Southside Speakeasy

Nestled deep within the Fairview industrial park there is a secret. A hidden gem. It’s the Speakeasy.This club is under new ownership and Raed (the New Owner) is working hard to bring new entertainment and some exciting events throughout the week!I found the Speakeasy through their Facebook page and decided to visit on 4-23-24 a Tuesday which means free pool! It’s good to see that over the decades of not playing pool that I really still suck at pool. Good thing for free pool Tuesday now I have a place to practice.I had the opportunity to meet 2 of the key players during my visit. Rachael is about the hardest working Hostess I have ever seen bouncing from place to place with smiles the whole way. Through a hiccup in the kitchen a duplicate order was made and Rachael asked me if I had eaten yet. I declined as I had but I was touched by it all the same.Raed (the new owner) is very passionate about the club. He took me on a tour of his vision, and I got to say I really do think that his vision will transform the Speakeasy into a premier night club!I’m not at liberty to say what surprises Lee has in store but I am excited!If you’re looking for a nice laid back place to unwind you have found it.I for one look forward to sampling the events and developments.Glad I stopped inUPDATE. 5-30-24.I went back here on a Thursday for the thirsty Thursday event and had such a good time on little cash because Thursdays are two for one on drinks. Lots of new friends

This place is awesome! All the people including the customers were so kind. And Ethan is the best worker Ive ever known. I work with a lot of people and he was the friendliest person in such a long time. Give him a raise!!! Thank you Ethan for your wonderful personality and hospitality! Youre an amazing human. I mean that!

Had a wonderful time visiting here New Years Eve 2023. The drag show was phenomenal, the atmosphere and clientele were welcoming and accepting.

First time there we had so much fun. Went in to catch the Friday Night Escapade drag show which was fabulous. The cocktails were well made and we had a blast dancing all night. Definitely looking forward to coming back.

Only the best vibes here at the speakeasy! Places to play pool, dance floor, slot machines, good drinks 😎. The drag shows are so much fun to watch! 😁

We had SOO much fun last Halloween party and were looking forward to this year.Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. I probably lost my keys and wallet 3 times that night ( I know) but each time they were returned to the bar and or found on the floor after everyone left.10/10 recommend for a fun night out.

The bartender is really nice and the drag queens are super hot! Friday night drag show ftw.

Pretty good time. First time at a gay bar, food was good very crowded that night.

My friend Doug says the chicken strips are amazing

Dance floor 9/10 because it is huge and the lighting is awesome! Music 1/10. Outdated and doesn’t make you want to move. Drinks were weak *though cheap* 2/10. Would say it has been majority male the times I have gone. Better luck at Night Deposit as a female looking to dance with a female

Super disappointed... I was really happy to perform here, but had horrible experiences with the two older bartenders who worked there last night. Im cordial to people, but if they dont have the common courtesy to greet patrons, and, performers, who are actually making their bar money, they shouldnt be there... There was one server who was very nice, and the food was good, but I will be declining any gigs that may come up at this place.... Great ambiance, but your older staff needs an attitude adjustment. I didnt drive all the way from Portland for a $50 gig to be disrespected for existing.

Edited after coming here for several months:By far my favorite bar and social place in salem! Amazing drag shows with the friendliest performers! Customer service here is the highest out of any place around. Pool tables and video gambling is always a fun time and the pool tables are free on certain days. I love that you can see your drink being made and everyone there is always super fun to talk to; most times I come here I usually ask for a surprise drink and I have never been let down, always delicious!

Went there a few weeks ago for the drag show and had a blast. We have even come back for two more drag performances. They really interact with the audience. And the staff are friendly and the drinks are well made.

The only thing that I don’t like is most important music 🎵 it’s so bored! I would like have money to make a real gay night club😩 I am thinking go to night after one year ago I hope 🤞 This has changed but I dont think….they say that people continue to select Top 40 music. Last time I went I got tired of sending messages and never putting the music on.I went before …. 3 times…Update: still bored music and atmosphere.Update: still bored music and atmosphere…The more the night goes on, the more boring and people leave.The more the night goes on, the more boring and people leave.I went last Friday Saturday… 😒

I feel so at home when I go here. R D is fantastic. He makes me feel like family. Sorry bit I dont remember the owners name but he is such a great person. Great food, large selection of alcohol and fantastic service. Always have a blast when we go there

Best burgers and fries in town! The burgers are big, always hot, juicy, fresh, and full of flavor. The fries are hot,crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Many places food will taste different depending on the cook, but the food here is consistently delicious! The price for deliciousness cant be beat!!

