Entry No. 13 — the Baltimore file — filed under: speakeasy
Highball
Hidden behind a vintage red Coca-Cola vending machine inside the Bank Street Deli, this dimly lit, vintage-inspired speakeasy serves up meticulously tailored cocktails.
The story
Walk into Bank St. Deli at 1421 Bank Street and you will see a standard corner counter slinging stacked Italian cold cuts and chicken cutlets. Look closer at the bright red vintage Coca-Cola vending machine tucked against the wall. You do not need pocket change—just grab the chrome handle, pull the entire machine forward, and step through the false front.
Beyond the soda door, the deli noise vanishes into Highball. The hidden lounge features high ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and a two-sided bar anchored in the middle of the room. An illuminated vintage sign reading "Bank Discount Liquors & Package Goods" hangs on the wall as an homage to the building's past life, while the bartenders pour drinks like the mezcal-and-fernet Black Butterfly and the bourbon-infused Bawlmer Bramble.
The sharpest detail in the space is tucked near the back: a section fitted with a two-way mirror. Sit there with a flamed-orange Old Fashioned and you can look directly through the glass into the deli entrance, watching unsuspecting customers hesitate in front of the Coke machine while trying to figure out how to get inside.
What it's like
The transition from quiet neighborhood deli to low-lit cocktail den happens the second you pull open the soda machine door. If you stall at the entrance, the counter crew will usually give you a nudge in the right direction. Grab one of the dozen stools around the central bar or stake out a spot by the two-way mirror to watch newcomers struggle with the handle. It fills up quickly on Friday and Saturday nights, so target a Wednesday or Thursday evening if you want to pair a fresh Italian hoagie with a tailored drink without fighting for space.
The move: Grab a classic Italian cold cut at the deli counter, then casually pull open the soda machine door to step into a cozy, low-lit sanctuary for a tailored cocktail.
- 📍 Upper Fells Point
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1421 Bank St, Baltimore, MD 21231
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Baltimore Tattoo Museum — Walk one block down to browse vintage flash sheets and electric tattoo machinery before disappearing behind the soda machine.
- Botanica Chango — Pair a secret cocktail with a visit two blocks south to browse spiritual candles, herbs, and Afro-Caribbean devotional items.
- The Horse You Came In On Saloon — Trade Highball's polished backroom for the historic floorboards and sawdust grit of Baltimore's oldest operating tavern just four blocks away.
- Poe's Tower — Continue your hidden-entrance bar crawl 0.7 miles east to step through a bookshelf door into a gothic, Poe-inspired lounge.
Good to know
How do I find the hidden entrance?
Head into Bank St. Deli at 1421 Bank Street and locate the vintage red Coca-Cola vending machine. Pull the front of the machine toward you to open the secret door.
Do I need a membership or reservation to get in?
No. Highball is open to the public without reservations or memberships, operating strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
Can I eat deli food inside the speakeasy?
Yes. You can order sandwiches off the Bank St. Deli menu—including classic Italian cold cuts—to eat while sitting inside Highball.
What are Highball's operating hours?
Highball is open Wednesday and Thursday from 5:00 PM to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM. It is closed Sunday through Tuesday.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · baltimoremagazine.com
last checked: 2026-07-21