Basement Tavern Speakeasy

Santa Monica / Westside, Los Angeles –

Buried beneath the beautiful mansion/event space The Victorian, Basement Tavern is a casual speakeasy, so hidden that visitors would have to be profoundly lost to stumble upon it.

In-the-know patrons proceed around back, through a wooden doorway, past an open kitchen, and finally down two flights of stairs before discovering a space that exudes an illicit vibe similar to partying in a friend’s basement in high school.

Must be a wealthy friend!

Wall-sized chalkboards, animal heads, and high-backed velvet king chairs decorate the main room, lit only by scant overhead chandeliers and tableside candles.

Early in the week, creative types kick back with Modern Fashioneds – an updated twist on the Old Fashioned made with blackberries and agave – or go really old school with a few belts of Bathtub Gin, while Happy Hour finds chill young professionals playing board games and enjoying $3 drink specials and half-price grub.

In distinctly non-vintage fashion, a Nintendo Wii in the back room attracts college kids later in the evening.

Live bands play almost nightly, with bluegrass on Wednesdays that perfectly complements the aura of the laid-back whiskey drinkers hanging by the bar. Come the weekends, however, the musicians crank up the party with high-energy classic rock that packs in the patrons from 10pm on.

Every night can be different at Basement Tavern, from mellow subterranean den to not-so-secret party space – and that’s exactly why folks keep dropping down for more.