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    The Gilded Curtain

    4.4 (23 reviews)
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    Briar L.

    Always amazing, a beautiful addition to the bones & botanicals legacy. Very excited for what the owners will continue to bring to CT

    "Smoke Show" (Lunazul Anejo tequila, hint of housemade simple syrup, orange & cherry bitters, veil of aromatic smoke) while being smoked
    Matthew L.

    The Gilded Curtain is a classic Hollywood-themed speakeasy and cocktail lounge that opened in Wallingford, Connecticut in September 2024. It was founded by husband and wife Jeremy and Sarah Glidden. After a period of experimentation with crafting their own cocktails, the couple opened a witchcraft-themed speakeasy and tea shop called "Bones & Botanicals" in January 2023. The business was met with much success. Although the speakeasy was more of an emphasis on Sarah's interests, Jeremy had an idea to open a new speakeasy that had an emphasis on his. Opening in downtown Wallingford in late 2024, The Gilded Curtain appears to be a nostalgic 1980s-era VHS rental shop to any common passersby. Anyone who presses the correct button on a seemingly normal soda vending machine in the shop will unlock the secret entrance to a speakeasy which is themed around the Golden Age of Hollywood. The menu consists of craft cocktails, craft mocktails, wine, local craft beer & cider, and food options courtesy of either Six One Nine Supper Club or Favio's Trattoria. The speakeasy also features local live music acts every Wednesday night. I recently visited The Gilded Curtain for the first time. I had previously visited and enjoyed the Gliddens' other speakeasy, Bones & Botanicals, but was excited to experience Jeremy's pride & joy. I loved the whole concept of a VHS rental shop front. The nostalgic '80s fan in me was so psyched as I glanced at many of my favorite films on the walls. I then hit the secret button on the soda machine and I was transported back in time to the 1920s. I totally loved the vibe of the place with all of the Hollywood decor. There was a decent-sized crowd during my visit. Since it was Wednesday night, the crowd was treated to live jazz music by the Nick Di Maria Trio. It just so happens that Nick and I studied music in college together and he's one of my oldest and dearest friends. For food, I ordered a delicious "Chicken Caesar Wrap" (grilled chicken, roasted tomatoes, shaved parmesan, croutons, Caesar dressing) with a side of "Housecut Fries" (pesto aioli), courtesy of Six One Nine. Guests can also ask for some complimentary popcorn from the popcorn machine. Some of the delicious cocktails I tried included the "Sinners Bite" (barrel-aged tequila, black raspberry liquor, triple sec, grenadine, lime & blackberry), "The French Twist" (mocktail: N/A gin, elderflower, lemon & Monietto N/A prosecco), and "The Invisible Man" (gin, clear luxardo bitter, Dolin dry vermouth, thyme & rosemary). The highlight for me was "Smoke Show" (Lunazul Anejo tequila, lightly sweetened with a hint of housemade simple syrup, orange & cherry bitters, finished with a veil of aromatic smoke). Not only was it delicious but also thoroughly entertaining to watch it being made. I must point out that the Gliddens are lovely people and I had a nice time chatting with them. I also must tip my hat to their talented team of mixologists. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to The Gilded Curtain and I look forward to returning!

    Enxhi B.

    I love speakeasy bars so it was a given to come here post birthday dinner celebrations. The entrance to the bar was cute. It is a small space so not a lot of seating available but the ambiance is nice. We sat at the bar and enjoyed the drinks. Would probably come back again for drinks.

    Special drink of the day, delicious
    Annie A.

    This place is so great that I want to go again! The ambience is just so amazing, the vibes are great! The people there are super cool. The decor is everything. In awe of the place, seriously. The drinks are delicious, I can't wait to go back and actually try the surprise drink. They don't actually have food there but they do order food from a restaurant for you which is pretty cool, and the food is actually really good. I got the truffle fries (delicious) with a California burrito which was so flavorful. I had the vanilla vixen which is a must order for a drink, the flavor is really good! The blue drink was a mix of flavors into a slushee. No regrets at all! Honestly didn't want to leave lol will be coming back soon! Love it!

    Susan R.

