This is a speakeasy located inside the Happy Valley Turf Club, which is decorated in a Cantonese manner with horse racing and betting (you cannot place bets though). We didn't have reservations but still able to walk in as a party of 4. It was slightly busy on a Sunday evening but still have some tables left. This bar is more English / storybook classics with a modern wall pattern that is signature to this bar, with South Indian food. So this is a conglomerate of multiple influences. The cocktail that stood out the most unique is the camel one since it is made with actual camel milk. We also got the letter, alphabet, and leopard, all of which were well spiced or fruity or herbal. Each cocktail is fairly well executed, simplistic in presentation. This is a good speakeasy to check out if you are in the area, as well as Laowai which is their sister bar. read more

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Super cool very hidden speakeasy in a very sketch part of town. Trying to find this place had me a little scared as we were walking, but once inside I felt a bit better. Located behind a betting office(used as a front!), you go in answer the question with multiple choice answers, you can also look up the answer online. If you don't have a reservation you may have to wait as this place is popular. Once in behind the door is a prohibition era dark and moody cocktail bar, that also pays tribute to Rudyard Kipling. Really cool music playing the whole time , bar tenders tend to have a bit of an attitude, the decor is amazing, dark woodsy and the ceiling and walks are adorned with Indian jewelry. Pretty cool as I'd seen some of these pieces before. Very unique. Very cool vibe, kinda Indian, animal print, Asian inspired. Bathrooms are amazingly cool,! Definitely check them out! The menu is a book called just so stories. With all the drinks based around characters from Rudyard Kiplings the jungle book. They have a few small plates, I mean small! Don't come here looking for alot of food or if your really hungry! You'll be spending alot on food! The food we had was good though if your looking just to have a snack with a drink. I honestly can't remember the name of my drink, except it was spirit forward and very good! My friend had a nice Canadian Rose. We tried the Chana masala with potato cumin poori. Both were excellent and very tasty. Good spice level. The service is lacking for such a great spot otherwise, great find in the cocktail bar scene! read more

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Had to walk thru zombie land and human feces landmines on the street to get here from our air bnb. From the outside this spot looks shady af but that's the point. My lady skeptical and it was kinda hard to find, there are no posted addresses. It's a hidden bar & restaurant. Speak easy vibes. The facade looks to be a horse racing turf club when you can bet on horses. The service was very through and pleasant. The DJ was playing dope music . The menu is literally a children's book with poems that accompany each drink. The drinks were really tasty and made with intention. The fried chicken is the star of the show as far as the food goes. The ambience, decor and vibe make this place a cool spot to pop in for a drink. read more

Tried to only include photos that allowed the ambiance but didn't give away the best part, the surprise you get walking in!! Our server was so sweet, and so knowledgeable! The drinks are absolutely to die for. They were incredibly balanced and I've never tasted anything like them before! read more

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This speakeasy requires an advance reservation to get in, though it didn't feel nearly as busy as they made it out to be. The interior is very beautiful, but the cocktails are overpriced and the menu options were underwhelming. Service was okay overall. Unfortunately, the experience wasn't as exciting as I expected, and I'm not sure I'd return. read more

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First time checking out Bagheera, a speakeasy, on a Friday evening. The waiting area with betting odds and horse racing is nostalgic. Was told it was a one hour wait; a table opened up within 5 minutes. Cocktails are $18.00-$25.00, snacks $14.00-$19.00. Shared a cilantro butter naan ($5.00) and gobi pakora ($14.00). Incredibly tiny portion. How the alphabet was made ($18.00) wasn't memorable. read more

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When I arrived I placed a bet on King Louie. After that we waited less than 10 minutes before entering the hidden space behind the horse betting room. The speakeasy is visually captivating with so much attention to detail. The cocktail menu is based off children's stories and the cocktails are creative but on the pricier side. I enjoyed "how the alphabet was made" which was gin, guava, basil cordial and yuzu sake. It was refreshing with a fruity flavour. It's an intimate and cozy spot but be aware there is a 1.5 hour time limit if there is a wait outside. read more

