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    The Grotto Speakeasy

    4.6 (7 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Grotto Speakeasy Photos

    THE GROTTO SPEAKEASY ATMOSPHERE

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    Dirty martini (Mahon gin, no vermouth) chilled to perfection!
    Paaras M.

    Stumbled upon this gem and man we were pleasantly surprised.. Love the sophisticated but not over the top decor, with primary focus on the quality their cocktails. Had one of the best dirty Martinis, thanks to bartender's gin recommendation - chilled and mixed to perfection.

    The Lagoon and Naked and Famous
    Shimon K.

    Amazing cocktails and outstanding service from a top bartender. Sergey is exceptional at his craft. Highly recommend.

    A couple of cocktails

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    Amandine - Front entrance

    Amandine

    4.3(213 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$
    Romantic vibe
    Full bar

    Cute bar with no signage. Went with a group of 6 gals. We waited at the bar before getting a seat,…read morebut surprisingly was escorted to a back room with speakeasy like vibes for some live music. They have some nice assortments of small bites as well. Drinks overall amongst the gals was maybe about average. No big wow factors but we had fun. Would recommend for any girls night or even after a date night in the area Service - 5 / Ambiance - 5 / Drinks - 3 / Price - 4

    WOW... a cross between a speak-easy & the kinda bar one would see during the mining days in NV…read more It's perfect with a vibe that's unique, but not copied. More of an homage to bars of yesterday. I participated in a fundraiser at Amandine recently, handpicked by a board member because of the ambiance & overall relationship to the local community. I don't have the details of the cost for an event, but it was money well spent to share our work with a new audience. The bar provided hosted champagne, Old Fashions, & filtered water for our guests. Decor is already amazing & bartender is gifted. He's like a scientist with an aperitif laboratory!! It was fun to watch him create & design & coax & mix & pour. Small bar with nice seating at bar or booths with chairs. Everything is well-maintained and clean. Lighting is perfect with fun accents on walls & tables. Lots of nearby street & lot parking. In fact, many of the customers are locals. Bathroom - just one. Darn. Otherwise, it's clean & spacious.

    Photos
    Amandine - The name Amandine came from the owner dog.

    The name Amandine came from the owner dog.

    Amandine
    Amandine - Amandine team

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    Amandine team

    Bar Underdog

    Bar Underdog

    4.5(46 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    I think it's kind of funny that there is such a discourse amongst other reviews about whether or…read morenot this place is a speakeasy. As a speakeasy enthusiast myself I definitely agree to the fact that it is "hidden" but also it does kinda give corporate vibes a little bit - maybe we can say they "gentrified" the speakeasy experience which is honestly so funny for Palo Alto. But anyways I don't think a classification should stop you from visiting it. The food is actually surprisingly really good. We came with a pescatarian and honestly while the offerings for snacks were a bit slim, every option was really good. I feel like this was the first time where I understood the price even the the quantity is no where close to be desired. One shrimp is like $6 and I was like whoah. Service is definitely more laid back and it's overall just like a more chill atmosphere. I'm fortunate to work nearby so I'll definitely visit this place a few times after work to blow off some steam... And the drinks! Yes they are good! They are also quite strong! Would come back again but also if you're conscious of budget then I'm not sure if you'll find the same value proposition.

    Food: 3 / 5 Service: 3 / 5…read more Ambiance: 2 / 5 Let's start off by making sure that we're all on the same page... This is NOT a speakeasy. Using that language sets up an expectation that neither the ambiance nor the vibe is able to live up to. I can only assume that those reviews that commend this place as a speakeasy have never actually been to a real speakeasy and are more accustomed to box restaurants and bars. I sat at the bar and ordered a bourbon neat with a water back. There were three staff members behind the bar, none of them were particularly friendly or outgoing, which as someone who worked in the industry for years is surprising as a new establishment. Even though it was happy hour time, it was a Wednesday the place was less than half full and good servers /bartenders normally add to the experience and help creat a customer base of regulars to sustain business after the "come see" crowd is over. I ordered d' nuts as a snack and they weren't very special, even a bit overcooked / burnt. Maybe this place is exciting for a Palo Alto crowd that doesn't get out much, especially on the stretch of California given the lack of competition. My guess is that after a few months they will be hard-pressed to find a steady crowd.

    Photos
    Bar Underdog - Fru-ti Punch and Old Soul

    Fru-ti Punch and Old Soul

    Bar Underdog
    Bar Underdog - Matcha Brownie and Chilly Wonka

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    Matcha Brownie and Chilly Wonka

    Le Banc

    Le Banc

    4.1(29 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Le Banc is the kind of dive bar you're always hoping to stumble upon. Tucked right behind Amandine,…read moreit feels like a little hidden neighborhood gem. It's got that classic dive vibe--unpretentious, relaxed, and easy to settle into--but what really stood out was how clean the space was. Sometimes dive bars can feel a little too gritty, but this place strikes a great balance between character and comfort. The staff was super kind and welcoming, which made the whole experience even better. They were quick with drinks and genuinely friendly without being over the top. We lucked out and came on a karaoke night, which was such a fun surprise. The energy picked up in the best way, and it felt like everyone was just there to have a good time. Bonus points for the slight discount if you pay in cash--always appreciated. If you're looking for a laid-back, no-frills spot with good vibes and occasional karaoke fun, Le Banc is definitely worth checking out.

