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March 2024 by Tony S.
Went here for the first time this past week. I work in the industry and wanted to check out a new local place as I like to make recommendations to customers throughout my shift of where they should go next or while they are visiting the town. First off I was not aware it was a speakeasy style so when I walked into a beer/bottle shop I was a bit confused until I asked the worked who was very nice about the back room which he then explained to me it's a speakeasy style and the door to enter is hidden down the hallway which he walked me through. He also explained it's $5 for non members, totally fine. They had a good beer selection, unfortunately no food but they did have a nice outdoor area which I always love a nice breeze. The greeting gentleman was super nice, bar staff once inside was not rude but short, with me at least. They chatted it up with all the others which seemed to be regulars. I get it. But no effort was given. I definitely did feel out of place due to that as well as clearly not being a regular, although local. It had a dive bar customer and customer service vibes but in a nicer speakeasy brewery feel. Think of it you're a regular you'll get over the top service and effort, if you're not you won't be treated bad or rude, I want to make that clear no one was. But I definitely didn't feel welcome and felt out of place as everyone knew each other. My recommendation for tourists, go somewhere else as you don't fall into that "regular" customer base. If you're a local and an extreme extrovert check this place out. For now I will stick to the brewery next to the steak restaurant.
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February 2024 by Jim B.
Fun place with an amazing selection of beers on tap and good selection of wines and ciders. Yes, it is $5 for non-members, but it is worth it for the speakeasy experience!
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February 2024 by Mitchell L.
Staff here were awesome and very cool. I enjoyed the ambiance here and will absolutely love to come back when I'm in the area. A huge bonus is they are the only place to carry my favorite beer within a 60 mi radius. Great selection of alcohol here for sure!
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December 2023 by Lorenzo K.
I came here during my trip to Solvang and I thought I was a bar when I went in but it appeared to be more of a liquor store. They had an awesome selection of Sour Beers which is often hard to find. I bought 4 beers and loved all of them. I wasn't aware there was a speakeasy style bar in the "back room". That would have been cool to check out. I'll certainly check out the bookshelf next time!
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December 2023 by ecofroggy love
We were referred by our kids and so happy we came here.. it is a members establishment, but if you are not a member, there is a $5 charge, 0which I feel is worth it for the experienceBtw the pickled eggs are fantastic ?
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December 2023 by Emily L.
I am a sucker for speakeasies. $5 entrance for non members, no problem. I have no problem paying for entrance. I remember visiting in 2020 and it was booked so I wasn't able to see "the backroom". I came back again this past weekend 12/9. I called asking if there was availability for a non member since it was so busy this weekend with Julefest going on. The lady who took my call was somewhat rude and kept saying she can only take me if there was space which I understood, but I asked if she had space in the next 15 minutes since I was down the street. She kept saying she doesn't know. So I asked, can I come by and see if theres space? Or do you have a better time I can come by? I took my chances and walked to the establishment anyway. There was no one at the store so we waited. A lady came out and we asked about the backroom. She just pointed to the book shelf door. We waited to be let in, but she just pointed again at the door. Okay. So in we went. Okay cool... speakeasy vibes but then you just enter the bar area with a patio. Local California beers and wines, no cocktails. Overall, we paid $5 each to just go to their bar that had basic drinks. I did feel scammed out of my money. Okay cool. Take my money, I just won't be back.
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October 2023 by Patricio P.
A completely hidden-away spot in Solvang with excellent beers. A very cool spot to chill and enjoy some cold ones.
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August 2023 by Diana G.
Love this speakeasy! It's $5 to enter through a secret door (bookshelf) if you're not a member, but it's worth it. The outdoor patio has misters for hot days and the beer is delicious. I love the ambiance here and it feels like you're somewhere else.
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July 2023 by Narce L.
Whole experience there was amazing. From the owner to the bartender. The environment was super welcoming. Reading previous reviews after leaving this place, I would have never imagined her treating anyone like this. She was interacting with our whole group, playing around with all of us and definitely made our experience so much better. Seeing people write things about her treating "people of color" different is pretty ridiculous when my whole group was literally Hispanic, we were all in there speaking Spanish and no one made us feel any different. Overall our whole experience was amazing.
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June 2023 by Bedros Nadjarian
If only I lived in Solvang. This place is the type of place you go to and you wished your town had a place like thia. awesome vibes, great set up, and good games. Staff was amazing and all the beers me and my wife tried was great and not your average beer.
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April 2023 by Nick Hess
Their menu of Beer is really really thought through. Pickled eggs and peppers were excellent!
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March 2023 by Jeremy D.
The Backroom is a go to place to enjoy hard to get craft beer that is amazing! Sandy and Chris are the greatest hosts! They have created a great place that is inviting and relaxing. Don't miss this place when you're visiting Solvang!
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March 2023 by Suhani P.
EXTREMELY disgusted by the staff here. We arrived here because the business hours listed they were open but the woman turned us away. She was rude and didn't care to even to explain that they were closed. We could hear music being played and people in the background, so it definitely seemed like people were back there. I asked if we could say hello to the dog and she said " I don't think that's going to happen." I've seen reviews on here about POC being treated differently and racism, but now I've experienced it for myself. Will not return.
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March 2023 by Endymion Rides
We stopped by with friends and were turned away being told "it's members only". Only to find out later after looking at reviews on gmaps that there's a $5 day pass option that was never offered. Pretty disappointing.
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February 2023 by Alma M.
It is a members only but for $5 you can buy a day pass, we'll worth it. It sure is a speakeasy. From the outside it looks like a liquor store but when you ask for the bar you go to a back door that looks like a bookcase. The worker was very friendly and let me sample before I chose what beer I wanted.
