I really enjoyed this speakeasy! We came right after the dinner at Musume. I tried their cocktail SAIYAN SIPPER and it was sooooo good. It is Campari based but has a perfect taste of cherry. The place has great music plenty of space to sit around on week night! And service is great! read more

Akai - SAIYAN SIPPER - Speakeasies Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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Came here after dining at Musume - they'll escort you through the kitchen through a back entrance. It's a quaint speakeasy and was quite busy for a Thursday night. I only ordered the complimentary prosecco and enjoyed a few tunes with my group before leaving. For the time there, the vibes were great and we had a good time! read more

Akai - Speakeasies Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Walking through the kitchen into Akai was definitely a cool experience. While advertised as a speakeasy, it felt more like a club. We went on a weeknight, and it was LOUD, lacking the typical speakeasy vibe. The bar was empty, but many tables were reserved, limiting seating options. I had a soju and prosecco drink that was quite tasty, and getting table service was nice, though we finished our drinks quickly and left. In contrast, our meal at Musume was fantastic, making this experience feel like a complete 180. read more

This spot is through the discreet kitchen of Musume, a sushi restaurant in Dallas. Located in the Arts District. I had eaten at Musume back in 2021. But I didn't realize what was through the kitchen... Damn! The dimly lit interior is adorned with oriental motifs, namely dragons. It's an alluring spot with plush velvet booths tucked away in separated sections promoting exclusivity! The bar, also covered in crimson hue lighting, has an impressive handcrafted cocktail line up. I had the Cobra Akai and it was excellent. read more

Akai - a dimly lit bar with red lighting - Speakeasies Near Me - Dallas, Texas

A fun speak easy experience. Space is not very big. Love the red color design. Drinks were very good. read more

Akai - Speakeasies Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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This spot is a must. The vibes, the drinks, the music, and everything is amazing in here. The drinks are pretty strong and delicious. Start at the sushi restaurant and come back for some drinks. Such a cute spot with friends or a date night. Service is good! Espresso martini is a must! read more

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Gave me everything I was looking for. Friend in town, I wrote down a few places to check out to have one drink and see the next location. This place was behind another restaurant and it was absolutely cool. The host turned me over to security that walked me out the back of the restaurant, through the kitchen (smiling faces in the back) and through the hallway and into a secret clubhouse! So awesome! The security that opened the door was so nice too! Walked around the circle layout, stopped at the bar and placed an order. Cobra Akai and East to West were ordered and no disappointment was had! We danced, had some mixed shot that sent us out the door and to bed by midnight! I recommend this place and will be back, great experience read more

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We went after a show at the winspear, it's walking distance which is nice. Fun speak easy and love the way they take you to the actual speak easy location. The drinks were good and the vibe was great. Service is friendly, it did kind of have a musty smell, but it seems like they are closed for renovations now so maybe they are fixing it read more

During our company event, I had the opportunity to visit Akai, which offered a wide selection of Japanese-inspired drinks. I decided to try Koko, Geisha, and Cobra Akai and forgot the other one. As you can see, named based on something Japanese. One aspect that stood out to me was the craftsmanship that went into each drink. The bartenders skillfully created unique concoctions, and the attention to detail was evident in every sip. It was apparent that they took pride in their craft. Aside from the drinks, the bar itself had a lot to offer. The spacious and clean bathroom was a pleasant surprise. The decorations throughout the bar were tastefully done, adding to the ambiance and creating a visually pleasing atmosphere. I enjoyed entering through Museum, and they will lead you the way to the bar. You will be guided and will pass through the kitchen. Staff will greet you, and you will also have the privilege to see what's going on in the kitchen "behind the scene." I can bring a friend here, especially if they visit the town. Little pricey, but hey, it's a different ambiance. read more

