I am a big fan of Level 1 Arcade in Mesa. Alchemy 48 is a speakeasy that is located in the basement behind Level 1 Arcade Bar in Downtown Mesa. In order to enter you will need to see the staff at the back patio and descend down the staircase behind Level 1. You must solve a brief riddle to reveal the entrance. A group of us hung out at Level 1 recently and had a fun time checking out Alchemy 48 afterwards. The bar offers a unique experience with decor that transports visitors back to 1920s Prohibition era. Alchemy 48 has purple velvet walls, unique lighting, creepy wall pictures and a fireplace at the center. The staff is dressed in authentic speakeasy-era attire. There is live music on occasions. There are several cocktail drinks like the Alchemy R N' R, The Peacock, Old Fashioned, Dark Arts Black Manhattan and the Rittenhouse Rye, For food, patrons can sample a charcuterie boards and other light snacks. I love the vibe here and enjoyed a fun evening out with friends for my first visit here. read more

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We're big fans of speakeasies, so we were excited to try this one out--especially since it's just a few blocks from home. Unfortunately, it ended up being a letdown. The place was less than half full when we walked in. The hostess was friendly, and we were seated at the bar. That's where the experience started going downhill. Several bartenders were working, yet not one acknowledged us not a greeting, not eye contact for an uncomfortably long time. I get it if you're busy, but common courtesy like "we'll be right with you" takes two seconds. Basic hospitality shouldn't be optional in a service job, especially at a place trying to position itself as "upscale." When we were finally able to place our drink order, we waited even longer. It got to the point where we were about to cancel altogether. The only reason our drinks even got made is because a customer of one of the bartenders sat down next to us and suddenly, all of our drinks were made at the same time. So if you know the staff, apparently you won't be waiting. My Old Fashioned was mediocre at best. Unbalanced and not worth the time or price. After last call, the bartenders vanished to close out tables, leaving us stranded and still waiting to pay. We had no intention of camping out for over an hour for a single round. I eventually had to get up and track someone down just to close out the tab. This place has potential, but the service was indifferent at best, borderline neglectful at worst. If you're going to charge premium prices and sell a curated experience, you actually have to deliver one. read more

Alchemy 48 - Speakeasies Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

This place was very cool and we had a great time. We did not have a reservation last Friday night but we were seated right away. The bartender came over, greeted us, and then went over the menu with us. We all opted to get different drinks and they were really good. I ordered their most popular drink, the Peacock, and I would so order it again. The inside is cool and the decor is unique. I totally recommend for a unique drinking experience! read more

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The Valley has no shortage of wonderful cocktail bars and speakeasies... and definitely add Alchemy 48 to that list! I have been here twice now and I love it more on each visit! Located downstairs from Level One, you enter from the back (parking lot side). When you arrive, make sure you say the password ("Mike D sent me") to the doorman. You first enter a small library type of room... and are presented a short read that offers you clues on how to access the speakeasy. So it's almost like a combined escape room and speakeasy experience! The speakeasy is dimly lit, with seating in various areas throughout. They did an incredible job giving it that prohibition-era look and feel! I have enjoyed a handful of cocktails at Alchemy 48 - my favorite Whiskey Sour, a Mustache Revolver, and a few others that I may have drank too much to remember the names of! All of them were 100% AMAZING! I recommend their charcuterie board - it's packed with a variety of tasty nuts, cheeses, cornichons, grapes, crackers, and spreads! It's beautiful and pairs perfectly with all of tasty cocktails coming from the bar! Gluten-free rating: ****FOUR STARS**** Overall rating: *****FIVE STARS***** read more

Alchemy 48 - Mustache Revolver! - Speakeasies Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Wow, the scenario to the staff I felt as I was being treated as royalty. From every pour to every drink, I was being taken care of. From light to heavy drinks I was very appreciated. This is your go to home away from home. If you find yourself lost in Phoenix I hope you can find your way here read more

this place requires reservations even tho it may not seem booked. Not sure why that's the case when there were plenty of spaces to put ppl. maybe this is their way to attract customers to make it seem exclusive??? Nevertheless, our experience there with their drinks was good, but couldn't be great if we were in the main room where the music was happening. Drinks were around $15-20- nothing that stood out, but music compensated for the drinks. Ohh !!! Do not order olives , grosses olives ever A lovely date night venue especially when the lady in red started singing. read more

