The Exhibition Room — Restaurant in Long Beach

This is where it's at.

An establishment of class, with a touch of mystery and a lot of appeal. Enter into The Exhibition Room and you can feel like you stepped back into a refined era where sophistication and attention to detail welcome you home.

Starting with the fun entrance through the old wooden phone booth, you're escorted to your reserved table (have to reserve to get in - password and all) a midst the nostalgic atmosphere courtesy of the appropriate decor and vintage items (almost like a mini museum). Historic photographs dress the walls around the seating area but the main allure is the bar - beautiful wood with elegant bottle placement, spiral staircase to upper level with lesser used menu items and scattering of casks holding untold (but reveal-able) treasures. Of course, mixed in here and there are more vintage items that fit the motif.

Now, having welcomed you in so courteously, what bar/speakeasy would keep you waiting and tease you with but little to order? Not this one, the options abound - starting with a massive list of whiskeys but featuring a selection of hand crafted cocktails. Nothing presented to you is half-considered or sub par - it is all meticulously selected to result in the most exquisite offering possible. Yes, you may find some great staples in the whiskey line up, but it's because they deserve to be there. Don't succumb to comfort and fall back to the norm, experiment with something new and unique... which takes us to the cocktails. Though you could ask for your favorite regular boring drink, resist the inkling and instead leap into the cacophony of wonder that awaits your palate. Just look at some of the cocktail ingredients and you'll know this isn't a typical bar but one of stature. I've tried 5 or 6 of the different creations but my favorites are the Conquistador's Revenge, Cracking Campfire and Coffee & Cigarettes - with honorable mention to the refreshing Kentucky Maid. Look for your favorite ingredients, enticing additions, or whatever suits your mood. You likely won'y be disappointed. The quality and care that are put into each handcrafted cocktail are superb.

For entertainment, you should be content if you hear the likes of KJazz in the background - it fits the scene after all. Having been when a pianist was present, such a night will bring a more eclectic mix of tunes as requests merit. Though it is fun and lively, making for a great backdrop to your night. Keep an eye out on the 2nd through 4th Thurs of each month where special events abound: such as Tiki Nights and Burlesque

Once all is said and done, you've imbibed a bit, enjoyed the ambiance/tunes and likely been very satisfied with your order(s), you should confidently walk out feeling like you've found a second home in which to comfortably converse with friends or venture to make some new.

It's also worth noting that there are some terrific videos that have been made to showcase the main liquors in some of the handcrafted cocktails - while also promoting the place itself. The vids are a great sneak peak at what you can encounter upon your venture to The...

I am an exhibitionist. You got a problem with that? Well, do ya, punk? ;p

Flashback to the Prohibition Era, where booze was outlawed & those looking to break the law resorted to frequenting hidden backrooms known as "speakeasies" to get their buzz on. At the California Heights area of Long Beach, you can relive those days at the Exhibition Room.

Located inside Roxanne's Cocktail Lounge & Latin Grill, the Exhibition Room is located directly behind a phone booth.

How does one enter? With the password of the day.

How does one get the password of the day? Text the Exhibition Room with your name, how many in your party & what time you'll be there.

At the phone booth, buzz the bouncer on the other side, say the password & you are in, my friend.

I went to a Yelp event here, where I had the chance to experience the Exhibiton Room & taste some of the drinks available. During my visit, I found out burlesque shows take place every fourth Thursday of the month. I've been meaning to check out burlesque for ages, so I was anticipating coming back for some striptease action.

Burlesque de Deux, which is comprised of Gwen Ruby & Blanche Bourgeois, put on the monthly shows, with this occasion featuring 2013 Burlypicks Gold Medal Winner, Pearl Lux. They put on a fun, flirtatious show of classic music, hypnotic gyrations & playful antics. It was a delight cheering on as each garment was being removed till the performers were down to their pasties & tassels.

I can see why Pearl Lux was the 2013 Burlypicks Gold Medal Winner. Her sets were charismatic, high energy & a sight to behold. Gwen Ruby & Blanche Bourgeois performed amazing sets, too. Elaborate costumes, which were quick to come off, bedazzled the 20 or so people in attendance. I even had the fortune of being part of Gwen Ruby's last set of the night! Fun times!

The bartenders were friendly & kept the drinks coming for everyone. A screen displaying old movies, such as those with Humphrey Bogart, is available for viewing & the music was just loud enough w/o it being bothersome. The Exhibition room is quaint & cozy, just perfect for a burlesque show, because the entire audience is up close & personal with the performers. The Exhibition Room has it's own restrooms, so no need to leave to relieve yourself. I believe plenty of parking is available, but I'm not certain since I've taken Uber/Lyft the 2 times I've been here.

A remembrance of days gone by, the Exhibition Room is a great place to loosen your tie, unbutton your sleeves & enjoy a few cocktails, perhaps while enjoying burlesque dancers or Tiki Thursdays every second Thursday of the month. I thoroughly enjoyed the show Burlesque de Deux put on & plan to be in attendance for future...

I would call this review, "Missing the Marc(us)"

Last night my partner and I went to the Exhibition Room as it's a place she had been wanting to take me for me awhile given our love for craft cocktails, plus I'm a big fan of speakeasies in general.

You'll have to make an RSVP and then get the password. Upon arrival we told the host we were there for the Exhibition Room and he then led us to a phone booth by the pool table where we were instructed to pick up the payphone headset and push the button.

Alex the host greeted us and then sat us down inside. The interior of the Exhibition Room is dark and does give off a vibe of a speakeasy.

Alex then said that Marcus is the bartender and that he is one of the top 10 bartenders in LA and that Alex had taught him.

My go to cocktail is the Vieux Carre so when I asked the bartender Marcus for this cocktail, his response was "can you remind me again what's in a Vieux Carre?" That was the turning point of the night. If you're a top 10 bartender in LA or for that matter any where you should know how to make this cocktail. I get this cocktail at non speakeasies and with ease.

We also nursed our first round of drinks for an hour bc the service was slow. Usually bartenders are fast and chatty. I would also say that the Exhibition Room could use more support staff to take drink orders from others in the bar.

We found out about another bar outside, a tiki themed bar, which my partner and I checked out but was notified that we could only order two specific drinks only as this tiki themed bar was shutting down.

I like the ambiance but give me a better bartender and better service, and Alex did comp us a drink but frankly I couldn't see myself going back. I've had much better service and experience at other speakeasies and...