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Located inside Musume. We came here last night and the bouncer looked my friend up and down saying "I can't let that in." He was referring to her outfit. Apparently there is a dress code here? But this isn't indicated anywhere on their website or yelp. So we went to sit at the bar at Musume instead. I ended up striking up a conversation with the owner about the selection of alcohol on Musume's menu, which is handpicked by him btw. I casually mentioned my disappointment with the dress code at AKAI and not being aware. The face he gave me after made it seem like it was not true. He left and spoke to the bouncers and when he came back he said "someone was wearing crocs?" Which was obviously a lie as we were all clearly in sneakers. He left and spoke with them again and moments later the bouncer came by and said "oh you, were wearing leggings but you aren't from here so we can take you back." I have no idea what not being from here means, but he didn't bring up crocs like he did to the owner, but is now saying it was the leggings... ok sure. We were so turned off by that interaction that we did not take up their offer to be granted entrance. I would understand if the dress code was posted on their website and clearly indicated, but it was not or doesn't exist at all because we eventually were allowed in...who knows. Will not be going back to try this place. Ps. The owner was very nice and addressed our concerns right away. I know this is not a reflection of how he wants his business run but his staff can do better read more

This is a cool venue and pretty large for being labeled a speakeasy in the Arts District. It's behind Musume restaurant. You actually enter through Musume and ask to visit Akai and the host walks you through the kitchen to get to Akai in the back of the building. This is more for the speakeasy feel than anything else. When we left, we walked out of the actual entrance on the side of the building lol. But, cool, continue to have that speakeasy feel, I guess. Everything is red decor inside, which is a vibe itself. Drinks were OK, not great. The atmosphere is more on the club side the later it gets in the evening - especially considering the varied options on the bottle service menu. At the start of the night, was more of a lounge, but as the evening progressed, it definitely had a club energy. I guess frequenting more speakeasies in NYC has me biased. It's not as intimate as speakeasies I'm used to in larger cities. read more

This is a very classy yet low key speakeasy/lounge. The owner of Musume (Ken) actually recommended that we stop by after dinner. He even personally walked us through the restaurant over to Akai (they're pretty much connected) which was pretty sweet. I absolutely loved the vibe inside. The room is dimly lit with red LED lights and the music was pretty good and matched the ambiance. The waitresses were attentive and helpful when we needed them. I was in the mood for a light drink that wasn't too sweet or fruity so I order the Precious Jade which is sake infused with cucumber water, vodka, hibiscus and a few other ingredients. I really liked it + it was the perfect light cocktail after eating sushi. The drink itself looks pretty cool too. With gratuity included my friend and I paid about $32 for our drinks, which wasn't too bad. There were plenty of other really cool drinks the bartenders made so I would definitely come back here. read more

Akai - Precious Jade - Speakeasies Near Me - Dallas, Texas

This place is a very cool speakeasy, hip crowd and a nice vibe. It's more of a chill place to get drinks and enjoy music nobody was really dancing. The drinks are great and the service is quick. read more

Akai - Speakeasies Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Easily one of the best speakeasies in Dallas (Hence why I only have one photo of the bar itself). Hidden behind the active kitchen in an unsuspecting restaurant, mention the name of the speakeasy to one of the staff and they can direct you where to go. Say hello to the hard working kitchen staff on your way to a secluded room with a red door. There, you'll enter an entirely new atmosphere where a red dragon and intimate lighting look down on you from the ceiling. The bar is a wonder in itself as the attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable bar staff chill your glass with liquid nitrogen so you can enjoy an ice cold cocktail in one of the most entertaining and unique ways in Dallas. Hint: if you like bourbon or espresso martinis... this is a GREAT spot. (They have a mocha flavored espresso martini that will blow your mind) This place is not incredibly large but great for groups of 4-8 people. They have horseshoe style lounge chairs to fit a semi-large group. Very comfortable and exciting environment hidden away from the real world to go and enjoy some great drinks with your favorite people or significant other. I HIGHLY recommend a visit to this location if you're into speakeasies. read more

Akai - Speaking easy at the speakeasy. - Speakeasies Near Me - Dallas, Texas

The drinks are amazing (interesting and delicious), the music is great (straight unce unce unce), the red light atmosphere is sexy classy, and the secrecy/intimacy of the joint is just fun. Located behind Musume restaurant, just tell the person up front you're there for Akai. They literally take you through the kitchen to get to the bar. I know they take reservations, so consider making one if you have a large party. They do bottle service if it's that kind of night. They pay extremely high attention to detail when it comes to their cocktails. Their ice has their logo on it, the appearances are visually appealing, and most importantly, they taste good. Drinks are like $15 each which I think is a fair price for the quality and happiness it brings. I highly recommend this joint for a date night out! read more

