We always make a point to go to the Fairmont hotel during the holiday season!! We love all the decorations and beautiful Christmas trees. The lobby bar is one of our favorite places to order a drink, but at this time of year it's very difficult to order a beverage or even find a seat.  It was during one of these visits we learned about the Founders club. One of the staff pointed out that the Founders club is nearby behind a hidden door and takes reservations. We went online and reserved seats for two. When we arrived, we were greeted by Alison. She was very pleasant and professional. It was such a great feeling to be seated immediately behind the secret door. This place has a great ambience, however, on this evening, we found it to be very loud. The staff explained, there was a major event at the hotel, making the Founders club very popular.  the setting is really well done with comfy chairs, dim lighting, and a fantastic selection of whiskey. I ordered the Old Granddad 16 year and my wife ordered a seasonal cocktail “Golden Grove” that was wonderfully crafted.  We found the pricing to be on the high side, but understood it was more about having a guaranteed seat and good service. Not something we would do very often, but we do look forward to visiting again. 
Pamela
Great ambience, sat at the bar and the bartender was excellent. Drinks with every penny, it was my husband's bday and they gave him a small plate of macaroons on the house and a cute card and my husband said they were delicious. We did not eat any meals there. Will be back for another special occasion. We live local!
Sophia Darlings
Service at this bar was spectacular! Bartenders and barbacks are super friendly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Orlando de Lange
Pricey yes but the cocktails are good and the vibes are sophisticated but welcoming
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Clint
Great location and fun atmosphere. Would go back for a special occasion. Drinks and food were very good, however over priced in my opinion. Had a $34 dollar cocktail that was just as good as the $16 drink I had the night before in another fun, yet less fancy bar. You will enjoy Founders Club, just be ready to pay a premium for the location.
Brian Performance Lab
Drinks and atmosphere were amazing. Service might as well be self serve though with how slow it was. You have to basically kidnap a server for them to talk to you and be prepared to wait for your next birthday before you receive your order.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Jeff
The place was great in terms of visual atmosphere, however, the noise from the lobby detracts from the experience. It is hidden behind a secret door in the bookcase that separates it from the lobby and the back of the bookcase is a metal mesh that you can see through and more importantly hear through.
Scott
Classic Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Olympic! Beautifully presented tower with creative eats and amazing tea selections. Our server, David, was personable and informative and a joy. Go treat yourself to a special afternoon!
Heather
Great cocktails! I have been coming to the Founders club for years, last night I noticed some patrons leaving the "secret" door open upon their exit. It's a Speakeasy spot and cool, fun vibe, atmosphete, and why we have been coming for years. Hopefully last night was an exception and they don't lose the cool vibe of the actual Speakeasy experience.
Sheila
Unfortunately our group was not a fan of this exclusive speakeasy. We were two couples out for drinks and small plates in a classy bar. The waitstaff was not dressed to impress, lacked polish and not attentive enough. We had one round of drinks and left (we had planned for multiple rounds). Great space, great concept, bad delivery.
I've had tea here several time and the food and atmosphere is always great. The staff are well informed and ready to answer any questions.
Victoria
Such a lovely experience! The server was knowledgeable in teas and overall service was impeccable. Most of the food was delicious. I will definitely return!
Mary
Service was very gracious, attentive. Tea treats were delicious, neither too much or too little and a great variety. We especially appreciated the opportunity to stay past the usual ending time for a truly special afternoon in a lovely setting.
Sherry D
Stayed at this beautiful hotel. Had drinks in the bar. The server certainly wasn't very friendly (bald and dark rimmed glasses). The olives used for the martinis were disappointing! The real small ones that probably came from a jar. Most Fairmont bars have great olives...many with choices like blue cheese too.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 2
Vikramjit R
I enjoy pushing the boundaries on “white”-centric places, so I showed up at the bar and timed this - it took 21 minutes from the time I finished my first drink for a bartender to ask if I wanted another. No water was offered.
All while the bartender chit-chatted with all the white clientele all around and had their orders taken and serviced (some of them multiple rounds).
