Speakeasy

Athens, United States

3.6

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 706-546-5556
Website:
www.speakeasyathens.com
Address:
269 E Broad St, Athens, GA, 30601
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
230 ftThe Arch
0.3 miMulti-Modal Center
0.7 miPhysics Bus Stop
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
Yes
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Bitcoin
No
Good For
Dinner
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Good for Kids
No
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
Full Bar
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
Yes
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
Yes

Today

Today –
Local time (Athens) 3:36 AM Saturday, June 21, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Welcome to Athens! Speakeasy offers eclectic, southern-​inspired cuisine, classic and forward-​thinking cocktails, extensive wine list, local and imported beer, and critically-​acclaimed desserts in an informal, visual art venue.

History

Established in 2000.

Speakeasy is a restaurant and long time fixture of the downtown athens community. Brought to fruition back in year 2000, the concept was designed in a fusion of deco and southern décor. It was built by local artists using geometric metal sculpture in combination with vintage elements from regional historic homes. The restaurant also serves as an informal, visual gallery, featuring the work of local artists.

We have long used proper culinary techniques and sourced food responsibly. Our commitment to sustainable products is ongoing. It is important for us to get the best ingredients possible from our local farmers and growers. We aim to connect our customers to the food and those who grow, prepare, and serve it.

We are located upstairs on historic East Broad Street, overlooking the beautiful campus of the University of Georgia. Speakeasy offers a variety of small and large plates, specialty cocktails, beer, wine, cheeses, and critically acclaimed desserts.

Meet the Business Owner

Patrick A.

Business Owner

Our owner and bar manager is Patrick Anderson, a Georgia native. In 2001, Patrick began work at Speakeasy. And by 2007, he had become the sole proprietor. His philosophy on food and beverage is one incorporating classic and modern techniques, menu accessibility and adventure, and a keen sense of southern fare blended with interest in other cultures and cuisines. Patrick is a music lover, dog owner, part time philosopher, and self-​described amateur comedian.

