Los Angeles: Speakeasy Bar Hopping Tour with Drink

Hollywood hides its best nightlife behind unmarked doors, theatrical entrances, and rooms that feel far removed from the street. This 2.5-hour tour takes you to three very different speakeasies, from a polished 1920s-style bar to a circus-themed cocktail den and a Havana-inspired club with Latin music and burlesque.

I like the easy mix of entertainment and local guidance. You do not have to spend your evening guessing which bar is worth the cover charge, and the guide handles reservations and admission. I also like the range of settings: this is not three versions of the same cocktail lounge. The main drawback is cost. At $159 per person, with only one cocktail included and other drinks purchased separately, this suits a special night more than a casual bar crawl.

Key points to know before you book

• Three distinct Hollywood stops: Expect swanky 1920s style, underground circus fun, and a Latin-themed final bar.
• One starter cocktail included: Additional drinks are your responsibility, so bring a card or cash.
• Live entertainment is part of the night: The final venue may include Latin music, dancing, live performances, and burlesque.
• Chic dress is required: Leave gym clothes, shorts, hats, and loose clothing behind.
• Parking is expensive: Street parking near 1628 North El Centro Avenue can cost $20 to $25.
• The last stop can continue after the tour: You may stay as long as you like, but your ride back is not included.

Three Hollywood bars, three different moods

The smart idea here is variety. A standard bar crawl can blur together after the second drink, especially when each stop has the same dark walls and cocktail menu. This route changes tone at every stop, giving the night a sense of progression.

You begin with polished old-Hollywood glamour. The second venue shifts into a playful underground setting. The final stop turns up the music with Latin dancing, live entertainment, and burlesque. That range makes the tour a better fit for a birthday, date night, reunion, or celebratory evening than for someone seeking a quiet tasting session.

You should also know what this is not. It is not a cocktail-making class, a food tour, or a quiet history walk through Hollywood. The focus is on atmosphere, drinks, music, and getting you into places that may be difficult to identify or visit efficiently on your own.

Meeting the guide near North El Centro Avenue

The tour begins outside LA Fitness near 1628 North El Centro Avenue. You are responsible for reaching the meeting point, and the supplied information does not include hotel pickup or transportation from another part of Los Angeles.

Parking in Hollywood can run $20 to $25, so I would think twice before driving if you plan to drink. A rideshare may be the simpler choice, though you still need to arrange it yourself. Bring a passport or ID card, since identification is required.

The guide is English-speaking and handles the evening’s movement between venues. One particularly warm account names Harrison as the guide, praising his personal welcome, stories about the city, and attention to the group. Guide assignments can vary, but that gives you a useful sense of the service style to expect: this is meant to feel hosted rather than merely escorted from one address to another.

The tour lasts about 2.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check the available slot when booking. The timing matters because this is a nightlife activity, and the experience depends on the bars being in their evening rhythm rather than feeling like empty rooms at opening time.

First stop: 1920s Hollywood polish

The opening bar sets the tone with a glamorous Hollywood look inspired by the 1920s. Think sophisticated cocktails, period-style decor, and an atmosphere built around old movie-star charm.

Your first cocktail is included. That is useful because it lets you settle in without immediately adding another charge to the $159 price. After that, drinks are extra, and you should carry a credit card or cash.

This first stop is likely the easiest place to talk with your guide and fellow group members. The mood is swanky rather than rowdy, so it gives you a calm start before the evening becomes more theatrical. I like the order of the itinerary here. Beginning with a polished lounge helps you get comfortable, while the later venues can grow louder and less formal.

The main point is atmosphere, not a detailed lecture about Hollywood history. The decor recalls the old era of the city, but the experience is built around sitting with a drink and feeling part of the show. If you want a serious spirits education, this may feel light. If you want a stylish beginning to a night out, it makes sense.

Second stop: circus games and tarot cards

From the first bar, you walk to an underground cocktail den with a circus and carnival theme. This is the most playful stop of the three, with games available while you drink and the option of having your future read by a tarot card reader.

That unusual combination gives the middle of the tour a clear identity. Instead of simply ordering another cocktail in another dark room, you have something to look at and do. The circus setting may appeal to you if you like theatrical spaces, novelty, and nightlife with a bit of silliness.

The tarot reading is optional, and drinking is optional throughout the experience. That distinction matters for anyone in the group who wants to join the evening without consuming alcohol. You can take part in the social side of the stop, enjoy the setting, and decide for yourself how much to order.

Drinks here are not included beyond the starter cocktail from the first venue. Prices for individual cocktails are not specified, so budget with some room for extras. The tour price covers access and the planned experience, not an open bar.

Final stop: Latin music, dancing, and burlesque

The last speakeasy has a Havana, Cuba-inspired feel, with Latin music, dancing, spectacular cocktails, live music, and burlesque performances. This is the most energetic stop and the place where the tour shifts from bar hopping toward a full night out.

