How to Get Into The Underground Speakeasy at The Mob Museum

Key Points:

• The Mob Museum’s speakeasy is an extension of the museum – You’re going to learn something.

• The secret entrance is along the back corner of the building. A green door marked with a barrel.

• You can access the speakeasy even if you don’t plan to visit the museum.

Adding to The Mob Museum’s allure is “The Underground”, a prohibition-era speakeasy that doubles as a mini-museum in and of itself.

Scattered about the establishment are artifacts and informational pieces about the political climate and smuggling activities during the 1920s.

Fittingly, many of The Underground’s cocktails are served as they would during prohibition.

For instance, there is a cocktail served concealed in a hollowed-out book, like my brother’s old-fashioned pictured below, and another in a miniature bathtub.

Cocktails start at $15, wine by the glass starts at $12, and draft & bottled beer start at $8.

Staying true to form, access to the hidden bar is granted only to guests who find the hidden entrance and can recite the password of the day.

Where to Find the Speakeasy Entrance

Interior Speakeasy Entrance (The less fun option)

If you visited the museum, this is the easiest way to get into The Underground, albeit lame AF.

Just ask an employee to point you to the stairwell/elevator that’ll take you there.

I recently tried to get in this way without visiting the museum and was told that non-museum guests can only use the exterior (cooler) entrance now.

Exterior Speakeasy Entrance (The fun option)

The entrance to the speakeasy is at the bottom of a nondescript staircase on the back corner of the building.

Unmarked by signage, the stairwell is illuminated at night, and the door is dark green.

You’ll know you’re in the right place if you see an old wooden barrel nearby in the landscaping. Press the buzzer when you reach the door and provide the password, which can be found on The Underground’s Instagram page.

Other Tidbits

A bar, but also a museum: Sure, The Underground Speakeasy is an authentic-feeling speakeasy with great drinks, but you should set aside time to see the items on display around the room.

Artifacts on display include “Flapper” clothing typical in the 1920s, frozen eggs produced by Budweiser during prohibition, and a Johnny Walker bottle recovered from the wreckage of the “Lizzy D”.

Learn the story behind the “Lizzy D”: While she sunk in 1922, her full story wasn’t fully known until her discovery in 1977 by divers in New York. That discovery confirmed the tugboat was utilized to transport illegal liquor as she was packed to the gills with bourbon and whiskey.

Another hidden room: See if you can identify the concealed door that leads to “The Fitting Room”, a private room within The Underground Speakeasy.

Check out my recent YouTube vid detailing 7 more speakeasies!