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20 reviews of Speakeasy

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Athens, GA
Speakeasy is amazing. We got three small plates to share: pork belly and corn, chicken tostada, and shrimp and grits. The pork belly and corn was really good, I definitely recommend that. The shrimp and grits were good but also really salty so it was kind of unpleasant to eat. The atmosphere is fitting for a place called speakeasy. It’s really dark and you have to climb some stairs to get to it.
Place rating: 2
Newport News, VA
I’ll give it two stars since the waiter was kind enough to not make us pay for any of the food.
We saw this place around the corner because our local Wednesday night wing joint was closed for remodeling and cleaning. We decided to go enjoy a «nice» place. Boy were we wrong my wife ordered the chicken, and she couldn’t even eat it because it was raw… And we received our appetizers after our entrees. Overall a disappointing experience and we stopped by a fast food spot on the way home.
Place rating: 5
Atlanta, GA
Was in town for work, stopped here in a Thursday for dinner. It was DELICIOUS! I had the roasted chicken and vegetables at gratin. There was also kale. Completely wonderful. Zach was our server and he was totally ON IT! Great suggestions, polite, and funny! I would definitely go back. The juiciest chicken I’ve ever had!!!
Place rating: 5
Athens, GA
Had a wonderful experience at Speakeasy tonight. We ordered their soup of the day, roasted cauliflower, the salmon and the sirloin. Seasoned beautifully and was all delicious. Lisa, the bartender, gave us excellent service and suggestions. Can’t wait to go back!
Place rating: 2
Wake Forest, NC
Very disappointing. The food was either bad, tasteless or both. Not sure why there are so many good reviews. 1 extra star for the atmosphere as a place for a drink. But go someplace else to eat.
I had the grilled cauliflower which was cold which is either prepared wrong or not described accurately. It was toughest cauliflower ever, the knife barely cut through. I was hoping for something healthy and it had some cold creamy sauce, or maybe just cold cream, on it. One of the worst things I’ve ever eaten.
The flatbread was moderately better. Crust like cardboard and soft not crispy as I would have expected. The only ingredient that had flavor was the pepperoni which was more like a sausage. At least it was flavorful. The rest of the flatbread was wasn’t. I had to add salt and pepper to eat it.
Luckily I am on a diet, so if you are it may work out for you too, except your wallet loses weight also. I recommend going someplace else. I won’t return.
Place rating: 4
Huntsville, AL
Outstanding! Everything was amazing. The atmosphere is what you think a Speakeasy should be. The menu changes for the season. We had the Autumn menu and it was fantastic… a meat and cheese plate (with a amble quantity of fresh toasted bread) with cocktails. We shared the Pork Belly and Autumn Salad (small plates). For our entrée we shared the Paella, WOW!
Hugh was our server but he became our friend during the night. He made great suggestions, he was spot on with his timing, he was just a great guy. I suggest you come early and stay late. Come hungry and you’ll leave full, satisfied and glad you came.
I highly recommend you make a reservation early, they have a large local following and they fill up fast.
Place rating: 1
Washington, DC
I have no agenda. I just call it like I see it. Food was ok. Service was deplorable!
Place rating: 2
Athens, GA
Have dined here several occasions. In the past, food was above average for Athens and service was much better. On latest visit we arrived noting a few scattered guests. We were seated near front windows with no nearby guests. Service was unusually slow since our waiter was also responsible for tables downstairs on street level. Then staff began setting up for two large groups on either side of us. Two large groups arrived and were seated on each side of us and we could no longer talk. Meanwhile other guests who arrived later than us were being served, especially large groups. After waiting about 30 minutes with no food and elevating noise level, we decided to leave. Manager was wholly unconcerned and unapologetic.
Place rating: 4
Lawrenceville, GA
Came here on a friday night before the rush. It was a pretty restaurant and the lead-​in had me building with anticipation because they have a long set of stairs up to the restaurant from Broad street. All the hostesses/​chefs/​servers all greeted us warmly and were really nice. The server was really helpful with and above-​and-​beyond. We got a salad of the day with smoked salmon, capers, onions, arugula lettuce, and croutons. The croutons were amazing! I liked the smoked salmon too. I didn’t really like the lettuce, maybe I just don’t like arugula. It was a tiny salad, but we weren’t expecting big portions. For our entrée, we got the duck confit with steamed broccoli and sweet potatoes. The entrée was amazing! The duck confit was amazingly soft yet crispy and flavorful. The green beans had a nice salty finish and tasted light and the sweet potatoes also were soft yet flavorful. It tasted like fall is here. It was a little pricey, but my friend and I shared both items so it ended up being not too expensive. The only thing that I thought would have been nicer is if they had split our food for us on separate plates. I usually wouldn’t go to Downtown Athens for sit-​down restaurant food, but if that’s what you’re craving, I would give this place a try.
Place rating: 1
Smyrna, GA
Although the inside was nice it was dirty and cramp the sodas are flat and the food wasn’t particularly good none of the food we had tasted fresh nice service but not worth your money
Place rating: 5
Savannah, GA
Went to eat here with the the family and some friends about two weeks ago. Hands down Best meal I’ve had in a while. Bourbon apricot drink was so well mixed, several of the ladies (who never order bourbon) got it as well after tasting ours. We ordered several different things and decided to share– the chicken hot pot was comparable to an upgraded version of the best chicken/​buffalo wings I’ve ever had– the kale was prepared in a way that was slightly smoky and absolutely delicious. First time ever left a restaurant raving about a vegetable… unless you count french fries.