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I stopped by Akai after attending the symphony across the street at the Meyerson (the combo makes for a nice date night). It's super convenient because you can leave your car in the underground parking lot (which connects to the Meyerson) since it doesn't close after the symphony ends. I like the fact that Akai doesn's show up on Google maps (I mean speakeasies are supposed to be secret). When you are escorted to Akai, you'll travel through four doors, the kitchen and back hallways. It's a longer walk than you'd expect but kind of cool. The bar itself is bathed in dim red light coming from the magnificent dragon which stretches the length of the ceiling. There's a piece of wall art in the back of two fighters which reminded me of characters out of the Street Fighter video game. The crowd was diverse (reminded me of the crowd I see Bourbon and Banter) when I was there. Everything from sparkly dresses and high heels to hoodies and baseball caps. Now, the most important part. The drinks! I tried several cocktails and for my taste (I generally like Old Fashioneds and Whiskey Sours), the Tuk Tuk was my favorite - very balanced. And the Arts District high ball was a close second - you really get the grapefruit bitters as an aftertaste. I sampled two other drinks that the girls ordered but I thought both were too sweet. Their Old Fashioned has chocolate bitters which is potentially genius so I want to try that next time. I appreciate that their drinks actually have a range of prices ($10-$18) although the mode is $15. The only negative is they only serve $4 bottled water so you might want to hydrate before you get here. Akai might be my new favorite speakeasy so I'm hoping it won't get too popular. read more

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Super hidden bar located way in the back of a restaurant. I walked into a restaurant on the corner of the street to ask if they knew where it was at. The hostess (non interested) said there would be someone that would be right with me to escort me the way. The escort was super nice, he walked us to the back, through the kitchen, through these back hallways, to a lot of doors and then to the bar. He checked up on us quite frequently as well more than the waitress herself. The drinks were a little different, but there were so many options as well. --Shibuya Smash (3/5) - A pretty strong drink that was a fruity refreshing drink but not too sweet. This was way better than the second drink I had. --Precious Jade (2/5) - I didn't like this one. There's five spice in here and I thought it would be a different approach, but possibly delicious since the waitress recommended it. Sweetness overload and it had a bad after taste. Cool experience with okay drinks. I would give it 2 stars but one additional for the experience! read more

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This is for the speakeasy club... $63.24 for 3 Goose & waters. Which includes $9.60 for gratuity... LOL I guess since they don't charge a cover, they upcharge everything else. I wonder if the owner also owns Spirit Airlines? :p Just be aware. It's a cool experience for sure, but I wouldn't go there unless you're ready to spend outrageous amounts. It gets crowded due to the small space and its pretty loud in there. Not my idea of a good time, but tons of 20-30 YOs seem to enjoy it. I like the concept, but it could benefit from additional space and multiple bars. read more

Totally hidden speakeasy; worth the trouble of navigating back hallways and passages! Dark and sumptuous/modern decor, with red lighting more reminiscent of Mortal Kombat than Amsterdam - creating a romantic hideasy for your dressy date-night! The house drinks are good; my wife LOVED the 'Geisha!' I stuck to my absinthe regulars, but they mixed on request with great aplomb. Friendly waitresses helped the vibe. Another winner; we'll hurry back soon! read more

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This discreet little GEM in the heart of downtown Dallas is the perfect place for a quaint but lively date night! I have read the 1 star reviews and as a consistent customer for approx 1 year this has NEVER EVER been my experience. While drinks are a bit pricey consider that you are paying for the location, privacy, and elegance that you experience. The bartenders and bottle girls are some of the most beautifully authentic people that you will EVER encounter in Dallas. We personally love Mr. Babb the GM, Celia, Matt and my favorite Asian persuasion head bartender. Lastly security is professionally trained & has military experience, there is no where safer in the city to be. read more

Drinks and ambiance were very cutesy. Went to grab drinks with friends here and had a secret kitchen entrance to bar.

the secret is out, akai is in. Great vibes if you are looking to have an intimate conversation with someone. we went ealier in the evening (11p) & it lived up to a true 'red room'. Drinks were expensive and the music was amazing!!! someone give the dj a raise, and i mean a big one. However with that, there was nowhere to dance which made the amazing music sting a little. Overall, we will be back. read more

