I've been to several speakeasies around the USA and Gatsby should be the standard of what a speakeasy should be. No really!
Imagine yourself walking through the 8th St promenade in downtown Boise. It's hustling and bustling with people and restaurants that are packed. Then, out of the corner of your eye, you see an alley. It's kinda dark, maybe a little unsettling at first. You see a steel door with a small panel at the top of the door. No door handles but a green lit old stagecoach light, a small wooden sign hanging g just beyond the door with a key on it. Hmmm, strange. In faded sharpie letters it says Knock knock on the metal door, so you knock twice. The panel on the door slides open and they ask for the password. Whoa!!!! Luckily you called ahead to make reservations so they whispered it to you. You give the password and door opens to a tiny little library with a couple of shelves full of books. The hosts welcomes you and you stare at the bookshelf knowing it isn't just a bookshelf but a door. You try pulling on different books guessing which is the right one but after a minute the hostess shows you and you enter a beautiful brick walled 1920s decorated room with seats and dim lights and no windows whatsoever. The artwork is prohibition-era themed. Heck, there's even a stack of wooden barrels that supposedly hold spirits. That is exactly the speakeasy experience you are looking for.
We were seated in the boiler room, a private area which had beautiful wooden lockers with glass doors all lit up and full of booze. Books line the wall and there is an old fireplace covered with candles that have melted wax all over the mantle. In the corner is a poker table. Really the perfect vibe for a speakeasy.
Glance at the menu and notice their tang of cheaper to very rare and unique spirits, some costing hundreds of dollars for a shot. Whisky, vodka, rum, gin, scotch, bourbon, you name it. But also check out their cocktails. They can even make mocktails if you don't want alcohol. Not only are the drinks unique but so is their presentation. The glades used I've never seen. Some drinks have a printed pattern on them, others come with dry ice that quickly evaporates or a cool smoked filled bubble. The whole experience was just amazing. This is a do not miss opportunity if you like drinks and cool, unique experiences.
They even have another room in the back called the Garrison Room which looks like a mineshaft. I just love the thought put into this place. And when you are done, you exit through a nondescript door and exits to a patio area of another restaurant and back out to the promenade. Just a wow experience! So glad I did it. read more