A new speakeasy is coming to Midtown. The concept, called Keep Quiet, is a collaboration between Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. and Little Lager. Currently on track to open in early February, the bar will be at Urban Chestnut’s Midtown location at 3229 Washington Ave. Keep Quiet will be nestled in the biergarten, in a space located behind the brewery’s serving hut.
The speakeasy is an idea Manny Negron of Little Lager has always wanted to explore, but he just had to wait for the right time to execute it. And with the recent rise in popularity of speakeasy concepts and cocktail bars in general, that time is now.
“I’ve always had a cocktail concept in mind, but I’ve also been so invested in beer it felt like the beer bar should come first,” Negron said.
The drink menu is still being developed, but the team is aiming create 10 to 15 cocktails each month, with five to seven of those being twists on the classics and the remainder being experimental cocktails. Negron said guests of Little Lager will likely see influences from that concept in the cocktail program, as many drinks will feature bitters, house-made tinctures and infusions. With Urban Chestnut as a partner, it will also be a source for ingredients that can make for one-of-a-kind cocktails.
At this time, there aren’t plans to offer food at the establishment. Negron said he wants to get the speakeasy established first, but he can see introducing a small food menu at some point in the future.
Although he’s keeping the exact details of the space under wraps, guests can expect what Negron calls a “mishmash,” with some elements similar to the vibe at Little Lager. Keep Quiet will have low lighting from a variety of sources, such as through the use of neon and chandeliers, with some old-school tie-ins throughout.
“Aspects of the design are derived in travel and getting out of your comfort zone,” he further described the atmosphere.
Additionally, there will be elements from the Southwest, which is where Negron is originally from, as well as aspects reminiscent of a New York-style dive bar, all with undertones of a classic speakeasy.
Negron is aiming to keep the space intimate, and hopes to have seating for between 20 to 25 people, although there won’t be bar seating available. The blend of seating options will include some lounge seating, two-top tables and Negron is aiming to have one larger communal type seating area that will seat six to eight people in order to accommodate groups.
The service hours will initially be on Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight. And people will know that Keep Quiet is open for business by looking for a red light, which will be illuminated when the spot is ready to welcome guests.
This article appears in December 2024.