Akai - Espresso Martini - Speakeasies Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Speakeasy that's tucked away behind a restaurant. The drinks are quite unique, as others have described. I got two drinks - one was cherry blossom, and the other I have forgotten the name of. Both were refreshing, though! The vibes are, as the name suggests, red. Red lights and furniture throughout. Gives a spooky + sexy vibe. Some negatives about Akai is that the staff members are not wearing masks, and I'm not sure they were adhering to 50% capacity guidelines. By 10pm, the bar seemed packed with a large crowd of people near the bar and at the tables. We were sitting in the corner of the bar and tried to stay away from the crowds, but as it kept getting more crowded, we felt a little uneasy and decided to leave. I just wish that the staff were wearing masks - that would have made us feel a lot safer and more comfortable and allowed us to enjoy our time here more. I think that, in a place like a bar where people tend to talk loudly over the music and huddle close together, it's critical to mask up when possible. Parking is hard to come across in the Arts District. There is a parking garage across from Musume, but I think it closes at 10pm, so it's not ideal for parking later in the night. ** SPOILER ALERT ** It's behind the restaurant Musume - you go into Musume, ask to be taken to Akai. Someone will take you through the kitchen to get to Akai. read more

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This is a good date night spot. Dark and intimate. The staff are super knowledgeable in regards to the menu and sake options. The wasabi mashed potatoes were ! Definitely try those. read more

Akai - Speakeasies Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Awesome and extensive drink menu and a very cool atmosphere. Service was top quick and prices were good for the area.

If a speakeasy doesn't inspire a WOW entering, they've already failed! I'm on the guest list for many, and Akai deserves a lot more than a WOW! Doesn't matter If you're arriving after enjoying the amazing cuisine of Musume, or Akai is your point of destination, you'll be treated to the same amazing service. While many speakeasies rely heavily on their clandestine locations, and entrances, Akai also adds the elements of service and presentation; by personally escorting each guest through the kitchen of Musume. Akai's contemporary Japanese design featuring tiered illumination will evoke an immediate smile. The space although bijou, offers varied seating accommodations, ranging from the most intimate, to tables for groups, or those who don't mind paying for the privilege. No speakeasy would deliver the vibe you deserve without also offering great sounds, and cocktails. From management, to Chino, one of the star bartenders with decades of experience, you're in good hands! Hopefully we'll share an amazing Akai speakeasy experience soon! Xoxo Lorenzo! read more

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My date and I were drugged at the bar (Akai) last night. Barely made it out of there after only one espresso martini, and both passed out in the uber. After just one drink. I'm a big boy and I can hold my alcohol quite well. Never had such an impact on me! Whom ever had our tab went on a spending spree. They triple charged my card last night and then bought some concert tickets today before i realized the card was not in my possession. She and I were never away from our drinks. That plus the multiple charges at their 'till' leaves only one logical cause. Fuck that place and their staff!! Thank GOD we were ubering. We could have killed ourselves or someone else driving home. WTF!? Merry Christmas... read more

Got kicked out for sitting on a table and then asking why the bouncer was flashing the flashlight at my face.:. That's all... I was here for a good buddy's bachelor party and the night was ruined simply because a bunch of power hungry low blue collar dicks wanted to flex there muscle for NO GOOD REASON AT ALL!!!! Avoid this place. It isn't great with no good vibes and worse customer service. I am a nice guy who was very sober at the time of the event and the manager took 39 min to come up and chat with me about what "happened" just to reject my admission and Corroborate with the apes that they hired... this place is NOT WORTH YOUR ATTENTION. read more

Amazing feeling when you walk in. The host/hostesses are awesome. Truly a bar for the elite. If you want to go out and dress up, this is the place to go. Beautiful people in a beautiful space. The drinks were amazing, I had the art district until it was time to go. It's a great drink if you like bitter yet refreshing flavors. I can't wait to go back. read more

Akai - The Art District. An Aperol, grapefruit, whisky, and more drink. - Speakeasies Near Me - Dallas, Texas