This place was awesome. The ambiance is moody and the decor is chef's kiss. We made reservations online and arrived a bit early and they were able to accommodate us. The service was good. They have happy hour that's worth checking out. There was not a bad drink my boyfriend and I had. We both wrestled with how to rank our drinks struggling for the top spots because they were that good. All the cocktails we ordered were well balanced. Presentation was awesome. The charcuterie board we ordered was yummy. Towards the end they had a jazz singer who we loved. We will definitely be back!!!! read more

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Came here after dinner with 2 friends/coworkers on Friday evening. None of us have been here before so we decided to check out this speakeasy. We didn't have reservations but luckily they had openings. The entrance is pretty cool! You walk into a dark room with props and a hint on the wall telling you how to get into the speakeasy. Once in, we were seated right away. They had a live singer here tonight, which was nice. I forgot what time he ended. It was a bit difficult to talk to each other though. I think our table was a tad too loud for the other people around us who looked like they were trying to enjoy the music. Oops! I liked the vibe in here though. It's different. What we ordered: Glad Rags $13 Pisco Torpedo $13 Alchemy R N' R $16 Dark Arts Black Manhattan $20 Ritzy Whiskey Sour $13 Whiskey Mule $10 We ended up getting 2 rounds of drinks. Drinks here were pretty strong. I liked the Glad Rags but the Pisco Torpedo was a bit too sweet for me. Alchemy RNR and Dark Arts were strong!! Whiskey Sour is definitely sour! Those 3 were definitely not my type of drinks but they liked it. And you can't go wrong with a Whiskey Mule. They have small bites to share too but we didn't order any food. Cool place to check out if you've never been! read more

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Such a fun speakeasy experience. Located on the bottom floor of the Level One arcade, Alchemy 48 is a moody hangout, with fantastic drinks, and excellent entertainment! We went there for our anniversary celebration. We were escorted downstairs and found the 'secret door'. We sat at a comfy bistro table in front of the singer. We ordered a bowl of cashews, the peacock and the glad rags. The cocktails were so good. You could definitely knew they were strong (which we like) but they were very well balanced. The brought us a card for our anniversary with gift cards for level one, outcast doughnuts, and rebel wine lounge...very generous! Jackie Lopez is a top notch lounge singer with a deep repertoire! She sang standard jazz hits to a jazzy No Diggity! She was amazing! Jackie performed Etta James's At Last for our anniversary which was super sweet . Great way to end the evening and we'll visit again when we're in town! read more

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This is such a fun, unique place! As soon as I saw the entrance I knew I was going to really enjoy this place. And the decor inside was amazing - perfect for a date night! We were greeted right away and told we could sit wherever- we chose two seats at the bar. The bartender was friendly and knowledgeable and we enjoyed chatting with him while he made our cocktails, which were delicious. I'm so glad we found this place and can't wait to return. read more

This Speakeasy is by far the best one that I've ever been too yet. The vibe totally transitions one to the true prohibition era. The service is fast & fantastic. We are watched David hustle big time and not t complain once. He was it on a show while creating the specialty cocktails! The young man - Adan, was making sure to keep these Mixologists well stocked and ensuring that their glasses were taken away & brought back as shiny as ever, so he needs to be commended here too! Brandon kept our water glasses topped off as well. Great place to check out. I'm highly recommend it!! read more

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Love this local speakeasy! Drinks are always very good and the bartenders are friendly. Highly recommend this place in downtown Mesa. It gets pretty busy on the weekends! read more

Alchemy 48 - Speakeasies Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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We came here for a post dinner date night. I found it when looking for a bar or restaurant with live music. At the time we went, they had a jazz artist singing almost every weekend evening. Combine that with the exquisite cocktail list and speakeasy setting and you have the perfect place for a low-key date night with music. Alchemy 48 is located in the basement of level 1 arcade and you have to talk to the bouncer to get in. We made a reservation but I think they also take walk-ins. I don't remember the cocktail I had but it was great. It says this place is temporarily closed but hopefully it reopens soon! read more