    I recently visited this dive bar, and the place itself had a surprisingly nice atmosphere and good…read moreambience. The lighting, music, and overall vibe were enjoyable, and the setup made it feel like a comfortable spot to hang out. The drinks were decent too. I had a very bad experience with the Lady bartender. She was rude and it felt like she thought she could speak to customers however she wanted. Her attitude made what could have been a pleasant visit extremely uncomfortable. The drinks were fine, but her attitude made the visit extremely uncomfortable. This review is an HONEST personal experience. I will never go back there again. It's better to go to other bars with good service and treat people equally. Good customer satisfaction is very important.

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    Le Banc
    Le Banc
    Le Banc - Entrance

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    Entrance

    Second Story - La Bamba. So good

    Second Story

    4.3(105 reviews)
    13.0 mi

    Made a reservation for 6:15 and got here right when they opened at 6, they sat us right away. We…read morehad the whole place to ourselves which was very cool. Love the decor/design and vibes (music/theme). Service was great! Helpful, friendly, and accommodating. The bartenders are really serving up crafted cocktails. We ordered the following: -Start Me Up, my partner loved this. He is an espresso drinker and love the flavor profile -Like A Virgin, this is on the sweeter side but the prosecco side car really balances it out -So Fresh, So Clean: normally comes with tequila but I swapped for vodka and it was very refreshing -Davis In My Bones, partner loved this This place turns into a club at 9:30, so there are plenty of options depending on your mood! Come check it out!

    This is definitely not a happy hour or "let's grab a drink" place. It opens at 6pm, and on a…read moreThursday at 6pm on the dot, I was offered only a bar seat without having a reservation. No big deal, as I wanted the bar anyway, but something others should keep in mind. The cocktail list is plentiful and intriguing. I tend to avoid tequila, so that eliminated a good chunk of the options. I went with Rose Colored Lenses, which was fantastic, and decently sized. Presentation was beautiful. My friend had All a Dream, also very good. The wine offerings are minimal, this is very much a cocktail or champagne type of place, with caviar being the primary food service. Speaking of service, the bartender was excellent, both in his mixology and demeanor. It took awhile to get the drinks, but I assume that was due to the complexity of the cocktails, paired with having just opened the doors a few min earlier. Two notes: 1. The barstools were a little too low, imo. I don't normally pay much attention to that detail, but these were uncomfortably low for me, even with my long torso, I was hyper aware of my posture. So maybe that's actually a good thing 2. Other patrons were rolling in shortly behind me, so there is probably an early crowd when they first open, then a late night group that appreciates the 2am closing time. Interior is beautiful, and you can use the steps up to the 2nd floor either from N Santa Cruz or the rear parking lot off W Main. More substantial food options are a mere few steps across the hall at Heritage.

    Photos
    Second Story - Egg white cocktail

    Egg white cocktail

    Second Story - Caviar nachos

    Caviar nachos

    Second Story - Left: Gimme the Loot. Right: La Bamba

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    Left: Gimme the Loot. Right: La Bamba

    Broma - Hamachi Crudo Tacos

    Broma

    3.8(88 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    We were staying at this hotel and decided to have dinner at Broma…read more Skirt Steak - Nicely cooked with a flavorful chimichurri sauce that added a fresh balance. Sherry Braised Pork Shank - The meat was tender and easily pulled off the bone, and the polenta it came with was rich and perfectly creamy. Smoked Salmon & Caviar - A bit too salty for my taste, so this one didn't quite hit compared to the others. The meat dishes were definitely worth it, especially with the generous portions. Overall, a good dinner option if you're in the area or staying nearby -- not necessarily a destination spot, but an easy choice.

    I tried calling to share feedback, but they did not answer which I feel is important to note…read more We don't mind paying for a quality experience--especially for special occasions--which is why we chose Broma to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, we left regretting that decision. From the start, the experience felt unwelcoming when we were seated with our 3-year-old daughter. There was no single overtly disrespectful moment, but the overall tone and repeated small interactions made us feel like we were being judged for having a child with us. At one point, when our daughter accidentally dropped her fork while playing, the reaction we received came across as frustration, which added to that feeling. We understand not every restaurant is designed for young children, but Broma presents itself as a place for friends and family. Instead, we felt like we had to constantly manage and overcorrect normal toddler behavior, which created stress and took away from what should have been a special occasion. Because of that, we didn't feel comfortable raising concerns during the meal when the server checked in--we were more focused on getting through the experience without drawing additional attention. We were also offered an off-menu item without any mention of price. The menu we were given did not list the smash burger, so when I ordered a double, I had no context for the cost. The final price was a surprise, and we would have made a different decision with that information upfront. The food itself did not match the price point. The "smash burger" was not prepared in the style typically expected, and overall the meal felt underwhelming for the cost. Lastly, the billing was confusing. The paper receipt listed "gratuity," while the digital receipt labeled the same charge as a "service charge," making it unclear whether an additional tip was expected. That lack of clarity does not align with the level of transparency expected at this price point. We don't mind paying for a great experience, especially for meaningful occasions, but this visit did not meet that standard and ultimately left us regretting our choice to celebrate here.

    Photos
    Broma - Not our table, But liked this decor!

    Not our table, But liked this decor!

    Broma - Budín de pan

    Budín de pan

    Broma - Redondo Iglesias Jamon de Serrano

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    Redondo Iglesias Jamon de Serrano

    The Grotto Speakeasy - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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