Los Angeles: Speakeasy Bar Hopping Tour with Drink

Hollywood’s best doors are not always marked. This 2.5-hour tour takes you to three very different speakeasies, from polished 1920s glamour to a circus-themed cocktail den and a Havana-style club. I like the variety of settings and the ease of having reservations and entry handled for you. I also like that the route ends with live music, dancing, and burlesque rather than simply another quiet bar.

The main drawback is price. At $159 per person, only one starter cocktail is included, and you pay separately for other drinks, parking, and transportation after the final stop. You also need to dress sharply, so this is not a casual night out in sneakers and gym clothes.

Key points at a glance

• Three sharply different bars: Expect 1920s Hollywood style, an underground circus setting, and a Latin-themed final stop.
• One starter cocktail included: Additional drinks are optional and must be paid for with cash or a card.
• Live entertainment at the finish: The last venue features Latin music, dancing, live performances, and burlesque.
• A guide handles the night: Reservations and admission are included, which saves you from guessing where to go in Hollywood.
• Dress code is strict: Upscale clothing is required. Cocktail dresses and heels are suitable, while hats, shorts, gym clothes, and baggy clothing are not.
• The final stop can continue after the tour: You may stay as long as you like, but confirm your ride home before settling in.

Why this Hollywood night is different

This is not a standard pub crawl. You are not simply moving from one loud bar to another in search of a place with an empty table. The evening is built around three distinct moods, and the guide provides the route, reservations, and local context.

That structure matters in Hollywood. A good bar can be easy to miss, especially when its entrance is tucked away or its identity is hidden behind a plain door. I like the fact that you can spend your energy enjoying the night instead of searching online for a suitable place after dark.

The experience lasts about two and a half hours. That gives each stop enough time to register without turning the evening into a long commitment. You receive one starter cocktail, while any further drinks are your responsibility. Drinking is optional, so you can join for the atmosphere and entertainment even if you do not plan to drink much.

Two of the three speakeasies are described as appearing among the 25 best speakeasy bars in the world. That claim may appeal to cocktail fans, but the real value is the range of experiences packed into one evening. One stop is polished and old-Hollywood, one is playful and theatrical, and the last is designed for music and movement.

Meeting your guide near North El Centro Avenue

The tour begins outside LA Fitness at 1628 North El Centro Avenue. You should plan this part carefully because parking in Hollywood is listed at about $20 to $25, and that cost is not included in the tour.

Arrive dressed for the evening rather than treating the meeting point like a casual sightseeing stop. You need a passport or ID card, and the strict dress code applies from the start. Upscale attire is required, with cocktail dresses and heels specifically suggested as suitable choices. Short pants, gym clothes, hats, and loose or baggy clothing are not allowed.

Your host or greeter speaks English. One guide singled out in the feedback is Harrison, who was praised for a warm welcome, strong local knowledge, attentive hosting, and stories that added character to the night. Guide quality matters here because the experience depends on more than simply finding three addresses. A friendly host can help the group settle in, understand the theme of each bar, and keep the evening moving.

The tour includes guaranteed admission and reservations. That is especially useful if you are visiting Hollywood for a short stay and do not want to spend the night waiting outside or wondering if a venue has room.

First stop: 1920s Hollywood glamour

The evening begins at a swanky bar styled after 1920s Hollywood. This is the most polished part of the route, with decor that recalls the old film era and cocktails designed to match the mood.

Your included starter cocktail is served here. The drink is part of the ticket, but any additional cocktails are not. If you want to continue drinking, bring a credit card or cash. The tour does not state which specific starter cocktail you will receive, so you should expect the choice to depend on the venue or the guide’s arrangement.

I like beginning here because it gives you time to settle into the night. The setting is suited to conversation and dressing up, and it provides the glamorous opening promised by the tour. You can feel as if you have stepped into an old Hollywood scene without needing a formal dinner or a full theater production.

The drawback is that anyone hoping to visit a long list of cocktail bars may find the first stop more leisurely than expected. The evening is about atmosphere as much as drinking. If you prefer fast service and several inexpensive rounds, this is not the right format.

Second stop: an underground bar with circus games

From the first venue, you walk to an underground cocktail den. The mood changes completely. Instead of polished old-Hollywood elegance, this stop brings in circus and carnival touches, including games you can play while enjoying a drink.

You might also choose to have your future read by the bar’s tarot card reader. That option adds a playful side activity, but it is not presented as part of the included package, so you should ask at the venue about any separate cost before agreeing.

This stop is likely to be the most unusual of the three. The carnival games give you something to do beyond sitting at the bar, and the tarot option can make the evening feel more like a theatrical night out than a traditional cocktail tour.

The setting may not suit someone seeking a quiet, serious tasting experience. The tour promises entertainment and spectacle, so you should expect the mood to be playful. If you like themed bars, this is a strong part of the itinerary. If you want careful explanations of ingredients, spirits, and mixing techniques, the description puts more emphasis on fun than on cocktail education.

Final stop: Latin music, dancing, and burlesque

The last speakeasy shifts the mood again, this time toward Havana-inspired Latin style. You can expect spectacular cocktails, live music, Latin dancing, and burlesque performances.

This is the most energetic stop and the one that gives the night a clear finale. The venue is intended for movement and entertainment, so you should not arrive expecting a quiet final drink. The description compares the atmosphere to Havana, Cuba, and the music and performances are central to the experience.

I like that the tour finishes here rather than ending at a formal cocktail lounge. The night builds from elegant drinks to playful games and then to music and performance. You are also allowed to remain at the final bar as long as you like, which means the official two and a half hours does not have to be the end of your night.

