To reach one bar in Tennessee, you walk past a barber’s chair first. Another sits behind a bright red British phone booth. A third waits inside an old bank vault, below street level.
I love that kind of nonsense. Prohibition ended long ago, yet these rooms still act like the police might knock at any second. One hides behind a sliding bookcase.
Another lurks behind a door that looks like a storage closet.
A couple ask you to dial a secret code. Another wants a knock on a plain, unmarked door. A few hand you a menu of prime rib and lobster bisque once you find your way in.
So how many times have you strolled right past one? My guess is more than you’d like to admit. Honestly, it’s a scavenger hunt with snacks at the end.
Let’s go find the doors.
1. Peter Kern Library, Knoxville
Most libraries shush you, but this one hides behind a bookcase that slides open. You reach it through a discreet alleyway door at the back of the Oliver Hotel in downtown Knoxville.
The name alone sounds like a place to return overdue novels. Instead, you find a sophisticated speakeasy-style room built for slow evenings and good conversation.
The setting leans upscale and romantic, so it works well for a date night. Table service keeps things relaxed once you grab a seat.
Plan ahead, because the room doesn’t take reservations. There’s usually a wait, so show up early or bring patience and a good story to tell.
Weeknights tend to be calmer than Friday and Saturday. Sunday and Monday evenings are a smart pick if you want a quieter visit.
Parking garages and a paid lot sit nearby, which helps downtown. The space is also known as a welcoming, LGBTQ+ friendly spot.
Honestly, a secret bookcase door is the kind of thing most kids dream about. Here, grown-ups finally get to use one.
2. Bar 33 – Memphis Speakeasy, Memphis
Getting a haircut and finding a secret lounge on the same trip? In Memphis, that’s a real option on South Mendenhall Road.
Bar 33 sits beyond a barbershop, and its own motto tells you to step beyond the chair. It’s an invite-only speakeasy, so it isn’t a spot for wandering in on a whim.
The space calls itself a sanctuary for people who value craftsmanship and conversation. Expect a refined room built for unwinding with friends.
Food is available, including at the bar, if you get peckish. Free Wi-Fi and a gender-neutral restroom round out the practical side.
Here’s a rare bonus for a speakeasy: parking is easy. There’s a free lot, on-site spaces, and free street parking, so no circling the block.
Because entry is by invitation, do some homework before you go. Reaching out through official channels is the best way to learn how to get on the list.
A fresh fade and a secret door make a pretty great evening plan. Your barber may know more than they’re letting on.
3. Unknown Caller, Chattanooga
Nobody expects a red London telephone booth on a Chattanooga street. Step inside it, though, and you’ll find the real way into Unknown Caller.
The outside skips the usual bar signage, which makes it easy to stroll past. That British booth is the clue, and it’s a fun one.
Inside, the mood swings from casual to romantic depending on your crowd. The menu has a playful tiki streak and frozen creations, plus snacks to share.
Bar games and live performances keep the energy up on busy nights. Some nights even bring dancing, so wear shoes that can handle it.
Groups fit in well here, and solo visitors do too. It’s known as a welcoming, LGBTQ+ friendly space.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so arrive with flexible plans. Monday and Wednesday evenings tend to run quieter than weekends.
Want some fresh air? There’s outdoor seating too, which is a nice change from the usual windowless hideaway.
Just don’t try to make an actual phone call. That booth has a much better job.
4. Wiseguy Lounge, Chattanooga
Pizza first, secrets second. Wiseguy Lounge hides inside Goodfellas Pizzeria on King Street in Chattanooga’s Southside.
The lounge channels the 1920s with low lighting, rich leather, and reclaimed wood. It feels like a room built for whispered deals and long talks.
Fittingly, the name nods to old gangster movies. The pizzeria out front makes the perfect cover story for a Prohibition-style retreat.
Arcade games add a playful twist you don’t often find in a speakeasy. A private dining room is also available for groups.
Unlike some hideaways, this one accepts reservations. That’s handy if you’re planning a birthday or a night out with a crew.
Bartenders here take pride in tailoring drinks to your taste. Tell them what you like and let them work.
So grab a slice, then look for the lounge. You’ll feel like you’re in on a very tasty secret.
5. Company Chattanooga, Chattanooga
Deviled eggs in a secret lounge? Company Chattanooga proves that old-school snacks still have plenty of style.
This speakeasy-themed spot sits discreetly inside the Kinley Southside boutique hotel on Market Street. There’s no flashy storefront shouting for attention, which is exactly the point.
The menu pairs craft drinks with elevated small bites. Deviled eggs and charcuterie are highlights, so you can snack your way through the evening.
Happy hour includes food deals, a nice perk for early birds. Table service and seats at the bar give you options.
It’s open daily from 5 PM to midnight, which makes planning simple. You won’t need to memorize a complicated schedule.
Reservations are accepted, a smart move for weekend plans. Solo visitors also find it an easy place to relax with a plate of snacks.
Parking is simpler than you might fear. Valet service and a paid lot are both available.
The hotel setting makes it handy if you’re visiting Tennessee for a weekend. You can wander down for a late snack without leaving the building.
The name hints at good company, and the mood follows through. Bring a friend who appreciates a great deviled egg.
6. The Vault, Knoxville
Bank vaults used to guard money. Now one beneath South Gay Street in Knoxville guards a lounge instead.