    Pros: A very cool speakeasy theme of a video shop with a hidden bar. The bar is beautiful inside. Drinks are wonderful. Staff is wonderful. Cons: Very very limited seating and long wait times. A wait of 30 minutes was very inaccurate and actually an hour to then only have a standing spot inside at a small ledge. Only 4 very small snack items on menu. The uniqueness and wonderful staff made the wait less painful. We were treated so well. The long wait times would prevent us from visiting as often as we would like.

    inside
    Jamie N.

    this place was so fun!! the lady at the front is so inviting and great at storytelling, she gave us a little monologue before entering the speakeasy! the concept on this speakeasy speaks to me considering i have a tv/film background (it's a VHS store!). we sat down and they were having a movie night which i really liked. they offer some food or snacks i believe (never saw the menus) but i did see popcorn. the drink menu was so so - i personally only resonated with one or two cocktails and averaged about $17 each. there was one bartender who had a bit of an attitude and was a little condescending which was weird but we just ignored him.

    Loryl S.

    This place is so cute when you walk in it's like a Blockbuster but then you have to push a button to open up the soda machine to enter the bar. The bars set up super cute and they have really good drinks.

    The Gilded Curtain
    Sara R.

    We had the most phenomenal experience at The Gilded Curtain. The speakeasy concept is so fun and they really pull it off so well. No spoilers! The turn over is quick- but you want to spend forever and a day enjoying all of the delectable handcrafted cocktails. You don't feel rushed at all, you can really enjoy your stay. Bartenders Tommy & Andrew were so personable and you can see how much pride they take in their craft. The women managing the queue at the front are so funny and friendly, they do an amazing job making the "wait time" fly by. The drinks are to die for- my favorite is Vanilla Vixen- it's a vanilla vodka based cocktail with a citrus twist - local made triple sec & lemon. Super light and refreshing- the most dangerous combination because you really want to drink 10 of them and take a bath in it. I cannot wait to come back with more friends. This was so fun!

    Monkey Business
    Laura S.

    Who knew that a stroll down memory lane could lead to the most sophisticated spot in town? Gilded Curtain is *technically* a 90s video store (wink nudge) but if you're thirsty for a soda, you might just find yourself on the path to a much more elevated experience. Once you're inside, it's like stepping into a bygone era of gold curtains, moody lighting, and a kiss of old-school Bollywood charm and red carpet Oscars meets 1920s class. The bar? A stunner--underlit bottles, perfectly dim vibes, and, wait for it, comfortable bar stools (seriously, they exist!). The quaint lounge area in the back is perfect for kicking back, or if you're more into standing, the sleek spots by the bar work just as well. The Matinee section of the menu is a love letter to classic cocktails, but the real star? Monkey Business. It'll make you rethink everything you know about Manhattans. Even the trip downstairs to the bathrooms feels like a journey into an NYC speakeasy--minus the hustle, minus the grime. Because let's be real, Gilded Curtain is far too demure for all that.

    Douglas Q.

    Had a great time. Worth the wait in the "video store." The drinks were EXCELLENT and the decor really sold the speakeasy vibe. One of the better speakeasy establishments we've ever been to. Worth the drive. Highly recommend.

    Ashley L.

    First off!! This was me and my boyfriends first time here. I love the 90s movie video store aspect and having to open the door to the vending machine the drinks were phenomenal!!! My boyfriend had the coffee blanca and the quiver with anticipation amazing drinks and I had the frozen cocktail which was delicious I highly recommend this place 5 stars and Jeremy the owner was awesome as well we will definitely be back #support local businesses

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    The Den at Hush

    The Den at Hush

    4.6(16 reviews)
    10.5 mi

    Went with a group of friends and the vibe was exactly what we were looking for, a laid-back cool…read morespot to hang out. It's got that speakeasy feel where you can actually talk, laugh, and enjoy the night without it being chaotic or having to scream to talk to the people you are with. The drinks were on point. Good variety, well-made, and not just your standard bar menu. We ended up hanging out longer than planned because it was just an easy place to settle in and enjoy ourselves. Comfortable seating, good atmosphere, and a crowd that keeps things fun without being over the top. Overall, this is a great spot for a night out with friends to grab drinks, catch up, and enjoy a solid vibe. Definitely worth checking out, and we'll be back.

    Came here with some friends after finding this hidden gem on social media...very bummed...see why…read moreat bottom The drinks themselves were great! We got the Fire & Ice (smoky mezcal meets pineapple, jalapeño agave, lime) We also got the sour Skittles beer. I love sour, but this was a thicker beer, smoothie like. Not what I was expecting Our friend got the Namaste Rose (Rose, with grapefruit, rosemary and lemon with a sparking touch The drinks themselves were good, but the experience could have been better... *VERY UNDERWHELMING, as we weren't allowed to open the door. This is part of the experience that we were robbed of! Our IDs were checked, asked if we were here for the Den, and then were escorted to the door. Not what I was expecting as my first time here... I won't be back. We were excited to push the book and open it into a secret den...

