Red Frog Lisbon - Speakeasy review

Red Frog, Lisboa, Portugal

We were planning a trip to Lisbon from the US. I heard about the Red Frog on a podcast that said it was one of the 50 best bars in the world. I went online to book a reservation and it said they take reservations two weeks in advance. Reservations are mandatory and must be made two weeks in advance as they fill up quickly. You need to book a reservation and they fill up pretty quickly. I booked successfully and received a confirmation and now it was a matter of waiting for that day.

When we showed up at the speakeasy, it was by another club. We walked out front and didn’t see an immediate entrance, but there was a man at the door who asked if he could help. We asked for the entrance to the Red Frog and he asked for our names and called it in. Then he led us in the door and we walked to a second yellow door where he entered the code on a door and we were able to go inside.

The ambience in the red frog was nice and was a balance of intimate charm with modern sophistication. The place was nice and clean, and the dim lighting set the mood. There were a few two person tables and then another section with bigger tables for larger groups. The speakeasy looked really nice with pictures and artwork on the walls. While the design creates a nice inviting vibe, it does feel a little too modern for a traditional speakeasy.

We were seated at a two person table and the waiter came over to welcome us. I really appreciated how the staff was attentive and walked us through their craft cocktail bar menu and answered questions for us.

The drink menu was a thick hardbound book and provided details on the drinks. They were reasonably priced by craft cocktail standards, but if you’re not used to these specialized concoctions, they might surprise you in how pricey they are.

There was a bar section where the bartenders created their craft cocktail magic and they’re able to showcase their creativity and expertise.

The drinks were delicious and the professional mixologist really knew what she was doing. The “Ilusao Nehru” was a mezcal drink with an accompanying flower bud cut in two. Part of the experience was to eat it and you’d feel a tingly and numbing sensation on your tongue and in your mouth. It was a very interesting experience. To top it off the drink was nice and smoky. Another drink we tried was the “Umani Sazerac” which was delicious. The “Bubbles and Troubles” tasted ok, but it came out in a cool U-shaped glass and looked fancy with bubbles coming out each end. It was a creative concoction, but wasn’t our favorite. One thing to note is the drinks are pricey, so just know that going in.

The biggest complaint I had was the noise level. There were groups of people talking loudly and definitely not the in the “speak easy” vibe you experience in most hidden bars. It was already loud from the music where the volume was set too high. On top of this you could hear others talking louder which hampered the ambiance. I was surprised and disappointed to find out almost everyone there was not local from Portugal, but fellow Americans. Speakeasies originated in the States, so I can see how this place caters to Americans. A note to the Red Frog staff is to gently remind patrons to "speak easy" and lower music volumes which would definitely enhance the ambiance.

Having said that, the staff deserves special mention for their attentiveness and expertise. They guided us through the menu with patience and knowledge making sure we could find the perfect drink. A huge plus in our experience.

Overall, we really enjoyed the Red Frog speakeasy. It was nice, clean and modern although somewhat of a sterile feel they tried to make cozy. While it didn’t capture the traditional “speak easy” atmosphere, we give it top marks for the great staff and service as they were incredibly helpful and informative. The cocktails were great too and the mixologist used creativity to make great drinks. If they can turn the music down and tell loud talkers to “speak easy” this place would be excellent and create a more intimate experience.

I’d say Red Frog gets a thumbs up to Lisbon's evolving cocktail culture. While it appears to cater more to international tourists than locals, it does deliver. It’s totally worth the visit.

REVIEW BY: Timothy Williams - Dec 28, 2024

The 21 Club - Reimaging going back

The 21 Club: Teleport back in time for one night

In my best smoky voice... You step out of the cab onto West 52nd Street, the City, Yes, New York City is alive with secrets. The year is 1929, and the Prohibition era has change the way people get their hidden drinks. It's a cold evening and the wind blows across your face as you glance up and down the street. You don't see anything. There’s no sign, no obvious entrance, just the directions passed to you from someone at work.

You walk up to the unmarked brownstone, wondering what's inside. A sharply dressed doorman leans against the wall. His eyes are scanning for any sign of trouble, or uninvited guests. He looks at you and you whisper the password, and his expression softens just slightly. With a nod, he opens the door, revealing a dark and narrow stairwell.

Inside, your world is transformed.

(Reader: prepare yourself for some deliberate and elaborate details that will paint a picture of the 21 Club)

Warm golden light spills across the room. It bounces off the crystal glasses and polished wood of the bar. There's a low murmur of laughter and conversation and it mixes with the steady rhythm of Duke Ellington’s East St. Louis Toodle-Oo coming from a corner stage. A waiter in a tuxedo takes your coat and ushers you through a crowd of elegantly dressed men and women. As you walk through, you smell the scent of cigars, French perfume, and the faintest hint of whiskey in the air.

The 21 Club is in full swing tonight.

At your table, you’re greeted with a small menu. The offerings are detailed in their descriptions. It's a slight nod to the fact that most of them are illegal. Tonight’s menu features a selection of hors d’oeuvres, stuffed oysters, deviled eggs with caviar, and foie gras on toast. For the main courses, it's roast duck à l’orange and filet mignon.

Your waiter approaches and his voice is low. He asks, “Any drinks for you tonight?”

You take a peek at the specialty cocktail list, and are amazed at what you see.

• Bee’s Knees: A mix of gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey that's sweet enough to mask the harshness of bootleg liquor.

• French 75: Champagne with a splash of gin and a squeeze of citrus.

• Southside: A crisp concoction of gin, mint, lime, and sugar.

• Mary Pickford: Homage to the silent film star, with white rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, and Maraschino liqueur.

As you take your time looking over the menu, the waiter leans in conspiratorially. “Might I suggest the French 75?” he asks. “It’s become something of a favorite lately.” You glace at the drink and nod, then he disappears into the crowd.

As you wait for your drink, you take in the room. Every detail seems designed to make you forget the world outside. The lights are dim, casting shadows on the walls. The bar is simple, but elegant and you can only imagine the money put into this.

The waiter returns with your drink, a coupe glass filled with pale champagne. You take a sip and you immediately notice the tartness of lemon mingling with the sharpness of gin and the effervescent sweetness of the champagne. It’s light, playful, and just dangerous enough to remind you why you’re here.

As it grows later, one thing is evident. The laughter grows louder, the music is more uninhibited and more drinks are made. At one point, the lights dim even further, and a woman steps onto the tiny stage at the corner of the room. Her voice, low and sultry, quiets the haze of conversation, and all eyes turn to her. Her song is slow and beautiful. It's the kind of tune that makes you lean back and let the world melt away.

And that’s what the 21 Club does. It makes you forget. Forget the laws, the raids, the tension of the outside world. Here, in this hidden bar, you’re untouchable. The worry of the world dissolves into the rhythm of the jazz, the sparkle of the champagne, and the laughter around you.

As the hours slip by, you realize the 21 Club isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling. It’s the thrill of stepping into the forbidden. It's the comfort of knowing you’re surrounded by like minded individuals. It’s luxury, rebellion, and camaraderie rolled into one unforgettable night.

When you finally leave, the cold night air hits you like a shock and brings you back to reality. But even as you walk away, the memory of the warmth, the music, and the forbidden taste of champagne lingers. It makes you wonder when you’ll return to that hidden world again.

(Reader: Close your eyes and go back in time as you imagine yourself at the 21 Club)

Red Frog Lisbon - Speakeasy review

Red Frog, Lisboa, Portugal