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We came to Bagheera on a Sunday evening (during Labor Day weekend) without reservation. We got put on a waitlist for 1.5 hours which resulted in 2hr 15 min wait... I would say it's worth it if you decide to bar hop to nearby spots as you wait. The entrance to Bagheera is very hidden, disguised as a horse race betting vendor, it's a fun way to introduce a speakeasy in Chinatown. Once you give the secret code, you are able to be put on a waitlist or enter (if there's no wait). Ambience was amazing inside. Vibe was definitely speakeasy dark, moody with dim lighting. The onyx stone with back lighting was a nice touch at the bar. The cool accessories on plaques/plates mounted on the curved wall/ceiling was a cool idea. Furniture settings were either sofas, lounge chairs or swivel upholstered bar stools. Menu had lots of drink options~ they also have curry on the menu if you need food. The drinks are based on short stories and novels that have been interpreted to cocktails. For drinks we ordered the following: How The First Letter Was Made $23 - rating 8/10 The Butterfly That Stamped $20 - rating 10/10 How The Leopard Got It's Spots $19 - rating 7/10 How The Alphabet Was Made $18 - 8/10 I would recommend Bagheera as a fun spot to hang out with friends in the evening. The cocktails are great! Service was okay, the bartenders did not talk much as they were busy prepping/shaking cocktails. Overall, lovely experience at Bagheera. read more

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Stopped in with a friend who hadn't been to a speakeasy before so she wanted the "password" experience. We didn't have reservations so we waited about 30 minutes on a Sunday night. Once inside, we loved the decor and the vibe. Staff were helpful in explaining the drinks. Not a huge amount of options but all leaned into the theme. Drinks were really good! We didn't try any food so we'll have to come back read more

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This is a speakeasy. Best to make a reservation. Seating is limited to one hour. The interior design is fabulous. They were able to make cozy seatings and some booth seats and tables along one side. There is food available. I love the HK jockey theme. The only reason I took off one star was because the HK jockey is obviously a speakeasy theme. But it's still fun! The attendant did his part. read more

I'm a big fan of speakeasies and have been waiting to go to Bagheera ever since they opened. I would say it did not live up to the hype. Their menus were printed on really think paper on both sides, so when we sat at their bar where the light was pretty dim and most of it was coming from the tabletop, it was pretty hard to read the menu. For food, they only have a handful of options - we got their aloo pakoras which is basically deep fried potatoes and they were really tasty but the portion was very less for the price we paid. We tried four of their drinks which were good but nothing that made us go "wow!". Also, the presentation of their drinks seemed like a normal bar drink (except one) which is fine but considering the price, we were hoping for a bit more. I liked their ambiance, they had traditional Indian gold jewelry by the bar and the aesthetics of the space were nice but I think that was it. Compared to other speakeasies in Vancouver I would say this one was ok. read more

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My sister-in-law surprised my bf and I with reservations here so we could have a date night. She knows how my boyfriend loves to go to speakeasies. This is in a sketchy part of town and a very unassuming storefront. Once you go in, you say the secret code words, and you're brought back to a beautiful comfortable bar. The staff was super friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks and food and the whole vibe of the place. They usually have a time limit, but it's mostly for the busier nights. We came on a random Monday so it didn't feel as if we were rushed. The drinks were spectacular. The food was equally as delicious. We drank how the first letter was made; how the alphabet was made; the cat who walked by himself, how the camel got its hump, and a crab cocktail (don't know full name). All of the drinks were phenomenal. I wanted to try them all but my alcohol tolerance wouldn't allow for that. For the food, it is small bites. We had pakoras (chicken and aloo). So so delicious, a little spicy but amazing. We also had the naan. Delicious. Even for the small bites it was a nice amount of food. Also we made happy hour so that was a welcomed discount. Highly recommend this place and will be back next time we visit. read more

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The business is disguised as a place for horse race betting. It's so shocking to see how polar opposite it looks once you're past the lobby - beautiful lighting, decoration, and architecture. The jungle theme is very cool and unique. We went on Valentine's Day, so we actually ended up waiting for almost 2 hours...we should've made a reservation. They must be used to people waiting a long time for a table because they serve alcohol in the lobby. Our waiter was so nice and took a lot of time to explain the menu. The drinks were unique and tasty. The chicken pakora was to die for, I wish I could've had more. Would definitely go back but with a reservation!!! read more

