The Speakeasy

We attended the original Speakeasy and had a great time. But this new version is at a whole different level! It is really the perfect evening. Everyone comes dressed up in swanky 1920's attire (or the best they can do) and as we wait to enter the top secret location, there is this immediate atmosphere of excitement. As soon as you enter into the space it is like you are teleported back to the 1920's. They have done an incredible job building romantic, authentic interiors.

We began in the cabaret which was really well done. The MC was your classic cabaret MC, with a white painted face, telling jokes fitting for the 1920's. The chorus girls were fantastic! It's great that you can get cocktails of the time period at any time as well.

From there we got to experience the casino (did well gambling:) and explored all these other amazing little rooms they have set up where you will stumble upon scenes that happen around you. Sometimes you get pulled into the action, sometimes you just witness a beautiful artsy, out of time dance moment, sometimes you hear beautiful dialogue as two characters fight in a room that you can only see through a small window.

One of the most magical, effective, and fun evenings I've had in a while. It may be pricey, but it's really like getting a costume party, a night out at a bar, a night at a casino, a theatre show, and a concert all at once. Oh yeah and an exciting history lesson!!!

I loved the experience and the whole atmosphere. I appreciated some tips from my friend so i knew what to expect. The music, acting, singing and the lively upbeat was exactly what i wanted for that evening. I hope you guys will come back

15 of us went for the Sat nt "show". If you bring 15, you get an extra private 1.5hr before the "public" can show up. Everyone was dressed up in their 1920's garb. This was one of the most fun nights we can all remember. Everything was spot on: actors, cabaret show, gambling room, open bar, drinks, etc etc. I would come again in a heartbeat as there is so much to do--we didn't even get to a few other activities in the Speakeasy--next time!!

I took a group of friends and family here last weekend. What a fun night out. We danced, sang, and even improvised a bit with the performers. The drinks were strong and the chorus girls were gorgeous. I experienced this production in 2019 but it feels like they have really optimized it. The show seems tighter that I remember from the previous run but has a lot of the same characters. I counted 17 performers in total? We bought the VIP package and it was worth the spend. Folks were dressed to the nines and we met a lot of other guests throughout the night. I'd def reccomend this to anyone who loves interactive arts.

6 stars! Highly recommended! We went on Friday night and I already am asking who wants to go again with me before it closes June 29. This was a no-brainer because we love dressing up in Roaring 20's attire. We went on Friday because we didn't want/need to pay $100 more for an open bar on Sat. Plus we wanted to snap few photos with our "technical doodads" which is strictly forbidden on Sat. The emails after purchasing tickets already set the mood with the 20's bootlegger lingo, and instructions on how to meet your contact at a secret location with a specific phrase. The $50 extra for a Premium ticket (total $149 on a Friday) is totally worth it because you are sitting in the bar lounge earlier with a smaller group in an intimate setting (with a free glass of champagne), watching the show - piano, dancers, singer, band, etc., and watching the fun repartee between the players. They interact with the guests too which is fun! This goes on for an hour or so before the larger group wanders in. There is an option to purchase a photo in a photo booth (fun!), tarot card reading (we didn't opt for this), casino chips, and a reserved seat at the cabaret show (not necessary, see below).

After the show, you can wander around between the casino, in hallways (and through a secret passage), to peek in at "tryouts" and a dressing room scene between the lounge singer and her husband/club manager. When you're walking around, the actors are mingling amongst you -acting out scenes - fights in the bar, sailor coming through, soliloquies, drunk barfly singing, etc. We didn't buy tickets for the cabaret show (2 showings), but if you line up in time, you can get an even better seat than the floor- at a raised curved counter arced around the floor with a better view. You really feel like you're at a real vaudeville cabaret show - very entertaining!

I want to address some negative comments in other reviews which I don't think are warranted. There are complaints about prices - drinks - $16-18 is typical for SF, and they are *generous* and delicious pours FYI. We paid $149 pp for a premium ticket - 4+ hours of constant interactive entertainment - NEVER a dull moment. As my friend said - they paid $300pp for a music concert ticket and they just sat there! The costumes, the ambience, the props, the entertainment are all amazing. The way they got everyone out at the end was really fun, not rude at all. I don't want to give anything away, but it was part of the storyline, and how else are they going to close on time when it's so fun we wanted to stay? The only negative thing is that it looks like they haven't been here in SF in 5 years and it looks like it's not a regular annual event. So take advantage and go asap! Warning - no food there, and lots of liquor. So do what we did and eat beforehand so you don't drink on an empty stomach. They do provide plenty of free water at the bars so that's good. My friend said - this was the highlight of the year!

This is a slightly winding review and one I am bummed to write. I had purchased tickets and convinced friends to attrend The Speakeasy's NYE party, despite a very hefty price tag.

A few weeks before, my mother entered hospice care. I did not expect a refund and didn't get one, that's fine, I get it that all sales are final. In the end, I gifted the $500 ticket to a good friend so she could attend with my wife.

So while I was on the east coast with my parents, our friends set out to try and celebrate...

Sadly, this was nothing like the Speakeasy events we had attended before. First, my wife and our friends were put in the wrong line, then asked to move around the block outside to enter. Mind you, they were all dressed up in festive attire.

When they finally got in well after the appointed entry time, the booth I had paid extra for was occupied. They had to ask multiple times until someone finally asked the people to move. No one seemed in charge.

A quote from one of our friends, "It was as if they were trying to make us feel not welcome!"

They said the entertainment was only ok and the place not so busy, even, but they stuck it out until midnight.

While I had been a fan of the Speakeasy since it opened, after all this and over $1000 later, I cannot recommend it to anyone.

Came here Saturday night for my boys wedding celebration. not an SF fan so it was nice that the place is easy to get to and quick drop off and pickup option if you don't wanna drive. You walk down a few flight of stairs to a door you knock on and give a password. I like how the place is setup and designed. You have the main room and there is a room to the right that is all table games. That was very fun. The food was great. Felt like the service was good as well no complaints for me. Bathroom is clean which is great.

Good but way too short for the high price paid. Really didn't appreciate how they just kick you out right after the show. It's very rude and abrupt. Started yelling and pushing us out immediately. For the price paid, almost $300/couple, I expected to treated like a human. I don't understand why they don't let you stay and have another drink or at least just give you a minute. People would be happy and they would make more money.

We recently went and had the BEST time! We had a slight issue with our tickets, and the team quickly helped me resolve as well. Can't wait to come again next year and can't recommend enough!

Do you believe in Magic? Then you should go to The Illusionist, Kevin Blake! I am a lover of magic and I love being amazed! The Illusionist delivers this amazement and a bit of comedy too! Our bartender made delicious cocktails also! We didn't get the magic cocktails and I'm glad we didn't. One of the magic cocktails is a color changing one, but in the dim light, you can't see it change color. They are more expensive and not that magical. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Other than that, Five Stars!

I've been to The Speakeasy twice before Covid and was really excited when it finally opened back up. However, it is definitely not as good as it used to be. They need to bring back having bar tabs so you don't have to wait a long time in line for each drink. Phones should be taken away at the door like before. There were a lot of annoying guests just filming everything, so it didn't feel authentic. Actors often broke the 4th wall by saying they weren't allowed to do XYZ when "a scene was occurring". One actor straight up blocked me from entering a room because a scene was happening by saying "Stop!" and slamming the door in my face. I was reprimanded for not knocking on a door when entering when we were told we could walk in any door not marked "private" (and no this wasn't a part of the act). Drinks were mid and expensive. I feel ripped off to be honest. Do yourself a favor and skip this.