Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Simmer Down

    3.8 (12 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Simmer Down Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Simmer Down

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Hotel Nacional & the Yellow Jacket
    Brennan C.

    This is the best cocktail lounge Wilmington has to offer. My girlfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed our Valentine's Day experience. I would highly recommend the Hotel Nacional and their Cosmo is fantastic. We both loved the vibe and the service was great too.

    Rachel O.

    Simmer Down, a speakeasy located beneath The Quoin, simmers (of course) with the luxury that I associate with a bygone era. It's sophisticated, inviting, comfortable, & colorful without being garish. The bartender, Harrison, was truly spectacular. My first cocktail, the Sensitive Scotsman, was a simple yet elegant drink that paired excellently with my book. When I requested a mezcal margarita with a ****ton of salt for my next drink, he delivered exactly that. A barback stepped in to lend a hand near the end of my stay, but for the majority of the time I was there, Harrison was on his own. He served the entire speakeasy with charisma, professionalism, & efficiency. The other patrons at Simmer Down added to the ambience. There were many folks who seemed to be very important. Whether they actually were or not is another question entirely. I could admire the seriousness in which these tailored suits took themselves, & they added a theatrical glimmer to the experience. They were as much a part of the setting as the carefully curated interior. I thoroughly enjoyed my cocktails (& the entertainment that was the customer base) at Simmer Down & will certainly return the next time I'm in Wilmington.

    Jack Rose & Martinez
    Gina A.

    Cute little gem of place below The Quion Hotel & Restaurant. It is in the heart of Wilmington. Driving there was a little shady but once you are on Market Street you can sense you are in a commercial area. The building itself is unique on the outside and they do have valet parking if you are not able to find a parking spot. Once you enter, go left to the stairs and walk down and the speakeasy is to the left. There is an elevator as well. The restrooms are on the same level and well appointed/clean. The decor is very Victorian and lots of great murals on the wall. Seating was intimate and there was comfortable chairs/seats along with smaller tables for your drinks. There is a bar that seats around 8 people and the rest is lounge areas. We were able to get a reservation, but couldn't make a dinner reservation for The Quion as the online form would cancel the Simmer Down reservation each time we tried to book a reservation at both. We were greeted quickly. They do have craft cocktails and they are reasonably priced (don't forget you're also paying for the ambiance). We ordered a Martinez and the Jack Rose. Both were excellent. They even have spirit free drinks. The service and drinks were great. Didn't stay for a second drink as they don't have any food options and we wanted to eat so headed upstairs to the restaurant. Would have stayed for another round had they had a charcuterie board or another snack option. This is a great place to visit before/after visiting the restaurant above or any other establishment along Market Street. It's also worth a trip to go just there as well. They also have a boutique hotel that is part of the speakeasy/restaurant complex as well. Fun find.

    Drinks
    Marcus C.

    Awesome speakeasy underneath the Quoins restaurant. Great ambience with a fire place to boot, and the bartenders made excellent drinks!

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brennan C.
    13
    71
    225

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 6
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amanda K.
    1
    127
    35

    10 months ago

    Went there today. Not open on Sundays. Signs posted outside and hours not correctly updated online.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    Ask the Community - Simmer Down

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Speakeasies 292 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    A Light in the Attic - Osso bucco in foreground, carrots app in back.

    A Light in the Attic

    (37 reviews)

    If you look closely, you will see the small sign beckoning you behind the Barley Mow and up the…read morestair to The Light In The Attic. As you enter the small room it feels like you stepped into a hidden library. We were lucky enough to be seated in the loft with a view of the downstairs. Or server was very friendly and offered many great suggestions. Try the carrots! IYKYK Cocktails were unique and delicious. Food was just as exciting on the pallet. Portions were perfectly sized. All in all, an excellent dining option. Prices are high, but for a special occasion, worth it.

    Tucked above my longtime favorite The Barley Mow sits the hidden gem Light in the Attic and during…read moreRestaurant Week, it absolutely delivered. Finding your way upstairs adds to the speakeasy-style charm. The reception area alone sets the vibe: playful, stylish, and full of photo-worthy moments before you even sit down. It feels like you've discovered something not everyone knows about. We went with the small plate prix fixe menu (three courses), and each dish was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and -- most importantly -- delicious. Every course left us wanting just a little more, which is exactly how a tasting-style experience should feel. Nothing felt rushed, and the pacing of the food was on point. Cocktails were also excellent, creative, well-balanced, and fitting for the ambiance. The only hiccup of the night was drink service being a bit slow. Not a dealbreaker by any means, but noticeable. Overall, a great Restaurant Week experience in a space that feels both intimate and fun. I'll absolutely be back to explore the full menu soon.