Bagheera - Desert oasis (left) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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This speakeasy bar is located in the heart of Chinatown, with no sign outside, and the front door doesn't look like it leads to a bar. When I arrived, we checked in at the front desk and had to wait for the inside door to open. When it was our turn to enter, I was amazed by the exotic ambiance and decor--it felt like we had stepped into a completely different world from the outside. Once seated at the bar, the staff explained the menu in detail and recommended trying their cocktails. We ended up ordering one cocktail, one whiskey, and a red wine. I can't recall the name of the cocktail, but it was absolutely delicious. We also ordered some finger food to accompany our drinks. We ordered Masala curry, naan bread, and lamb biryani. They were quite spicy but tasted really good. My favorite was the lamb biryani. Looking back, I should have ordered a sweet cocktail to pair with the finger food. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed this unique speakeasy bar. I'll definitely recommend it to my friends! read more

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Came here with friends for a bite and drinks. The storybook concept was fun, and the food was excellent. The drinks were a highlight paired with the spaciously cavernous ambiance. read more

Beautiful interior, great ambiance for a girls night or a date night! I loved the concept of the story book drinks and how you have to bet on a horse to enter-- it's really a fun experience. We tried the lemon cello based drink and the yuzu one. Both very good drinks! The area around it is very sketchy at night, we felt very unsafe walking there. Definitely not a walkable location at night. read more

Bagheera - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Been here too many times and I absolutely love the spot and was impressed from start to finish - each time. The first time I was blown away by how well-hidden the space is, and how they had perfected the interior, right to the monkeys in the washroom! The place gives a chic, upscale, and well-curated vibe. I went on a Tuesday the first time, and on Tuesdays they had a special martini menu, which includes the first-known written recipe for a martini (not sure if it's still available). We were two people so we were seated at the bar, which we didn't mind. The cocktails were fantastic and the service was top-notch. The second time was on a Friday with three people, and there was a short wait time. 10 minutes after we added our names to the waitlist, we received a message that we've been accepted, but we couldn't confirm the reservation due to some technical issue so we hurried right back to the place. This time we were given a couch, and were served some delicious cocktails! The music was also on point! We ordered some vegetarian pakoras (one of my friends was a vegetarian) as an appetizer. To me, although the pakoras were super tasty (and spicy!), they felt a bit dry and not crispy enough, hence 4 stars for the food. All the servers were very attentive and we had a great experience. The menu has changed over the past few months but the cocktails and service have stayed consistent. I'm impressed and would totally recommend Bagheera for a night out! read more

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I didn't choose to pop in. My party did. More excited that this is crossed off the list now for me. I always thought I wasn't cool enough to be at one. Came in between a day and night match. For some bites and drinks. I didn't know the portion sizes, so I asked. The response was vague in the most polite manner. Let me tell you, the size of the food is tapa size. Order accordingly people. The drinks were great. I'm a simpleton that day and I asked for a king size ice cube with my gin and they delivered. Ambiance was cool, I understand the gatekeeping. read more

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A speakeasy bar located in Chinatown where you had to say a password to get inside. The entry place (and arguably even the bar inside) smelled pretty bad and musty to me even though they tried to cover it up. With that said, the concept of being lost in jungle was pretty unique, with pretty interesting decorations. Cocktails were hit or miss for our groups, bites were okay. read more

Bagheera - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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This speakeasy was such a cool find! We had no idea what was going on as we just followed our friend who suggested the place. To say we were all confused when we walked in is an understatement. Once we were seated, our server came and brought us the menu and explained it. Seeing as how the drinks were pricier than I had imagined, I went with a stronger drink, which to my surprise was very good. Everyone seem to enjoy their drinks except one person whose drink tasted like bad medication haha. Our server was nice and we ended up going again, a day later when another friend decided to join us, but that time we had made a reservation, which made it a lot easier to get in. read more

