Leamington’s best-kept secret is out as new Speakeasy Bar opens its doors

The secret’s out as the doors open to a unique new hospitality experience that’s about to take Leamington by storm.

Hush is a vibrant and welcoming speakeasy-inspired underground bar which immerses guests back in time to the Prohibition era of 1920/30s America.

Offering a five-star service, elevated cocktail menu and live music experiences from the period, the owners behind the town’s newest venue are inviting people to take an early peak behind the scenes before its official launch as a private members’ bar in January. 

The disused 40-metre space under The Terrace, has undergone a transformational makeover to become the new speakeasy bar, some 10 years after The Robbins Well cellar bar closed its doors.

Promising unrivalled service in the area, it prides itself on its extensive drinks menu, specially curated by Hush General Manager Matthew Nisbets and Bar Manager Bethany Gaunt. Highlights of the 25 innovative crafted cocktails include many inspired by the Prohibition theme, from Flapper In The Frolic Pad; Old-Fashioned Mrs Grundy; Bootlegger’s Blush; Peaching The Bulls – a term used for calling the police in covert language - Bearcat’s Margarita - a slang term for feisty and fiery women and Dewdropper’s Java - a cup of coffee that would entice them from their slumber the night after a Speakeasy.

Bethany said: “It’s very cocktail-driven. If somebody wants a drink with a certain kind of notes, every member of our team will have the knowledge to be able to suggest something, they won't have to run back to the bar because that just detracts from the experience.

“But we want it to be a place where, as well as what's on the menu, you can come and say, I really like this cocktail, but I'm not drinking at the moment so can you put a spin on a certain mocktail, both our bar staff and floor staff will do that for you. We want to be able to provide for the customer and not every bar has the freedom to be able to do that.”

The wider drinks menu includes a range of 13 gins, 13 rums and an impressive 25 whiskeys from regions spanning the West Coast of Scotland, Ireland and England through to Japan.

More than 20 wines are available, many by the glass, plus premium sparkling wines and Champagnes, including Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle and Dom Perignon by the bottle.

Open to private members from 5pm-2.30am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from the New Year, in the run up to Christmas, the venue is inviting everyone to get a glimpse behind the innocuous unmarked black door, in Victoria Terrace. Once inside, they can expect to be greeted by a 1920/30s vibe, courtesy of mood lighting, staff in period dress and melodious strains of live jazz emanating from either saxophonists, pianists or singers each night.

The biggest nod to the era is the stunning Art Deco design throughout, accented with plush booth seating, cosy corners, drapes, mirrors and a backdrop of murals and artworks recreated by talented Leamington artist Gemma Grao.

Gemma said: “I have absolutely loved creating the artwork at this incredible new bar. The brief was to make people feel like they are stepping back in time to the Twenties era, with flapper girls and jazz vibes. 

“You will be taken on a journey as you enter the venue from the hand-painted mural in the ladies room, the original art canvases spread around, and through to the black and gold textured wall in the VIP room, all giving the venue a real Twenties Prohibition theme.” 

Private spaces are also available for hire outside of core hours, including the Blind Tiger Room (another name for Speakeasy) and an area equipped for event or corporate use.

Matthew Nisbet, from Leamington, previously held a variety of hospitality roles at venues in Stratford, including The Woodsman and The Officer’s Mess, before arriving to head up the experienced team at Hush.

He said: “The amount of money that you're going to be spending on a cocktail here versus the quality of the ingredients, the care and time that goes into how they're prepared, constitutes brilliant value. But it’s not just about the drinks themselves, but the entire experience, from the moment you find the unmarked door and order your first drink to the minute that you leave. What we have here has the wow factor as well, it is visually spectacular.

“Our USP is recreating the kind of nostalgic quality of the 1920s Speakeasy Gatsby-esque style. Opulent and a little bit provocative, in a fun way. We are looking to be playful and light-hearted but also quite secretive as well. You could find this sort of thing in London and the bigger cities easily but I think there’s a gap that exists in Leamington and wider area, so it's about trying to target that niche.

“But we’re delighted Leamington’s best kept secret is now out. Hush has been kept under wraps for a long time but it’s exciting to now finally unveil it and allow people inside. There has been a lot of planning and hard work that’s gone into it and we’re raring to get this party started.”

Enquiries about private room hire can be sent to: sandeeppanaich@gmail.com or on: 07958 739557.