Kimberly C.

I had been to Shim's several years ago, and I returned last night, on a Wednesday, with a couple of friends. Previously you had to enter in the back from an alley, since they were going for the speak-easy vibe and had a facade of a surplus store in the front. Now you can enter in the front and it actually looks like a bar from the outside. I think it's quite nice inside, kind of a late 1920's feel and decor with low lighting and ornate fixtures. They have booths and tables, as well as plenty of bar seating; the bar is quite long. They do have a stage and we were told they have live entertainment. Among the tables they have a variety of games to play. We were very pleased to learn that they allow dogs! On Wednesdays they have all-night happy hour with 2 for 1 drafts (including some wine selections and a cider option) and well drinks. I'm not a cocktail gal, but this seems like the place to grab a cocktail and feel swanky. The bartender was super nice and friendly. I don't venture downtown often, but I'll be back!

Peter H.

Great local Bar, they've recently dropped the speak easy design, as it seemed to be costing them visitors. The bartender was a super friendly British chap, I forget his name unfortunately but he alone was worth the visit! I used to come here a lot when it was 3rd Street, and it looks very similar, but with a nicer bar setup. Stage is still here, would be fun to see a live show here again, will be keeping my eye out for future shows. Great selection of beers on tap, all in all great stop downtown when looking for a cool place to chill and have a drink.

Serena M.

Love to come here for a drink with friends and family. Nick is always great with making drinks, conversation, magic and the occasional dad joke . They continue to have seasonal drink specials and music to enjoy. Will continue to make this a place to visit.

Kaci F.

I really enjoy this place! Over the years it's been so many names, but the past few years while it's been shim's I've really enjoyed it. The bartenders are always so incredibly friendly and low-key. They have good beers and wines in addition to a full bar. I like the way they still honor the blues and jazz roots of this establishment, the art is pretty cool. Every now and then there's live music on a modest stage. I wish they opened just an hour earlier in the weekdays so I could make this a happy hour spot post-office.

Debbie D.

Decided to bar hop today and came upon this spot because of the yelp reviews... The ambience was very cool, speakeasy style for sure, but I was expecting to walk through a hardware store and then be guided to the speakeasy... just the front/outside of the bar looked like a hardware store and then as soon as you enter, the speakeasy! Today there was a Sunday sips day and the old fashioned and Manhattan were $2 off so we gave them both a try... the drinks were okay. For $10 each after the discount, Wasn't too bad for the price. When I asked the bartender which type of Manhattan he would recommend, he said " it's up to you" , I guess the one from the menu and the traditional drink were different so I had him differentiate them and tried the Mahogany Manhattan( one from the menu). The drink was underwhelming, for my flavor profile. But like I mentioned not bad for $10. They do have some private booths, which are cool for smaller parties and some games and tvs in the booths themselves.

Mark T.

I've been to speakeasy lounges in other cities and I think the concept is really cool. The wife found this one in Reno so we planned a visit. This lounge nails the concept. It's in an old brick building with a fake storefront. The "secret" entrance is in the alley behind the building and is marked as deliveries only. The interior has exposed brick walls, tin tile ceilings, leather couches, privacy booths, a stage, and a long bar. It definitely feels like stepping into a prohibition era building. Another hallmark of a good speakeasy is the drink menu and bartenders. Our host was definitely a character-cracking jokes while skillfully pouring drinks. The bar serves beer, wine, and signature cocktails. I ordered a whiskey sour, the wife tried the Pom-pine mule. Both were fantastic. You can taste quality mixers, it's not just spirits and sugar water. During our visit, singer-guitarist Jason King performed. His soulful performance definitely added to the ambiance and made it feel more like an event. We will definitely check the schedule and plan to return for more live music.

Kristina T.

After a visit to San Diego and finding a great Speakeasy we came home and wanted to find a local one. I was surprised to see that Reno had a few. We decided to try this one out last night and it did not disappoint! To the "alleyway back door service" entrance to the dimly lit establishment it gave off an exclusive vibe. Specialty drinks were not only delicious they were pretty fancy looking too!! They also offer mocktails (you still have to be 21+ so these are kid flavored mocktails, fancy drinks minus the alcohol) and also offer a few hot drinks as well as beer and wine. They do have events so I suggest checking out their website (or Facebook page) to see what they have going on. They had live music last night. A single musician Jason King. He was great! He took me back to the 90's! The bartenders were great as well. Very friendly and loved one liner jokes!! I highly recommend checking this place out for yourself. Whether it's a date night or large group you are sure to have a great time!

Valie K.

I usually come for the manhattans and burlesque shows but had to try the mimosicle and flight. Does not disappoint The staff always welcoming and the vibe never boring. Can't wait to come back and actually play trivia

American L.

