Entry No. 5 — the Miami file — filed under: taco shop front
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila (South Beach)
By the sidewalk it's a scruffy taco shop; the actual bar is through a fake port-a-potty door at the back of the room, painted with graffiti and fitted with fake urinals as a joke gauntlet before it opens onto a full-scale hidden lounge.
The story
In 2014, hospitality operator Keith Menin parked what looks like a silver food truck indoors at 1220 16th Street, framing it as a straightforward counter-service taco joint. From the sidewalk, you see a basic menu board, a flat-top grill, and fluorescent lighting slinging al pastor tacos. The real operation, however, is lurking behind what appears to be the restroom area.
At the back of the order line sits a set of bright blue, graffiti-covered porta-potty doors. Push through the plastic handle and you step into a prank vestibule lined with fake urinals. Pass through the second door beyond that trick hallway, and the space opens into a dark, high-ceilinged lounge anchored by a heavy wood bar, vintage leather couches, and thousands of bottles of tequila and mezcal.
When it opened, Bodega helped set off Miami’s obsession with speakeasy tricks hidden behind everyday facades. It remains one of the few spots in South Beach where you can transition from eating street tacos at a stainless-steel counter to dancing under a DJ booth in a hidden back room without ever leaving the building.
What it's like
Walk into the taco shop like you're ordering a late-night snack, order a margarita at the counter if you want cover, then walk straight toward the porta-potty doors in the rear. Push through the door handle—and past the decorative urinals—to hit the dim, crowded lounge. On weeknights you can stroll right through, but on weekends after midnight, expect a bouncer standing inside the taco stand managing a line that snakes toward the street.
The move: Order tacos and margaritas up front like any other taqueria customer, then let a server (or your own nerve) walk you through the porta-potty door in back to the real bar for late-night dancing — open until 5am most nights.
- 📍 South Beach, Miami Beach
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1220 16th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Medium Cool Cocktail Lounge — Trade Bodega's high-energy tequila lounge and porta-potty door for another hidden South Beach drink spot subterraneanly tucked inside the Gale Hotel.
- Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery — Follow up Bodega's tequila-focused hideaway with a trip down Collins Avenue to Swizzle's darker, rum-heavy speakeasy.
- World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM) — Pair Bodega's cheeky urinal-hallway entry gag with a visit to Naomi Wilzig's sprawling museum of erotic art a few blocks south.
Good to know
How do you actually access the hidden bar?
Walk past the front taco counter to the back wall and push open the blue, spray-painted porta-potty door. You will walk through a short hallway with fake urinals before entering the lounge.
Do you need a secret password or reservation?
No password or secret code is required, though weekend nights feature a door host in the taco shop area controlling capacity into the back room.
How late is the back bar open?
The back lounge regularly stays open until 5 AM, making it one of South Beach's primary late-night party destinations.
Can you eat tacos inside the hidden bar?
Yes, you can order tacos at the front counter and bring them through the porta-potty door to eat at the lounge tables or bar.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp · hiddenlibations.com · Tripadvisor
last checked: 2026-07-19