Amazing atmosphere with great drinks and delicious food!
Tim Dobert
Went on a Friday. Was told On the phone music started at 8, didn’t until 9. Can’t get any non alcoholic drinks other than water. The waitress was very nice and attentive.the music playing over the speakers before the live was disco! Literally cool and the gang. It’s a speakeasy, they couldn’t find a jazz track to play. It’s super noisy, and cramped. So, overall, I was very disappointed. Not impressed at all. Most likely will not go back.
Kerri Montenieri
We LOVE LOVE LOVE Speakeasy 518! Wish we could have taken pictures but no cell phones are allowed, which makes it even better.
Debra Duke Remy
great bartenders. awesome space
Alex Valenti
This speakeasy offers an extremely authentic experience much like what you would find during the prohibition era. The restaurant atmosphere is the main attraction. The interior is made of brick and stone, dimly lit with tufted leather booths and available bar seating. This speakeasy is owned and operated by the City Beer Hall and therefore shares a menu for food items. Although the cocktail prices reflect a drink of the excellent caliber; they did not meet expectations. I began the night with a fruity, gin based cocktail that was overpowered by lemon juice when a decent cocktail would’ve been well rounded. Suspicious of the liquor quality used in the drinks, I ordered a Negroni; a timeless cocktail, also gin based. I asked our waitress about the gin in use, and she noted that it was the house gin, Recipe 21 brand. For the cocktail price of $12-15, cheap liquor is unacceptable. After learning this, I ordered the Negroni with Botanist gin, and still received a halfway tasty drink. Despite this, if you are looking for a fun intimate experience this is the place! Live music aids your night out in this secretive speakeasy. There are no signs outside and reservations must be made. The door is locked and entry is gained by ringing the doorbell, signaling to a host inside that guests are ready to come in. Overall, Speakeasy 518 is a fun and unique restaurant for the Albany area. However, if you come here looking for top-quality cocktails you will leave disappointed.
B Parchment
Really fun place! No phones allowed which is awesome, and the food is fantastic. The music is always phenomenal.
JandE2016toForever
Went out with my fiancé and her sister for her Birthday. We had a great time bar hopping until we ended up here. It was an odd creepy vibe. The guy who told us about it was friends with a lot of the people there. He seemed cool but once he realized my fiancé was with me and her sister is also engaged he literally looked at me and said "I guess there is no reason for me to be here" and walked away while the ladies were in the bathroom. As much as I hate to say it, he left at the right time. My fiancé comes back a couple of minutes later telling me her and her sister almost got into a fight with some drunk guy who was being a j**** I had to go and end the altercation. The bar staff did nothing. Maybe it was an off night but we expected something more sophisticated atmosphere and what we got was the feeling of a local diver bar.... Which is great if that is what is expected.
Mitch Falvo
So cool. What a scene. If you really want to go all out dress like your from the 1920s
James Zugar
I was promised a clam, quiet place to spend time with calm and quiet friends. The music was so loud, I had to leave. I will never be back.
The bouncer told us that we not take our phones out, because it was 'not good conversation,' or we would be asked to leave, but then they have a jazz pianist there noodling away the whole time, and of course it's a very small space, so you can't actually hear the conversation you want to have with your friends anyway. Either it's a space for music or conversation, it can't really be both. Just seems counter-intuitive. Then after 30-45 minutes they asked us to move to another table because they had another large party coming in an hour, so they needed the spot we were sitting in for that party. The menu was large (though that isn't always a plus) and the decor was kind of cool. Just go to a regular bar.
Eileen Tavenner
A bunch of people who take themselves way too seriously....it's a caricature. We thought the bouncer was a hoot, but it lost its charm pretty quickly. The atmosphere was nice but the bartender was not friendly and weird and awkward.
Michelle Schnurr
An Albany hidden gem! Spread via word of mouth by those in the know, this speakeasy embodies the rum-running days of Prohibition. Ring the doorbell on the unmarked door under City Beer Hall and those who wait will be rewarded. At absolutely no point inside can you use your cellphone, fostering an atmosphere of fun socialization with your neighbor at the bar. Highly recommend making a reservation (for tables and couches), as those without are the first to be turned away on a busy night. This is not a place to bring a large (more than 4) group. The craft cocktails live up to and exceed every expectation. Go on a week night and you'll be rewarded with more personal service from one of the knowledgeable bar tenders, who might whip up a custom drink for you. They take pride in their creations, and it's worth branching out past your G + T comfort zone. A live music trio in the evenings completes the thoroughly authentic 20s vibe.
Amanda Norton
So much fun!!! You can't use your phone inside (which is actually really nice to disconnect). Menu has incredible cocktails, staff is dressed up in 20s attire and live music with comfy vintage seating all adds to the experience. Make sure you make a reservation! But trust me, it's worth it!