I know a dark secluded place All you'll see are silhouettes And no one cares how late it gets But if you'll go the spot that I am thinkin' of You will be free to gaze at me and talk of love Just knock three times and whisper low That you and I were sent by Joe This cool, hipster, trendy, louche Speakeasy is located in Reno Riverwalk District Service staff graciously answered all our questions promptly which made a good first impression Well curated atmosphere that oozes Prohibition Era - inconspicuous entrance, low lighting, emphasis on cocktails, staff wears period-inspired dress; and of course no jukebox, ATMs, TVs. There's neo-swing Postmodern Jukebox and Squirrel Nut Zippers on the sound system. A gramophone sits on the bar, but it's faux (aka, Bluetooth-enabled). Door that faces the street is an emergency-only exit. Shim's Surplus Supply Co. is on the front windows, which feature displays of surplus goods. Owners created the displays, sourcing goods from antiques and fabric stores, surplus suppliers and donations. A sign indicates "deliveries in back," which is the entrance. Disabled-friendly Has live music, poetry readings and board games Bathroom was clean Has tasty mocktails (sadly, same price as cocktails though hence 4 stars not 5) Friendly clientele. We met a nice and smart class of people here. Music is at a level that doesn't blow out your hearing so you can easily talk with others Did it for the price they quoted us Did it within the time they said they would Customer service was stoic-sanguine adequate with moments of thoughtful and erudite No automatic gratuity was added to the bill No one here offered to commit fraud to reward us, pay us or compensate us for posting 5 star reviews of this business The owners of this business like their Freedom so they have a Military and Veterans Discount as a thank you to Veterans with a publicly disclosed daily Veteran Discount which provides resource to ensure Veterans (rare 7% of the population) and GIs (rare one-half of one percent of the population) opportunity to participate in American Dream Veterans and GIs' sacrifices have made possible for 100% of the population. That's what earned them the fourth star for going beyond what they're in in business to do. I'll be back. For my Customer Rule is: Always patronize again a business that has treated you well AND supports Veterans and Active Duty with a publicly disclosed daily Military and Veterans Discount. Volunteer US Navy World War II Veteran, civil rights activist, singer, actor, songwriter, superstar, humanitarian, and member of The Greatest Generation, American Harry Belafonte recently died at age 96. He was one of more than a million black Americans who Honorably Served in US military during World War II. After leaving the US Navy with an Honorably Discharge, Belafonte moved to New York City where he used his GI Bill to pay for classes at The New School Dramatic Workshop. His fellow acting students included future actors Marlon Brando and Sidney Poitier, who became a lifelong friend. To supplement his income while attending acting classes, Belafonte sang at nightclubs at times backed by what were to become music legends, including jazz musicians Charlie Parker, Max Roach and Miles Davis. Belafonte starred in several films, most notably "Carmen Jones" (1954), "Island in the Sun" (1957) and "Odds Against Tomorrow" (1959). In 1968, he made history substituting for Johnny Carson as guest host for "The Tonight Show." Among his guests were his close friends Martin Luther King, Jr. and US Senator Robert F. Kennedy, US Naval Reserve during World War II (both who would later be murdered). Sergeant Medgar Evers, US Army volunteer, World War II Normandy Landing participant, Honorable Discharge, returned home only to face daily discrimination and paid the ultimate price for his fight to uphold his oath to US Constitution. In 1944, at the age of 18, he volunteered for Service in US Army. While Serving in England and France, Technician Fifth Grade Evers grew frustrated with the demeaning treatment that he and other black Servicemembers received while Honorably Serving their country. He resolved to return to his home state of Mississippi and fight for the rights of black Americans. Shortly after Evers was Honorably Discharged in 1946, he and his brother led a group of black Veterans to the Newton County courthouse in Decatur to register to vote. Evers' small group was met by armed white men who threatened the Honorably Discharged Veterans with violence. Undeterred, Evers continued to advocate for the full citizenship rights of black Americans. The later murder of Honorably Discharged Evers, one of the nation's most prominent civil rights activist shocked many. Evers was laid to rest with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. 3,000 attended the ceremony. Cover of Life magazine then bore the image of Myrlie Evers comforting her surviving bereaved

Lynda B.

Shhh...deliveries are through the back ma'am or is that the entrance to Shim's Speakeasy??! Well the cats well out of the bag with Shim's already arriving on their one-year anniversary with many a patrons entering the backdoor for exquisite, top notch libations and tunes aplenty. Located along West Third Street, once you find the secret entrance are greeted by staff...you pull back the velvet curtain to find a longgg inviting bar with talented mixologist, a vibe that's welcoming from seating that faces the stage that has musical talent or trivia to test your knowledge with secret private booth seating for those more intimate nights. Libations galore - pick your base and the magical mixologist - yep a magic trick while your enjoy the evening and have an elixir mixed for you too - will be concocted in anything from a Traditional old fashioned, martini, or something quite literally made into absolute PERFECTION. With a large wine and selection of beer on tap you choices are almost limitless. So be sure to give a follow for what is happening inside tonight at Shim's, a special guest could be arriving any minute andd you don't want to miss out!