Little known fact: Thomas Edison himself set up LA’s first power plant. Though the building had fallen into disrepair (as these things are wont to do), it was purchased by some enterprising nightlife barons and turned into one of downtown’s classiest drink spots, while keeping the original hardware from the power station.

On slow nights, the entrance to this hot spot is hidden down a less than glamorous alley where you may have to step over puddles just to get to the door — but on the weekends it’s difficult to remain hidden when there is a line of desperate drinkers down the block. But once you find, or make it up to, the entrance and past the well-dressed but suave bouncer, you’ll have to be careful getting down the stairs to the expansive bar area. Two bars and knowledgeable bartenders serve up old time drinks with names like “Tesla’s Revenge #2” and small plates of taste gourmet munchies. Some nights you’ll find an absinthe fairy wandering with her cart of green concoctions or an aerial dance troupe entertaining the well-dressed patrons. The night that’s probably the most in line with the speakeasy era is Friday’s Soup Kitchen where from 5-7 you can get a $.35 martini with grilled cheese and tomato soup. Um, yum.

Before it was Hush, this space with its entrance down some steep stairs on a Hollywood side street was the swank and charming jazz club “86.” Now the plush lounge stands empty. This is either a sign that the speakeasy vibe is on the way out, or it just wasn’t very cool. Since I had the “pleasure” to interview Hush owner Robert Palmer, I have my own opinion on the matter…

Little Pedro’s does have a sign, but it says “Little Pedro’s” and what’s inside is actually a gothic decorated bar and live music venue where the lovely bartenders wear black and red lingerie and any given night might find you dancing to a ska band or watching a transvestite fashion show.

The Hyperion Tavern is desperate to be cool, though I doubt they would ever consider themselves to be a speakeasy. It’s true this Silverlake bar doesn’t ooze the decadence that many others on this list do, but the fact that it feels like it’s located in someone’s garage (actually, it might be for real), doesn’t have a sign save for an illuminated barber’s pole and they serve only beer in a manner that suggests their liquor license might be less than savory all point to modern day hipster speakeasy.

I’m not sure where Cafe W as (there is supposed to be a space there…I don’t know why…) fits into the speakeasy aesthetic. It’s more of a restaurant than a bar, but lounging on the patio or in one of the booths in their meticulously decorated dining room has a distinctly old time feel. I just like it is all, so it’s on the list.

This downtown bar took over a space that was formerly home to a bank vault. There is a central bar and one side of the club is open with space for dancing to the admittedly not prohibitionesque music (Womanizer, anyone?). But veer to the left and you’ll find a truly unique experience. You can sit on one of the long benches that is actually inside the old vault (complete with the big round door — hopefully it is secured in the “open” position) or cozy up in one of the two person rooms. These tiny enclaves used to be where you could lock yourself and count the contents of your safe deposit box, but now you can sit in there with your sweetie and count the ways you love her so…or, just make out.

When R Bar was first described to me, it was called a “Pirate Bar.” I suppose there is something vaguely pirate-ish about the wooden fixtures and and twinkling chandeliers, like someone has just been plundered, the speakeasy vibe is easy to place: you have to give a password to get in the door. There literally is a tiny window that slides back and you’re asked for a password before you’ll be let inside. Unfortunately, you can find the password on their MySpace page, so it’s not too effective in keeping people out. Still, I’m not going to lie, I like the gimmick.