Entry No. 2 — the Wichita file — filed under: speakeasy
The Shadows
A 1920s/30s-style speakeasy where the door is an antique wall telephone and entry takes a secret password shared by the host. Behind it: a dimly lit room of meticulous classic cocktails, a signature Old Fashioned, and a private patio set aside for cigars.
The story
Driving down West Kellogg Drive, you wouldn't give the low-slung commercial strip near Dugan a second look. The building at 6339 W. Kellogg Drive previously housed Oh My Sushi and Carrie B’s before going dark, stripped of any obvious commercial signage. But if you know where to park, an unmarked exterior door conceals a 1920s/30s speakeasy operating right off the frontage road.
Getting inside takes a small piece of tradecraft: you have to obtain the night's password from the bar before you arrive. At the door, you pick up an antique wall telephone to recite the code to the host on the other end. Once cleared, you step out of the west Wichita parking lot into a dimly lit, velvet-and-wood sanctuary centered around classic cocktail craft, signature Old Fashioneds, and a dedicated outdoor patio reserved for cigar smokers.
What keeps the place strange is its abrupt gear-shift. From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, it operates like a quiet prohibition lounge where you can actually hear your drink being shaken. After 10:00 PM, the atmosphere turns on its heel, transforming into a late-night venue featuring pole artists and loud entertainment until 2:00 AM.
What it's like
Ignore your instincts and trust your map pin when pulling up along Kellogg Drive, because there is no sign on the building. Get the password online or via social media earlier in the evening, then lift the antique wall telephone at the unmarked entrance to gain entry. Arrive right around the 7:00 PM opening mark for a quiet drink and a private cigar on the patio; if you walk in after 10:00 PM, expect a crowded, high-volume late-night performance scene.
The move: Get the password ahead of time, arrive in the 7-10PM 'classic speakeasy' window before it shifts to its later nightlife mode, work the antique-telephone door together, and split a flight of Old Fashioneds in the dim back room.
📍 Before you go It hides in a stretch of W. Kellogg Drive near Dugan in west Wichita, tucked into a former restaurant space and set back off the main drag with no obvious storefront, so trust your maps pin over your eyes and look for the unmarked door rather than signage. The password is not something you guess on arrival; reach out to the bar ahead of time to secure it before you head out. Go earlier in the evening for the quiet, classic-cocktail mood before the room shifts toward a louder late-night feel. It is a 21-plus spot, and Kellogg runs straight back toward Old Town or Delano for a second stop.
- 📍 West Wichita (Kellogg & Dugan)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoor or outdoor
Pair it with
- Rayer's Bearden Stained Glass Supply & Gallery — Located practically next door on West Kellogg, you can browse racks of raw sheet glass before stepping into the dark speakeasy when doors open at 7 PM.
- inHarmony Vibroacoustic Sound Lounge at Wichita Laser Clinic — Pair a session in a sound-vibrating recliner inside a nearby laser clinic under a mile away before slipping behind the phone door for an Old Fashioned.
- Dockum — Stack your night with a second hidden drink by heading downtown to this craft cocktail speakeasy buried in an old hotel bank vault.
Good to know
How do I get the password to enter?
You must contact the bar directly via their website or social media before arriving. Do not expect to guess it at the door.
What are the hours of operation?
They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM. They are closed Sunday and Monday.
Can I smoke cigars at the bar?
Cigar smoking is strictly prohibited indoors, but the bar maintains a dedicated private outdoor patio specifically for cigars.
Is there an age requirement?
Yes, The Shadows is strictly a 21-and-over venue at all times.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · wichitabyeb.com
last checked: 2026-06-06