Some of Boise’s most interesting bars are behind a bookcase, down a stairway or tucked above a restaurant. This guide brings together the hidden entrances, historic rooms and cocktail bars that make Boise’s speakeasy scene so fun, plus a few in Meridian, Nampa and Caldwell.
There’s Gatsby’s Roaring Twenties setting, Suite 104 beneath 8th Street, and Ampersand high above downtown. Each has its own personality, so here’s a closer look at the spaces and what to know before you go.
Last updated: November 2, 2026. Schedules can change.
Find more local spots in my Boise and Treasure Valley Local Guide.
Compare Boise speakeasies and hidden bars
Here’s a quick way to narrow it down. Some spots have a secret entrance; others are cocktail bars with a tucked-away feel.
| Bar | City | Go for | Planning ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thick as Thieves | Boise | Phone entrance and candlelit drinks | Reservations available |
| Gatsby | Boise | Password and bookcase entrance | Book online; call for the daily passcode |
| Suite 104 | Boise | Below-street-level cocktails and a patio | Walk-in stop; check current details |
| Press & Pony | Boise | Cocktails without a reservation | First come, first served |
| Ampersand | Boise | Custom cocktails above the city | Reserve; check in at ART HAUS BAR |
| Craft Lounge | Nampa & Caldwell | Hidden bars beyond Boise | First come, first served; some Caldwell spaces bookable |
| Cán Coctelería | Caldwell | Cocktails above Amano | Reservations available |
| Sidecar Bar | Meridian | Dinner and cocktails at Grant’s | Check current venue details |
| 8 Horses Lounge | Boise | Drinks in a former bank vault | No reservation required |
| Tiner’s Alley | Boise | Dinner and drinks behind The Avery | Walk-ins up to 7; arrange larger groups |
| Voodoo Cellar | Boise | Basement bar with comedy and events | Check the event calendar |
Thick as Thieves
Thick as Thieves puts the entrance into the evening’s entertainment: a marked side door, stairs and a phone call before you get inside. The candlelit room makes this an option for a date or drinks with a small group.
The drink menu has a hidden detail too: small lights reveal the cocktails on the page. Browse the current menu before settling on an order.
How to find it:
Use the side door with two thieving birds at 620 W Idaho St, then head upstairs to the phone and dial 102.
Plan your visit:
Reservations are available through Resy. Check the booking page for current seating times and party limits.
Gatsby
Gatsby leans into the Roaring Twenties, from the alley entrance and hidden bookcase to the vintage-inspired room inside. The cocktails and changing seasonal themes are part of the draw, but there’s more tucked away here than the main bar.
The Garrison Room is a separate spirit-tasting experience reached through a mine-shaft-style passage. A tasting accommodates up to eight people, with coats and hats provided for the chilled room. Gatsby also has the Boiler Room, a private members-only social club within the venue.
How to find it:
Look for the alley entrance off 8th Street at Union Alley, marked by a green light and skeleton key sign. Inside, the entrance continues through a hidden bookcase.
Plan your visit:
Call (208) 342-4800 on the day of your visit for the passcode, including when you have a reservation. Book online for the main bar and check your confirmation for the seating window. The Garrison Room has its own tasting booking.
Suite 104
Suite 104 is locally known as Boise’s worst-kept secret, and the bar has embraced that line since it opened in 2021. It occupies the former Superb Sushi space on the bottom floor of the Idaho Building, below downtown’s 8th Street. You don’t need a password, just the stairway down to a bar that’s easy to miss from the sidewalk.
The space has a lounge, an atrium and a patio, so it isn’t all dark corners and enclosed rooms. Cocktails are the focus, including custom drinks built around your preferences. The Method 104 is one of the drinks associated with the bar, and describing what you like gives the bartender somewhere to start.
How to find it:
Head downstairs at 280 N 8th St and follow the signs for Suite 104.
Plan your visit:
Check the bar’s current updates for hours and seating before you go.
Press & Pony
Press & Pony is a small cocktail bar behind heavy velvet curtains on Idaho Street, with another entrance hidden inside Boise Fry Company. The room has that cozy, dimly lit speakeasy feel without needing a password.
The holiday decorating deserves a mention of its own. Press & Pony goes all out for Halloween and Christmas, giving the little room a completely different look for the season. Alongside the decorations, the drinks are a reason to stay: the “Pick Your Poison” option lets the bartender create something around your tastes.
How to find it:
Use the Press & Pony entrance at 622 W Idaho St, or look for the “Boise Fry Company Corporate Office” door inside Boise Fry Company.
Plan your visit:
No reservations; seating is first come, first served.
Ampersand
Ampersand is hidden above KIN, on the 14th floor of the same downtown building. With views of the Capitol and foothills, it feels far removed from the street below.
There’s no traditional cocktail menu. Instead, the bartender asks about flavors and spirits you enjoy and builds a drink around your answers. The small room, artwork and view are as much a part of the experience as the cocktail itself.