My wife and I were really excited to try this place as we frequent Downton Mesa a lot. The speakeasy vibe is really cool but other than that this place was a big disappointment. Our waitress, which I did not get her name but she had dark hair and dark lipstick, came by once in the hour that we were there. We would have tried another drink if she came by, but she was nowhere to be found... Not to mention the bar was half empty. She did not have any knowledge of the cocktails and the ones we did get were mediocre at best. Bad drinks and even worse service. I would never come back here, even if the drinks were free. Skip this place the next time you are in Mesa. read more

Great spot for drinks and chill vibes! If you're looking for a laid-back atmosphere and quality drinks, this place delivers. The vibe is super relaxed--perfect for catching up with friends or unwinding after a long day. Just a heads-up: come with a full stomach. The appetizers are tasty but more for snacking than filling up. Still, it's a solid go-to for drinks and a good time! read more

Alchemy 48 - Great drinks and chill vibe!! - Speakeasies Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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So fun! Great service. You can't get a better cocktail vibe than this. Kind and respectful staff. Always fun and unique for sure!

Such a great place, chill vibes! Definitely a good place just to hangout have a few drinks &' just chat. Drinks were yummy along with their spicy charcuterie board! Definitely our new hangout spot! Atmosphere is definitely more on the chiller side, just to hangout, not loud crowds like upstairs, if your looking for a more active atmosphere its upstairs in level one overall the atmosphere in the basement it's elite, service was great good place! read more

Alchemy 48 - Speakeasies Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

We came here after dinner at The Stockyard steakhouse. I loved the hidden entrance. It has a romantic atmosphere, very dimly lit. The decor was just perfect! Our server was attentive. I ordered the horns and rattles cocktail. My husband got a coffee cocktail. Both drinks were delicious. My favorite part was Jackie's performance. She has a beautiful voice. I can't wait to come back. We can't stop raving about this place. It will be one of our date night go to. If you don't check this place out, you're missing out! Be sure to make a reservation before coming trust me it's worth it. read more

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Easily THE BEST speakeasy in DT Mesa! It's located in the dungeon of Level One Arcade. U can do street parking in front of the arcade, or you can park in the back of the arcade. I recommend parking in the back. If you're heading west on Main St, take a right on center st, and a quick 1st left into the parking lot. From there, take the stairs leading down underground, and get ready for a kick-ass good time with some of the most vibrant, yet mysteriously deeeelicious cocktails in the heart of Mesa! Alchemy 48 screams speakeasy vibes! I absolutely love what the architecture, design, everything about it!! The temperature inside Alchemy was absolute perfection! The atmosphere was comfortable & inviting yet mysterious. Love it! Our server was adorable! We gave him a little bit of homework between getting our drinks and charcuterie board, and he nailed it! My Barber's clerk bramble was nothing short of magical! The bartender sure knows how to work his drink magic! I only had one drink, but I was feeling damn good! The savory board hit the spot and paired really well with my bramble! Give Alchemy 48 a shot! They're well worth it! read more

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Very elegant speakeasy! I came for the jazz singer, Jackie Lopez who plays here Saturdays 6:30 to 10:30 (staff said she will be here for 3 months, possibly more). I requested Sway by Dean Martin which she happily sang, she also sang Fly Me to the Moon, Corcovado (Quiet Nights & Quiet Stars), Gangster's Paradise (jazz version). She was also very interactive with the audience, singing next to people, sitting in a seat next to them, such a great presence. For drinks, I had the Ace of Clubs ($13), which was very well-balanced. I made a reservation which I recommend. Inside it was 2/3 full around 7 on a Saturday night. They have comfy couch seating, booth tables, and bar seating. Prices are on par with other speakeasies in the valley. They do have a food menu, just ask the bartender. Parking is impressive, there is a ton behind the building, from an open lot (called the Green Parking Lot, 3 hours only) to a parking garage at: 38 West Pepper. Get in by heading below Level 1 Arcade Bar. (It's in their basement.) Restrooms are at Level 1 though, the Level 1 staff did not like me going back and forth until I showed them my reservation for Alchemy 48, just fyi. The secret door that connects them is all the way in the back of Alchemy 48. read more

