They’re no denying that the hotel bar can be a great place to connect with fellow travelers and grab yourself an often fantastic cocktail. But not all hotel bars are created equal. These nine hotel bars go beyond your traditional lobby location, and are situated in unexpected and often hidden places (sometimes you might even need a password to get in). Once you do find your way there, you’ll be treated to some outstanding libations you simply won’t find anywhere else in town.
Give one of these beauties a try on your next big trip, that is if you can find them.
1 of 9
![]()
Upstairs at LAVO, Casino Club at The Palazzo
Las Vegas, NV
Follow a hidden staircase inside The Palazzo's famed restaurant to an upstairs hideaway offering an intimate nightlife experience, featuring bar butlers, plush couches and ornate chandeliers, and high-stakes tables in a discreet library setting.
2 of 9
![]()
The Study in the Modern Honolulu,
Honolulu, Hawaii:
Behind the bookshelves in the lobby of The Modern Honolulu lies a small cocktail bar. The bookshelves stay closed during the day, but rotate open at 6pm each night to reveal not only some of the best drinks in town, but also occasional musical guests as well.
3 of 9
![]()
Mukul Beach, Golf & Spa,
Rivas, Nicaragua:
"For guests staying in the exclusive Casona Don Carlos (the owner's compound), a personal bartender joins them in the accommodation's own private palapa bar to create custom cocktails or provide a rum tasting. Only guests staying in this 20,000 square foot space can enjoy the exclusive perk– in addition to private beach access, pool and luxurious indoor/outdoor spaces."
4 of 9
![]()
The Library at The Nines Hotel,
Portland, Oregon:
The Nines in Portland offers this intimate library-style bar that's definitely worth a look. The drinks start being served before 7am, and the books on the shelves in the room are enough to keep you occupied all day long.
The Nines
5 of 9
![]()
The Roof Garden at The Peninsula Beverly Hills,
Beverly Hills:
"Just off the poolside dining option at The Peninsula, the Roof Garden, there is a hidden bar area that accommodates a small group. For those in they know, the alfresco space is perfect for fireside cocktails or an intimate celebration."
6 of 9
![]()
Mystery Room inside the Arizona Biltmore,
Phoenix, AZ:
"A historic, Prohibition-era speakeasy inside the desert jewel that's served as a playground for the rich and famous of times past (i.e. Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra), complete with the property's original spotlight that signaled cocktailers when the police were coming, now home to an exclusive "whisper word" pop-up bar and whiskey mixology hub."
7 of 9
![]()
Broken Shaker Inside Freehand Miami,
Miami, Florida:
If your travels find you in Miami, check out The Broken Shaker in the Freehand Miami. The tiny bar only has enough room for a few guests, but a sizable outdoor patio offers a spot for you to enjoy your cocktail under the stars.
Broken Shaker
8 of 9
![]()
Sunset Bar at Malliouhana, An Auberge Resort
Anguilla, British West Indies
"Tucked behind The Restaurant at Malliouhana, visitors to Anguilla will find an intimate cocktail lounge offering unrivaled vantage points at sunset and thirst-quenching mojitos and sangrias. Unknown to most first-timers to the island, the resort has an extensive collection of more than 60 rare rums and "Rummelier" available on-site to provide of rum tastings and pairings."
9 of 9
![]()
Clock Bar in the Westin St. Francis,
San Francisco:
This tiny bar is located right off from the lobby in the Westin, and while not entirely hidden, isn't something you'd notice walking by if you weren't looking for it. Grab a vintage cocktail at the bar and enjoy.