The Vault sits below street level inside the heavy walls of a former financial building. That underground setting gives it a true Prohibition-style feel.
Low-key and atmospheric, the room serves both creative and classic drinks. Food is available too, at tables or at the bar.
The setting leans upscale, so it’s a great choice for a celebration. Groups are welcome, and reservations are accepted.
It’s closed Sunday through Tuesday, so don’t plan a Monday visit. Saturday nights tend to be the busiest.
Parking downtown can be tricky near the vault. Give yourself a few extra minutes to find a space on the street or in a paid lot.
Gay Street is one of Knoxville’s best-known downtown corridors, lined with shops and restaurants. That makes it easy to pair the vault with dinner or a show nearby.
Consider it the coolest bank visit you’ll ever make. No deposit slip required.
7. Amendment XVIII Cocktail Club, Franklin
The 18th Amendment started Prohibition in 1920, and this Franklin lounge wears that history right in its name. Amendment XVIII Cocktail Club sits on Main Street in historic downtown Franklin.
Look closely, because the entrance is tucked away in an alley directly behind Mellow Mushroom on Main Street. Follow the alley and look for the light to find your way inside.
Inside, it’s a Prohibition-inspired speakeasy with a creative menu.
Food is served at the bar and tables. Table service keeps things easy once you’re seated.
Reservations aren’t accepted here. Arrive early on Friday or Saturday, since those nights get the most traffic.
Parking is a nice surprise for a downtown spot. Free garages, lots, and street parking are usually available.
Franklin’s Main Street is known for its preserved historic buildings and small-town charm. A stroll before your visit makes the evening feel complete.
History class never looked this stylish. Your old teacher would probably approve of the theme, at least.
8. Hidden Bar at Noelle, Nashville
That door that looks like a storage closet? Go ahead and open it, because Nashville’s Hidden Bar at Noelle waits on the other side.
The lounge sits on the lower level of the Noelle hotel on 4th Avenue North. Casual passersby would never guess that utility door leads anywhere fun.
The best part is the decor, which rotates with the seasons. Each theme gives the room a fresh look, so repeat visits feel new.
Live music and performances add to the evening. The mood leans romantic and upscale, perfect for a special night out.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so plan for a little flexibility. Weeknights are usually calmer than Saturday evenings.
Downtown parking can be tough near the hotel. Valet and paid garages are your easiest bets.
Food is available at tables and the bar, so you can snack while enjoying the show. Groups are welcome, which helps if you’re showing friends around the capital of Tennessee.
Few places make opening a closet this exciting. Bring your camera for the seasonal decor.
9. Red Phone Booth, Nashville
Got a secret code? You’ll need one to get into Red Phone Booth in downtown Nashville.
Guests step into an antique red phone booth and dial a code on a rotary phone. Get it right, and a hidden doorway opens to the lounge.
Inside, the look is chic and 1920s-inspired. It also doubles as a cigar bar, giving the room an old-school supper club feel.
The food is a big draw here. Neapolitan pizzas and a charcuterie board fill the menu, and tiramisu makes a sweet finish.
Reservations are accepted, which is helpful on Friday and Saturday nights. Those are the busiest times, while weekday afternoons stay quieter.
A private dining room works well for groups. Bar games and a setup for watching sports add extra fun.
The address on Rosa L Parks Boulevard puts it close to downtown attractions. Paid garages and lots are nearby.
Few doors in Nashville are as fun to open as this one. Just don’t forget the code.
10. Attaboy, Nashville
Knock knock. At Attaboy, that old joke is the actual entry method.
The building on McFerrin Avenue in East Nashville has an unmarked front and a plain door. Guests knock to get in, and there’s no big sign to guide you.
Once inside, the space has a trendy industrial style. It feels relaxed but polished, a fun mix for date nights or catching up.
Here’s the twist: there’s no printed menu. You tell the bartenders what flavors you like, and they create something just for you.
Classic recipes and inventive creations share the spotlight. It’s a good fit if you enjoy surprises and chatting about flavors.
Reservations aren’t taken, and there’s usually a wait. Wednesday and Thursday evenings tend to be calmer than weekends.
Parking can be tricky in this area. Look for street spots or nearby lots, and give yourself extra time.
Outdoor seating offers a breather if the room gets busy. East Nashville is also fun to explore nearby.
So bring your best knock and an open mind. It’s a door worth tapping on.
11. Skull’s Rainbow Room, Nashville
Some secrets have been around since 1948. Skull’s Rainbow Room dates back to that year in Nashville’s historic Printers Alley.
A peephole on the back door adds to the speakeasy charm. The alley location keeps it out of view from the main streets.
Inside, the room is dark and moody, with live jazz and a pianist. Burlesque shows run on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, adding old-school glamour.
The menu is a real dinner experience, not just snacks. Prime rib with au jus, NY strip, lobster bisque, and tuna tartare are highlights.
Want something smaller? Prime rib empanadas and a wedge salad are great options, and there’s a full vegetarian menu too.
Reservations are recommended for dinner and brunch. Thursday and weekend nights are the busiest times.
This is a splurge-worthy spot, so save it for a big celebration. A paid parking lot is available nearby.
Printers Alley is one of the most storied nightlife corridors in Tennessee. This room keeps its classic spirit alive.
Few places mix history, music, and steak this well. It’s a fine way to end your speakeasy hunt.
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