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Had a great time checking out Alchemy 48 last night! Came in just as a grip of people were leaving so while it looks empty, it was packed and full of energy! What I was most excited for were the mocktails here. Not only did they have plenty of options, it wasn't your typical mix of juices in a glass. NA whiskey, rum and tequila....loved it! I went with an Old Fashioned and the Triple "L" B. I sat next to one of the owners, Scott, and both he and the bartenders were great and conversational. While the pics shared look a bit "bright", the low-lighting, tri-fi / jazzy music made it so amazing and a great experience. Nothing but great things to say about this place!!! On a scale of 1 to 10......I'll be back soon! read more

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Love that this speakeasy transports you to another time! To find the bar, you have to go through Level 1 Arcade and walk straight through to the back. My friend and I came here earlier in the evening on Saturday and were told that you typically need reservations, but luckily we were able to get in! To enter, you walk down the steps into a dark room filled with random items and have to find the hidden door. So fun! We walked in to see dark interiors, glittering chandeliers, and there was even a live jazz singer! We sat at the bar and got the Tommy Collins and the Ace of Clubs. Both were great and we'll definitely be back with more friends! read more

Alchemy 48 - Ace of Clubs - Speakeasies Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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First of all, the ambiance is fantastic. It feels like you stepped into a real prohibition era speakeasy. It's the kind of place you could hang out with the girls or just with your honey. What I really lived is that my vital was tweaked to make it perfect for me. I live a sweet espresso martini, and the bartender sweetened mine until it was perfect. The charcuterie (we got the spicy board) was great for us to share as our "we-are-just-a- little-hungry" dinner. FYI--don't wait for someone to come get you from the little room lined with brooms like some other speakeasies have you do. Just push your way through the "hidden" door in the wall. read more

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What a great experience at the newest addition to downtown Mesa.. this speakeasy is located at the Level One arcade. Easy Access through the back door entrance by the parking lot. We had a short wait so we killed some time at the arcade .. we received a text when our seats were ready. You will have to find the door to get in .. once you get downstairs.. don't over think it. The menu and the pictures on their Instagram account made it really tough to pick a drink .. peacock feathers, edible flowers and edible stained glass pears .. I will definitely have to come back several times to try everything. The bartenders were super friendly and our bar neighbor suggested we go with dealers choice if you can't decide. I had the Ritzy Whiskey Sour and was pleasantly surprised.. smooth, alcohol forward, that egg white made it creamy.. I cannot describe how yummy this drink was. Super moody vibe .. definitely come check them out. read more

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First time at Alchemy 48 and all I can say is wow! Right when you walk in, it feels like you are transported into another dimension... very romantic feeling and the lighting is dim. Our server was awesome, he explained the menu very throughly and was very helpful and personable. Coming in on a Sunday evening it was pretty empty and we could fully enjoy the ambiance. One of my favorite speakeasies I've been too, the menu is extensive and they also have some food options as well. I looooove the velvet walls and chandelier, the entire place is beautiful and very cozy. I will definitely be back and recommend this place to others read more

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Very cool place to have a drink! The ambiance gives me Harry Potter vibes. I have been a few times now, and the service is always excellent. This is located beneath the Level 1 Arcade, so it's perfect if you want to play some games before or after your trip to the bar. Can't wait for my next visit! read more

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Awful service! Our reservation was at 6:00 we were a few minutes late. We got seated approximately 6:30 and did not get our first drink until after 7:00! We ordered the chacuterie board and actually got that fifteen minutes before we got our drinks and Our drinks were delivered by the guy who seated us, not the waitress. The charcuterie board was pretty much gone by the time the drinks got there. She never came back and asked if we wanted another drink and we had to go searching for her to get the tab to leave.... not a good experience! read more

We had reservations for two and were seated in the middle of the room, despite there being clearly better tables available. When we asked about switching, we were told those were reserved for parties of three or more; even though it was early in the evening (around 7 PM) and the restaurant was far from full. Unfortunately, the overall experience left a poor impression. The hostess and servers were noticeably rude and unaccommodating, which made us feel unwelcome. We ended up leaving after just one cocktail. That said, the drinks were great and the bartenders were the only highlight of the visit. read more

