The name “speakeasy” is believed to come from patrons needing to speak softly through a small opening in a door, providing a password or the name of someone who’d sent them. They spread like wildfire during Prohibition in the 1920s and early ’30s, ranging from dingy basements to surprisingly swanky joints, open secrets that stayed in business by paying off low-paid police officers to look the other way.
Fast forward to today and they’re back, sort of. Their aesthetic and nostalgic appeal has fueled a serious resurgence, with bars hidden behind innocent shopfronts of florists and laundromats, or nestled within cafes and restaurants. The secrecy angle is more theatrical than necessary now, but that’s kind of the point. Modern speakeasies pride themselves on craft cocktails. Think bartenders as artists or chemists, carefully balancing flavours with premium ingredients, house-made syrups, bitters, and infusions. You’re not just getting a drink, you’re getting an experience.
Call Me Back is one such establishment. Tucked away in the corner of the Lion’s pub, behind what appears to be a telephone booth, is a cozy cocktail bar.
It’s plush, quiet and dark, and a very pleasant place to spend a couple of hours enjoying some fine cocktails.
Tonight, though, I just had a gin and tonic, which was good.
We really enjoyed our night here. A little later and a bit busier, it would be even better.