There’s been a spike in restaurants housing hidden concepts from within their walls. Hokey? Perhaps. But setting aside the snoot and stumbling into some of these “speakeasies” can actually be a lot of fun. Just ask the folks who sit in the Louis XV chairs inside Voodoo Bayou before being spun around into Roka Hula, an Asian tiki bar. Or the diners at Talay who make their way to the bathroom only to find themselves walking through a door leading into Noir, a dark and moody bar. Or those looking to indulge in Nola’s ice cream but happen upon Hinabe, a stunning space where wagyu hotpot, beer, sake and booze flow. Corny or not, these hidden subconcepts provide an added revenue stream for restaurants and, at the very least, added intrigue for patrons.
This article appears in Best of Orlando (R) 2025.