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A resurgence of speakeasy bars around the world is making you work a little harder for your cocktail. Remember when your nightlife criteria focused primarily on finding a bar you could easily get into? Well times have changed, along with your tolerance for dollar shot night at Senor Frog's (hopefully).

If the advance scouting, lack of signage, required passwords or unpublished phone numbers seem like a lot of effort, remember that your reward comes in the form of drinks at culinary standards, retro chic atmospheres and the cachet of saying you made it in. With some hidden bars, the fewer people that know about a place, the cooler it's supposed to be. We hope we don't cramp the cool factor of these bars by telling you about them, but we never really could keep a secret.

The Coolest Speakeasys in the World

    Piano Bar, Tokyo -- Hidden behind an ornate wooden door lies a pint-sized room lit red and covered in gold frames, taxidermy, and glass grapes.

    luv-stoned.livejournal.com

    Drunkard's Alley, Tokyo -- A tempting row of tiny bars in the Shibuya district of Tokyo.

    luv-stoned.livejournal.com

    R bar, Los Angeles. -- Rotating password to enter. Monthly comedy shows and a great juke box.

    mr. moneda, Flickr

    Mt. Hollywood Underground, Los Angeles -- Held in the basement of a church, patrons must find out the password to gain entry. Live music and artist talks.

    smartgals.com

    Bourbon & Branch, San Francisco -- No sign and password required, though saying "books" will get you into the library. Once inside you'll find cocktails made from fresh-squeezed juice and staff selected spirits. Patrons must follow "the rules."

    bourbonandbranch.com

    Bourne & Hollingsworth, London -- The bar itself isn't hidden but access to something just as important, the bathrooms, are. Prohibition themed nights find drinks served in teacups or flowerpots.

    bourneandhollingsworth.com

    The Edison, Los Angeles -- Housed in a former electric plant, only one bar room remains open on Sundays until filled. Vintage cocktails, guest bartenders, and jazz performances.

    edisondowntown.com

    Milk & Honey -- The one that started it all. Members get the best access but you can call ahead for a reservation before 11pm (early in the week). Cocktails as art and the infamous list of rules, e.g., "no name dropping."

    milkandhoney.com