That flexibility comes with a practical catch. Transportation after the final bar is not included. The information says the activity ends back at the meeting point, but it also says transportation from the last bar to the hotel or original starting point is not included. Because those details do not fully match, I would confirm the exact end-of-tour arrangement before booking and make a plan for your return.

What the $159 price really covers

The price is $159 per person. That is a considerable amount for an evening that includes only one drink, so you should judge the cost by the full package rather than by the number of cocktails.

Your price covers:

• One starter cocktail
• Admission to three bars
• Reservations at the venues
• A guide for the experience
• Entry through a separate entrance where applicable

You still pay for extra drinks, parking, tarot readings if offered for a fee, and transportation after the final bar. Those added costs can make the night considerably more expensive.

I see the value in the price if you want a carefully arranged Hollywood evening with access to three themed venues. Reservations and a guide remove much of the uncertainty, and two of the bars are promoted as having international recognition. The value is weaker if you mainly want inexpensive drinks or plan to spend only an hour at one bar.

You should also consider the price of dressing for the occasion if your suitcase is filled with casual clothes. The dress code is not a minor suggestion. The experience calls for chic, upscale attire, and the venues may refuse entry to anyone who arrives in prohibited clothing.

How to prepare for the evening

Bring a passport or ID card. You should also bring a credit card or cash, even if you plan to drink only the included cocktail, because extra drinks are paid separately and drinking is optional rather than fully included.

Allow time to find the meeting point and sort out parking. Street parking is available near 1628 North El Centro Avenue, but the stated cost of $20 to $25 is high enough to affect your budget. If you are already staying nearby, check your transport options before the start time.

Dress with the final venue in mind. A cocktail dress, heels, or another polished evening outfit fits the stated rules. Avoid hats, short pants, gym clothes, and loose clothing. I would not risk arriving in casual athletic wear and hoping the dress code is flexible.

The tour is conducted in English. If you want a quiet night, remember that live music, dancing, and burlesque form a major part of the last stop. If you enjoy social evenings and theatrical settings, that energy is likely to be a benefit.

Who will enjoy this most

This experience suits you if you want a ready-made night out and prefer atmosphere over a detailed cocktail lesson. It is especially well suited to couples, friends, and first-time visitors to Hollywood who want several different nightlife settings without researching each venue.

You will probably enjoy it if you like:

• Dressing up for an evening
• Themed bars and unusual interiors
• Live music and dancing
• Burlesque and theatrical entertainment
• Trying cocktails in several different settings
• Having a guide manage entry and reservations

It may not suit you if you dislike loud entertainment, do not want to dress formally, or want to control every stop yourself. The route is fixed around three venues, and the cost is high if you are not interested in the included atmosphere.

It is also not ideal for anyone expecting transportation throughout the night. The experience involves walking between at least some venues, and you are responsible for getting away from the final bar. Plan that part before you start drinking.

Tips for getting the most from the tour

Treat the experience as a night of settings rather than a drink package. The included cocktail is only one part of the value. The guide, reservations, entertainment, and access to three different venues make up much of what you are paying for.

Ask your guide for recommendations at the final stop. The tour specifically encourages you to ask where to go next if you want to continue celebrating into the night. This is one of the more useful benefits of having a local host, particularly if you do not know Hollywood’s nightlife.

Keep your group together during the transitions. The first change of venue includes a walk, and the night moves through several different environments. Comfortable shoes that still fit the dress code will serve you better than footwear chosen only for appearance.

If you are interested in the tarot reading or extra cocktails, budget for them in advance. The tour price does not cover these additions, and it is easier to enjoy the evening when you are not surprised by every extra charge.

The feedback about Harrison also points to an important strength of this format. A guide who is attentive, engaging, and able to tell stories can turn a simple bar route into a more personal introduction to Hollywood nightlife. Guide quality is not guaranteed by a written itinerary, but it is worth paying attention to the host’s approach when you meet.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is helpful if your Hollywood plans are still changing.

Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. The experience lasts about two and a half hours, although the final bar allows you to stay longer if you wish.

Should you book the Hollywood speakeasy tour?

Book it if you want a dressed-up, guided night that combines cocktails, themed interiors, live entertainment, and three distinct bars. The route is particularly appealing if you would rather have a local host arrange entry than spend your evening testing random Hollywood venues.

Skip it if $159 feels too high for one included drink, or if you want a relaxed bar crawl with casual clothing and no fixed plan. You should also skip it if arranging your own ride after the last bar will be difficult.

For the right person, the appeal is not the quantity of alcohol. It is the evening’s progression: polished 1920s style, playful circus fun, then Latin music and burlesque. Dress properly, carry ID and spending money, confirm the return transport details, and you will be set up for a memorable night rather than an expensive surprise.

FAQ

How long does the speakeasy tour last?

The guided experience lasts approximately 2.5 hours. At the final bar, you may stay as long as you like.

How many bars are included?

The tour visits three speakeasy-style bars in Hollywood. The stops feature 1920s Hollywood decor, a circus-themed underground cocktail den, and a Latin-themed venue.

Is a drink included in the price?

One starter cocktail is included. Additional drinks are not included, and you should bring cash or a credit card if you want to order more.

What should I wear?

The dress code is chic and upscale. Cocktail dresses and heels are suitable. Gym clothes, short pants, hats, and loose or baggy clothing are not allowed.

Where does the tour begin?

Meet your guide outside LA Fitness at 1628 North El Centro Avenue. Street parking in Hollywood is available nearby and costs about $20 to $25.

Is transportation home included?

No. Transportation from the final bar to your hotel or the original meeting point is not included. The activity information also refers to ending back at the meeting point, so confirm the exact arrangement with the provider before you go.