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You ever been somewhere & felt like - 'It had everything apart from a finishing touch.' This is exactly how how felt about Bagheera. I guess they cater to people who live down the road, cause if one is coming from across town - forget about it! What pissed me off was that after putting my name down on the waiting list, I was told I was #45 & the current wait time was 3 hours plus! What!?! Oh & furthermore, they close at midnight!!? It was 9pm! Dafuq!?? Why bother taking my name then & putting me on a waitlist - for what? I never did get called back. Limited space, crappy part of town, no online reservations - skip it! read more

Bagheera - On Main near Pender St. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

We stumbled upon this speakeasy at the recommendation of another that was closed for a private event. Getting in wasn't that difficult, and we honestly had a fun time trying to do so. The ambiance is cool, low-key, and has a Gatsby-esque feel to it. One of our servers was just a little too stuffy with us. We were having a great time chatting and laughing away, but he seemed extremely annoyed and bothered by us even though we were keeping to ourselves. I had asked for a glass of red wine, and he rattled off one that they had. When I asked if it was just the one red, his response was "well, this IS a cocktail bar" in a very snooty, condescending tone. Sure, Bob. I'll take just the one then. read more

Best speakeasy I've been to outside of San Fransisco. Truly hidden, need a passcode, and you're transported into a hidden world ..... a beautiful world made for all your senses. Kudos to the business owners and staff. read more

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This place is all bark but no bite. If you're looking for a place to get decent cocktails you WILL NOT be happy here. If you're perhaps just in for a coolish experience and don't mind paying over $20 for terrible cocktails yeah you MIGHT like it! First off the decor, speakeasy experience, password to get in, menu design etc. is great and specifically the bathroom decor is top notch, complete with flying monkey figures and lots of feathery light fixtures. Cause that's the most important thing in a bar I guess. Smart tactic to influence and trick you that you're having "a very cool experience". That's where the good things end unfortunately... We ordered 2 cocktails (one was pistachio something and the other the famous orange one with the peel on top design) and they were straight up horrible. The worst cocktails I've ever had anywhere in Vancouver. The pistachio one looked and tasted like mud and it was also super grainy with particles floating on the surface - extremely unappetizing cocktail. The orange one was kind of like a gin fizz but it tasted rancid and barely had any alcohol in it. It tasted like they put some soda in a tropicana stayed on the counter for a couple days. The level of cocktail making was so bad we didn't bother (and wanted to pay $20/drink) for a second round. Don't even compare this place to a proper mixology bar it would be an insult. If you just mix random things at home you'll make a better drink. We also ordered food - two types of pakoras, and coconut meatballs with rice on the side and these were also terrible. Super oily overfried pakoras, bland and dried up rice, flavourless meatballs and they charge $16-18 each for tiny bites. Hot tip: don't sit at the bar, stools have no foot rest and it makes a very uncomfortable experience dangling your feet for 2 hours. Bottomline is they cared too much about the decor and hype they forgot to put some thought in the actual food and drinks. If you want to try it yourself, go at 5:30 pm on a Friday and you'll get in with no wait. You'll need to recover with a nice drink at a better establishment after though, which there are plenty around. read more

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We went bar hopping and Bagheera did put the bar up pretty high, the ambiance is just so warm and welcoming! The food portions are small but just enough to enjoy with the drinks which we actually loved as you don't get stuffed but still can enjoy more drinks! The service was just fantastic too, they walk you through the whole experience of how to choose the drinks according to your preference as well!! Definitely will recommend for bar hopping or a nice dinner date! read more

Bagheera - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Oops! The secret is out! This speakeasy is so much fun! Loved the experience! We've never been to a place quite like this one! Very unique and interesting. Totally underrated! A must try if you're in Vancouver! The service, ambience and drinks are amazing! read more

