The Ostrich｜A Century-Old Bar Hidden Beneath Phoenix

Chandler’s Historic Speakeasy: The Ostrich – A Century-Old Hidden Gem Celebrating 10 Years 🥂🎉 Tucked in the basement of Crust Italian Restaurant’s Chandler location, this speakeasy is so easy to miss on your first visit—head down the stairs west of the restaurant to uncover it! 🕵️♂️ Step inside, and you’ll feel transported to the early 1900s: a true Prohibition-era underground bar with walls untouched since 1912, once part of the San Marcos Hotel where guests secretly partied to jazz 🎷. Even Chandler’s founder, Dr. A.J. Chandler, hid ostrich feathers here to sell to Hollywood for gowns 🦚—how cool is that?! Sealed for nearly a century, it was rediscovered in 2014 and transformed into The Ostrich—now celebrating its 10th anniversary with an unbeatable deal: all signature and classic cocktails for just $10 each! 💰 📍 Spot Info Name: The Ostrich Location: Basement of Crust Italian Restaurant (Chandler), accessible via the west exterior stairs History: Century-old Prohibition-era speakeasy 🕰️, walls dating to 1912, formerly part of San Marcos Hotel 10th Anniversary Deal: All signature and classic cocktails priced at $10 🥳—steal of the year! Vibe: Rich historical charm, vintage Prohibition-era ambiance ✨, a unique standout in Chandler’s bar scene 🍸 Cocktail Experiences & Recommendations Past Standouts (Now Discontinued): Room 301: A smooth Chai-spiced bourbon Old Fashioned with Cynar’s bitter aroma and a ladyfinger garnish —memorable for its complexity (sadly no longer on the menu ). Old Menu Highlights: Innovative offerings like coconut oil-washed gin , chili-infused tequila , and house-made infusions, syrups, and bitters—so impressive I once drank five in one sitting (no regrets!). New Menu Tastes: Ostrich Pornstar ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Bartender-recommended as "not too sweet" 👍, this revamped classic Pornstar Martini is balanced and delightful—a pleasant surprise that redeems the menu! Last Mango in Mexico ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: A long-standing spicy mango margarita that’s still chef’s kiss . Must-try for tequila lovers 🥃. Trunk Murderess ⭐️⭐️⭐️: Bourbon blended with pistachio-almond syrup, amaro, and coffee bitters—has layers but leans overly sweet 🍬. A Rose by Other Name: Ritzy presentation (pour from a small bottle into a sugar-rimmed glass) 💐 but tastes like rose syrup—unbearably sweet 🥴. Very Cutesy: Simple mix of jam, syrup, lemon juice, and vodka with a sugar rim—lacking craftsmanship . The Ticker: Gin, cucumber, mint, and lemon—marketed as crisp 🥒 but disappointingly over-sweet. 🍴 Food Note Skip the food—fried calamari tastes frozen ❄️, seafood is not fresh , pizza has a dense crust , marinara lacks tomato flavor , and meatballs are just passable . Stick to drinking if you’re not hungry—trust me! 📌 Verdict: Worth the Visit for Ambiance & the Deal The Ostrich shines with its unbeatable historical vibe and is one of Chandler’s most unique bars. While cocktail innovation has declined (new offerings are often overly sweet with fewer house-made ingredients), the 10th anniversary $10 cocktail deal makes it a can’t-miss 🎉. It’s a perfect spot to soak up Prohibition-era nostalgia while sipping affordable drinks—cheers to that! 🥂 #Phoenix #Chandler #Arizona #Speakeasy #ProhibitionEra #HistoricBar #CraftCocktails #10thAnniversary #HiddenGem