478007 Thu Jan 10 10:48:37 -0800 2008 24 12 Boston Area 0 3281483 Does anyone know of a "speakeasy" type bar in Boston? Something along the lines of Employees Only or Milk and Honey? Thu Jan 10 10:48:37 -0800 2008 156309 Miccygan 1 3281499 You mean a members' only bar? Or just one that's 1920s-centric? Or both? Thu Jan 10 10:52:51 -0800 2008 3281483 16490 Bostonbob3 1 3281500 I don't know your examples, but I went to Wally's for my very first time last nite (about time) and I kind of got that feeling there. It was cool. Thu Jan 10 10:53:04 -0800 2008 3281483 14253 Joanie 1 3281802 Places like PDT and Death & Co? Well, sure, but why would I ever tell you? Thu Jan 10 11:50:41 -0800 2008 3281483 15217 gini 1 3281818 The basement of The Good Life on Kingston Street used to have a speakeasy feel to it, but I think it may have changed a bit. If you've had enough beers, the main bar area at Doyle's in JP can have a kind of speakeasy feel to it. I can't think of anything quite like Chumley's in NYC around here, though... Thu Jan 10 11:53:06 -0800 2008 3281483 14771 hiddenboston 1 3281861 Oh for The Pioneer and Estelle's that they were still around. Thu Jan 10 12:00:41 -0800 2008 3281483 12889 Taralli 2 3282091 And Woodley's in North Cambridge. Yuengling draft was a buck, there were comfy couches at the entrance to its basement location, and the dartboards were always fun. Thu Jan 10 12:57:53 -0800 2008 3281861 14771 hiddenboston 1 3281933 For bars that have a speakeasy type feel, I think of the Good Life and Lucky's in Southie. Beehive tries to bill itself as a speakeasy, but I for one am not buying it. As for the real thing, the closest I've come to in Boston is a number of loft parties in the South End and Chinatown. Non-descript doors which lead to long stair ways, which lead to a big party... seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Thu Jan 10 12:16:52 -0800 2008 3281483 88180 heWho 1 3282043 I don't know if "speakeasy" is the right description, but Silvertone is cool. It's on Bromfield Street and you have to go downstairs. Thu Jan 10 12:43:01 -0800 2008 3281483 87253 Roons 2 3311000 Our House West at 1277 Comm. Ave., Allston has a speakeasy feel although it is prmarily a post-collegiate bar. It is several steps below ground and has built-in couches which makes for a vaguely speakeasy atmosphere. Sat Jan 19 00:48:43 -0800 2008 3282043 134512 postemotional1 3 3323973 Perhaps it has changed since I was there a number of years ago, but I would not consider Our House to be on the level of any of the NYC speakeasy type bars/cocktail places that I believe the OP is asking about. When I was there there were some ratty couches and things, ala early dorm room/frat house, and a similar vibe.... Wed Jan 23 08:51:46 -0800 2008 3311000 24665 modbetty 1 3282406 I would try Biddy Early's. Weggie's Pub or TC's Lounge all more "divey" than "speakeasy". Lucky's Lounge is the closest to a speakeasy style with no signs from the outside that it is even there. Though once inside it is definitely more upscale than a speakeasy.... Thu Jan 10 14:06:55 -0800 2008 3281483 108377 TomH 1 3282697 I know the Manhattan bars you're talking about. If you mean "serious purveyor of high-craft cocktails, notably Golden Age classic", your options include the B-Side Lounge, the bar at No. 9 Park, Eastern Standard, and Green Street. A small step down are the bars at The Alchemist, Deep Ellum, The Biltmore, and Chez Henri (Cuban cocktail specialists); I hear Highland Kitchen might make this list, but I haven't been. The luxury hotel bars can be good on the old-school stuff, especially the Rowes Wharf bar, which definitely feels like a hideaway, the Oak Bar, the Bar at the Taj, and Rialto. Locke-Ober probably belongs on this list, too: great old-time, high-polish atmosphere. Gaslight has an interesting cocktail menu, though the overall level of craft varies. I've had some excellent and some pretty crap bartending at The Beehive. If you mean retro-Twenties, Art Deco decor, that's a bit tougher. Maybe someone with better understanding of interior design might comment on this. The bar at Icarus is one that comes to mind; their bartenders are respectable. As for hidden entrances (no sign, no street number), I think O ya fits that bill. Oishii Boston (South End) can be easy to miss if the valet isn't standing out front. J.J. Foley's Cafe in the South End was a tavern 100 years ago, then a suspiciously popular shoe store during Prohibition. They restored it a little bit a couple of years ago, preserving but freshening up its 1900-era look, but it's not a place for cocktail lovers. Jacob Wirth and Doyle's are similar in their authentic 19th-century look (and focus on beer and highballs). Another take of mine on Boston's cocktail scene here: www.chowhound.com/topics/426868 I also recommend the blog www.drinkboston.com ; lots of good info on the scene, its star bartenders, cocktail events, and interesting spirits, bitters, and cocktails. Thu Jan 10 15:10:53 -0800 2008 3281483 10143 MC Slim JB 2 3282879 I have the sad news that Jacob Wirth's has replaced it's classic bar top with a shiny new one..beers still good but the renovations are not a change for the better..imo Thu Jan 10 15:55:37 -0800 2008 3282697 10111 9lives 3 3285510 My immediate reaction is that this is a shame, but