Gin & Reel — Restaurant in Phoenix

We absolutely loved our drinks (two bartenders choice and 1 phantom of the opera). The bartender was amazing. I did the bartenders choice with my preference being something fruity with egg whites and he made me something amazing! Seemed like a unique spinoff from a clover club. What was truly amazing was that he got my dad, who’s a total man’s man, to get 2 fruity mango drinks in a coupe glass. My dad was thrown off a little when the drink was first put in front of him, even insisting that it was my sisters, but the bartender assured him that it was his “bartenders choice”. My dad ended up absolutely loving it and even took a picture of the spiced pear liquor that was in it so that he could get his own bottle.

Unfortunately what knocked off a star was the bathroom situation. 1 is out of order and the other has a broken baby changing station, no place to put a purse, and a floor that clearly hasn’t been mopped this week.

Also the password thing isn’t real. The phone didn’t make any noise and when we were confused the barista told us to just push the door in. I get wanting to add an element of fun but putting a password on instagram and no directions to push the door seemed to confuse most people coming in for...

I'll start by saying... I've never actually been inside. I've tried on 3 separate occasions to come here and I have even checked their own website. It's either been closed or there's been a private event not listed on the site.

The straw that broke my back on this was tonight. I checked their website and no closures were listed, we arrived at 8 pm and there was a sign out front that a private event was being held until 845. We walked around and got a drink somewhere else just to pass time.

We came back at 845 when this event was supposed to be over.... and the staff said it's been extended for another hour because they started late. All we got was a sorry and we can put you on the wait list if you want to wait around.

If you are hosting an event, at least put the effort to show it on your website. ... and if you have a sign, honor it... don't waste other peoples time.

Maybe someday I'll write a new review when I can actually visit, but for the time being I'd say go somewhere else so your precious time isn't wasted. Don't make plans to visit that'll just be met with lackluster service and...

Serving caffeine by day and debauchery by night

Gin & Reel is a hidden speakeasy in the back of The Stir coffee shop on High Street. Find the password to enter in the caption of the pinned post on their Instagram page. Then, pick up the payphone, give the password, and be transported to a 1920s speakeasy. I've been to many speakeasies in town and this has the real feeling of being hidden, with other flappers, in a small cozy joint.

After a good run with Phantom of the Opera, the current menu is Chicago inspired with drinks named: Roxie Hart, All that Jazz, Amos, and Razzle Dazzle. I started with a gin based cocktail called Cellblock Tango that was too sweet for my palette, but ended with a bolder Old Fashion type called They Both Reached for the Gun.

Their hours are 5-11pm Sun-Thur and 5-1am Friday and Saturday. Plan a fun night by eating dinner at one of the many restaurants on High Street before ending the night in a hidden speakeasy.

Don't be a wet blanket. Get dolled-up in your best hotsy-totsy outfit, take the jalopy, and head to this juice joint...