back street

back street (plural back streets)

1. A usually small and narrow street or alley, especially one in inferior or poorer parts of a city, away from the centre.
   • 1999 May 4, Greg Camp, “All Star”, in Astro Lounge‎^[1], performed by Smash Mouth:

     So much to do, so much to see
     So what's wrong with taking the back streets?
     You'll never know if you don't go
     You'll never shine if you don't glow

2. A secret, clandestine, or illegal scene.

• main street

• back-street abortion