We were really excited to try this place and were severely let down. To start the service was terrible, our server (black hair, dark lip stick, and a blank stare) only came by once in 1 hour even when it was dead inside. We ordered the secret garden, it tasted like salsa and was really spicy (even though the server said it didn't have much spice). My wife couldn't drink it because the first sip gave her heart burn it was that spicy... and she can hang with spice. When getting our check we had to grab someone else to get our absent server. When she finally came over we told her about the drink. No offer for a substitution, no taking it off the bill, not even a smile or "sorry", just a monotone "oh okay". When we asked for a manager, they were no where to be found. We came here because of the inkind app but they had no idea what that was when we paid. Truly one of the worst experiences I have had at a bar. Other than the novelty of the "speakeasy" this place is terrible. We will stick to AZ Distillery Co. for good cocktails. read more

I downloaded Yelp to write this review as I've never been treated with such disrespect at a bar. I was really excited to check out Alchemy 48 for the first time. The decor and atmosphere immediately pulled me in -- it has a great speakeasy vibe that felt promising for a night out. Unfortunately, the experience was completely soured by one of the bartenders. As soon as my group and I walked in, we were pressured to order drinks right away. When we hesitated to get settled, the bartender gave us unnecessary attitude and told us that purchases are "required" to even be in the establishment. There was no signage at the entrance, no staff explaining this policy upon arrival, and no way we could have known. Instead of creating a welcoming environment, it felt hostile and uninviting. It was a slow Sunday night with only a couple of guests around the bar, the hostility felt unwarranted and unnecessary. Additionally, the bartender present seemed to try to build allies with other guests at the bar, adding to an environment that really solidified the idea of "you don't belong here." Because of this interaction, I won't be returning. The atmosphere alone can't make up for poor customer service, and there are plenty of other bars that treat their guests with respect while also serving great cocktails. read more

This place is a JOKE! My husband and I love speak easy bars and made a reservation here because we haven't tried this place before. We came because we also love live music which they were playing the night we came. They sat us in the back where we couldn't see the musician and we were at a tiny table. We asked if we could move to a booth so we could cuddle up and enjoy the music. The bartender who we asked just laughed at us .. said no and walked away. So incredibly rude! We sat there for 40 min before we received our drinks. We just asked for our check after we got them because we were floored by the crappy service. Needless to say we will never be back. Don't waste your time if you want to have a nice date night. read more

Got cool speakeasy here in downtown Mesa called Alchemy 48. It is downstairs from Level 1 and to get checked you have to meet the person next to the fence by the rear parking lot. We showed up on a Friday night and checked in and didn't have to wait long and off we went down the stairs. You 1st wind up in a room with barely anything in it and one of the doors covered with brooms. Once inside you will see that Alchemy 48 is very lush and sexy, loving the vibes inside. We went and sat the bar and was given the menu to look through. Let me tell you, they have a lot of drinks to look through, I am sure everyone who comes in will find something they would like. After cgecjubg out the drink menu I went with the Peacock. She's a sparkling tropical. It was Chopin potato vodka, Giffard Madagascar vanilla liqueur, fassionola syrup, lemon, sparkling brut rose with a peacock feather. She's a flashy drink, and I did enjoy it! Alchemy 48 is a great addition to downtown Mesa and I look forward to coming back! read more

Alchemy 48 - A pinkish cocktail in a tall flute glass garnished with a peacock feather, set on a bar counter with a blurred bar background. - Speakeasies Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Such a cute little spot I was surprised to find in downtown Mesa. The service was excellent and amazing drinks!!

