The Velvet Room Speakeasy — Restaurant in Murfreesboro

Overall, it was a mixed experience. On the positive side, the margarita flatbread was absolutely delicious—a definite standout! Kudos to the chef, who not only delivered a great dish but also came out to introduce himself, which was a nice touch. The live music was another highlight, setting a wonderful vibe for the evening, so I’d definitely recommend choosing a night with a performer if you visit.

However, there were a few downsides that affected the overall experience. First, it took 35 minutes for our cocktails to arrive, which felt a bit too long, especially with the bartender spending a good amount of time socializing and counting receipts instead of focusing on service.

The atmosphere, which is typically more relaxed and intimate, was also disrupted by a loud group of 12 that came in after us. They sat near the stage and were incredibly noisy, completely ruining the speakeasy vibe. It seemed like no one working noticed or cared that the rest of the patrons were visibly annoyed by the ruckus. We ended up asking to move to a quieter area, which helped a bit, but it was disappointing that the staff didn’t address the issue.

Finally, after the live music ended around 10 PM, the transition to pop music was jarring. Suddenly, loud, high-energy tracks like "Body on My" by Loud Luxury blasted through the speakers, completely changing the mood from a jazzy, romantic vibe to something more chaotic. To make matters worse, the gentleman who had greeted us earlier began dancing near the loud party, which felt out of place and only added to the escalating noise. By then, the vibe had shifted so much that it was time for us to leave.

In short, this place has potential, especially with the live music great food and delicious cocktails but there are some service and atmosphere issues that need attention to maintain the experience they’re aiming for. Hopefully, they’ll make some adjustments for...

There aren’t many places in Murfreesboro that are worth what you pay for them. The Velvet Room was one of the best experiences I’ve had in this town in a very long time. The only thing I can compare it to is The House of Cards in Nashville. My friend and I just wanted to grab a bite before going to the Edgar Allen Poe performance on Saturday night. A random woman asked us, are you looking for The Velvet Room? And we had no idea what she was talking about. A quick google search lead us to a back alley where an old timey phone was hanging in a doorway. We opened the box and there was a riddle. We figured out the solution and picked up the phone. After giving the hostess the password, a large door opened to an underground cocktail bar like no other. We ordered signature cocktails and watched the bartender, Levi, skillfully craft them taking care that every detail was perfect. Then a live band started playing 1920s jazz music. The acoustics were so well engineered that we were able to have a quiet conversation while the band played. Every detail of the venue was thoughtfully and intentionally designed to give the customer a total experience. We went to the performance then returned back to The Velvet Room where we were greeted like friends. We ordered some food and the honey sriracha meatballs were delicious. This venue complimented the Edgar Allen Poe show as if they were doing it on purpose. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would because our night would have been just okay, but literally stumbling upon this hidden gem made it...

The Velvet Ruse: Where Pretension Goes to Die (Slowly, over a $19 cocktail)

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to drink inside an Instagram filter, The Velvet Room has you covered. The entrance itself is a massive, faux bank vault door, because nothing says “relaxed night out” like walking into what looks like a Prohibition-era escape room. It’s a bold commitment to the bit, and a weak one to actual hospitality.

The interior is velvet chairs, dim lights, and ironic jazz, a Pinterest board come to life. You’ll be seated in a tufted chair that’s more decorative than functional and handed a menu that tries way too hard, with forced humor and cocktail names like Banana Hammock and The Swanky Panky. The cherry on top is the menu appears to be designed to be a companion piece to Marie Antoinette’s tampon box.

I ordered the “The Chaplin,” which promised a “ritzy nip that fused vodka, lemon, and lavender.” What I got was a $19 unbalanced disaster served in a glass that looked like it had been stolen from a Victorian thrift store. My friend got an over engineered drink with Mezcal in it, which felt like a cry for help.

The Velvet Room is perfect if you're into ambiance over substance, or if you just want to spend a lot of money for the privilege of being underwhelmed in style. If you enjoy paying $80 for a few drinks and a side of existential crisis, give it a shot. Otherwise, save your money and drink literally anywhere else. Maybe a gas station parking lot. At least the...