When was the last time you went to a bar that wasn’t packed with Wake students? How about the last time you heard live jazz or went salsa dancing? Most Wake students never expand their bar-hopping beyond the usual haunts. Well, now is your opportunity to go to a bar that’s off the beaten path for Wake Forest. Speakeasy Jazz on 4th Street offers a little something for everyone, and its atmosphere can’t be beat.

A speakeasy, you say? Maybe that conjures up images of Prohibition in full swing, with flappers and jazz musicians partying the night away in a back-alley hideaway drinking bathtub gin. Or maybe I’m just a history major. Either way, Speakeasy Jazz is anything but a dark basement party. It’s a little slice of the New Orleans French Quarter right here in Winston-Salem. The atmosphere in Speakeasy Jazz is unlike any other bar in the city. From the Mardi-Gras beads on the lights to the bar peanuts served in a martini glass, this place is swank. There’s even a dress code to keep the atmosphere high class. Don’t worry, it’s not too strict, just wear a collared shirt if you’re a guy.

The menu for Speakeasy Jazz is almost as great as its atmosphere. While nothing too heavy is offered, the wide array of tastes they cater to should be enough to fit even the pickiest eater’s pallet. They offer everything from light fare such as soups and salads, to a little heavier munchies like sandwiches and quesadillas. If raw fish is your dish of choice, they offer that, too. Basically, if you want something to snack on while enjoying the bar, chances are they have something you’ll like. The drink menu is just as varied. They have four house beers always on tap, including one of the Foothills Brewery brands, and a number of others in bottles. But the Speakeasy’s real specialty is its martinis. What would you expect from a swanky bar? Ask Heidi the bartender to make you an appletini, she makes a killer one.

Perhaps the best thing about Speakeasy Jazz is its different activities every night. On Tuesdays, they offer Latin dance lesson. So, take a date and learn how to shake your two left feet. Wednesdays is jam night. Area jazz musicians can bring their gear and jam alongside others for everyone’s enjoyment. Right now, Speakeasy is having a mini- Star Search, so take your instrument and try to grab your fifteen minutes. Thursdays give you a chance to show off the dance moves you learned on Tuesday, as it’s “Latin Dance Night.” There’s no cover charge for any of the week nights, so go and learn some dance moves for free. Fridays and Saturdays, there’s live jazz music from professional jazz musicians. There is a cover for the weekend, but its only $5, so its very reasonable.

All in all, Speakeasy Jazz is a great bar with an amazing atmosphere, and it offers a little something for everyone. It may be out of the norm for Wake kids, but it's a great bar, nonetheless. I definitely recommend checking it out any night of the week. Who knows—maybe you’ll even learn some dance moves.