Los Angeles: Speakeasy Bar Hopping Tour with Drink

Hollywood after dark has more to offer than crowded clubs and rooftop lounges. This 2.5-hour speakeasy tour leads you through three very different bars, including two listed among the 25 best speakeasy bars in the world. You get a starter cocktail, reserved admission, and a local guide to handle the night’s planning.

I like the mix of settings: one polished and old-Hollywood, one playful and carnival-themed, and one filled with Latin music and burlesque. I also like that the guide, including host Harrison on some departures, adds local stories and personal attention. The main drawback is the price, $159 per person before extra drinks, parking, and your ride after the final bar.

Key Details To Know Before You Go

• Three very different bars: Move from a 1920s-style cocktail room to an underground carnival bar, then finish with Havana-inspired music and dancing.
• One cocktail is included: Additional drinks cost extra, so bring a credit card or cash if you plan to keep ordering.
• Reserved admission saves time: Your guide handles entry and reservations, including access through a separate entrance.
• Dress to impress: Cocktail attire is expected. Gym clothes, shorts, hats, loose clothing, and baggy outfits are not allowed.
• The final stop can continue late: You may stay at the last bar as long as you like, but your ride afterward is not included.
• Parking adds to the cost: Street parking near the meeting point can run $20 to $25 in Hollywood.

Why This Hollywood Night Is Different

The appeal here is not simply drinking in three places. It is the changing mood from stop to stop. One minute you are in a polished room recalling 1920s Hollywood. Later, you are playing carnival games in an underground cocktail den. The night ends with Latin dancing, live music, burlesque, and cocktails in a bar designed to feel like Havana.

That variety gives the tour a real sense of movement. You are not spending the whole evening comparing similar cocktail lounges. Each bar offers a different kind of entertainment, and the guide helps connect the stops into one easy night out.

I especially like the format for a first evening in Los Angeles. Hollywood nightlife can take work to research, and popular bars may have lines, reservations, or confusing entrances. Here, the guide leads you to the meeting point, brings you to the bars, and helps you get inside.

The atmosphere is social and theatrical. This is not a quiet tasting focused on the history of mixology. You should expect music, performances, dancing, and a little spectacle. If you prefer calm conversation and carefully explained drinks, this may feel too lively.

Meeting Your Guide Near North El Centro Avenue

The tour begins outside LA Fitness at 1628 North El Centro Avenue. The meeting point is in Hollywood, an area where parking costs can quickly affect the total price. Street parking is available, but expect to pay around $20 to $25.

I would arrive early enough to find parking without rushing. You need to meet the guide before the group sets off, and the opening bar sets the tone for the whole evening. Wear your evening outfit from the start, since there is no mention of a place to change.

The host or greeter speaks English. Harrison received especially strong praise for being warm, attentive, and engaging, with a talent for adding stories about Los Angeles nightlife and local culture. A good guide matters here because the tour depends as much on timing and atmosphere as it does on the bars themselves.

Admission and reservations are included, and the tour uses a separate entrance to skip the regular line. That is useful in Hollywood, where waiting outside a popular bar can eat into a short evening.

Stop One: A 1920s Hollywood Cocktail Room

The first bar sets the glamorous mood. The room recalls old Hollywood, with decor designed to make you feel as if you have stepped into the city’s movie-star era. This is the most polished stop of the three, and it gives you a chance to settle in with a sophisticated cocktail.

Your starter cocktail is included. That helps soften the $159 price, though you should remember that one drink is not the same as an open bar. If you want another cocktail here, or if you plan to order at the next two stops, bring cash or a card.

The first stop is also the best place to appreciate the tour’s dress code. Cocktail dresses and heels are specifically suggested, and the setting calls for a finished look. The rules are strict: no gym clothes, short pants, hats, or loose and baggy clothing.

This bar may be the highlight for people who enjoy design, classic Hollywood style, and cocktails in a quieter opening setting. It is less suited to anyone hoping to start immediately with dancing or a loud party.

Stop Two: Carnival Games Beneath Hollywood

After the first bar, you walk to an underground cocktail den. This stop changes the mood completely. Instead of old-Hollywood polish, you get circus and carnival touches, along with games you can play while enjoying another drink.

The playful setting is one of the tour’s most unusual features. You are not simply moving from bar to bar and standing around with a cocktail. The carnival games give the group something to do and make this stop feel more interactive.

You can also choose to have your future read by the bar’s tarot card reader. That is optional, and the available information does not state whether the reading costs extra, so ask before agreeing to it.

The second bar is a good fit if you enjoy quirky decor and entertainment that does not take itself too seriously. It may not appeal as much if you want every stop to focus on serious cocktail technique. The point here is the combination of drinks, games, and oddball atmosphere.

Since the tour includes walking between bars, comfortable shoes are useful, but your clothing still needs to meet the upscale dress code. That is a small balancing act: dressy enough for the bars, practical enough for the walk.

Stop Three: Latin Music, Burlesque, and Dancing

The last bar provides the biggest change in energy. Its style draws on Havana, Cuba, with Latin music, live performances, spectacular cocktails, and burlesque shows. You can dance and sing along, or simply watch the action with a drink.