You can dance and sing along, or simply watch the entertainment with a drink. The final venue is also where the tour’s dress code matters most. Chic, upscale clothing is required. Cocktail dresses and heels are specifically suitable, while gym clothes, shorts, hats, loose clothing, and baggy styles are not allowed.

That rule is not a minor detail. You are visiting venues built around glamour and performance, so arriving in casual sightseeing clothes could create a problem at the door. Dress as if you are going to an upscale evening event, not a quick drink after a day at the beach.

Once you reach the final bar, you may stay as long as you like. This is one of the tour’s better features because it does not force you to leave just when the evening gets interesting. You can continue with the group, remain for more music, or ask the guide for advice about where to go next.

The transportation catch is important. A ride back to the original meeting point or to your hotel is not included. The route may be described as ending back at the meeting point, but the practical instructions make clear that once you stay at the final bar, you need to arrange your own return. Plan your ride before your last cocktail rather than trying to solve it at closing time.

What the $159 price really covers

At $159 per person, this is not a bargain bar crawl. You are paying for more than a single drink, though. The price includes the English-speaking guide, guaranteed admission, reservations at the bars, and one starter cocktail.

The reservations have real value in Hollywood nightlife. You avoid spending the evening searching for a bar, checking entry rules, or arriving at a full venue. A guide also removes some of the uncertainty around finding entrances and moving between places.

Still, additional drinks can change the total quickly. The supplied information does not list cocktail prices, so you should not assume the initial fee covers the night’s drinking. Add your drinks, parking or rideshare costs, and any optional tarot reading to your budget.

I see the value most clearly if you are new to Hollywood nightlife, have limited time, or want a planned celebration. If you already know the city’s bars and are happy to choose your own venues, the price may feel high. You are paying for access, planning, and hosting as much as for the drinks themselves.

Dress, identification, and practical planning

Bring a passport or ID card. Even if you look well over the legal drinking age, the activity specifically asks you to have identification with you.

Dress is the other major practical issue. The venues require upscale attire, and the guidance is unusually clear: no gym clothes, short pants, hats, loose clothing, or baggy outfits. Cocktail dresses and heels are welcome. For men and anyone choosing a less formal look, the safest approach is polished evening clothing rather than resort wear or casual streetwear.

You should also wear something suitable for walking between stops. The information confirms that you walk from the first bar to the second, though it does not specify the distance between every venue. Comfortable dress shoes are sensible, provided they still meet the chic dress code.

Drinking is optional. If you do order additional drinks, bring cash or a credit card. The starter cocktail is included, but there is no indication that food, extra beverages, or entertainment add-ons are covered.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans change: cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging a Los Angeles schedule.

Who will enjoy this night most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want nightlife with a strong sense of occasion. Couples, friends, birthday groups, and first-time visitors who want a ready-made evening are the natural audience.

It also suits people who enjoy themed spaces and live entertainment more than a conventional cocktail bar. The circus games, tarot option, Latin music, and burlesque make the night active and social. You do not need to dance, but you should be comfortable around music and performance.

It may not suit you if you want a quiet, low-cost night or if you dislike dressing up. It is also a poor fit if you need transportation included from your hotel or prefer to know the exact drink prices before committing. The experience is intentionally theatrical, and that will either be the appeal or the annoyance.

The tour received an overall rating of 4.7 from three reviews. The strongest praise centers on the hosting: Harrison is described as welcoming, attentive, engaging, and full of useful stories about Los Angeles nightlife. Another note singles out the communication and service. That emphasis matters because a bar-hopping route succeeds or fails on the guide’s timing and people skills.

Should you book the Hollywood speakeasy tour?

Book it if you want a dressed-up Hollywood night with three sharply different venues, a guide to handle reservations, and enough entertainment to keep the evening moving. The final Latin-themed bar, with music and burlesque, gives the tour a strong finish, while the included starter cocktail takes some sting out of the price.

Skip it if $159 feels steep before drinks and transportation, or if you would rather choose one bar and settle in for the night. Also skip it if you plan to wear casual clothes. For the right audience, this is an easy and entertaining way to sample Los Angeles nightlife without doing all the research yourself. Just arrive dressed for the door, carry identification, and plan your ride home before the dancing begins.

FAQ

How long does the Los Angeles speakeasy tour last?

The tour lasts 2.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many bars are included?

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

Is a drink included in the price?

Yes. One starter cocktail is included. Additional drinks are not included and must be paid for separately.

Is drinking required?

No. Drinking is optional, although you should bring cash or a credit card if you decide to order drinks.

What should I wear?

You should wear chic, upscale clothing. Cocktail dresses and heels are suitable. Gym clothes, shorts, hats, loose clothing, and baggy clothing are not allowed.

Do I need to bring identification?

Yes. Bring a passport or ID card.

Where does the tour begin?

Meet your guide outside LA Fitness near 1628 North El Centro Avenue in Hollywood. Street parking in the area can cost $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. You may stay at the final bar as long as you like and should arrange your own ride back.