Southside Speakeasy

Bartender with the red hair and long dirty pink nails was extremely rude and unprofessional. She was looking for an argument and was clearly in a bad mood and was taking it out on everyone else.

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

PEOPLE, MORE PEOPLE! Strong drinks, plenty of room to dance

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I'VE ALWAYS LOVED THIS BAR AND LOVED THE OWNERS DAVID & TROY!. I SO MISS THEM AND KNOWN THEM FOR OVER 35 YEARS THE HANGOUTS, PARTIES AND LAUGHTER AND JPY BACK IN 1990 & 1991 I SO MISS THOSE OLD TIMES SAKE N OLD FRIENDS BACK AT RICH'S GARDEN WHEN SAM THE CHINESE OWNER OWNED IT BACK THE TILL THEY SOLD IT AND DECIDED TO MOVE TO CANADA!. AWWW SO MISS SAM!.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This post is an FYI. This establishment is what people might loosely call a Gay Bar. My buddy and I stopped by to check it out because we like underground speakeasy vibes. That is not at all what we encountered. Staff were nice enough. My buddy and I enjoyed a pint, shot some pool, and left without issue. I just want people to know what they are walking into. From the clientele to the wall-art, to the disco dancefloor and individual running kereoke... Gay Bar. Nothing wrong with that, I mean no offense to anyone, I simply want people to know what they're walking into because I did not.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

I was in there last week. I ordered 3 drinks, only one of them was made correctly. First it was a mai tai, I was given rum and old, dark pineapple juice. Then I tried a piña colada. They didn't have a blender but I was just fine with that, I don't like blended drinks. The first time I ordered it, she made it perfectly and even gave me an extra cherry. But the second time, the guy just poured the 6 or 7 different ingredients in the glass with ice and put it in front of me, without mixing anything (piña colada should be shaken if a blender isn't available). He had done that to every drink he made, no mixing. My friends and I made a mess at our table and had to use up a bunch of napkins because we had to mix our own drinks in full glasses and a lot was spilled. The food took longer than I expected for a bar and it was semi decent. For the atmosphere, my friends and I were the only patrons there under 25, everyone else looked to be in their late 40s to early 60s. There was a large group of them that pushed tables together on the dance floor and sat down to eat so maybe that's why the kitchen was busy. If that's the case, I would've preferred the bartenders mention that there would be a long wait for food. Not everyone wants to be at the bar for a while, I had a deadline for getting out of there and I couldn't finish the food I ordered. I had to leave later than I wanted just to eat a little bit, thankfully my friends finished the rest so it didn't go to waste.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

Some parts smell vaguely of…bodily waste and fish. The same blood has been on the bathroom wall for months. If you can look past that the staff are nice, the shows are fun, and the fried food is good and crispy.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 3

It's a cute spot but when I've been it's not very lively

Great place. Seems very well put together and food quality is drastically improved comparing to a few years ago

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I've been coming to the Speakeasy since 2010. I knew the previous owners and I became friends with the new owners before they purchased the bar.

It's been wonderful to watch the changes taking place. It's obvious Raed and Ina have a huge heart for the community, and it shows in how diversified the events and shows have become. They've put so much blood, sweat, tears, time and money into improving things across the board, and I hear so much more is coming!

Rome wasn't built in a day, and in this economy everything costs so much. But it speaks volumes that the Speakeasy has remained open through COVID and so much more, because their customers, staff and friends are so loyal.

If you've never been, I recommend it wholeheartedly! If you prefer smaller crowds, karaoke, game nights - they have nights for that. If you prefer dancing, bright lights, great music, drag shows and community events celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community - they have that! There's basically something for everyone.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food is always good the vibe are nice. I love the second Tuesday Munch and steak dinner! 🤤

They always have a lot of cool events going on, and everyone has always been kind and welcoming

So been coming here off and on since I moved here in late 2022, I was told the original owners sold to some younger couple and to expect changes. After seeing time go by and the after party for the Pride Block party yesterday, I'm giving up on this place. They haven't made a lot of changes and the ones that I have noticed aren't great, it's less a safe zone for my fellow ace and trans masc from my experience, I've had Lesbian friends complain it feels exclusionary given they don't even have any lesbian pride flags but have the rest including pup even. The bathrooms are on sniffies so don't bother pissing if you wanna be left alone, the leather nights rarely ever have actual instructors and show people how to do stuff like an actual class and I can tell a lot of newer folk are too shy to ask stuff. Idk what the new owners are doing but aside from the staff this place is just not worth it anymore. If you want a more inclusive space id suggest just go to Night Deposit which is owned by a Lesbian and very queer safe, along with having better quality drinks and food, great dance floor, and a lot better week night specials. If I hear from folk that there's been a lot of changes and it's gotten better id love to change my mind, but so far ik too many queers that don't feel comfortable going anymore myself included.

I don't know how to quantify a place like this. I'm not sure I have the mastery of words to capture the vibe. But I do know that it's awesome, and I will go again soon!

The Thompson Burger is the Bomb!
4th Friday's Leather Fetish Night is a lot of fun, and New Years Eve with Owner's Raed and Ina was a Blast!

5 stars! The food is amazing and always comes out hot and timely. Drinks are poured perfectly and the bartenders always know what I want before I even order (guess I’m a regular now). The servers are helpful and attentive. The dance floor is always fun and inviting. Oh and if you have visited the new area, it is wonderful!! I love that there is a quiet place to have a conversation that has class and something different! The new owner have done a great job………..and don’t even get me started on the Saturday night drag show………can I say amazing again? Yup!! Go and enjoy! Highly recommend!