Catacomb 435 — Restaurant in Huntsville

My first, and most likely my last, visit to Catacombs was on 10/16 to celebrate a special day for a close friend. We had reservations for 8:00 and showed up right at 8:00. The place was pretty busy, and extremely smoky, not from cigarette smoke but from things being smoked & burned for drinks. We had a party of 4 and the place was full, except for a 2-top right inside the door and the seats at the bar.

Katie was the bartender and it was obvious she was taking her time when delivering drinks and explaining what she had made for each table. I think our first drink slips were picked up from our table about 20 minutes after we arrived. It took about 15 minutes for that first round to arrive. I really enjoyed my drink and everyone at our table enjoyed theirs and we tried each others. They were all great drinks. This is about where the good stuff ends for me.

About 9:00, 3 tables finished up and it was down to my table and a group of 6, then a couple came in and took the 2-top that was just inside the door. Our table had finished our drinks and filled out slips for our 2nd round. Katie came over to our table, grabbed our slips and reviewed them to make sure everything was good. Then she went to the 2-top and grabbed their slips, then over to the 6-top to grab their slips. About 15 minutes later I see Katie delivering drinks to the 2-top then she heads back to the bar and starts making more drinks; those drinks went to the 6-top. When I went up and confronted her about why we were being served last after she picked up our slips first, she said something to the fact that new visitors/tables get served first. I then called her out on the 6-top and she fumbled over some words so I told her to cancel my drink and I was leaving.

Apparently when she delivered the other 3 drinks to the table after I left, she told them the reason why our drinks were last was because my buddies drink had peppers/spices in it and she wasn't comfortable working with peppers around everyone else's drinks. I call BS, because when I watched her work, she only made drinks for 1 table at a time. Nobody else's drinks would've been "in danger" of accidentally having habaneros put in them.

I absolutely loved the atmosphere and the history of the place.

I despise the smoke and I wreaked of smoke when I left.

And Katie's attitude and service last night leaves little to be desired.

Snowball's chance in he ll I'll ever be talked into going to...

The atmosphere was pretty cool, I’ll give it that. But the Speakeasy was much smaller than I expected (6 tiny round tables and two counters). The bartenders really like to create smokey drinks, so when you walk in, you can imagine how strong the smell of smoke is, it sticks to your clothes and your hair. When you get home, you’ll smell like you were at a bonfire. Even the hallway, right before you get in smelled smokey. So if you’re claustrophobic, you won’t like it— it’s small, smokey and there’s dim lighting, so it feels dark.

The drinks were ok, they give you two “base” flavors to choose from: sweet, tart, fruity, bubbly, smoky, dry, clean, earthy... etc. Then, which liquor you want in your cocktail: tequila, gin, rum, bourbon or whisky. The bartender will create a cocktail with whatever you checked off, but you don’t know exactly which ingredients they’ll mix in the drinks. Once you’ve sipped your cocktail, then they’ll sit down with you and explain what’s in it.

Since the speakeasy is small, and your waiter is also the bartender, it’s a little awkward if you don’t love the drink they just made you. In fact, we didn’t like our last drinks and we felt like the bartender had an attitude about it. For our last round, my husband and I thought it would be cool to check things off for each other. My husband knows I love margaritas so he checked off tart, citrus and tequila, but the drink I got tasted a lot like Tennessee Honey Whiskey and I just couldn’t drink it. When I politely brought it to the bartender’s attention, he asked me if he could just fix it, instead of making a whole new drink. When he brought back the fixed drink (added brown sugar) I still didn’t like it, but I felt nervous about asking him to make a new one, so my husband just chugged it for me. The bartender didn’t even sit down and tell us which ingredients were in our last round of drinks.

That kind of ruined the night because after all, we spent $90 on 4 drinks and we didn’t even like the last two! It honestly felt more like a game for the bartenders to experiment with drinks, than to really satisfy the customers.

If I could give them a suggestion, it would be to talk through which ingredients they have in mind for the customer, according to what we’ve checked off, before mixing the cocktail, rather...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Catacomb 435, a hidden gem nestled within the heart of Huntsville. From the moment I stepped into this unique establishment, I was transported into a world of clandestine allure and unparalleled creativity. Securing a reservation was a must, and that anticipation only added to the mystique of this exclusive speakeasy.

The unique atmosphere at Catacomb 435 is nothing short of enchanting. The dimly lit, vintage-inspired interior, adorned with intricate decor and cozy nooks, evokes a bygone era. The walls whispered secrets of the past, and the atmosphere held an air of delightful mystery.

One aspect that truly sets Catacomb 435 apart is their innovative menu style. Instead of a conventional menu, they expertly curate a journey of flavor profiles, allowing patrons to select based on their personal taste preferences. This approach transforms the experience into a personalized adventure, making every visit a delightful surprise for the taste buds.

A standout memory of my visit was courtesy of Matt with a M, the masterful mixologist behind the bar. He concocted the coolest drink I've ever had, aptly named Pirates of the Caribbean. With his skillful hands and creative flair, he crafted a beverage that was a symphony of flavors, leaving me thoroughly impressed and craving for more.

Speaking of the bartenders, the team at Catacomb 435 are true masters of their craft. Watching them work their magic behind the bar was a spectacle in itself. Their precision, passion, and artistry were a joy to behold. They effortlessly transformed simple ingredients into complex and tantalizing cocktails, showcasing their dedication to the art of mixology.

In conclusion, Catacomb 435 is a speakeasy experience like no other. The unique atmosphere, personalized menu style, and the expertise of bartenders like Matt with a M make it a destination worth seeking out. If you're in search of a one-of-a-kind adventure for your taste buds and a glimpse into a bygone era, I highly recommend immersing yourself in the enchanting world of...