"Well, a carefully curated bar experience has never been hotter. With their controlled entrances, niche menus and unique design themes, speakeasies allow bar owners to target a (hopefully deep-pocketed) audience. Some speakeasies now cater to the young population's desire for low-stress third spaces, too, like at 13 Orphans, a new parlor for mahjong and merriment in Oakland. People are looking for venues where they can have conversations and connect on a more intimate level,"
"That's part of the reason why Moonglow, another speakeasy in Oakland, has a no photos or videos policy. 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."
Speakeasies have proliferated across the Bay Area, offering controlled entrances, niche menus and distinctive design themes that create curated, targeted bar experiences. Many owners aim to attract well‑heeled customers while also responding to young patrons’ desire for low‑stress third spaces, exemplified by new venues that combine games like mahjong with socializing. Patrons seek places conducive to conversation, cultural connection and a renewed sense of community and safety. Policies such as banning photos preserve a sense of rarity and discovery that feels scarce in the era of Instagram and TikTok. The hidden doors, disguised entries and whispered passwords add to the allure.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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