Entry No. 36 — the Spokane file — filed under: speakeasy
Durkin's Liquor Bar
Named for Jimmie Durkin, a real pre-Prohibition Spokane liquor tycoon, this bar pairs a lively diner-chic main floor with a hidden speakeasy-style nook tucked into the basement. Descending below the floorboards feels like dropping into a 1910s hideaway, a quieter and more vintage counterpoint to the bustle upstairs. The nine-foot front door is the tell that this place takes its history seriously.
The story
Long before Washington went dry, Jimmie Durkin was Spokane’s reigning liquor king—a pre-Prohibition tycoon who made a fortune slinging spirits and pulling promotional stunts across the Inland Northwest. His modern namesake at 415 W Main Avenue doesn't just hang his portrait on the wall; it builds a literal secret directly into the floorboards.
At sidewalk level, you’re greeted by a massive nine-foot front door that opens into a bright, polished diner-chic dining room. Up here, it’s all brass fixtures, classic martinis, and high-end burgers. It feels like a respectable downtown tavern where business deals get signed over lunch.
The real reason you came, however, requires looking lower. Slip past the main bar and take the narrow stairwell down into the basement brickwork. Below deck, the noise fades into a dark, velvet-lined 1910s drinking den that feels less like a modern bar and more like the place Durkin's old customers hid when the state banned booze four years before the rest of the country.
What it's like
Push through that towering front door and you'll find a buzzing, upscale main floor, but don't commit to a table up top until you check the basement status. The stairwell leads into a much darker, cramped subterranean nook with low ceilings and plush seating. Space downstairs is tight and fills up fast on weekends, so make a reservation or arrive early on a weeknight if you want to secure a secluded corner below ground.
The move: Start with a burger and a martini upstairs, then slip down to the basement nook for a more secretive nightcap.
- 📍 Spokane (downtown)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 415 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Cease & Desist Book Club — Keep your hidden-bar crawl moving by walking a block over to pull the marked book on their wall of shelves.
- Hogwash Whiskey Den — Swap Durkin's 1910s basement vibe for another subterranean drink inside the 1891 Washington Cracker Building.
- Volstead Act — Continue the anti-Prohibition history lesson inside the Peyton Building's snug cocktail room.
- Petunia & Loomis — Pair your vintage cocktail with a stroll through downtown's year-round oddities and taxidermy shop just around the corner.
Good to know
How do I access the basement speakeasy?
Head into the main entrance at 415 W Main Ave and look for the interior stairwell descending into the floorboards near the back.
Do I need a reservation?
Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner and peak evening hours, as space—especially in the basement—is limited.
Who was Jimmie Durkin?
Jimmie Durkin was a prominent pre-Prohibition liquor mogul in Spokane known for his string of successful saloons and colorful local publicity stunts.
What is the vibe difference between the two floors?
The street-level floor is a lively, brighter diner-chic space, while the basement nook is a dimly lit, vintage 1910s hideaway tailored for quieter drinks.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · spokanetalk.com · historylink.org · Yelp
last checked: 2026-06-24