This Speakeasy Hidden in an Old School Building in Alabama Is Perfect for a Date Night

Huntsville, Alabama, is hiding a little secret. Behind the walls of Campus No.805, formerly a school that was closed in 2009, is an “adult playground” with multiple entertainment venues. The campus directory includes restaurants, bars, an arcade, a laser show, a tattoo parlor, and more. But the venue that stands out the most is Straight to Ale. Behind the walls of high school lockers inside this award-winning brewery is the best hidden speakeasy in Huntsville, Alabama… well, in my opinion. Walking into the building feels like stepping into school without the pop quizzes and the rules. The one catch is that you do have to find the right locker to get inside the hidden bar.

I love that these Huntsville speakeasys offer a night of adulting that’s both unique and fun. If you’re in the mood for a night on the town with adult cocktails and a great vibe, this secret bar in Huntsville is the perfect place for you. Let’s find it!

How to Find This Hidden Speakeasy Inside Campus 805

Less than five minutes west of downtown Huntsville, you'll find Campus No. 805, a former public school building that now houses one of the most unique entertainment venues in Alabama. With breweries, restaurants, bars, a ballroom with dance lessons, and more, it's easy to see why locals can't stop raving about it. The Straight to Ale Brewery, one of the two breweries at Campus 805 (the other is Yellowhammer), is a hotspot here, known for its world-class taproom, making award-winning handcrafted beer.

You can also order gourmet burgers, wings, pizza, and other delicious American fare, as well as Asian fusion, Mexican, and more from Ale's Kitchen, the on-site restaurant. While the brewery is enough reason to visit, stay until 5 p.m. to experience the speakeasy. Part of the fun is the nostalgic feelings that you'll have while walking down the halls of the old school building. Secretly, you'll feel like you're part of the "cool kids" club, and you've finally earned your seat at the lunch table once you locate the correct bank of lockers that conceal the Speakeasy at Straight to Ale.

What It’s Like Inside the Speakeasy

I don't want to ruin the fun of finding the entrance with too big a hint, but it's hiding in plain sight. I will just knock on wood that you'll find it. When you figure out how to get behind the faux lockers, they reveal a small room leading to a much larger space. No reservations are needed, but the speakeasy's hours can vary, so if the door is closed, you'll have to come back another time. Plus, the space is also rented out for private events, so it's best to call ahead just to make sure you know what's happening on the evening you plan on visiting.

The speakeasy features a 10-tap bar and a full mixed drink menu, using Shelta Cavern Spirits made inside the brewery. It is 2,600 square feet and can accommodate up to 110 people with plenty of free parking. Unless someone is hosting a larger private event, the dimly lit room is typically much less crowded than that and feels more intimate than the average bar. I like that the vibe is jazzy with eye-catching art pieces, and there is no formal dress code, which makes it feel relaxed and welcoming. The space is easily configurable and has become a popular spot for engagement and anniversary parties, small reunions, and other events.

And if you happen to catch it when it's open to curious speakeasy seekers, you can just enjoy the quiet hideaway over a cocktail. You can have a romantic night here, eating, drinking, laughing, and dancing the night away. Sounds like a night of prom (adult prom, that is) with added mixed drinks, doesn't it? Plan your date night on Thursdays for a quieter evening. Friday and Saturday night will be a lot busier. Stay until close (no specific time given, but the brewery closes around 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.) and enjoy a lovely dinner made in the on-site restaurant's kitchen.

During your date night, check out Lipz Lounge, the karaoke bar at Straight to Ale, or take your night to the next level by booking ballroom dancing lessons. If you're there early, you can tour the brewery or just simpy hang out before the speakeasy door opens. You can't go wrong with an evening at Campus No. 805. More than just an entertainment venue, it's a place for adults to experience high school nostalgia the grown-up way.

If you're curious about the brewery and its other rental spaces, visit the Straight to Ale Brewing website and follow the Straight to Ale Brewing Facebook page for the latest events there. To learn more about all of the businesses at this former school property, visit the Campus 805 website. They're always adding new attractions to the venue, so every time you visit, you may have something else to look forward to.

Have you found the lucky lockers and visited this hidden speakeasy in Huntsville, Alabama? If you love sleuthing out this spot, we bet you'll also enjoy this underground dive bar in Alabama.