Since opening their highly anticipated Southern steakhouse, Supperland, Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown have been holding onto a secret: There’s a speakeasy under it.
What to expect: The speakeasy, located one floor below the restaurant’s cocktail bar space, will open for reservation only starting on or around September 30 (exact date is TBD).
- The tasting menu is pre-determined and rotates every two to three months.
- The first experience will include a four-course cocktail and small plate pairings, all centered on a bourbon theme. Think custom-Makers Mark, highball cocktails and the like.
“This is an experience,” Jamie says. “It’s not a belly stuffer.”
- Other future offerings may include a tiki theme or a menu that pulls in science like using liquid nitrogen.
Makers highball made with a Hoshizaki highball machine, which produces soda water three times more carbonated than normal soda water. Photo: Emma Way/Axios
How it works: The first round of tickets will go on sale on September 24 via the Supperland website.
- The experience lasts two hours, from 8:30-10:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They plan to add additional tastings in the future — perhaps even a caviar night.
- There are only 10 seats inside: six at the bar, four at booths.
- Proof of vaccination is required to attend because the space is so small. Staff of this space are also vaccinated. If you’re not vaccinated, you can show a negative test within the last 48 hours for entry.
Vibe: The space is moodier and sexier than the upstairs cocktail lounge and restaurant space, but still has a few details like the floral artwork and pews as booths to tie the concepts together.
- The intimate setting opens the door to more experimentation, Jeff tells me. “This allows us to break away from our boundaries … to really focus on doing the coolest stuff we can.”
[Related Axios guide: 5 quick takeaways from my first visit to Supperland]
Cost: The experience costs $115 — $150 including tip and tax.
My thought bubble: I’ve been dying to tell y’all about this, but Jeff and Jamie meant business about keeping this spot a secret until now. When Axios hosted a private event in the space a couple months ago, we weren’t even allowed to take pictures, and anyone who knows me knows how hard that was for me.
Getting there: The speakeasy is located below Supperland at 1212 The Plaza in Plaza Midwood. If you’re facing the bar of the cocktail lounge space, turn right toward the bathroom and then walk down a narrow set of stairs to a dimly lit room.
Here’s a closer look around:
Walk down this hallway and turn left at the stairwell.
Then walk down this narrow stairwell.
There’s room for six people at the bar and two at each booth.
Custom Maker’s Mark by head mixologist Colleen Hughes and bar manager Rhea Buck.
