Speakeasy is Home Away From Home for Long Beach Locals

For those times when you have to choose between Long Beach’s many different restaurants but you just feel like kicking back at dinner with a beer in hand and your favorite tune playing on the jukebox, Speakeasy may have exactly what you're looking for.

Owners Jamie Dowling and Jake Marlin, both former Long Beach residents with lots of experience in the hospitality industry, teamed up in 2006 to open what they call "Long Beach's best kept secret," at 1032 West Beech Street.

According to General Manager Tim Kelly, the staff at Speakeasy takes pride in serving their patrons the best way they know how: making everyone feel right at home. And Speakeasy sees many West End locals who have become regular guests.  

"This is a small, cozy spot, more of a neighborhood bar," Kelly said. "It's kind of a throwback to what a real bar or pub should be. A place this size, you know all the people who come in. I don't think there really are very similar bars here in Long Beach."

Upon entering Speakeasy, guests can quickly tell that it’s a simple establishment. It’s dimly lit with dark wood tones, bricks walls and usually some soothing Bob Marley or Pink Floyd is sounding through the speakers.

"We strive to maintain a nearby crowd and we strive to maintain a high quality of service,” Kelly said.

With 10 beers on tap and an assortment of options in a bottle, the bar has something for everyone. Through the fall and winter season, Speakeasy stocks up on customer favorites like pumpkin spice ale or Samuel Adams seasonal. The bar also boasts top shelf liquor for Speakeasy's famous specialty cocktails, in addition to an appealing wine selection.

While Speakeasy may appear to be just a regular bar, with a seasonally rotating menu the West End location serves an interesting choice of cuisine that goes far beyond generic bare fare.

Some of the new additions for the upcoming winter list include warmer dishes like the Shanghai Rib-eye and the Five Spiced Salmon. 

"I would describe it as American-fusion," Kelly said. "All stuff you've had, but with our own twist."

In Kelly's opinion, year-round choices, like the appetizers, never get old at Speakeasy. Patrons are often found enjoying a plate of Easy Wings (buffalo, sweet and sour, teriyaki or BBQ) or the Mussel Pot. Tuesday evenings at Speakeasy is Tapas Night, when a selection of starters is just $3 each.

On weekends, guests can expect a packed house. Friday nights are filled with live acoustic music and Saturday nights feature a live DJ. The restaurant is open daily for lunch, dinner and the late night bar crowd.