Entry No. 39 — the Spokane file — filed under: speakeasy
Volstead Act
A small, snug cocktail bar inside the historic Peyton Building, named for the 1919 Volstead Act that launched Prohibition. The room leans into 1920s nostalgia with Prohibition-inspired decor and craft cocktails, a self-aware celebration of the era it is named after. Its tight footprint gives it the close, conspiratorial feel of an actual speakeasy.
The story
Tucked into the ground floor of downtown Spokane's historic Peyton Building, Volstead Act carries a name that double-crosses its own premise. The actual 1919 Volstead Act was the federal legislation that enacted Prohibition and turned America into a dry state overnight. Naming a booze sanctuary after the law that made drinking a crime is a subtle bit of irony, but inside, the joke gives way to serious liquid craftsmanship.
Rather than relying on fake phone booths or gimmick passwords to create mystery, the bar gets its speakeasy ethos from pure architecture. The footprint inside 12 N Post Street is intentionally tight, forcing you shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers where ambient chatter bleeds together and bartenders operate just inches away. During the late months of the year, the room temporarily sheds its dark-wood 1920s nostalgia for 'Miracle'—a kitschy, holiday-themed cocktail pop-up—before quietly shifting back into its usual conspiratorial groove.
What it's like
Step off Post Street into the Peyton Building and you'll immediately hit the room's physical limits. Seating is genuinely scarce, so showing up early in the evening is the only reliable way to grab a stool before the post-dinner crowd fills the floor. Expect dim light, tight quarters, and a craft cocktail menu that demands you take your time. Keep your elbows tucked, order something stirred, and soak in the close-quarters energy.
The move: Squeeze into the little Prohibition-themed room and work through the craft cocktail list shoulder to shoulder.
📍 Before you go Very small space; seating is limited.
- 📍 Spokane (downtown)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 12 N Post St, Spokane, WA 99201
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Durkin's Liquor Bar — Walk two blocks over to Durkin's to trade Volstead's ground-floor snugness for a hidden basement speakeasy named after a pre-Prohibition liquor baron.
- Cease & Desist Book Club — Continue your hidden-bar run three blocks away by pushing through a swinging bookcase door at Cease & Desist.
- Baby Bar — If you want an even tinier room to squeeze into, head around the corner to Baby Bar, hidden right behind a burrito counter.
- The Peacock Room Lounge — Contrast Volstead's tightly packed footprint with the soaring stained-glass ceiling and grand Jazz Age scale of the nearby Davenport Hotel.
Good to know
Where is Volstead Act located in downtown Spokane?
It's located at 12 N Post St, situated inside the historic Peyton Building.
Do I need a password or secret code to get in?
No passwords or hidden doors required—the speakeasy feel is driven by the small space and Prohibition-era aesthetic.
Why is the bar named Volstead Act?
It's named after the 1919 Volstead Act, the congressional act that legally enforced Prohibition across the United States.
What is the holiday pop-up hosted here?
During winter, the bar hosts 'Miracle,' a seasonal pop-up featuring Christmas-themed cocktails and over-the-top holiday decor.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · downtownspokane.org · spokesman.com · Yelp · visitspokane.com
last checked: 2026-06-24