I miss Emmanuel
Amazing atmosphere with great drinks and delicious food!
Went on a Friday. Was told On the phone music started at 8, didn’t until 9. Can’t get any non alcoholic drinks other than water. The waitress was very nice and attentive.the music playing over the speakers before the live was disco! Literally cool and the gang. It’s a speakeasy, they couldn’t find a jazz track to play. It’s super noisy, and cramped. So, overall, I was very disappointed. Not impressed at all. Most likely will not go back.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE Speakeasy 518! Wish we could have taken pictures but no cell phones are allowed, which makes it even better.
great bartenders. awesome space
This speakeasy offers an extremely authentic experience much like what you would find during the prohibition era. The restaurant atmosphere is the main attraction. The interior is made of brick and stone, dimly lit with tufted leather booths and available bar seating. This speakeasy is owned and operated by the City Beer Hall and therefore shares a menu for food items. Although the cocktail prices reflect a drink of the excellent caliber; they did not meet expectations. I began the night with a fruity, gin based cocktail that was overpowered by lemon juice when a decent cocktail would’ve been well rounded. Suspicious of the liquor quality used in the drinks, I ordered a Negroni; a timeless cocktail, also gin based. I asked our waitress about the gin in use, and she noted that it was the house gin, Recipe 21 brand. For the cocktail price of $12-15, cheap liquor is unacceptable. After learning this, I ordered the Negroni with Botanist gin, and still received a halfway tasty drink. Despite this, if you are looking for a fun intimate experience this is the place! Live music aids your night out in this secretive speakeasy. There are no signs outside and reservations must be made. The door is locked and entry is gained by ringing the doorbell, signaling to a host inside that guests are ready to come in. Overall, Speakeasy 518 is a fun and unique restaurant for the Albany area. However, if you come here looking for top-quality cocktails you will leave disappointed.
Really fun place! No phones allowed which is awesome, and the food is fantastic. The music is always phenomenal.
Went out with my fiancé and her sister for her Birthday. We had a great time bar hopping until we ended up here. It was an odd creepy vibe. The guy who told us about it was friends with a lot of the people there. He seemed cool but once he realized my fiancé was with me and her sister is also engaged he literally looked at me and said "I guess there is no reason for me to be here" and walked away while the ladies were in the bathroom. As much as I hate to say it, he left at the right time. My fiancé comes back a couple of minutes later telling me her and her sister almost got into a fight with some drunk guy who was being a j**** I had to go and end the altercation. The bar staff did nothing. Maybe it was an off night but we expected something more sophisticated atmosphere and what we got was the feeling of a local diver bar.... Which is great if that is what is expected.
So cool. What a scene. If you really want to go all out dress like your from the 1920s
I was promised a clam, quiet place to spend time with calm and quiet friends. The music was so loud, I had to leave. I will never be back.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great little place for after dinner drinks.
The bouncer told us that we not take our phones out, because it was 'not good conversation,' or we would be asked to leave, but then they have a jazz pianist there noodling away the whole time, and of course it's a very small space, so you can't actually hear the conversation you want to have with your friends anyway. Either it's a space for music or conversation, it can't really be both. Just seems counter-intuitive. Then after 30-45 minutes they asked us to move to another table because they had another large party coming in an hour, so they needed the spot we were sitting in for that party. The menu was large (though that isn't always a plus) and the decor was kind of cool. Just go to a regular bar.
A bunch of people who take themselves way too seriously....it's a caricature. We thought the bouncer was a hoot, but it lost its charm pretty quickly. The atmosphere was nice but the bartender was not friendly and weird and awkward.
An Albany hidden gem! Spread via word of mouth by those in the know, this speakeasy embodies the rum-running days of Prohibition. Ring the doorbell on the unmarked door under City Beer Hall and those who wait will be rewarded. At absolutely no point inside can you use your cellphone, fostering an atmosphere of fun socialization with your neighbor at the bar. Highly recommend making a reservation (for tables and couches), as those without are the first to be turned away on a busy night. This is not a place to bring a large (more than 4) group. The craft cocktails live up to and exceed every expectation. Go on a week night and you'll be rewarded with more personal service from one of the knowledgeable bar tenders, who might whip up a custom drink for you. They take pride in their creations, and it's worth branching out past your G + T comfort zone. A live music trio in the evenings completes the thoroughly authentic 20s vibe.
So much fun!!! You can't use your phone inside (which is actually really nice to disconnect). Menu has incredible cocktails, staff is dressed up in 20s attire and live music with comfy vintage seating all adds to the experience. Make sure you make a reservation! But trust me, it's worth it!
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