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We recently dined at Bagheera, and I must say, it was a delightful experience. We were captivated by its inviting atmosphere and warm ambiance. The attentive and friendly staff made me feel welcome, ensuring a memorable dining experience. To start, I ordered the Jester, a drink that was both sweet and flavorful. It had a unique twist that pleased my taste buds. The balance of sweetness and distinct flavors made it a refreshing choice. Additionally, I tried a gin-based drink, which was expertly prepared and had a strong kick that hit the spot. It was a perfect choice for those who appreciate a bold and robust cocktail. Moving on to the appetizers, I couldn't resist ordering Chicken 65 and Achaari chicken with Naan. Both dishes were a treat for the senses, offering bold and vibrant flavors. The Chicken 65 had a compelling spice blend, accompanied by the distinct taste of curry leaves. Each bite was a burst of flavor. The Achaari chicken was equally impressive, with its tangy and aromatic marinade. The tender chicken combined with the fragrant spices created a memorable food experience. Throughout my meal, the attentive and knowledgeable staff ensured that I had everything I needed. They were happy to answer any questions I had about the menu and provided excellent recommendations. The service was prompt and attentive, enhancing my overall dining experience. In summary, Bagheera is a gem in Vancouver's culinary scene. It's based on the Prohibition-era restaurant/bar. Worth an experience if you find yourself in that part of the world. read more

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The ambience was great and I love the presentation. Our drinks were delicious and the bartenders were attentive and nice. I was however quite disappointed in the menu. Though the picture book menu was a delightful concept, it was incredibly disappointing to see that the images were created with AI image creation, which felt lazy and cheap. I wish they had hired actual artist to illustrate the images to add a level of sophistication and class to the menu. read more

Not sure what some of these negative reviews are on about. Maybe this place is ahead of it's time in a city known for mid nightlife. I was so impressed start to finish. We were visiting from LA and absolutely LOVED this spot. The hidden speakeasy vibe is done perfectly with zero pretentiousness. The interior is beautiful. I'll leave you the surprises but an extremely upscale, chic, curated vibe while also feeling easy and casual. Happened to come in for Happy Hour, had an $8 Gimlet which was an exceptional deal, but also absolutely delicious. Every sip I tried of my friend's drinks was fab as well. We got some absolutely incredible pakoras with paneer in the middle, absolutely fire. Would be back in a heartbeat. Super impressed. One thing to note is this place is truly hidden. Took us walking up and down the street a few times to realize the door is completely unmarked! read more

Visiting from LA and this place is so amazing!!! Ignore the negative Nancy's. If you like high end cocktails, great/knowledgeable bartenders, and the best vibes and atmosphere... this is your place. Absolutely loved it. I love a good cocktail bar. The speakeasy aspect was so fun too. read more

Bagheera - the ceiling of a restaurant - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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This bar is amazing! Vancouver nightlife is not always meeting global standards for what is great but this bar does. The food and drinks are a little bit on the pricier side but you can tell you are getting what you pay for. If you are trying to save money, the happy hour is fantastic! the space is beautiful with stunning detail and you can tell the owners put in the work. I cannot wait to visit again, one of the best bars in Vancouver! read more

This is an update from a previous review. And a downgrade. Bar is still nice, drinks are still good; crowd is nice, music volume is good, and lighting is great, but it's all for nothing if the service is unfriendly. Service wasn't particularly great on the first visit, but actually bad on the 2nd. This is evidently an issue. Was there on Sunday evening getting attitude from the female bartender who was seemingly unhappy about us asking about our drinks that she had forgotten about, and literally confronted us with aggressive sarcasm. Who cares right? No one, except when you're paying $20 per drink. A minimum amount of respect and professionalism is required. read more

Absolutely amazing! Michelin star chefs combined with some of the most creative and passionate cocktail makers in the city. It's cool, the speakeasy vibe is there for a reason...To keep people who right dissertations about their experiences at Nandos out. Don't go in there thinking you'll be getting a rum and coke, a white russian, or a white wine spritzer. No they don't take reso's, you probably won't get in, but if you do...You will not be disappointed, in fact, you'd wish you had waited all the other times you compromised and went somewhere else. From decor to service, this place has it all dialed in. read more

Went in on a Tuesday night and the two gentleman that helped me were amazing. Delicious cocktails and even better customer service. Thank you! read more

