"It should be only a few more blocks down this way." Those were my last words spoken calm and cool as Jay and I ventured down the streets of downtown Los Angeles in March 2013. I had lost sight of our surroundings and before we knew it, shopping carts, cardboard boxes, and blankets lined the sidewalks. We wound up in Skid Row searching for "The Varnish" on 118 East 6th Street. "The Varnish" is not just any cocktail bar, but one that is discretely hidden inside a restaurant called "Cole's French Dipped Sandwiches". "The Varnish" is not advertised and access is gained through an unmarked door at the back of the restaurant. These hidden bars commonly known as speakeasy's, pay tribute to the prohibition era during the early-mid 20th century, when bars were secretly hidden inside French restaurants and accessed was gained only through secret doors or passwords.
Fast forward to November 2015, Winnipeg has its own speakeasy bar and another prohibition era inspired hidden restaurant.
"Sous Sol" (Frenchtranslation "underground") is an underground restaurant located on 22-222 Osborne that opened over the summer. According to food blog Peg City Grub, "it's in the back, look for the plain black awning and the glass door that reads 'Building B, Lower Level, Vandelay Industries'." You can check out their review at the link HERE . They serve a variety of French entrées and of course cocktails. Keeping in the theme of secrecy, they are only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5PM-late night.
"Blind Tiger" (725 Osborne [former 7 1/4 Bistro]) is the second speakeasy bar to open shortly after "Sous Sol". The term 'blind tiger' was a term used synonymously as 'speakeasy'. On the surface they are a coffee shop that serves coffee from 7AM - 3:30PM, but at 5PM the coffee bar becomes a hostess stand to the hidden bar. Watching the CBC interview , one must ask the host "How, pray tell, do I walk into the restaurant?", he/she then presses a button that opens the door to the back restaurant. Inside, you will find a lounge with beautifully restored original building brick exposed. On the menu you will find French entrées and an extensive cocktail menu .
Common in all three are lack of advertising and the French themed restaurant. The French theme is perfectly fitting for Winnipeg's French culture. Both are recently opened places on Osborne so we haven't been to either but I'm excited to try them out. Stay tuned for a thorough review once we venture out on a cold Winnipeg night.