For desert, we were all so full decided to split the house take on Smore’s and it while it came out looking not at all what I pictured it was fantastic ! We debated ordering another but had to tap out. Still were talking about the experience weeks later.
Speakeasy has really done a lot lately to become more known as a farm to table restaurant, Their food is worth the trip to athens for sure.
Place rating: 5
Jefferson, GA
This is honestly one of my favorite special occasion restaurants. They serve tapas for sharing which gives it a cozy feel. Their empanadas are amazing and you must finish it off with the white chocolate fondue!!! The only downside is the huge staircase to get in and out of the restaurant. After a few glasses of wine and all of that yummy food I could easily roll down those stairs!
Place rating: 3
Athens, GA
Good drinks and a nice cozy atmosphere. Great for a date night. Dishes can be hit or miss. Sometimes I feel like salt or a sauce could really make a dish a par above mediocre. On a Saturday night don’t be surprised if they are sold out of something. Whether that’s due to poor purchasing planning it is really disappointing when multiple regular items are not available, especially on a weekend when you expect a restaurant to be prepared for the rush. The spinach dip used to come Ina bread bowl but it comes with sliced toasted bread now. Sometimes it is very soupy and lacks spinach. Four small plates are very filling for a party of two and will run you about $ 50.
Place rating: 4
Las Vegas, NV
What a hip joint! It’s everything you’d expect a speakeasy to look like from back in the day. The sign from the outside lets you know where it is. A tiny entrance tucked in the back. Once you enter you go through a small hall and then up two flights of stairs. It opens up into a little area which looked like it was for a hostess. One of the waiters met us at the front and sat us in the back by the windows. It is not very big in there at all. To get to the back where the tables are you walk by the decently sized bar. Everything inside looks old and worn which fits the «speakeasy» style if you ask me.
The menu is a mix of hip drinks, small bites and some larger plates if you don’t like sharing. We went with the spinach dip, fried pickles, speakeasy grissini (these where very long, extremely thin crunchy breadsticks with fria diavolo) and picnic skewers. All were delicious. My favorites were the speakeasy grissini and the spinach dip. Service was excellent, my drink never went empty and he was courteous enough to not over load us on the small dishes. He brought out the first two and when he saw us almost done he asked if we were ready for the next two.
We were in a bit early before the dinner crowd, but I was interested to see how busy it would get. This is right across from the University of Georgia, so I can see how this hip cool joint is geared for that crowd. And trying to compete with the 50 other bars and pubs in this area.
Glad we chose this spot for dinner.
Place rating: 4
Athens, GA
My boyfriend and I stopped in here for a snack over the weekend, and just to check out the place. It’s located up a long flight of black stairs, and is a nice little hidden surprise.
Our server was amazing. He was so friendly and talkative, and had great information to tell us about not only the food but things in town in general. I really appreciated his going above and beyond in the conversation.
I ordered a cheese plate, modified to not include bread, and was given extra fruit instead. The cheeses were delicious. We also split a plate of brussels sprouts which were amazing.
I was a little bummed that the fondue, which is listed on the menu online, was no longer served here. I hope they bring it back. Overall I’m excited to go back and try more dishes from this spot.
Place rating: 5
Athens, GA
Great service. You have to order the artichokes. Had the best Martini as well. It was really romantic and sophisticated. I cant wait to go back.
Place rating: 2
Princeton, NJ
I thought Speakeasy was just okay. Our drinks and server were both great, but the food was not. We mainly came for dessert, but decided to also order two tapas to share; the fries and the fried asparagus. (Clearly a health-​conscious meal out.)
The fries were unique in that they were smothered in blue cheese and house-​cured bacon. These were fine but the bacon was too fatty.
The fried asparagus tapas had a very thick, flavorless, tempura– like crust that was not appetizing. It was pretty greasy too.
My fiancé enjoyed his NY cheesecake, and I enjoyed my white chocolate fondue, but was disappointed that the fondue never really got hot.
I doubt we will be back, there are too many better options downtown.
Place rating: 4
Boca Raton, FL
Speakeasy is one of my favorite places in Athens, the food is consistent and the specials are always creative and tasty.
The menu is Tapas and Small plates so be sure to order a few. However, don’t have to many drinks as the entrance and exit is accessed by a steep set of stairs.
Place rating: 4
Tenleytown, Washington, DC
Went here for Saturday night dinner after a Georgia football game with the family.
This was the best meal we had in Athens all weekend! We were a party of 6 so we ordered quite a few things. Standouts include the spinach dip, the fish tacos (a special i think), and the calamari… but EVERYTHING was good!
We also ended up with wine, and a white chocolate fondue for dessert. It was the perfect size for everyone to share and just have a bite or two of something sweet!
Place rating: 4
Johns Creek, GA
After viewing some places on Unilocal for food and drinks I decided to come here.
The menu online was not updated with the current menu in the restaurant. I was looking forward to getting fried okra, but instead I got the calamari. This was the first time I’ve eaten fried calamari prepared with cornmeal. It was good.
I also tried the barbecued duck it came with grits and collard greens — that was excellent. If you like duck, I recommend it.