This is the first Yelp review I have ever written. As a true cocktail aficionado, I care enough about craft cocktails to say this is not a place where you will get your money's worth if you really appreciate a well-crafted, proper cocktail. That is not to criticize the bartenders because they are great. But the cocktail menu itself is not. Pros: entry is cool and the woman at the front was super friendly and welcoming. Some speakeasy establishments can be a bit aloof or the front can be tepid but this place was great on both fronts. The room itself was beautiful. The decor was super cool and the music was fun. The staff were all knowledgeable, willing to help, and speedy. The newspaper menu was very creative and cool. Maybe a bit hard to read in the dim light but still cool. The cons: the barstools are terrible. They are tilted forward and have no foot rest so you slide off the front and get a front wedgie in slow motion or else you stand, choose your own adventure there. Most importantly, the drink menu and the drinks themselves were disappointing. I guess if all we liked was sherry or paying $100 for a few drinks that gave us no buzz whatsoever we would be in the right place but that isn't what we expect when we go to the new, hyped-up speakeasy in town. You almost wouldn't know there was booze in your drink as they are mostly fortified wines and low ABV liqueurs. And it just wasn't interesting -- nothing we drank made us go "wow, that is a really tasty and interesting cocktail." Go to Lao Wei (their sister establishment) if you care about a good cocktail or go for just the experience. Otherwise you will be disappointed. Hoping they improve over time so we can give them another chance. read more

Ordered a whiskey on the rocks. It came with one tiny little ice cube which quickly turned the drink into a whiskey neat. When it was served, the waitress even said, "Here is your whiskey with one rock." That's simply not what was ordered. My friends ordered a simple gin and tonic and one tonic with lemon. It took 20 mins for our drinks to come though we didn't even order cocktails that would take more time to make. The pakoras are shockingly overpriced when you only get a small bowl of about 3 pakoras. The waitress only refilled the water glass of the one closest to her side of the table whenever she passed. She passed 3 times and did this, neglecting to fill the inner glass which was actually empty. When it came time for bills, the waitress asked if we wanted it separate. We said yes, separate two and two (we were four people). She said ok as if she understood but returned with 4 bills so each couple had to pay twice. Not worth a visit. read more

I was really disappointed with Bagheera, especially with all the hype of it being a "secret bar". The cocktails were boring with old peels as garnishes - the mezcal one tasted mostly like sour mix. Cocktails range from $18-$30+ before tax/tip so I would expect the quality to be excellent. The service was okay, but not once were we asked if we liked our drinks. The lounge is also extremely loud with weird acoustics. The other secret bar in China Town, Lao Wai, was a much better experience. read more

A fabulous getaway. Every last detail is well thought-out, from the beautiful decor to the menus that looks like newspapers. This is an experience like no other in Vancouver (or probably anywhere). The food and cocktails are excellent, and the experience transports you to another time period. Absolutely worth the wait! read more

Super average for all the hype and not worth the wait and the money. They woman greeting you at the door is very friendly and nice. They let you know at the door you are not allowed to be on your phone, no pictures and texts at a minimum. They are strict and enforce this rule though out your stay, which is fine but keep in mind. They said there were 18 people waiting in front of us which only turned out to be a 45min wait. When we got in there were many empty tables. Drinks were super average for the price. Food was Indian fusion which was fine if you're going here to eat don't eat before or after you come. It was fine but not amazing. The restaurant was beautiful but everything else was so average and not worth it. If you're going there for food and drinks you can defiantly find somewhere else to go which is better. Our server was very nice and efficient but still it didn't make up for the hype of this place. Also menu was confusing and annoying to read. read more

After a rough week, this place is the perfect getaway for the best crafted cocktails in town. The service and bartender was very attentive, informative taking the time to explain the details and careful thought out ingredients and work put into each of these specially curated cocktails. I must say, I was very shocked to see the negative reviews on here, which sounded to me more like a bunch of bitter, entitled woke folks who are upset they can't showboat their experience on social media and virtue signal their useless humanitarian rhetoric which has obviously not helped pay bills and afford a quality cocktail. I moved away from Cali to get away from the White Saviors only to find them back here in Canada. Best hideaway in town and definitely a place you want to take your out-of-town guests to impress!! read more