Entry No. 7 — the Albuquerque file — filed under: speakeasy
Founders Speakeasy
Operating underneath El Rey Liquors on Route 66, this underground cocktail vault requires guests to whisper a password inside the bottle shop before slipping through a hidden door. Inside, brick walls, plush seating, and a massive wall of spirits set the stage for house-infused craft cocktails.
The story
You walk into El Rey Liquors on Central Avenue looking like anyone else picking up a bottle on Route 66. But head past the retail shelves to the back corner near the walk-in cooler, and you'll spot an attendant watching the aisle. Whisper the current password—which you didn't hear from us, but you can pull off their Instagram or website—and they won't point you to the six-packs. They'll unlatch what looks like a freezer door and send you down a narrow staircase straight into the basement vault.
Carved out beneath a 1941 Route 66 building in downtown Albuquerque, Founders Speakeasy opened in 2019 as a true subterranean drinking den. Downstairs, the space opens into a dim room bounded by brick walls, plush seating, and a towering backbar stocked with high-end spirits and local liquors. Rather than relying on flash, the bartenders focus heavily on house-made infusions—mixing up custom concoctions like green chile enchilada tequila and banana bread bourbon.
What it's like
Entry relies entirely on doing a brief bit of digital reconnaissance before arriving: show up inside El Rey Liquors without checking their Instagram (@foundersabq) or website for the rotating passcode, and you'll be left standing foolishly next to the wine racks. Since the subterranean lounge operates purely on walk-ins without reservations, weekend peak hours frequently bring a wait list. Slip in on a quiet weeknight instead, order a New Mexico Old Fashioned built with Taos Lightning bourbon, and enjoy the low-slung underground quiet before the night crowds fill the room.
The move: Check their website or Instagram for the current passcode, walk past the liquor shelves to whisper it to the clerk, and descend the hidden staircase for a New Mexico Old Fashioned made with Taos Lightning bourbon.
- 📍 Downtown Albuquerque
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 622 Central Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- KiMo Theatre — Catch a performance or inspect the rare 1927 Pueblo Deco architecture a block up Central Avenue before slipping underground for drinks.
- Secret Gallery at ARRIVE Hotel — Browse contemporary Southwestern art inside a restored 1960s Route 66 motor lodge a block away before grabbing your nightcap password.
- Telephone Museum of New Mexico — Explore four floors of working vintage switchboards during the day, then put your phone away to whisper a low-tech password at night.
Good to know
How do I find the passcode for entry?
Check their official Instagram page (@foundersabq) or website before heading out. The password changes periodically, and you must whisper it to the doorman in the back of El Rey Liquors.
Can I make a reservation ahead of time?
No, Founders operates entirely on a first-come, first-served basis. If the subterranean vault is at full capacity when you arrive, you'll need to leave your name for the waitlist.
Do they serve food inside the bar?
No, Founders is strictly a cocktail vault focused on spirits and craft drinks, so plan to eat dinner elsewhere along Central Avenue before or after your visit.
Where is the physical entrance located?
The entrance is inside El Rey Liquors at 622 Central Ave SW in downtown Albuquerque. Walk past the liquor shelves toward the back freezer door.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · visitabq.org · newmexico.org
last checked: 2026-07-21