This is the most flexible part of the evening. Once you arrive, you can stay as long as you like. That makes the final stop more than a quick photo opportunity before heading home. You can continue the night here, ask your guide where to go next, or leave when you are ready.

The bar suits people who want nightlife rather than a seated tasting. Live music and burlesque can make conversation difficult, especially when the room gets going. If you want a calm final drink, this may be the least comfortable stop. If you want music and movement, it is likely to be the strongest finish.

The end-of-night plan needs attention. Transportation from the final bar to your hotel or the original starting point is not included. The meeting information also describes the activity as ending back at the meeting point, so confirm the exact return arrangement before you go. In practical terms, you should plan on arranging your own ride after the last bar rather than assuming the guide will take you back.

What You Pay For At $159

At $159 per person, this is an expensive night out if you count only the included cocktail. The value comes from the complete package: three bar entries, reservations, a guide, a separate entrance, and access to venues that may be difficult to find or enter on your own.

You are also paying for convenience. Instead of researching three places, checking dress rules, finding entrances, and dealing with lines, you follow one plan. That is useful in Hollywood, especially if this is your first night in the area or if you want a structured evening rather than a series of guesses.

The price makes less sense for a regular Los Angeles nightlife expert who already knows where to go. It also climbs once you add cocktails, parking, and transportation after the final stop. Keep that full cost in mind before booking.

The included starter cocktail gives you a sample, not a full drinks package. Drinking is optional, so you can participate in the music, performances, and settings without ordering alcohol. If you do drink, budget for additional purchases at each bar.

Dress, Timing, and Practical Planning

The dress code is not a suggestion. You need upscale attire, and the experience specifically recommends cocktail dresses and heels. Men and women should avoid casual athletic clothing, shorts, hats, and loose outfits.

Because the bars have different themes, dressing well helps you fit the whole night. The first venue leans into old-Hollywood glamour, while the final stop has a more theatrical Latin-club mood. A polished outfit works across all three.

The tour lasts 2.5 hours, with start times varying by date. Check availability before building dinner or transportation plans around it. The final bar is open-ended for you, but the guided portion itself has a set duration.

Bring a passport or ID card. The information specifically requires identification, so do not rely on being recognized by the guide or having a photo of your document unless the provider confirms that is acceptable.

You should also carry a card or cash for drinks. The tour does not include transportation from the final bar, so have a ride plan ready before the evening begins. If you leave the last bar late, prices and availability for rides may affect your budget.

Who Will Enjoy This Experience Most

I would recommend this tour to couples, friends, and visitors who want an entertaining night with a strong visual theme. It works especially well for a first visit to Hollywood, when you want someone else to choose the bars and manage the route.

It is also a good option for people who like variety. You get classic cocktails, carnival games, tarot, live music, Latin dancing, and burlesque in one evening. That is a lot of different entertainment packed into a short period.

The tour is less suitable for a quiet date built around conversation. It is also not ideal if you dislike dressing up, walking between venues, paying separately for most drinks, or arranging your own ride home.

The nightlife focus matters. The experience is about atmosphere and performance as much as the cocktails. You should book it for a fun Hollywood night, not for a technical lesson in spirits or a detailed tour of Los Angeles history.

Is The Speakeasy Tour Worth Booking?

Book this experience if you want a planned, dressy Hollywood night with three sharply different bars and plenty of entertainment. The guide, reserved entry, included starter cocktail, and unusual settings make it easier than organizing the same evening yourself.

I would be more cautious if $159 is already at the top of your budget. Once you add parking, extra cocktails, and transportation after the last bar, the total can become substantial. The tour delivers the most value when you care about the access, the themes, and the guide’s local hosting, not just the drinks.

For the best fit, dress properly, bring identification and payment for extra drinks, and arrange your return ride in advance. If that plan suits you, this offers a lively way to see a playful side of Hollywood nightlife.

FAQ

How long does the speakeasy bar hopping tour last?

The guided experience lasts 2.5 hours. You may stay at the final bar as long as you like after the guided portion ends.

How many bars are included?

The tour visits three speakeasy-style bars in Hollywood. They include a 1920s Hollywood-style bar, an underground carnival-themed cocktail den, and a Latin-themed final venue.

Is a cocktail included in the price?

Yes. One starter cocktail is included. Additional drinks are not included and require cash or a credit card.

Is drinking required?

No. Drinking is optional, so you can join the tour and enjoy the venues, music, and performances without ordering alcoholic drinks.

What should I wear?

You should wear chic, upscale clothing. Cocktail dresses and heels are suggested. Gym clothes, short pants, hats, loose clothing, and baggy outfits are not allowed.

Where does the tour begin?

Meet your guide outside LA Fitness at 1628 North El Centro Avenue in Hollywood. Street parking in the area costs about $20 to $25.

Is transportation back to my hotel included?

No. Transportation from the final bar to your hotel or the original meeting point is not included. Plan your own ride after the last bar.

What identification should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card. Identification is listed as required for the experience.