First time going. Person taking tickets is amazing. People behind the bar amazing. Great crowd. Music isnt my my taste but i was able to enjoy myself anyways. Honestly had great time. Thankyou ^-^

Had a different experience a few months back, but went with my roommate on Halloween and it was delightful. Fantastic crowd, pumping music, great friendly staff, good bar food, excellent drinks, gorgeously costumed crowd.It all made for one of the best Halloween events Ive been to in a smaller city, and ranked with some Ive attended in Atlanta, Portland, San Francisco, and Houston.Nicely done, Speakeasy staff!

Best place to be able to relax with a cocktail or stiff drink. I am able to relax here more than any other bar knowing thier arent ANY of the rowdy crowds. Nobody cares to fight you and nobody here is looking for that kind of entertainment either. Its a very sexy and welcuming atmosphere and the owner is 🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥

Best fried mushrooms and onion rings in town!! They were cooked perfectly and so yummy! The French dip was delicious! This was my first experience with their food and I will most definitely be ordering from them more!! Thank you so much!!

Is a nice club but they dont seem to like their patrons. I drove 45 minutes to get there, walked in and got a text from my friends saying they had just gotten there. I walked right outside the door then was told I couldnt come back in. Nobody told me anything about this strange policy until after I went out the door. When I pointed out that I wasnt local, and had driven here from Portland, and I hadnt been told, they pointed me to a sign that was off to the side of the entrance. They only relented finally when I said that Id probably never come back after that.Ive never heard of any club ever having such a policy, and I go clubbing every weekend. Their response was that the clubs Im used to probably dont have smoking areas, which i informed them that they all do. If this club expects to grow, or likely even stay in business, then they need to do away with such backwards policies as this and not accepting cards after 8pm.The only way Ill be coming back is if my friends beg me to.

Service gets worse every time I come in. Sometimes I’m standing at the bar for 5-10 minutes before a bartender even shows up. first we had to get our own menus and then we let them know we we’re waiting to make a food order and another 10 minutes go by waiting while I can count the customers on my hands alone. It’s not busy. It’s almost like the workers don’t want to give you service.

Our first time going a few years ago my husband hurt his leg pretty bad. All the staff were very nice and helped get him up off the ground, gave me water and bread to help me soak up the alcohol that I had that evening. I couldnt have dealt with that without the amazing staff and the awesome people that were there that night. Ive been back a few times and havent had any bad experience. Cant wait to go again!

I love this place!!! Super welcoming and safe environment. Warm and friendly staff. Reasonably priced food and drink. Great drag shows and fun lively dance floor.The one and only criticism I have is with the DJ, generally towards late-night top forties are played by request. The request line is biased towards pop, eighties, and top forties, Latin, and if you want to hear anything other then that, they dont oblige. Even if its a newer drag song. No sweat off my back though, I always have a great time. I go to other places for good music, lol. Unfortunately, had to remove one star for my disappointment in the music request line.Four stars for the ambiance, safety, prices, dance floor, and smoking patio!Have a gay day! :)

Great priced drinks, great company. Doesnt matter who you are, you can come here and have a good time. DJ takes your requests and will play them with a text in service. Be polite and nice to all people here and you will have fun. David and Troy are the best and most friendly people on the planet. They truly care about who you are.

The place is great but your door girl black hair, glasses is extremely rude, been rude everytime we have come there so honestly wont come back. Everyone in our group had a valid ID even a few military IDs but still rude. So unfortunately wont be back. Its pretty disappointing that with this being the only LGBTQ place in this area the door person is so unfriendly completely defeating the point of a friendly safe space. You go to a place like that to feel safe and respected.

The older bartender with the glasses is very rude. He was yelling at customers who were in line the long line waiting to order drinks. He seemed to be very annoyed that there was a huge line. On the other hand the other bartender was a very sweet guy. I refused to order drinks from the older bartender. If the old man cant handle big crowds during events he shouldnt be working there. I will drive the extra 50 plus miles to Portland for better service.

Yesterday I went to celebrate my birthday knowing that I was going to find more of the same in terms of music and atmosphere and I was surprised I never thought that in this place I would find such good varied music. I had a lot of fun. Only my Cuban friends were missing.

A really fun spot. Ive had a great time nearly every time Ive been there. It remains one of the best dance spots in Salem. Theres often a cover charge, however.

Completely empty when I went but the food was really good. The kitchen wait time was ridiculously long considering I was the only patron. Clean atmosphere and big hall with smoking areas outside. Worth a stop if passing by but wouldnt recommend traveling just for this place.

