What's the vibe?
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Inside
46 photos
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Outside
10 photos
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All photos
138 photos
Review Highlights
“You can explore the bar, the casino, and the cabaret at your own pace and there's always something going on.” in 60 reviews
“The Speakeasy SF hosted a private birthday tonight for a friend of ours and it was an amazing event.” in 14 reviews
“This experience allowed me to step back in time to an era that has always fascinated me--- 1920's Prohibition.” in 21 reviews
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About the Business
Business owner information
![Photo of Sal D.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/buphoto/tWS_Ykqpmd5TP9oZ5hZUcw/90s.jpg)
Sal D.
Step back in time to 1923 as 35 characters lead you on a "choose your own adventure" into the depths of the Prohibition Era. Song and dance, comedy and drama, casino-style gaming and killer cocktails are among the many delights you will encounter as you explore the secret passages and hidden rooms of The Palace Theater.
Ask the Community
Q:
Will The Speakeasy reopen sometime? If so, when?
A:
Q:
Hello! Can anyone give me advise on what the benefits are for the premium package? Also is the VIP booth worth it? Has anyone done both VIP booths? Any guidance on this would be super useful! Thanks!!
A:
We found that by doing the VIP for the first show, and doing our best to be attentive and engaged, we were approached and chatted with a number of the main characters - which was very cool. We could also start to get into the overall atmosphere and… more
Jon M.2 people found this helpful
Recommended Reviews
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Overall rating
318 reviews
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- Victoria S.Walnut Creek, CA091Jul 2, 2024
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
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - Jun 8, 2024
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!!
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Dr. Roman C.San Francisco, CA0416May 15, 2024
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.
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - C.M. C.Danville, CA1808878Jun 4, 2024
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!Helpful 1Thanks 1Love this 1Oh no 0 - Nish N.San Anselmo, CA49271976995Jan 6, 2024
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.Helpful 6Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 2 - Nov 13, 2023
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.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Bubliki T.San Francisco, CA114221Jun 2, 2024
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.
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Ellen R.Walnut Creek, CA142103May 3, 2024
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!
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Denise S.Irvine, CA8921242274Apr 16, 2023
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!
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Jess S.San Francisco, CA10716May 8, 2024
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.
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0
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