Ok, so here we go. I went on a Friday night for the Burlesque show and it was nice. Now, my issue is w/ the staff at the top of the stairs. As I took a call, I listened to the guy and girl use profanity and brag about smoking weed. He then told me there wasn't any room, but next said the tix were $25. All in all he gave conflicting info. I asked for the manager and was informed the person name was Scott, I spoke to him about the tix and he stated he would give me a discount since the show had already been going for an hour. Ok, now Scott gave me a price and when I went down, the guy gave me another price and said that since he didn't know how to work the machine (I was using Apple Pay), I would have to pay a different price. Now, the difference in price was only $5 BUT it was the principal and I didn't want to go up 3 stories again and talk to Scott for $5 dollars. All in all, I this discrepancy semi ruined my night b/c it was heavily on my mind. read more

This place is cool, very chill vibe. Drinks were strong and well made. The only downside was we came for live music and the musician was off, and the only bathroom is back upstairs. But this place is def worth checking out. read more

Alchemy 48 - Espresso Martini - A dark-colored cocktail with foam and cocoa powder on top is served in a coupe glass on a wooden table, with a menu and a phone nearby. - Speakeasies Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

This place was super cool and had a great atmosphere. Snacks were great too. Definitely not disappointed and would check it out again.

Great speakeasy in downtown Mesa. We have been there a couple times and enjoyed the ambiance and drinks. Definitely a hidden gem.

My sister and I went to Alchemy 48 a few weeks ago on a Sunday evening and loved the atmosphere - at the beginning - but not much else. When we arrived, there were 6 other people in the bar but no staff to be seen - no bar tender, no greeter, just no one. We decided it was a seat yourself kind of affair after standing a while, and proceeded to try out several spots to see which we liked the most. Super not intentional but literally no one was around and some chairs look more comfortable than they are. The point is, why did we have enough time to do that? So issue one - the service is lacking. After settling in, we realized no one was coming. Right when we decided to leave, a bartender materialized. We picked our drinks and proceeded to wait what was almost a comical amount of time given how many people were in the bar. Drinks arrived, neither one balanced. If you go to a speakeasy with drinks this price, you expect them to be well made. So issue number two - drinks were lacking. We stuck around for a while and tried another drink because sometimes it's not the bartender's fault. Got something we thought was safer. Mine was okay, hers was awful. Okay lesson learned. Adding to the ambiance was a lovely young woman at a nearby table who likely had too much to drink - who vomited on the floor next to her table. The fun thing about absentee staff is that it took around 15 minutes for them to even notice. Super duper classy. So issue number three - gross. After things were cleaned and settled down, all of a sudden, and with drinks half full, the music switched from speak-easy vibe to extremely loud pop rock. The music wasn't bad, but not the vibe and why did we have to shout to hear each other? It immediately felt like we were at a bar on Mill Avenue with terrible unbalanced drinks and the loud music, but at prices that would have a college student running for the door. Oddly it was 45 minutes until close. We gave up conversation and sat in disbelief, as the music grew louder with each successive song - while we hoped the bartender would just give us our check. He appeared and I asked him, "is this your "get out" music?" and at least he told the truth and said it was. I told him (well, sort of bellowed because it was so loud) it was pretty abrasive. He turned it down a notch for the rest of the song before cranking it even louder. How's that for alienating your customers? Issue number four - alienating clientele. Anyhow, it was painfully slow to pay and we couldn't leave fast enough. I have no idea why a restaurant or business of any sort would desire to completely alienate their patrons. There are SO MANY great speakeasies here in town so this place really should put some sort of effort in. May I suggest, if you are wanting a speakeasy that cares about their clients and makes a balanced and creative drink, that you try places like the White Rabbit in Gilbert, the Ostrich in Chandler, or one of the many fabulous places in Phoenix? It's a shame because Alchemy 48 has a good location, great decor, and a whisper of promise. Big fail on everything else. Good luck if you go - I won't be seeing you there. read more

Love, love love this place... we did not have reservations just walked in and was able to be seated right away. Service was excellent and acknowledged immediately. Super friendly staff. It's located downstairs of Level One bar. The location was difficult to find but well worth it. The bartender made us special drinks that we really enjoyed and gave us a little history. Ambience was super cool totally recommend this place. If you haven't been there, we will definitely be back. read more

We happened to come upon this place while we were at Level 1. We tend to wander so when we heard of a speak easy, of course we wanted to check it out. After getting through the doors, it's absolutely beautiful. We ordered the Old Fashioned, the Manhattan and a charcuterie board. It was wonderful to just sit there, enjoy ourselves and listen to the live music. The singer was top notch. It was definitely a fun surprise to our night since we had only planned on going to the arcade. Would highly recommend this lovely hidden location. read more