I'll have to go and see/mourn for myself. Fri Jan 11 11:23:07 -0800 2008 3282879 18264 steinpilz 2 3293405 Thanks for all the suggestions! Mon Jan 14 09:22:47 -0800 2008 3282697 156309 Miccygan 1 3282982 Not even close to the aforementioned EO or M&H, but the Thirsty Ear on the MIT campus is a hoot. No secret handshake required but has the requisite basement location with no signage. That's about where the comparison to "serious purveyor of high-craft cocktails, notably Golden Age classic" stops and the drunken fun begins! Thu Jan 10 16:22:49 -0800 2008 3281483 121319 digga 1 3292306 I ask the same question as boston bob. We really don't have any of those cool places like in NYC such as Death and Co, Waverly Inn, Milk and Honey, Employees Only. That type of venue is yet to be seen in our fair city. However, I do believe that this is a type of watering hole that is much needed in our city, and feel WOULD do very well. The cult of the cocktail is very alive and well in Boston, and I can only hope that some industrious mixologist opts to open one such a place. In lieu of such a place, there are only wonderful mixologists who show off their talent in some great places. I can suggest the following for you (some of which have already been mentioned in previous replies): John Gertsen and his team at No. 9 Park (Ryan and Ben) Misty Kalkofen or Dylan Black at Green Street Grill Jackson Cannon and his team at Eastern Standard (keep in mind that this is one of the hottest joints in town and is often VERY crowded, especially during Sox season) Cousin Dave and the team at B-Side Lounge Max Toste and his team at Deep Ellum Lino and his team at Upstairs on the Square Stephen Shellenberger at Dante (he is actually the head waiter, but often jumps behind the bar to make highly artisinal and creative mind blowing cocktails for regulars or those who ask for him to make something creative for them) Todd at Rialto Alice at Noir Adam Grushey at Church Josh Childs or Cedrick at Silvertone Bar and Grill Vincent Conte at Pho Republique Daniel at Radius Bill Codman at Gaslight James Dorsey at Highland Kitchen If you want to have the TRUE old school speakeasy vibe thru and thru I would highly suggest The Oak Room in the Copley Fairmont or Locke-Ober. However, keep in mind these things....The Oak Room is a hotel bar...so the creativity isn't always there with the bartenders you get there. They have a good enough cocktail list, but they don't often stray from what you are offered. Locke-Ober doesn't have a cocktail list at all. Know what you want when you go there. I would suspect that most of the customers there ask for the basics....such as gin or vodka martini's, scotch on the rocks, bourbon neat, etc. However, if you LOVE cocktails and you do go to Locke-Ober, ask them for a copy of their souvenier 1938 menu. The entire page of classic Jerry Thomas style cocktails will blow your mind and make you wish they still made them. Oh, and if you love classics, don't ask them to make their famous Ward 8 cocktail...it's made with roses' grenadine and sour mix not fresh squeezed. It would serve you better to have one of the above mixologists make you one ;) Sun Jan 13 20:32:50 -0800 2008 3281483 157243 blackdahlia 2 3293401 Thanks for the great suggestions... I may have to extend my stay or skip my trip to ICA to try all these places. Mon Jan 14 09:21:57 -0800 2008 3292306 156309 Miccygan 3 3293474 For what it's worth, the top three on her list are my faves and where you'll probably be most impressed, at least as far as the booze goes. Mon Jan 14 09:38:01 -0800 2008 3293401 20717 sailormouth 2 3293469 If you ask nicely, Locke Ober will make the Ward 8 with freshly squeezed juice. Oh, this thread reminds me: I finally had Eastern Standard's Jack Rose..... nice attempt, but mine's better. ;-) I think by having the fresh grenadine, it emboldens them to use more of it, making the drink a little too sweet. Nevertheless, Jackson is da man. I wouldn't refer to Ryan as simply being part of John's "team"--he's a better bartender than almost everyone else on your list. Mon Jan 14 09:37:29 -0800 2008 3292306 11148 Alcachofa 2 3334584 Here's a nod to the people at Green Street, Deep Ellum and Stephen at Dante - http://weeklydig.com/department-commerce/eats-drinks/drinks/200712/dante Sat Jan 26 03:04:55 -0800 2008 3292306 41832 avial 1 3326109 The BU pub is kind of "members only" (you need a BU id, or a companion with one) lacks any kind of noticeable sign, is below street level, is slightly grungy, and they'll pour you things like double shots of 16 yr old lagavulin for $5 a pop. My kinda place. When I'm not at Green St. ;) Wed Jan 23 17:24:27 -0800 2008 3281483 47694 litchick 2 3333402 Hmmmmmm..... not to take away from the caché of its speakeasy nature, but where is the BU pub located? My wife has a BU id, and $5 glasses of 16 year old scotch are not a bad thing indeed..... Fri Jan 25 15:23:15 -0800 2008 3326109 88180 heWho 3 3334186 It's in the same building called "the castle" -- just around the side entrance. The castle's address is 225 Bay State Rd; the pub entrance is actually on Granby St. http://www.bu.edu/phpbin/dining/location.php?l=bupub They've got sandwiches too. But they're not super fantastic. The draw is the drink. Fri Jan 25 20:10:51 -0800 2008 3333402 47694 litchick