Street’s whimsical Coffee, Oysters and Champagne in the heart of Toronto’s entertainment district is à toi, an elegant resto lounge designed like a 1920s-era Parisian hotel lobby bar—complete with a concierge desk and French-inspired fare and cocktails.
Location: B-1 214 King Street West, Toronto
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
My Father Was Famous
My Father Was Famous is Hamilton’s only password-protected speakeasy. In the front entry hall of the popular Italian restaurant Caro, there is a bookcase. Open it, walk down the steps, ring the bell, and give them the password (which can be found each night via a clue on their Instagram story).
They’re known for their friendly staff and off-menu cocktails recommended by the bartender, and popular events like 80s Night, Pride and Saturday Night Fever make it a party you’ll never forget. Visitors are welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location: 229 James Street North, Hamilton
10Below Icewine Lounge at Peller Estates
With over 50 years of winemaking experience in the Niagara region, Peller Estates is renowned for its high-quality signature Icewine series.
One of the most unique experiences is the -10Below Icewine Lounge. As part of the Greatest Winery Tour, guests are led down into the underground barrel cellar for a tasting and then to an igloo-like wine lounge featuring a bar, seating, sculptures and a chandelier all carved out of ice—it might just be the coolest place to sample Icewine.
Ottawa Region
Apothecary Lounge
Hidden inside the historic York on William building in the heart of the ByWard Market, this cozy lounge channels the spirit of the Prohibition era. Sip on creative cocktails while soaking in the warm, intimate atmosphere and industrial-chic design.
The menu features modern Canadian cuisine made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. In addition to wine and beer, don’t miss the signature “remedy” cocktails. Try The Midnight Cure, made with blueberry coconut-infused vodka, or go for the Dealer’s Choice, a custom creation crafted by the bartender to suit your taste or craving.
Location: in the cellar, 54 York Street, Ottawa
Jackalope
There’s always something curious down the rabbit hole. The Rabbit Hole oyster and cocktail bar is located in a historic building on Sparks Street and if you walk down the stairs, you’ll discover an immersive cocktail experience known as the Jackalope.
Once you reach the secret entrance, press the button and wait in the chairs until the bartender welcomes you inside. This moody underground locale is draped in vintage decor, candle-lit ambience and tufted turquoise chairs lining the bar. The bartender will make you a handcrafted cocktail, designed just for you, and the experience is blissfully private with no windows and no photos allowed.
Reservations are recommended.
Location: 208 Sparks Street, Ottawa
The Staff Room
Union 613 is known for its old-fashioned atmosphere and Southern-inspired dishes, but one of its more popular features is a hidden speakeasy accessible through a door that resembles a bookcase. Ask the staff and they’ll put your name on the list to see for yourself.
Through the bookcase door, the Staff Room offers a warm and intimate cocktail experience that visitors can book for a private event accommodating up to 20 people. Their mixologists create a variety of concoctions, including the Mezcal Sour and Apple Pie.
Location: 315 Somerset Street West, Ottawa
Southwestern Ontario
Karlo Estates Speakeasy
This winery, set in a centuries-old barn, has many unique features, including a secret 1920s-themed wine lounge. Go down a passageway and through an unassuming door into the speakeasy, complete with vintage lamps, red velvet couches, antiques and a tasting bar.
Enjoy a flight of their best wines while taking in some live music from local musicians. The space is known for its very friendly atmosphere and attentive staff, and the speakeasy also boasts a highly conscious menu, as it’s been curated by the world’s first-ever vegan-certified winery.
Location: 561 Danforth Road, Wellington
1913 Speakeasy
The world-famous Hard Rock Hotel is full of memorable experiences, including the 1913 Speakeasy, nestled on the ground floor of Hard Rock London. Open daily from 5 p.m. until close, this special underground setting features thoughtfully inspired cocktails, including a series of cereal-infused libations, inspired by its location at 100 Kellogg Lane.
A speakeasy inside the Hard Rock Hotel wouldn’t be complete without a few cocktails inspired by Canadian rockers and their classic hits. Beyond the innovative cocktails, you can also try some of their delicious shareable plates, like the feta and watermelon salad or piri piri chicken. Since it’s the Hard Rock Hotel, you can also expect some memorable live music to set the mood. Reservations are available for those who would like to secure their spot in advance.
Location: 100 Kellogg Lane, London
Discover the province’s best-kept secrets and experience a new side of Ontario. Find your new favourite night-out spot today.
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Last updated: July 23, 2025