San Francisco has no shortage of bars hiding behind fake storefronts, unmarked doors and passwords. This guide covers places that The Infatuation's May 2026 speakeasy guide and DoTheBay's secret-bar guide both list as open, plus details from the venues' own sites. Every address below was published by the venue or one of those guides. Entry rules change, so check each bar's site or Instagram before you go.

SoMa and Union Square

Pawn Shop, 993 Mission St.: You walk into what looks like a pawn shop and "trade" an item with the pawnbroker. That gets you through a hidden door into a Spanish tapas and wine bar. The bar says it holds tables for walk-ins and also takes reservations.

Bar Orso, 1148 Mission St.: Look for a keyhole door. Inside the hallway, pick up the rotary phone to be let in. The Infatuation describes it as a 12-seat room with a bubble-filled "bubble room."

The Felix, 138 Mason St.: Push the framed photo of "Felix" to get down to a basement bar with DJs. It comes from the team behind Bodega SF.

Tenderloin and Lower Nob Hill

Bourbon & Branch, 501 Jones St.: It's reservation-only. Your password arrives by email, seatings last 90 minutes, and phones aren't allowed. Next door, The Library takes walk-ins if you give the password "books," according to DoTheBay. Wilson & Wilson, a detective-agency-themed bar inside the same building, takes reservations and gives you a password to use at the intercom.

Blind Pig, 1113 Polk St.: This bar moved from Chinatown to Lower Nob Hill. It doesn't take reservations, and the password changes weekly and is posted on its Instagram.

Mission

Lore, 3065 16th St.: Look for a "Puzzle Shop" sign and a padlocked door. You don't need a password. It's part speakeasy, part escape room, and reservations are online. Lore's site lists hours of Wednesday 6–11 p.m., Thursday 7 p.m.–midnight, Friday–Saturday 6 p.m.–2 a.m. and Sunday 6–11 p.m. It's closed Monday and Tuesday.

The Hideout, 3121 16th St.: This one is through the back of Dalva. The guides list different nights, Friday–Saturday in one and Thursday–Saturday in the other, so check before you go.

North Beach, Cow Hollow and Hayes Valley

Cold Drinks Bar, 644 Broadway, above China Live: Climb an unmarked staircase to a yellow door. Reservations are available.

Left Door, 1905 Union St.: The unmarked entrance is next to the Bus Stop Saloon, and a bouncer works the door. Reservations are recommended.

Linden Room: The bar for Nightbird restaurant on Gough Street. Its entrance is an unmarked red door on Linden Street, according to DoTheBay.

Smuggler's Cove, 650 Gough St.: DoTheBay includes the famously dim tiki bar on its list. There's no password, but the facade is easy to walk past.

Tips

  • Book ahead for Bourbon & Branch, Wilson & Wilson, Lore and Cold Drinks.
  • Hours and passwords change. Venue websites and Instagram are the most current source.
  • Many speakeasies have phone and photo rules. Respect them.