    Clandestino - Looking towards the bar area

    Clandestino

    (19 reviews)

    Rosebank

    Clandestino has grown up, literally. What began as a small operation in Frederick has moved into a…read morelarger space, and the expansion suits them well. This is Puerto Rican pitorro, also known as ron cañita, made with care and intention rather than gimmickry. Many local liquor stores now carry the brand, and it is well worth picking up a bottle, but visiting the distillery is an experience in itself. The founder is a fellow Puerto Rican born retired military member, a background I share, and like me, he has put down roots in Maryland. That story is reflected clearly in the brand's own framing, "Puerto Rican born, Maryland made." The space feels grounded and unpretentious, and that sensibility carries through to the hospitality. We arrived late on a Saturday and were still welcomed warmly, never rushed. We were taken care of by the founder's daughter, who was exceptionally kind, attentive, and knowledgeable. She guided us through a flight that included the traditional pitorro, almond, pineapple, coffee, coconut chai, and several seasonal offerings. The flavors were thoughtful and well balanced; even the infused expressions retained a clear rum backbone rather than drifting into novelty. We enjoyed them enough to leave with several bottles. This is artisanal pitorro done right, rooted in Puerto Rican tradition and confidently made in Maryland. Buying it locally is convenient, but going to the distillery is where the people, the story, and the spirit fully come together.

    The Clandestino Speak Easy at Zen West is open Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm to 12pm. It's also…read moreavailable for events and private parties.

    The Cured Plate - Summer Salad w/ Filet Mignon

    The Cured Plate

    (24 reviews)

    Great service. Mellow, inviting staff and atmosphere…read more Excellent food. Great unique cocktails. Pricey though. Charcuterie was excellent but pricey for what you got.

    "This place is different," my neighbor told me. So, finally getting a complicated reservation, we…read morewere on our way. we had to share a password to get in. ( silly.) The place is so tiny my walk in closet is bigger. The sented candles were so overwhelming you probably thought thats what you were dining on the whole time. The table was so small it was laughable. The food has a mix of fruit in almost everything. Not for me thanks. And at $20.00 a pop for a drink , you would expect at least a normal size cocktail glass. I felt like my martini was a sampler rather than a cocktail. My wife didn't dare finish her tuna. It was chewy and actually smelled, "fishy!" So, hard pass for me but, if you like living on the edge, go for it. But remember, you've been warned! So, you didn't have sented candles, you had SOMETHING in there that was overwhelming! IT WASN'T FOOD. Sorry if I was rough but I call it like it is. And whats with the fancy water bottles with the city water in them? My fam grew up in the resturant industry. Best of the best. Guess I was to hungry by the time I got there. And your own weighter said to me that you had reservation problems that you just resolved. I tried for a MONTH to figure out how to get through, only to find out I had a choice of where to sit. Yikes. Best of luck.

    Midlina - Chop (Restaurant week)

    Midlina

    (54 reviews)

    Canton

    This is my new favorite place. From the drinks, to the food, to the service, we had so much fun…read morehere oh my goodness. It's so wonderful to come across genuine people who are funny and kind in this world. Our server and the owner were so fun and so funny and so nice. It truly felt like visiting a friends restaurant. The vibes are homey, almost feels like a library but not quite, very cozy very comfy. Food: Tomato Mozarella, this was my two fav things in one. Tomato and burrata/mozarella, and prosciutto and melon. Delicious. 10/10. Prawns: so good, so flavorful, and I typically am not a shrimp/prawn girl. Skirt Steak: this was such a juicy and moist (sorry) steak. I don't like chimmichurri (cannot spell that omg) but it was good! The fries were also a winner. Moroccan Hen: this felt like a cookout bbq to be honest but in the best way. It's super flavorful, very smoky, and SO juicy. Drinks: watermelon marg, orange espresso cocktail, and I cannot remember the blue drinks name but all delicious. I fear this is my fav espresso martini to date. Dessserts: the Poe's nest and the Ruby & Emerald. Delicious. No notes.

    Good but just okay for the price. Food is hit or miss. Came…read morewith a group of 12 for a birthday. A few of us came early and got drinks at the speakeasy upstairs which I definitely recommend! It had a great drink menu and cool vibe. For actual dinner, the restaurant itself had an eclectic menu and swanky decor. The service was spotty. I had to ask for water refills 2x. Also for a group of 12, it took about 7 mins for everyone to be served food. Yes, this is a large party, so you must have several servers come bring the food when you're charging these prices. It should've been a seamless experience but we had several friends waiting on their food while others were halfway through. The food quality itself was hit or miss. The pork belly app was delicious! Crispy and tender. But the octopus was overly chewy and weird. We had 2 dishes with it and both were cooked like that, it wasn't good. The lobster poutine was delicious and went quick. Paella was okay - the shellfish was overcooked and seemingly dried up. Drinks were good and staff was friendly. Overall, there are a lot of kinks to work out. I'd like to come back but at the price point, I wish our experience was better and wish the food was more consistently good.

    Simmer Down - speakeasies - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...