Best place to dance in town. Great drag shows, karaoke, service and food. I love people watching here it is the BEST! These wonderful souls are our family! Xoxo

The bartender RD. Was super sweet. Came to check on us to make sure everything was great. Very sweet. We love this place. This was my first club/ bar. And its the only place I feel safe to let myself be myself. Thank you SouthSide

Very spacious gay bar with pool, shows and a great place to socialize. Impressed with the friendly staff. Full menu for food items too! Its a nice space.👍🌈💫☮️

The number one spot for LGBT social life in Salem and mid-valley.That said, if you are looking for the original and inventive, this is definitely NOT the place.Drag shows, karaoke, all the typical staples.Sound, and DJ are pretty awful. The set list is like 35 year-old cliche, with a bit of top-40 mixed in..Kind of a place frozen in time..

Fun place to have a great time in a great atmosphere!! Not to be judged or criticized, to be yourself and to enjoy good food , great people and amazing strong drinks !!! Plus a Bonus Awesome performers and good music!! 🥰

This is a good place to eat and has great food. Ive only been here the one time and plan on going back again. They have a great cook and the place is very spacious. They have a bar and a poker machine room and great food what more could you want?

Always have a blast! So open and welcoming to any crowd.

Friendly neighborhood bar! A great place to just chill. Non-pretentious, nice staff, cheap drinks, fun drag shows.Glad we have this place in a town like Salem!

PROS-Very good service, attentive waitstaff. Great mixed drinks and food for what I have tried.Large, open dance floor. Pretty good lighting for a club/bar of its nature.Probably one of the most visible supporters of the LGBT and extended communities in all of Mid Valley. It is THE place to meet in Salem and the surrounding areas.Lots of drag-shows, if thats your thing.CONS -Safe to the point of cliché. Nothing even approaches innovative or creative. Socially, musically, even the events feel frozen in time for 30 years.Sound system is fairly modern, but either poorly understood or just poorly managed. Loud, like a metal concert at a dive bar, when it could be clean, crisp, and bumping.Selection is nothing short of stereotypical - dont expect any good EDM here.Lots of drag shows, if thats not your thing.

$3 cover on a Friday night? Okay, cool. Decade old music? Nah. $1 for a water? What!? You dont take cards after 8pm? What kind of bar is this!? Ill never come back here.

Excellent. Very impressive for a smaller town. Loved the staff, drinks and ambiance. Cute. Fun time. Good deals. Will go back again.

Bartender was so so sweet— definitely older demographic but fun for karaoke. Great drinks and food!

This bar is derogatory towards Native Americans. If your brown of skin or have resemblance of Hispanic ethnicity except to be discriminated against.... I was absolutely applauded by the behavior and language of the staff

Unfortunately after being a frequent customer at the southside speakeasy for over 2 years I experinece a horrid and embarrassing event where I was not only outed, I had pictures of my bottom(butt and vagina), breasts ECT taken without my consent and spread around the bar to other patrons, while I was helping the servers clean up a broken glass and ice on the dance floor to help prevent injury to other patrons of the bar. After confronting the person(who and I quote said you want to dress like a prostitue get treated like one and the owners/security about the situation I was told it was a free country and they could take whatever videos and photos they please of me.(to be noted this was an anti bullying event at the bar to promote acceptance of Lgbtq youth in oregon) upon further questioning and preasure the owners of the southside speakeasy removed the person committing the crime for the night but welcomed them back to the bar on any other night. I feel completely disrespected and baffled that I(a loyal customer and patron of the south side speakeasy) was treated with such distain and disrespect from staff and and owners of the bar. I would not recomend anyone attend such a place claiming to be a safe space that would allow such behavior and disrespect to its loyal customers who are I fact Lgbtq youth.

Very cool lights and decor. Fun atmosphere. The music was ear ringing though, like permanent damage loud. So if youre into that.

Ive seriously never before been to a bar where the bartender camps out on his laptop refreshing mugshot sites as he tries to profile everyone who walks through the door. Thats not being safe - thats being paranoid, and it was disgusting.You can do better, Salem...

Ive loved this place since my first visit! Great drinks, great atmosphere and fun drag shows.

Love this place.

Easy drink prices, friendly crowd, free pool every Sunday, karaoke night, patio heating. No Re-entry once you leave, so dont leave anything in the car 😕

Fun. Wish the DJ had a wider selection (lots of 90s-00 music with a small, few current top 40 dance) But fun for a gay bar in the OR valley.

