""People are looking for venues where they can have conversations and connect on a more intimate level, and moreover sometimes on a cultural level," says Alan Chen, co-founder of 13 Orphans. "The feeling of safety has dwindled as of late, and being among a community in which you feel welcome can provide a much-needed sense of safety in your day-to-day life.""
""There are just far fewer surprises and discoveries to be had in the Internet era. With Instagram, TikTok and peer-review sites plastered with wall-to-wall photos of everything a place has to offer - the decor, the drinks, the lighting - speakeasies can provide this feeling of actually finding something new," says Daniel Gahr, co-founder of Moonglow. "There is something alluring about not knowing what's on the other side of an unmarked door or, in some cases, having to find a disguised entryway or know a secret code to get in.""
Speakeasies have proliferated across the Bay Area, appearing in both expected cities like Oakland and San Jose and surprising ones like Livermore. Controlled entrances, niche menus, and unique design themes enable owners to target affluent or niche audiences. Some venues also serve as low-stress third spaces for younger patrons, such as 13 Orphans, which centers on mahjong and socializing. Owners emphasize intimate conversation, cultural connection, and a restored sense of safety within welcoming communities. Policies like Moonglow's no-photos rule preserve surprise and discovery, while secret doors, disguised entries, or passwords heighten allure and novelty.
Read at The Mercury News
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]