How to find it:
Start downstairs at ART HAUS BAR, on the basement level of 999 W Main St. Staff escort guests upstairs to Ampersand; there is no direct guest access from the elevators.
Plan your visit:
The room has ten seats. Reserve online for parties of up to four. Larger parties can call KIN at (208) 342-0600. Check in at ART HAUS BAR 10-15 minutes before your reservation; parties of up to four have a one-hour seating window.
Craft Lounge: Nampa & Caldwell
Craft Lounge’s Nampa location has the hidden entrance, low lighting and vintage décor that made it a natural fit for this guide. It’s inside the historic Masonic Building, with a “Janitor’s Closet” door leading in from Brick 29.
Caldwell has a full-service restaurant and a separate downstairs speakeasy at 801 Everett St. The speakeasy has its own limited opening days, so the two Caldwell spaces shouldn’t be treated as interchangeable. Craft’s cocktails, food menus, cocktail classes and occasional live music give each location more to explore than just the entrance.
How to find it:
For Nampa, enter through Brick 29 at 320 11th Ave S and look for “Janitor’s Closet.” For Caldwell, use the dedicated speakeasy page for details on the downstairs space at 801 Everett St.
Plan your visit:
Both locations are 21+ and generally first come, first served. Some Caldwell spaces can be booked for groups. Check the Caldwell speakeasy hours separately from the restaurant’s hours.
Cán Coctelería
Cán Coctelería is tucked above Amano in Caldwell. Exposed brick, rich colors and low lighting give the upstairs bar its own feel, separate from the restaurant below.
The cocktail list draws on Mexican ingredients and traditions, including mezcal and zero-proof options. Small, shareable dishes and a second room inspired by a traditional Mexican kitchen are part of the space’s character.
How to find it:
Go to 802 Arthur St and use the parking-lot side door and exterior stairs to the upstairs bar.
Plan your visit:
Reservations are available through Resy. Check the current booking calendar for opening days and times.
Sidecar Bar
Sidecar is tucked beside Grant’s Neighborhood Grill in Meridian. The bar shares Grant’s dinner menu, with cocktails, whiskey, local beer and wine rounding out the drinks list.
It’s a neighborhood bar with a quieter, tucked-away feel and a connection to the restaurant next door.
How to find it:
Head to Grant’s Neighborhood Grill at 1835 W Cherry Ln in Meridian.
Plan your visit:
Check the official site for hours, happy-hour specials, current events and group inquiries.
More tucked-away bars in Boise
A secret password isn’t essential to a good cocktail stop. These bars offer a basement, vault or alley setting, with food and events that may help you choose your evening.
8 Horses Lounge
8 Horses Lounge is below Fork in a former bank vault. The original 15-ton vault door is still there, making this a downtown drinks stop with a piece of Boise history built into the room.
Alongside wine and cocktails, you can order seasonal appetizers from sister restaurant ÀLAVITA. The old vault gives the lounge a setting you won’t find in many Boise bars.
My picks from my visit: House-baked Focaccia and The Socialite cocktail. Obviously. Find more of my orders in the dinner date guide.
How to find it:
Enter below Fork at 199 N 8th St, in the historic 805 Idaho building.
Plan your visit:
No reservation is required. Contact the venue for private-event arrangements.
Tiner’s Alley at The Avery
Tiner’s Alley is an English-inspired tavern tucked behind The Avery. The alley entrance and restored Brunswick bar give it an old-Boise feel, with the hotel’s historic setting carrying through to the room.
It’s more tavern than secret cocktail room, with a full food menu alongside the drinks. The beautifully restored bar is one of the details that makes the space stand out.
How to find it:
Enter through The Avery or use the alley behind the hotel at 1010 W Main St.
Plan your visit:
Parties of seven or fewer can walk in. For eight or more, email dining@theaveryboise.com to arrange a reservation. The kitchen stays open until 10pm.
Voodoo Cellar Boise
Voodoo Cellar is a basement bar in the Adelmann Building with a horror theme, scary movies, karaoke, retro games and live comedy. The stairway leads into a space with its own playful, spooky personality.
The bar now has a full liquor license and a signature cocktail menu, along with draft beer and cider. You can also read my Voodoo Cellar article or find its stand-up nights in my Boise comedy guide.
How to find it:
Look for the stairwell with the illuminated Voodoo Cellar sign at 200 N Capitol Blvd.
Plan your visit:
Check the event calendar for tickets and timing. Private-event inquiries go directly to the venue.
Before you head out
Check entry instructions and reservation availability directly with the bar, especially if you’re bringing a group. A hidden entrance can be fun; arriving at a closed door is less so.
Save this guide for your next night out and send it to whoever’s joining you.
XOXO,
The Boise Socialite
Check out my posts: Best Outdoor Patios in Boise & Boise Rooftop Bars!
Hi, I’m Cait, the Boise content creator behind Boise Socialite. I love sharing hidden gems, local eats, and fun things to do around Boise. From cocktails and brunch to events and weekend adventures, Boise Socialite is your guide to discovering what makes this city so special.