    Photos
    The Den at Hush - December drink

    December drink

    The Den at Hush - The lounge

    The lounge

    The Den at Hush

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    The Manhattan - Mussels tapas

    The Manhattan

    4.5(123 reviews)
    10.5 mi
    $$

    I met a friend here for dinner at 5 PM on a Tuesday night a few weeks ago. It was both of our first…read moretimes here. I've known about this place for a while, and a friend reminded me that they recently changed locations. We were seated in the bar area at a high table and were given two menus: a happy hour menu that lasted until 6 PM and their regular menu. We figured we'd order a few things off of their happy hour menu while it was still going on, then move on to the regular menu after 6 PM, since we knew we'd be there for at least a couple of hours. We ordered a shrimp appetizer, gnocchi, fries, wine, and a white Cosmo to start. My absolute favorite was the grilled shrimp appetizer, even though the other two were very good as well. My friend's favorite was the gnocchi. From the regular menu, I ordered the ham and cheese croquettes and she ordered the regular cheese croquettes since she is vegetarian. We loved those as well. These four tapas were enough to serve as our dinner and we didn't have to order anything else. The service was fantastic and I thought that everything was priced very well. I liked that there was a parking lot right next-door. A friend met us. Later on for a final drink and mentioned that he liked this new location better than the old location. I would definitely return and try different tapas. Their entrées also looked very good. I really like this location because you can walk around and do other things after dinner in the area.

    This is the first time visiting their new location since moving. I loved it. Public parking next…read moredoor. It's such a cozy spot. Smaller but cozy cómputo their old location. There is an areas where it is more intimate and quieter and another area where there are high tables that are close to the bar area. Service in the bar area and in the dining area were both wonderful. Both the waitress and bartender were awesome! I liked that the menu had items labeled gluten free. Always makes it easier. It was 3 of us that came out to celebrate my birthday and 2 of us ordered an entree and our other friend ordered tapas. We were all very happy with it. I had the grilled salmon and it was perfect! Since we got there a bit early we had enough time to order from the happy hour menu so we ordered Grilled Shrimp and Escargot and drinks of course. I love that they have a tray of desserts to showcase! Makes it easy or hard to choose from because they all look so good! I must say prices were good, service was wonderful, food was delicious! We all agreed we would go back!

    Photos
    The Manhattan - Bar area

    Bar area

    The Manhattan - Filet

    Filet

    The Manhattan - Martinis

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    Martinis

    Spelunkers - Mule

    Spelunkers

    4.5(8 reviews)
    10.5 mi

    I made it back for trivia night! We had an AWESOME time!…read more The two bartenders were so attentive and friendly for the entirety of the night, we were never in need of anything. The mule is definitely my favorite drink here, it's been made perfectly each time I had it. We had a big group, so we ordered a variety of bar bites and I'm thoroughly impressed with the quality of all the food. Especially the garlic bread, wow!!! It was piping hot, fresh and fluffy and just perfect. The host for trivia did a fantastic job and created a super fun event for us. The questions were general-knowledge enough that mostly anyone could have participated. Somehow our team won and the prizes were so fun!! More people need to know about this place!!

    Went to Spelunkers back on March 22 to check out some live music that they had that night. Good…read morelive music in Southington is hard to come by in the area. I used to go down the street, but the music selection there changed. For those of you frequent to Southington, Spelunkers took over the old Dial 9 speakeasy location. It's a competitive food area and I didn't know what to expect. I'm happy to say that for being marketed as strictly a dive bar, Spelunkers hit all the marks and some. It also was surprisingly large inside compared to what it looked like from the outside (Which was great because some of the other bars nearby are cramped). Their burgers were good and my friends felt the same way about the food that they ordered as wll. They have ample seating (and a variety of it) as well as a pool table and some arcade games to do while listening to music. Prices for drinks were also fair. The interaction that I had with staff, although brief was very friendly. The band they had that night was excellent. Glad I came to see them. They played an eclectic mix of both genres and decades. They were energetic, their song choice were great and they were refreshing to see compared to the typical Southington fare. If they come back to Spelunkers, I'll free my schedule up to come and see. Been watching the socials . Happy to have a fun bar experience again around here and look forward to my next trip.

    Photos
    Spelunkers
    Spelunkers
    Spelunkers - Entrance

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    Entrance

    The Gilded Curtain - speakeasies - Updated May 2026

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