This is clearly a spot that caters to “old white” patrons, so make of that what you will. 😉
We always make a point to go to the Fairmont hotel during the holiday season!! We love all the decorations and beautiful Christmas trees. The lobby bar is one of our favorite places to order a drink, but at this time of year it's very difficult to order a beverage or even find a seat.  It was during one of these visits we learned about the Founders club. One of the staff pointed out that the Founders club is nearby behind a hidden door and takes reservations. We went online and reserved seats for two. When we arrived, we were greeted by Alison. She was very pleasant and professional. It was such a great feeling to be seated immediately behind the secret door. This place has a great ambience, however, on this evening, we found it to be very loud. The staff explained, there was a major event at the hotel, making the Founders club very popular.  the setting is really well done with comfy chairs, dim lighting, and a fantastic selection of whiskey. I ordered the Old Granddad 16 year and my wife ordered a seasonal cocktail “Golden Grove” that was wonderfully crafted.  We found the pricing to be on the high side, but understood it was more about having a guaranteed seat and good service. Not something we would do very often, but we do look forward to visiting again. 
Great ambience, sat at the bar and the bartender was excellent. Drinks with every penny, it was my husband's bday and they gave him a small plate of macaroons on the house and a cute card and my husband said they were delicious. We did not eat any meals there. Will be back for another special occasion. We live local!
Service at this bar was spectacular! Bartenders and barbacks are super friendly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pricey yes but the cocktails are good and the vibes are sophisticated but welcoming
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Great location and fun atmosphere. Would go back for a special occasion. Drinks and food were very good, however over priced in my opinion. Had a $34 dollar cocktail that was just as good as the $16 drink I had the night before in another fun, yet less fancy bar. You will enjoy Founders Club, just be ready to pay a premium for the location.
Drinks and atmosphere were amazing. Service might as well be self serve though with how slow it was. You have to basically kidnap a server for them to talk to you and be prepared to wait for your next birthday before you receive your order.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
The place was great in terms of visual atmosphere, however, the noise from the lobby detracts from the experience. It is hidden behind a secret door in the bookcase that separates it from the lobby and the back of the bookcase is a metal mesh that you can see through and more importantly hear through.
Classic Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Olympic! Beautifully presented tower with creative eats and amazing tea selections. Our server, David, was personable and informative and a joy. Go treat yourself to a special afternoon!
Great cocktails! I have been coming to the Founders club for years, last night I noticed some patrons leaving the "secret" door open upon their exit. It's a Speakeasy spot and cool, fun vibe, atmosphete, and why we have been coming for years. Hopefully last night was an exception and they don't lose the cool vibe of the actual Speakeasy experience.
Unfortunately our group was not a fan of this exclusive speakeasy. We were two couples out for drinks and small plates in a classy bar. The waitstaff was not dressed to impress, lacked polish and not attentive enough. We had one round of drinks and left (we had planned for multiple rounds). Great space, great concept, bad delivery.
Restaurantji Recommends
I've had tea here several time and the food and atmosphere is always great. The staff are well informed and ready to answer any questions.
Such a lovely experience! The server was knowledgeable in teas and overall service was impeccable. Most of the food was delicious. I will definitely return!
Service was very gracious, attentive. Tea treats were delicious, neither too much or too little and a great variety. We especially appreciated the opportunity to stay past the usual ending time for a truly special afternoon in a lovely setting.
Stayed at this beautiful hotel. Had drinks in the bar. The server certainly wasn't very friendly (bald and dark rimmed glasses). The olives used for the martinis were disappointing! The real small ones that probably came from a jar. Most Fairmont bars have great olives...many with choices like blue cheese too.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 2
I enjoy pushing the boundaries on “white”-centric places, so I showed up at the bar and timed this - it took 21 minutes from the time I finished my first drink for a bartender to ask if I wanted another.
No water was offered.
All while the bartender chit-chatted with all the white clientele all around and had their orders taken and serviced (some of them multiple rounds).
This is clearly a spot that caters to “old white” patrons, so make of that what you will. 😉
Service: 1
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