You won't be disappointed this is the spot to go too with great music and drinks. Staff is very professional including the bouncers making this a safe environment. Came here twice so far including my birthday and it's always a delight. read more

Akai - a shot of a pink drink and two shot glasses on a bar counter - Speakeasies Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Love the atmosphere and the mood created by the DJ. The bartenders are not as affable as I'm accustomed to with some of the other local bars but they still know how to make a great drink. I honestly like the bar but the staff and the crowd are very pretentious. Too up tight for me. If you like to hang out at a place where everyone pretends to be someone they are not and staff that respects those who pretend to have more money then by all means don't stop, don't pass go, come directly here! read more

michael is the best. oh my god the best service he so personable and sweet he makes the experience like the best bartender i have ever had anywhere makes the bestttt drinks read more

BAD REVIEW ! This employer DID NOT save a job position for a long time employee that was pregnant and left for maternity leave. She has been employed with this group for years and now that she was ready to return they said she was not able to. She made contact with the manager and they indicated only need girls that can sell "Tables". She was deeply hurt and disappointed and was assured when she took maternity leave her job would be available for her return. She got "LABELED" for having a baby pretty much ! SHAME ON YOU AKAI read more

Cool speakeasy, love how you are escorted through the kitchen to this hidden gem. Dark, cool vibe, good music, not a very big place so plan on standing and being intimate with those around you. Went here on a Saturday around 10pm and the place was almost full, cool artisan cocktails. Beware they add 20% gratuity on your tab and do not disclose that so I tipped 40% all night on drinks. Not cool but I get it, just have the decency to let clients know otherwise 5 stars. So many cool places to choose in Dallas, not sure it's worth returning except for unless you want to pony up for bottle service. Love they offer large format sake for table service, that might reel me back in. Def worth checking out! read more

I LOVED this hidden spot. I am from FL and I feel like everyone was super nice here. You can sit down at a table w/o bottle service. It was a very cool atmosphere, although the drinks were on the expensive side ($20 per liquor cocktails) is what we paid for a casamigos soda. read more

Such a great gem in Dallas. Had a great time at Akai while recently visiting Dallas as the service, extremely friendly staff and crafted cocktails were all amazing. Definitely one of my favorite speakeasies. read more

Okay, I am a huge fan of speakeasy bars. But this one - well - it's badass! I've never found one where you have to walk thru the actual kitchen to get there, but that's exactly what you do at Akai's. I loved the atmosphere and "speakeasy" vibe. They nailed that. They also had a DJ playing some tunes, which was nice (albeit they maybe could use a some new tunes:)). As much as I want to give this a 5 star review, I felt their drink menu was pretty limited. The drinks we had were good. We went right after they opened, so maybe they were still working out their menu. Either way, everything else about the experience here was well worth it, and I will be back! I highly recommend checking this place out. read more

The speakeasy predators... Hide your wife, hide your children, and hide your AMEX. My niece was celebrating a birthday night out with friends and her boyfriend was drugged with a shot of tequila. He had nothing else to drink and was comatose through the night with no recollection of anything after the shot. The establishment swiped his card at nearly 2 grand. Stay away. If we can not be safe in Dallas we can at least make sure others are aware of the dangers lurking at the bar. It appeared the waitress and bouncer were part of the scam. read more

Very cool place with a creative and extensive cocktail list. If you're a casual cocktail drinker do know that it becomes very club-ish around 10 pm with bottle service options etc... I did love coming in when they opened at 8 pm and trying a few cocktails read more

Thank you! Finally the true definition of Speakeasy reveals itself here in Dallas..it's not just hidden...it's swank. Sexy people + music + vibe :) You are guided through Musume, the kitchen, long hallway, a few twists n turns and (where am I going??) to be brought into a dimly, red lit bar. It's only been open for 1 week, but they've got a good thing going! Drinks range from $12-$18 and are well crafted. Service was really attentive, but drinks were a bit slow to come. I had a party of 6(maximum table size without a minimum spend). Ordered the last samurai (fun take on the last word) and the Tokyo smoke? I had a relatively early reservation at 9:30p and the place quickly filled by 10:30p. This place will be the next Dallas hotspot!! read more

Akai - Drink menu - Speakeasies Near Me - Dallas, Texas