Speakeasy 21- Cocktails Downtown

It was my birthday last week, and a good friend and I started the celebration at Speakeasy 21. I had avoided this place for a while; I find the bars right in the office towers downtown are often just too loud, or filled with, you know, rich idiots (I am trying to write at least one post without using the word douchebag, but perhaps one about the Bay street bar scene isn't the place to start.)

We were seated quickly, but it was pretty crowded for a Tuesday night. It was indeed loud, but no worse than anywhere in the area, I guess. The cocktail I had was delicious. Now, I am fully aware that I am late to the party on practically everything cultural these days (just see my TV reviews; have you heard of this Game of Thrones business? ) but the throwback cocktail thing- I have been doing this for years.

I was ordering sidecars in bars back when you had to tell the bartender what was in them. I was scouring antique stores for coupe glasses before they became ubiquitous again. For me, it was an Algonquin Round Table thing. My love of Dorothy Parker et al meant a lifelong infatuation with the style, if not the liquor itself. Still, although it's delightful to have a drink at the actual Algonquin when I'm in New York, I'm relieved that I can finally get old-school cocktails in so many places.

At Speakeasy 21, I had a Sloe Gin 75, which was like a French 75 but with some Chambord thrown in. Very good. I can't comment on the food, since my friend and I just had drinks, before meeting some others at Montecito for dinner (more on that later). I'd definitely go back and try something else from the menu. I have 2 friends who work in that office tower, and I noticed they had patio furniture about to be set up, should this mother%$#*%ing Canadian winter ever end.

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