My speakeasy adventure took me right in my own neighborhood in this secret lair called  Raines Lawroom. As always, the entrance is an unmarked staircase leading down to a black door. Ring the doorbell and a fancy (I pronounce it faahhhhnn-ceeee)  French man with a curved tipped handle bar mustache will answer the door for you! He is a very nice and accomodating maitre’d and not pretentious at all.He will lead you down to a dimly lit room, filled with plump leather couches, antique lighting fixtures on the walls, and some booths even have curtains that cover them (ohhhh la la) for some privacy if need be. And of course the wallpaper! Do not miss the wallpaper covering the entire place. It has erotic images, kind of the bar’s own kamasutra at hand. Don’t stare for too long though because you still have to have their incredible cocktails!

Keep walking towards the back and you will be surprised that it’s an actual kitchen. Yes the bar is a kitchen, complete with a refrigerator, a working sink, and a kitchen island right in the middle which acts like the bar. You can see the fresh ingredients on the counter, grapefruits, limes, lemons galore. The mixologists are there ready to whip up whatever your poison is for the night. You can stand there and watch them create cocktails all night long and chit chat. It really feels as if you are in someone’s kitchen just hanging out having a couple of drinks! It is fantastic!

 

The drink menu is divided into the type of drinks and how they taste. I looked under spicy and got the El Diablo. It was citrusy, and refreshing and the added tapatio hot sauce gave it a good kick. My friend had the When In Rome which had grapefruit in it and some Italian liquor. It was very very nice. Their prices are also excellent and so reasonable for what you are getting. Why spend $20 on a watered down vodka and cranberry at some crappy bar when you can get a superb and well made drink here for $13 plus the ambience and experience is priceless! I will definitely be back to try all their drinks.

Raines Lawroom is definitely a great date place. It’s nice and dark and sexy and quiet enough that you can speak to each other. The crowd was pleasant and everyone was truly just enjoying the experience and the place. They only take reservations from Sunday to Tuesday. I highly suggest that you make reservations if you want to sit at one of the tables, unless you are ok with hanging out at the bar.

Those grand comfy leather chairs are enticing. Grab your sweetheart or lover, get cozy in one of the booths, have a couple of elixirs and take some tips from the wallpaper before you happily head home with a huge smile on your face.