Hard to find but worth it. I wasnt impressed with the cocktails, but straight shots and anything on tap is solid for the price . Very fun party spot.

Fun place to dance! Everyone is so happy there. Great bartenders too!

Super fun place! The DJ could have made it five stars, but didnt quite make it.

Love this place lots of friends & celebrating our engagement. The only thing better will be my wedding day June 10th

Fun show, the bar didnt seem like much but Cath a show and youll have a great time.

Nice place to come have a beer, shoot a game of pool, or have something off the menu there prices for what you get are a great value, Ill go back again!

Fantastic food, phenomenal service, beautiful patrons, great vibes!Thank you for all that you do for Salem! ❤️

I go for lunch. Fries are always super fresh. Not busy at lunchtime so quiet and quick.

Great environment for queer nightlife. My only minor complaint is that I wish they had better food that was made from scratch

Always popping fridays and Saturdays. Great staff that is always friendly. They all make you as comfortable as possible no matter who you are.

Got Served some not very good drinks. I did love the music choice but wont be back cause of the drinks.

A very fun place.thank you I had an incredible time!!🎊❤️❤️❤️🦋🦋🦋

Slower on weeknights for sure. but still a great place to dance in Salem and open to all!

A very quaint little place. Skilled bartenders! Drag queens! Cute men, beautiful ladies. Whats not to love? 😊

Love the Speak!! Especially my Wednesdays with my brother Mike singing kareoke, the company and service is amazing!! 😁

I enjoy taking one of my resident to the show, the jokes r so funny n everybody r so friendly.

It is a nice venue, but no cards after 8pm. Cash only bar.

This is what it is supposed to be about. A safe, happy and clean place for us all to hang out. Thank you my loves.

David is one of the best bartenders

Greatest place in town to take an ol upper decker! no judgement felt here!

I wuz trully amazed.. I had the greatest time ever and I love Cindy Lauper.. I would go back again

This bar is fun. Huge dance floor. No being judgemental here

Great love this place. Great drinks and decent food. Friendly

Love this place. So homey and nice. Love the music and all the lovies

Always a great place to stop by and visit good friends Jeff the bartender is THE BEST

Great food , great customer service, great atmosphere. I Defenitelly recommend this place.

Great place to meet new and old friends for a drink and a dance.

Fun, lots of dancing. Great place to have some fun.

Music is consistent and always the same but a great place to dance

Excellent entertainment and staff, great food and atmosphere.

Tuesday nights steak dinner is awesome. Wonderful employees.

Great bar! Always great food and service!

Super Fun place! Gay or straight doesnt Matter!

Great place to be. The Salem munch is awesome!

A great place to dance and have fun with friends

Friendly staff, big space and great music

Awesome staff great drinks & food

Loved it look forward to spend more time next time around!

Great place to go for a good time good drinks great people

Door clock is 5 to 7 mins fast .. watch out for cover !

Great place to hang out and be with friends in a safe atmosphere...

This is a fun, safe place to go to. We will be back.

Perfect for LBGQ community. Good drag shows.

Great place to eat an Dance live entertainment

A very welcoming environment I love it here

Maybe just came on a bad day. EXTREMELY rude and agressive staff right at the door.

That bartender could be alot nicer tk me and others..

Awesome fun get your dance and drink on!!!!!

It was really clean.Nice people that work there...

Awesome place. Great staff.

Fun spot and the owners are awesome!

Always a fun time and great people.

Really good food and even nicer people

Best dance place in town!! 😉😉😀😎😎

Always great food with great prices

A safe place to meet, dance, and just be YOU

Was fun, drinks were great.

Love this place we have lot fun

Awesome party for st. Pattys Day

Fun for dancing Fri & Sats!

Awesome atmosphere!

Fun music, great crowd

Great place and fun times

Best place to dance in Salem.

Very nice!!! And great service!!! Thanks RD!!!

First time here and it’s two-for-ones! That’s a win 🍻

Best bar in Salem Oregon

Great place for dancing

Its really.. REALLY gay in there

My favorite bar in salem area

So fun!

Need a new DJ!!

We had an ABSOLUTE blast!!!

Loud. Boring drinks. YMMV.

Lost my dad here to :(

I love the diversity!

Its cool

Love it

Great place to go.

Great place to dance

Awesome

Love this place

Gays

Neat little place

This is the best fun

Great staff

This place is my home

Fun place.

A nice place.

Great staff

Great food and great service.