The Watson Speakeasy — Restaurant in Cuyahoga Falls

April 2024 update at the botto.

I'd love to see this place improve. This review is not meant to hurt the establishment but to help them grow. I'd hope to visit again and give 5 stars in the near future.

I found the drink list long and boring. Most drinks were basic cocktails with nothing to catch my eye on why their version would be better. I ordered a dessert cocktail in hopes of trying something more unique created by the bartenders. The presentation is too much. Myself and a friend waited 35mins for 2 drinks and people that came in with us (all at opening) waited even longer. Lots of whispers from other tables about how we all just want a good drink and this is overkill. One drink we ordered came in a birdcage and the waitress struggled to bring it to the table and spilled.

The seasonal coffin drink was for our neighboring table and we were worried the embers flying around were going to light up the man's pants that ordered it.

My last qualm was the Tequilla section had nothing but margaritas. This isn't the place for a marg. If you think you make a great one put 1-2 on your menu. But no more than that. There are other tequilla drinks.

The atmosphere was very cool and I appreciate that we were seated so it doesnt become crowded.

I'd like to see the menu improve and the presentation calm down a bit. If you still insist on it. Choose only a couple drinks OR seasonal drinks only. Good luck to this place! I hope to be back.

-‐--------------UPDATE I posted my original review in October 2023. This update is as of April 2024.

Nothing has changed including the drinks aside from seasonal items.

I was disappointed when I took my fiance for his first visit, my second.

The place runs very clunky and awkward. The drinks are still too complicated and take too long to make. Presentation is too much. And I honestly don't know how you haven't lit anyone or anything on fire yet because you point the torches are AT the customer everytime I've seen it. I hope to God it never happens.

Once again, would love to see you guys...

This was from back a few months. I went to check and see if the place got better and I see there are still similar issues it seems as to when I went. And I realized I forgot to leave my review. I was really excited to try this place and went with my mom on a weekday in winter and we were the only 2 there. We felt pretty silly trying to get in because it is a legit speakeasy and they have a camera they watch you try to get in. Cool concept but realistically, it isn't accessible. The tiki bar across the street was packed and so busy. Those 2 bartenders would have so much more money with a bar that people know about and know they have to figure out how to get in. I get it's the speakeasy concept but in this day and age, it isn't realistic for business purposes cause then once we got in the there we only wanted a drink and then leave. My mom got hers first and it was made with very well flavored vodka I use at my dive bar that is only realistically 5$ a bottle. And the drink itself was 15$ and was the most basic pomegranate martini I've ever had. The flair part is cool but when they don't know many different drink and they only have well liquor to work with, it defeats the whole point. I just would have rather had a better, quality cocktail, which I ended up getting across the street, once again, at the tiki bar. My drink, the Ramos fizz, took literally 20 minutes and my mom's cocktail was already gone. And the fizz didn't even rise cause it was so diluted and I got offered to have another one made to replace it but it was too late we just wanted to leave by that point. Hoping to see they make some changes to help the future of the place because the concept is cool. I see there have been a few good reviews just hope these things...

Observations from a bar industry professional that manages a successful cocktail program in the Cleveland area.

Friendly enough staff, speakeasy concept with a cocktail list that makes decent enough sense for your demographic.

Please refrigerate your vermouth, it's not a back bar product, it's a wine that should be stored at fridge temp when not in use.

Your bartender was adept with swinging bottles and doing flair, jigger in hand, but had to reference a notebook to make a simple call cocktail. I would focus more energy on training your staff the classics and fundamentals of the craft then the fancy tin and bottle tricks.

From an efficiency standpoint your bartender was lacking this evening, he was building one drink at a time, it took me and my company at the bar 15 minutes to recieve a simple 2 drink order, maybe that works for your crowd but it's well below average for the industry.

3 staff serving a room of 20-25 patrons can give better, quicker service then this if trained appropriately.

The space and ambience is appropriate for the concept and with the correct guidance this bar could be an enjoyable place to spend an evening.

Didn't try any food if options were available but...